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Health & Fitness

The QRWA Year in Review

As we approach the last few weeks of 2011, let's take a moment to look back and see what the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA) has accomplished this year.

It’s hard to believe that we are at the close of 2011, it seems just like yesterday we were busy shoveling and shoveling and shoveling…  As we approach the last few weeks of 2011, let’s take a moment to look back and see what the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA) has accomplished this year. 

In April our thirty-first annual canoe race, the longest running canoe race in Connecticut, was a bit damp for the 48 participants, but in no way did the weather dampen the spirits of these hardy and waterlogged people.  The five mile course, starting in Southington and ending at Red Bridge in South Meriden, once again attracted races from all over New England.  Our spring River-cleanup, led by Board member David James, focused on Hanover Pond and its tributaries.  Armed with a dedicated and strong group of volunteers and a bit of heavy equipment, this event netted over thirty bags of trash, a huge pile of junk which included construction materials, garbage cans, tires, shopping carts, several tires, pallets, 5 gallon water bottle and an amazingly a baby garter snake.  It just proves not matter how badly we treat nature, she can and does find ways to survive. 

In May we held our first “Paddle With the Eagles” on Hanover Pond.  Led by Peter Picone, wildlife biologist and Dan Pelletier, certified paddler, these QRWA board members jointly cover the habitat of the resident eagles from land and water.  Peter started the event with a lecture followed by a paddle to see if the eagles were out on the pond and they were! We hope to bring more opportunities for eagle observation in 2012. 

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In June, after several years of renovation efforts by QRWA volunteers and several grants from the Cuno Foundation and funds from CDBG Program, the Meriden Lions Club took on the project to complete our lobby and classroom. Through the efforts of those who paved the way and the generosity of our members and volunteers we now have a place on the water that we can call home.  We are planning numerous events in 2012 to showcase the Lions’ work and to let the public see what we have to offer for programs and lectures. 

The Butterfly & Bee Garden was in its second season with a few new additions, including two new cedar benches, an Eagle Scout project for Justin Pelletier and a delightful butterfly, bee and turtle totem pole signpost made by local artist Frank Basch.  We were also able to add several perennial plants and a vast amount of annual plants thanks to the generosity of several local growers.  Many thanks to Becky Martorelli for her technical assistance as a certified master gardener.  Next spring we will have a new garden shed for storage of materials, tools and supplies thanks to the Meriden Intermediate Club, Meriden Rotary Club and Justin Pelletier. 

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As a thank you to Yankee Gas Services for their support of the garden, the QRWA hosted its first Midsummer Celebration, complete with speakers, garden tours, canoe rides and vendors.  In the start of a long standing partnership with the Meriden Arts Trust, the Central Connecticut Civil Youth Orchestra performed their recital to their summer session.  It was a beautiful day for butterflies and music at Dossin Beach Park.  This summer Richard Castiglione, certified professional photographer, hosted a digital photography class at the QRWA and the subject was the Butterfly & Bee Garden and the Meriden Poetry Society held their September meeting in the garden, emphasizing that the garden truly has become a place for conversation, relaxation and inspiration. 

This fall the QRWA was pleased and proud to rekindle its dormant Rapid Bioassessment by Volunteers (RBV) program thanks to a generous grant from the 3M Foundation.  Over 50 citizen scientists assisted in taking samples for ten locations throughout the watershed.  These samples were then sorted, categorized and labeled; the vouchers were then sent to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).  Next spring the DEEP will present their findings to the QRWA. 

Another fall event was Family Day, a joint venture with the Meriden Linear Trail Advisory Committee, in which paddle rides were offered to the public and Peter Picone led an autumn walk along the trail, pointing out flora and fauna to many interested walkers.  David James hosted another river cleanup in October; again gather much trash from along the shores of Hanover Pond.  Truly a much needed event for the health of the Quinnipiac River. 

One pleasant surprise about having our own meeting place was that we could offer our space and lovely view to other organizations.  The QRWA enabled the South Meriden Lion’s Club, Meriden Lion’s Club and the opportunity to have their meetings in our building.  We look forward to hosting other organizations for a variety of events in the future. 

Organizationally, several board members and staff were able to visit other Connecticut watersheds to see what we have in common and how they operate, very interesting indeed.  This past year the QRWA added fifty-nine new members to our ranks, has a blog on Patch.com and enhanced our Facebook group page with postings, pictures and event notifications. Please visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/ORWAPage/#!/groups/ORWAPage/ and join the QRWA group.

Looking forward to 2012 we have planned a number of events and programs to continue with the mission of the QRWA: river cleanups, annual canoe race, rapid bioassessment, seasonal hikes and such, but we want to expand our horizons and add just a bit more, like a monthly speaker series, nature art show and our Midsummer Celebration, boat and bike rentals just to mention a few – check our web site frequent to see more events and programs in progress.

 As a final note to this final article for the year we are reminding you that your tax-deductable donations are always appreciated and gratefully accepted.  And, if you think you’d like to help us out with any of our events or with the building, feel free to contact us at 203-237-2237.  As always, we are thankful for your continued support of the QRWA and wish you a happy holiday. 

Upcoming QRWA Events:

Saturday, December 17th 2:00 p.m.  Showing of the movie, “The Work of 1,000”, a true story of grassroots activism on behalf of the Nashua River.  Representatives from environmental organizations participating in the film program will be at each of the film screenings to speak with the public about the Quinnipiac River and the work they are doing to protect the watershed’s natural resources. 

To learn more about the QRWA and to confirm information, dates and times for upcoming events, please visit our website at: www.qrwa.org. 

QRWA provides water activities, events in education, outreach, advocacy, scientific monitoring, conservation, restoration, recreation and public access to the watershed area.  The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA) is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization whose mission is to restore the Quinnipiac for the health and enjoyment of all citizens and communities along its reach and to educate all students, families, individuals, businesses and governments to be informed stewards of the river. 

Thank you for your support and remember your donations are tax deductable.

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