RSVP: Please click the link here to let us know if you can make it.
This summer demonstrated just how interconnected all our communities are within the Connecticut River watershed by flooding events impacting our upstream and downstream communities. We’d like to introduce you to federal legislation that recognizes this interconnectedness and invite you to join us for a meeting to discuss your work, our shared priorities in the Connecticut River Watershed, and the opportunities this presents to support them.
The meeting will be held in-person on Wednesday, October 18th from 10 to 2 at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton, Massachusetts. There will also be an online option if you need to attend remotely. Another option is to attend via satellite meeting in person in one of two locations: the upper watershed (Colebrook, NH – exact location TBD) or in the lower watershed (Old Lyme, CT at the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center). A very big thank you to our partner hosts: the Connecticut River Joint Commissions, Connecticut Audubon Society, and Mass Audubon. More information with specifics to follow.
Background: The Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act (CRWPA) has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. Modeled on successful partnerships enabled by federal legislation via the Chesapeake WILD Act (2020) and the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act (2015), the intent of the CRWPA is to enhance coordination among federal agencies and state, regional, tribal, and local public and private partners. We’d like your input on the needs, benefits and opportunities you envision for the program created by the legislation and how we might strengthen our work together as partners throughout the watershed to coordinate and amplify our collective conservation efforts. Your perspective is needed for the intent of the legislation to be fulfilled.
Agenda: Topics include: an introduction to the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act; a sampling of multi-partner projects in the watershed; a discussion of needs and opportunities to undertake more coordinated work together across the watershed (what resources do you need?); a brainstorming session to identify the places where we might effectively partner. Full agenda to follow.
Who should attend? All partners working on conservation throughout the watershed, including representatives from federal and state agencies, municipalities, regional planning commissions, tribes, non-governmental organizations and others. (Note: If there is someone else from your organization/agency/group who has an interest and/or expertise in this topic, please feel free to forward this invitation.)
More to Come: This is a first meeting intended to gather perspectives and share ideas. We will build from here, hosting follow-up meetings in person at locations throughout the watershed to dig into project-specific local work, and to discuss the role(s) your organization plays in the advancing the health of the watershed. Fulfilling the vision for true coordinated conservation action reflected in the CRWPA is dependent on broad engagement by partners and stakeholders. Your voice matters!
RSVP: Please click the link here to let us know if you can make it.