CT AMC Conservation Committee

· 7:00 – 7:45: Guest speaker – Terri Kinney, from the CT Fund for the Environment -- "CT's Clean Car Initiative"

Terri spent the better part of an hour informing the committee on topics ranging from Environmental defense through recent legislation, science and education. Their organization is 27 yrs old and recently merged with "Save The Sound". CT Clean Cars proposes to lower greenhouse emissions by offering incentives to consumers.

A scary fact: In CT the number of miles we drive is growing 4 times faster than our population. This can be at least partially attributed to longer commutes due to urban sprawl into previously undeveloped land.

Terri also spent some time answering our questions on the proposed "Broadwater" natural gas facility in the sound.

Business Meeting

· 7:50 - 7:55: Successes Last Month!

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. People throughout the day stopped by the display and found out about: efforts to preserve the Highlands, CAN, Vizvol opportunities, and important bills pending in the Connecticut State Legislature. 5 people signed-up to get e-mails with further information either about AMC and/or our conservation efforts. We also attended an Earth day

On April 22nd the Conservation Committee was 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. Deb Morris, children’s librarian at the East Hartford library, coordinated the event and invited the AMC to attend. 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. Musician Roger Ticknell treated everyone to a performance of songs with an environmental theme, which got everyone up and dancing. The children and the parents enjoyed the AMC’s table very much, and the day was a great success.

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. This information will be shared with the committee, with the intention to disseminate to any interested CT Chapter members, during our May meeting.

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.

Beth Critton submitted a modified version of our monthly report as the CT Chapter Executive Update, requested for inclusion in Will Hill and Andy Falander’s Club wild report.

Membership committee agreed to give us a Membership in a bottle for Bob Wall.

· 7:55 – 8:05: Upcoming Advertising/Announcements Print Deadlines (5/10)

1. June 14th Conservation Hike?

2. July 8 paddle/clean up

3. July 12 VizVol Hike

4. August Picnic & Social

5. General Blurb for CT Conservation to be listed in each issue?

· 8:05 – 8:10: Letters

1. Guest Speakers – Trish

2. E-mail to anyone who signed up for more information on conservation asking for volunteers and directions to sign up for conservation e-mail - Trish

3. Letter to FCG (Newsletter) –

4. Fall CT Chapter news letter article?

· 8:10 – 8:35: Upcoming Events

1. “Give a Day to Trails” Day is May 13 (Cleanup Crew) – Aimee

2. EMS Still River Clean Up May 20 – Aimee

3. Clean up w/ flat water committee, (July 8, Bigelow Hollow) – Aimee

4. June 3rd: Trails Day: N.U. Pot Luck Dinner (Highland Hike?) Jim, Andrew, Russ

5. June 14: Committee meeting – Andrew, John

6. July 12: Vizvol hike on Chauncey Peak (5:15 PM) & committee meeting – John

7. August 9: Committee Picnic/Social – Russ

8. New Members Day activities, 9/16 & Dinner 9/23 -

· 8:35 – 8:45 – Things we’d like to do…

1. Redesign Website

2. Design & Order AMC Roadside signs

3. Design & Order AMC Conservation Volunteer Pinnies

4. Act as a clearinghouse for recycling information; household chemicals, sneakers, etc. – Andrew, Russ

5. Highlands hike with Eric Stones - Andrew

6. We could also have a cook out a luncheon and sell tickets for $10.00 (100 tickets) and hope to make a small profit per person. The proceeds would go to projects. Maybe have a couple of hikes. I have a gas grill and I'm told that I'm a good cook. We probably would need another gas grill. I would donate my services. I hope we could raise $2000.00. This would get the ball rolling for projects! - Russ

7. Back the “CT Clean Cars Alliance” (Work with Terri to get our name on their list of backers and a possible "comment day" in which we aim to get 500 callers to comment on clean air incentives or Broadwater.

· 8:45 – 8:55: Reminders

1. CT Conservation Yahoo Group, is everyone signed up?

2. Keep track of your “Conservation Stewardship” hours.

· 8:55 – 9:00: New Business/Round table