Citizen Scientists to Help Assess Health of Local River
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Stream Habitat Walk Facilitator, Cheshire Land Trust, Pam Roach, 203-806-0258 CONTACT: Mill River Watershed Coordinator, Save the Sound, Nicole Davis, 203-787-0646, davis@savethesound.org CONTACT: Public Affairs and Communications Manager, RWA, Dan Doyle, 203-401-6766
CHESHIRE, July 10, 2018
The Cheshire Land Trust (CLT) and town residents are involved in a local, citizen science habitat stream walk this summer to study the Mill River. The habitat stream walk is the result of the larger Mill River Watershed Plan, conducted by CT Fund for the Environment | Save the Sound, in partnership with land trusts, environmental groups, non-profits and town organizations, who have an interest in this important body of water.
The Mill River watershed supplies drinking water for countless families in the region. It originates in Cheshire, and runs among residential neighborhoods, heavy commercial corridors and along the western boundary of CLT’s Fresh Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary on Cook Hill Road before leaving Cheshire’s borders. By the time the Mill River reaches its destination of New Haven Harbor, it has run a total length of 17 miles.
The goal of the habitat stream walk is to bring a heightened awareness of the importance of clean water to residents of the watershed. “By involving communities in a hands-on project that directly impacts them, it is hoped people will come away with a better understanding of the care environmental systems need,” said Cheshire Land Trust President, Joy VanderLek.
Citizen scientists will attend an educational workshop hosted by Save the Sound | CT Fund for the EnvironmentSave the Sound, The Regional Water Authority (RWA) and Cheshire Land Trust at Quinnipiac University on July 21, 2018. The workshop will include an outdoor component on identifying river characteristics and more.
Following the workshop, volunteers will walk and study their own sections of the Mill River. The habitat stream walks will take place in July and August. Volunteers will mainly conduct their studies from the river, on open space and public land. However, some portions of the Mill River are not easily accessed. Residents whose properties back up to the Mill River might be asked by Mill River habitat stream walk volunteers for permission to access the river via their property. Please consider. Volunteers will wear identifying badges with corresponding paperwork. Visual checks take less than 15 minutesare brief.
Save the Sound, and the Cheshire Land Trust would like to involve watershed residents in our efforts to develop strategies to restore, conserve, and protect the quality of the river’s water and habitat. If you are interested in participating in the streamwalks or would like information on the watershed plan, please contact Nicole Davis at ndavis@savethesound.org or (203) 787-0646.
The Cheshire Land Trust was formed in 1969, as a private, non-profit organization, with a mission dedicated to the conservation and preservation of natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of all residents in Cheshire and the state of CT.
About the Regional Water Authority
The South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) is a nonprofit corporation that delivers water for life by providing high-quality water and services to almost 430,000 people in 15 cities and towns throughout Greater New Haven. As a conscious business, the RWA acts as a responsible steward of the environment by protecting the more than 27,000 acres of watershed land it owns and promoting sustainable practices. Our 270 employees work toward our vision of being an innovative water utility that sustains life, strengthens communities and protects natural resources for future generations. For more information on the RWA, please visit www.rwater.com.
