Connecticut

Newsroom

Our newsroom is an online resource for journalists, donors and friends.

Sort By: Title | Date | Location | Topic

EDITORIAL: A dam party worth noting

Westerly Sun

May 09, 2013

Anguilla Brook is coming back to life as the result of a cooperative effort between a Pawcatuck couple who live along the brook, nature conservancies and even the state government. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Nature Conservancy opens E. Berlin fishway

Hartford Business Journal

May 08, 2013

The Nature Conservancy on Thursday will open a new fishway on the Mattabesset River in East Berlin with the help of the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.

Berlin's New Fishway Opens Mattabesset River To Spawning Fish

Hartford Courant

May 09, 2013

A ceremony Thursday marked the official opening of a new fishway that experts estimate has allowed at least 1,200 fish so far to bypass a dam in the Mattabesset River that has blocked fish migration for the last century. See story and photos.

Berlin Partners Celebrate Mattabesset River Fishway Benefiting Migratory Fish and Other Species

Berlin Patch

May 09, 2013

For the first time in perhaps 100 years, American shad—the Connecticut state fish—river herring, and other migratory fish can move past High Pond Dam on the Mattabesset River in East Berlin, thanks to a new fishway at the dam. The fishway—officially opened today— was built by The Nature Conservancy’s Connecticut Program in partnership with Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) with full support from the dam’s owner, StanChem, an East Berlin-based polymer company.

Conservancies, property owners celebrate return of migrant fish

The Westerly Sun

May 07, 2013

Herring — and alewife and eels and trout — were celebrated Monday at a Hello Herring party to mark the first spring migration season since the removal of the Rutan Dam from Anguilla Brook. Members of The Nature Conservancy and Avalonia Land Conservancy gathered on the pastoral Rutan property at the end of dead-end Lane Way in Pawcatuck to celebrate the final chapter in the dam once owned by Linda and Bill Rutan.

New Fishway In Berlin Unblocks Mattabesset River

Hartford Courant

April 26, 2013

The last 15 miles of the Mattabesset River, sealed off to shad, alewives and other migratory fish for a century by a dam off East Street, are open again. "We're very very excited of the immediate results," said Sally Harold, director of migratory fish projects in Connecticut for the Nature Conservancy.

12 Environmental Issues Facing Connecticut

Connecticutmag.com

April 19, 2013

As Connecticut prepares to celebrate Earth Day, here are a few areas and issues on which environmental organizations across the state are focused.

East Berlin fishway in Mattabesset River to open in May

The Berlin Citizen

April 04, 2013

The StanChem fishway has been planned, designed, and built by the Connecticut River Watershed Council, The Nature Conservancy, the DEEP, and StanChem, the fishway's owner.

Great Barrington Elm May Help Researchers Manage Tree Disease

WAMC - Northeast Public Radio

March 27, 2013

With the help of a high-climbing arborist, The Nature Conservancy is taking samples of big, old elm trees across the Northeast in hopes of developing a disease resistant strain. Ultimately, elms could once again grace our floodplain forests.

New York City kids spend the summer hard at work in Conn. woods

WSHU Public Radio

August 01, 2012

For a lot of kids who grow up in the city, summertime means more of the same - just without school. They're spending much of their summer vacation hard at work in the woods of Connecticut. It's part of the Nature Conservancy's LEAF internship program. Listen!

One Dam Comes Down and Another Goes Up

CPTV/WNPR Public Radio

August 01, 2012

The name Anguilla Brook is actually taken from the genus name for the American eel, Anguilla rostrata. But eels have been scare in the stream for decades, in part to an old dam that has blocked the eel and alewife from migrating upstream. Now, thanks to a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, that dam will be removed, and replaced with a new dam a half mile upstream that will include a fish ladder. Listen!

Students learn about nature through LEAF program

Connecticut Post

July 29, 2012

Students from New York City are being given the opportunity to get away from the city for the summer to participate in a local internship through the Nature Conservancy's Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future Program. Read The Post's story.

Eel, alewife may again swim in Anguilla Brook

The Day
Rivers & Lakes
July 31, 2012

Contractors working for the Nature Conservancy began removing the Rutan Pond Dam on Anguilla Brook in Stonington Monday. The 19th-century dam is being removed to return the stream to historic flow and relieve downstream areas of threats when high water levels threaten to remove the dam spontaneously. Read The Day's story.

The Park River: Exploring Hartford's Underbelly

WNPR
Rivers & Lakes
July 25, 2012

WNPR's Catie Talarski & artist Samuel Rowlett explore the underground Park River.
Samuel Rowlett’s exhibit (which includes his homemade canvas canoe) is at Real Art Ways now through September 29. He will be giving an artist talk Wednesday July 25 at 7PM, discussing his journey down the Connecticut River with Kim Lutz from the Nature Conservancy. Listen!

124 acres along Five-Mile River to remain unspoiled

Norwich Bulletin
Conservation Lands
July 11, 2012

The Wyndham Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy worked together to purchase 124 acres along the Five-Mile River in the Quinebaug River basin in Thompson. Read the story.

