CT AMC Conservation Committee

Conservation Committee - 2006 Annual Report

The Conservation Committee accomplished a lot in 2006 and expects to do so again in 2007.

With money from AMC's Special Project Fund, we held a workshop on February 4th entitled, "Fighting for Connecticut's Environment". The 45 or so attendees heard from both experts on environmental issues and seasoned political pros. After introductions, Kristen Sykes from the AMC gave an overview of AMC's work in protecting the Highlands Region of Connecticut. Then Patty Pendergast, who is a lobbyist for the Connecticut Forest & Park Association outlined some of her hopes & fears for the upcoming Legislative session. She was especially poignant in expressing her fear that hikers would become complacent and allow ATV-users to win the right to ride in State Parks and State Forests.

In the afternoon, Representatives Jim O'Rourke (D-Cromwell) and Richard Roy (D-Milford) gave perspective on successful lobbying of office-holders. Representative Roy who co-chairs the Legislature's Environmental Committee outlined his priorities for the next session. Next, Lori Brown, Director of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, explained the role her organization plays in educating the public on how their Representatives vote on the environment. Lastly, Faith Salter from AMC headquarters explained how, through the Conservation Action Network (CAN), AMC members can be a powerful an effective voice for the environment in Hartford.

To try to address the general distrust of politics, there was ample time set aside for socializing and ample food, generously provided by Wild Oats Natural Food Market and Lyman Orchards. There was also a midday hike, giving everyone a chance to stretch, talk, and learn about "Leave No Trace" and vernal pools.

Members of the Connecticut AMC chapter braved cold, but beautifully clear, weather to participate as exhibitors at the 7th Annual Connecticut Audubon Society Eagle Festival, February 18 & 19, 2006. The Eagle Festival was held in Essex, CT, and featured some great live entertainment, interactive children's programs, live birds of prey demonstrations, and most importantly a bald eagle couple building a nest directly across the Connecticut River from Essex.

The AMC table was in a tent with the Audubon Society and other outdoors conservation minded organizations. The Conservation Committee's display as well as displays from the Whitewater and Education Committees drew in many visitors. Benefits of AMC membership were highlighted to festival attendees and Conservation Action Network Cards (CAN Cards) and Highlands Coalition information was distributed.

On April 19th, at the invitation of Dr. Fred Loxsom, who is director of the Institute of Sustainable Energy @ Eastern Connecticut State University, the Conservation Committee provided a display and information table as part of the University's Earth Day celebration. On April 22nd we were present at the East Hartford Library Earth Day celebration. The event was geared towards children and AMC volunteers tailored activities to the next generation of "Conservation and Outdoor Recreation" enthusiasts. We made bracelets with the kids with each bead representing land in Connecticut, only 10% of which is designated recreation land. We also had coloring pages for the children, and information for the parents on clean energy, farmers markets, and, of course, the AMC.

At the Club wide conservation committee meeting in Lake George, NY (YMCA Camp Chingachgook) on April 29 the CT Chapter's February "Fighting for Connecticut's Environment" Workshop was a topic of discussion. Eric Stones, Faith Salter and Kristen Sykes (among others) recognized the efforts of the committee and the success of the workshop. Discussion participants were given a list of steps taken to plan a similar event. The meeting also offered an opportunity to learn more about, and participate in, the AMC's Mountain Watch Program.

On May 7th our tabletop display and a second, new display created by one of our members showing ways people can conserve water and power at home were set up at the Naugatuck Earth Day Celebration on the town Green. Interest in conservation, vis vol and the Mountain Watch program as well as in club recreation opportunities were great and the event planners communicated to Joy Street that they were very pleased with the efforts of the committee. Earth day efforts were recognized by AMC's President.

Committee members participated among many other dedicated members of the CT AMC Chapter to 'Give-a-Day-Trails' on May 13, 2006, organized by the CT Trails Committee. Tasks for the work crews included locating Bear Boxes along the AT, repairing and installing water-bars on trails, foliage cutting, and Turnpiking a soggy section of the AT just outside Kent, CT.

We also participated with members of the paddling committee, other clubs and community in the Still River Greenway and Waterway Cleanup, May 20, 2006. This activity was organized and sponsored by Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) and Mountain Workshop. Volunteers were split into several groups. Some groups were based on the land and others were on the water. Volunteers from the Conservation Committee were on two separate teams. More than four dumpsters were filled with garbage and debris collected as the teams walked portions of the greenway, along the banks of the Still River.

Each month during the spring we also had guest speakers attend or monthly conservation meetings. Guest Speakers included the following. · Dr. Fred Loxsam, Eastern Connecticut State University -- Institute for Sustainable Energy · Christine Woodside, Appalachia editor & Author of "Homeowner's Guide to Energy Independence" · Bob Wall, SmartPower Connecticut - clean energy · Terry Kinney, CT Fund for the Environment - "CT's Clean Car Initiative"

We also had a number of significant changes implemented to help raise awareness of our committee. · A boiler plate was created for each issue of AMC Outdoors to lead a Conservation section for CT Activities. · We redesigned our webpage to be more aesthetic & user friendly · "Conservation Action" was implemented as the name of a recurring newsletter space for our committee · We updated the Conservation Committee job description

A few other notable occurrences of the past year are below. · Beth Critton submitted a modified version of our monthly report as the CT Chapter Executive Update. · The committee was invited too and participated in the AMC "Think Tank" on how to proceed in the NE CT & SW Mass Highlands and the CFCRC multi-use trails meetings. · A CAN Announcement went out regarding The Clean Diesel & Bottle Bill extension legislation. An e-mail announcement went out regarding Sunday hunting which stirred extensive debate and action in the chapter. · Thank you/ follow-up e-mails were sent to each of the February workshop participants requesting updates to their conservation activity since the workshop. · Membership committee agreed to give us a Membership in a bottle for Bob Wall. · Throughout the year we have attempted to raise awareness through our table events and e-mail distributions regarding important advocacy campaigns such as the Highlands Initiative, the MMM Trail, and ATV use in Connecticut. For these and other efforts our committee was written up in the profile section of AMC Outdoors.

In July we led our annual Conservation, vis vol hike on Mount Higby. We also led a highland's hikes in the Western CT Highlands with Eric Stones. Another vis vol demonstration hike occurred Chauncey Peak in Giuffrida Park (Meriden) prior to our August monthly business meeting. We held a pizza social to afterwards to attract new members. We were also represented by 2 members at the "Listen to the River" conference and contributed a wonderful article about global warming for the CT Fall Newsletter.

A recent accomplishment was leading a conservation workshop at the 2006 New Members day dinner in Bethel, CT. This workshop was attended by both new and veteran members who had held an active discussion on their legislators and ways they can become more involved.

On October 21st the CT AMC Conservation Committee was joined by AMC members, ridge-runners, and Venture Crew 242 to clean up the Housatonic River shore and a section of the Appalachian Trail at Bulls Bridge, CT. All together we had 24 people participating, the most we've had at a cleanup! With that many people volunteering we collected 36 bags of trash, and several large items including two coils of cable, a grill top and a tire in just over three hours. Special thanks to Aimee Santeler whose hard work planning, promoting and executing this popular annual event made it a huge success.

Clean Energy: We are working with AMC Brass to see if we can work with Smart Power and CT Innovations to get AMC members to sign up for Clean Energy Option and obtain Photovoltaic Solar Panels for a CT Science Center in AMC's name.

The Great Warming: We've obtained a copy of this movie and are working towards a free showing at Wesleyan University. See TheGreatWarming.com for info about the film.