Norwalk River Watershed Association :: Recent Events

Spring River Clean-up: Purpose-To rid rivers, banks, and flood plains of garbage and natural debris that can block culverts; adversely impact water quality, habitats, and inhabitants; and detract from the health and looks of local rivers and their surrounding communities.

Sean Maher takes part in the River Cleanup that took place on May 6th in South Norwalk. Special Thank you to Spinnaker Companies of Stamford, CT and the City of Norwalk.

Weston High School Service Fair

The first two weeks in April marked the beginning of river cleanup, a hopeful expansion of our river ranger program and two major events for high school students. On April 5th Emelie Howard, Executive Director, participated in a "Service Fair" at Weston High School. The Fair included invitees from many non-profit organizations like the Norwalk River Watershed Association because the school and some of its students would like to see more active participation by the teens in service work.

Armed with an instant winner game designed to teach a little about the watershed, a little about why individuals must participate in the care of their environment and with a few instant winner prizes, Ms. Howard deems the adventure a success. Says she, "We had eighteen students sign up to do any kind of work we need them to do … from digging and planting, measuring and testing, helping to set up at events, or generally helping with mailings. In a volunteer organization like the NRWA, nothing could be welcomer than young helping hands.

DEP and Wilton High School Stock the River

Just a few days later, NRWA was on the job again. This time Susan Robinson, Board Member, arranged for a cooperative afternoon between the DEP and the Wilton High School students in the Environmental Sciences. Tim Barry of the DEP Hatchery came to Merwin Meadows Park, Wilton, with a truckload of testing equipment and fresh trout. Wilton High School students of Jim Hunter's class walked to Merwin Meadows Park carrying their hip boots prepared to give the DEP a hand.

Down into the river with nets and electric charges to first determine the species that had survived the winter in the Norwalk River. Once netted and safely in bucketsful of water, the second part of the scientific adventure began. Net by net, hand over hand, the trout were bouncing around while the students brought them safely to the riverside and then slung them into the water. It was stocking the river time for trout fishing season beginning on April 15th. Wilton High School has a hatchery at the school and farms trout until they are large enough to put in the river. That program is done with the elementary school river walk program. Some of the High School students had participated in that program when they were in fourth grade.

In a moment of "history repeating itself" Jim Hunter (the teacher) commented that he had been working on the river for many, many years. It turned out that he had been a volunteer with Dick Harris at Earthplace in Westport when he was in seventh grade and had been interested and participating ever since. One of his students so thoroughly enjoyed the experience that he signed up with Tim Barry, DEP, to be an intern for the summer of 2006. And so the health of our environment is handed off to the next generation of scientists.

Special NRWA Patch Program

Also, don't miss the quiz on the Norwalk River Watershed and an opportunity to earn the NRWA patch with some volunteer work of your own on the river and its surround. Any questions, call the toll free number at 877-NRWA INFO (679-2463).

NRWA invites you to become a Norwalk River Watershed Association Member-Download Form.