Haddam Neck Land Added To Silvio Conte Refuge

Hartford Courant
Conservation Lands
June 21, 2012

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has joined with the Nature Conservancy to purchase 50 acres of prime woodlands near the lower Salmon River in the town's Haddam Neck section – boosting its holdings of conservation land in the area to nearly 400 acres. Read the story.

Connecticut River First to Receive National Blueways Designation

WNPR
Partnerships
May 31, 2012

Kim Lutz, director of the Connecticut River Program for the Nature Conservancy, explains why the Connecticut River was chosen as the first National Blueway. Hear this great interview with Kim on WNPR.

Earth Day 2012: Greater New Haven events take celebration on the road

New Haven Register
Events
April 22, 2012

From West Rock to East Rock, and through many streets in between, hundreds of cyclists enjoyed the sunshine on their backs while the coffers of organizations they rode for, grew. See the story and photos in the Register.

Picnic Battle For The Planet Chef Competition

Tastydays.com
Events
April 21, 2012

Bun Lai, owner of Mia’s Sushi in New Haven prepares his dish as Jason Sobocinski, owner of Caseus Fromagerie & Bistro battle it out during the “picnic Battle For the Planet” chef competition at East Rock Park. See the story and video in Tastydays.

Donated land will become Lohmann Connecticut River Preserve

The Day
Conservation Lands
March 27, 2012

The Old Lyme Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy announced Tuesday a donation of 38 acres of shoreline, tidal marsh and uplands in Lord Cove that, in the future, will be open to the public. Read the story in The Day.

The Ridges And Peaceful Valley Of Lyme

The Hartford Courant
Conservation Lands
March 07, 2012

Hartford Courant columnist Peter Marteka finds that the Conservancy's Pleasand Valley Preserve lives up to its name. "Welcome to The Nature Conservancy's Pleasant Valley Preserve in the quiet wilds of North Lyme. Four miles of trails take visitors from the banks of the Eightmile River to the top of a granite ridge with views south and east across the high ridges of the Nehantic State Forest." Read Peter's column.

Want to see what a hurricane could do?

The Connecticut Mirror
Climate Change
January 09, 2012

The Connecticut Mirror looks at The Nature Conservancy's Coastal Resilience Tool.
"You start going from the coast of Connecticut to an archipelago," said Adam Whelchel, an ecologist who is director of science for the Conservancy in Connecticut. "This really wakes people up."

Big agenda, and a few battles, brewing for energy and environment in 2012

CTMirror.org
Leadership
December 29, 2011

After the bumper 2011 legislative session, you might expect a modest wish list from Connecticut legislators, environmentalists and conservation advocates for 2012. Not happening. Nearly a year after those groups and the Malloy administration began an energy and environmental reform quest that resulted in the new Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, an unprecedented comprehensive energy bill designed to upend energy business as usual, scads of funding for clean water projects, commitments to open space and a host of other initiatives, all parties are back asking for more.

Adapting to our warming planet

Living on Earth: Public Radio International
Climate Change
December 18, 2011

More dramatic floods, hurricanes, cyclones and wildfires, increases in global temperatures and higher levels of precipitation are consequences of climate change. In order to survive these environmental shifts, communities need to adapt their behaviors, says Frank Lowenstein of The Nature Conservancy. He talks with host Bruce Gellerman about how to plan for the future and adjust to a changing planet.

Green groups lay out environmental focus for 2012

Connecticut Post
Leadership
December 11, 2011

HARTFORD -- Legislators and environmental groups laid out an aggressive environmental agenda for 2012, saying that focusing on the environment will help the economy. Most agreed the state cannot afford to slide back on existing environmental legislation, especially when surrounding states and the federal government are doing just that.

Fla. expert joining Long Island Sound preservation

Hartford Courant (via Associated Press)
Oceans & Coasts
December 03, 2011

A Florida marine sciences expert is the new director of The Nature Conservancy's Long Island Sound program in New York and Connecticut.

New state water flow guidelines seek balance between nature, human needs

The (New London) Day
Rivers & Lakes
November 28, 2011

On Tuesday, the General Assembly's Regulation Review Committee is scheduled to vote on final approval of the first comprehensive state regulations to govern how much water suppliers must release into rivers and streams from their reservoirs.

Guilford hears plans to protect shoreline

New Haven Register
Climate Change
November 24, 2011

The Board of Selectmen heard detailed plans this week on protecting the town’s vulnerable shoreline from impacts of coastal changes, such as sea level rise, erosion and extreme storms.

Nature Conservancy transfers acres in Old Lyme, East Haddam to Fish & Wildlife Service

The (New London) Day
Conservation Lands
November 18, 2011

The Nature Conservancy has transferred 56 acres in Old Lyme and 40 acres in East Haddam to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to add to the Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge, the conservancy announced this week.

Deal reached on water regulations

Connecticut Post
Rivers & Lakes
October 23, 2011

We may be taking too much water from our state's rivers and streams and endangering fish populations, Connecticut environmentalists have been warning for years. The solution, they say, is to regulate how much water can be used. But industry experts said if the rules are too strict, they would be bad for business and for public health. After intense negotiations, the two sides have reached a compromise and are confident state lawmakers will pass new regulations next month.

Volunteers sample Saugatuck Watershed streams

Weston-Redding-Easton Patch
Rivers & Lakes
October 20, 2011

The Nature Conservancy would like to thank the many volunteers who contributed their time and effort to our annual stream sampling effort Saturday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 16. Eighty-six volunteers including high school and college students, mothers and daughters, and local professionals helped assess water quality of the streams in the watershed by sampling the insects and other aquatic organisms living on the stream bottom.

China scientists in region to learn about coping with changes along the coast

The (New London) Day
Climate Change
October 06, 2011

Three Chinese scientists are visiting Connecticut this week, learning from the Nature Conservancy about strategies to adapt to rising sea levels, warming water temperatures and other effects of development and climate change on coastal ecosystems.

Get your feet wet: Help protect rivers in Weston

The Daily Weston
Rivers & Lakes
September 23, 2011

Volunteers will learn to identify the macroinvertebrate species found in the stream bottom, which will provide insight into the health of the local river system.

Connecticut's historic dams present a barrier for fish life

WSHU Public Radio
Rivers & Lakes
September 13, 2011

Throughout Connecticut's industrial history, factories were built along the state's rivers, where dams could generate power. WSHU recently reported about the legacy of crumbling factories that still exist throughout the state. Today, we look at the environmental impact of those dams that still remain.

Irene a cause to plan ahead

Connecticut Post
Oceans & Coasts
September 02, 2011

I'm not sure what was more alarming -- fearing a direct hit from Irene as a Category 2 hurricane or seeing how much damage a hit from Irene as "just" a tropical storm caused in Connecticut's coastal areas. While this event wasn't as bad as it might have been for many of us, the reality of Tropical Storm Irene serves as a grim reminder of how devastating a more serious storm could be. These storms reshape our coastlines, often not in ways we would like them to, and Tropical Storm Irene is yet another reminder that there are risks to living and investing along the coast.

Connecticut's picturesque dams evoke history, but damage streams, environmentalists say

Connecticut Post
Rivers & Lakes
August 24, 2011

The dam took about two days to take down. Like the majority of the 4,000 dams in Connecticut, it was on private property, built to make the river look more aesthetic. But environmentalists are working to have many of these dams dismantled, noting they damage the health of streams and also impede migratory fish, such as the alewives and blueback herring that make their way up the Aspetuck every spring to spawn.

Nature Conservancy Promotes its Mission

Litchfield County Times
Events
July 28, 2011

The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut is working for global conservation, seeking to help people and ecosystems from the Connecticut River Valley to Brazil adapt to a changing climate.

Beachgoers tag horseshoe crabs for study

WSHU Public Radio
Oceans & Coasts
June 20, 2011

Sunday, a dozen volunteers combed beaches in Fairfield, Connecticut, with The Nature Conservancy's Sally Harold in search of horseshoe crabs. It's an effort to learn more about the declining horseshoe crab population. Listen to WSHU reporter Will Stone's report online.

Conservation tool shows Connecticut shoreline moving inland

Connecticut Post
Climate Change
April 04, 2011

The computer tool developed by The Nature Conservancy shows startling changes along Long Island Sound within the next 10 years.

Coastal communities have new tool to study sea levels

The Day

March 31, 2011

The Day reports on Coastal Resilience and sea-level rise in Connecticut.

New tool can help planners prepare for climate change

The Day

March 25, 2011

Coastal town planners, members of land use boards and other municipal officials have a new tool at their disposal to help with decisions about how to prepare their communities for climate change.

James Miller

Media Relations Manager


(617) 532-8339 or (857) 600-6603 (cell)

james_miller@tnc.org

For Journalists

Contact The Nature Conservancy's media relations team.

Marketing Partnerships

Learn more about The Nature Conservancy's marketing alliances with businesses that share our commitment to conservation.

If you're interested in pursuing a partnership with The Nature Conservancy, please contact corporate_partnerships@tnc.org.

Photos

NOTE: The Nature Conservancy does not provide images to third parties that are not promoting The Nature Conservancy or our work. For more information on photos and usage, please contact images@tnc.org.

Public Service Advertisements

View or listen to our television, radio and print PSAs. For more information, please contact psa@tnc.org.

Still haven't found what you're looking for?

Visit our main contact page.

Read More

Photo Special Features TabLion in Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa. © Kenneth K. Coe

Close Encounters with Nature

Whether scary or exciting, nature has a way of sneaking up on you. See stories

Arden OConnor 215x143Arden O’Connor. © Lajla LeBlanc

Nature Matters

Hear some of nature's success stories and see how nature matters to us all. Watch videos

Explore Related Content

See Our Spring 2012 Newsletter
The Spring 2012 newsletter features "All Hands on Earth." Your actions matter when it comes to saving the planet. Check it out!
Explore Connecticut
Get an insider's look at the Conservancy's work in Connecticut. Learn more