June 26th, 2024 1:00-2:00PM
Presented by: Shelby Larubina and Jason Krumholz, CT NERR; Cary Chadwick, UConn CLEAR
The newly designated Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve encompasses ~52,000 acres of upland, marsh, sandy beach, rocky shoreline and open water habitats in Southeastern CT. One of our first efforts in habitat mapping aimed to quantify the spatial distribution and variety of invasive plants in our upland properties and initiate planning for an ongoing program of invasives removal and habitat restoration. With the support of a GIS specialist and experienced botanist, students and staff new to plant identification utilized a FREE mobile mapping app to record data and photographs in the field. This rapid assessment approach effectively sampled over 150 sites across two State Parks over two months. Results reveal patterns of invasion and inform priorities for future eradication or control, with an eye toward the broader use of the approach as a rapid survey protocol of terrestrial invasive plants.
CT NERR Invasive Plant Field Form – Epicollect Project Definition Directions
This Epicollect5 project definition can be used create your own version of the CT NERR Epicollect form. To download, click to access the Project Definition file, select File > Save As and save the file to your computer. Then, follow these instructions to import the project definition file into Epicollect5.
May 29th, 2024 1:00-2:00PM
Presented by: Owen Placido, UConn CLEAR and Deborah Abibou, Connecticut Sea Grant
Continued changes to the climate around the world and in Connecticut are inevitable – the consequences of these changes, or climate impacts, are being experienced by Connecticut residents today and will continue to evolve in the coming decades. While it is not possible to say for certain what it will be like to live here in the future, we know that precipitation patterns will change dramatically, temperatures will get warmer, there will be significant changes to our coastline as sea levels rise, and the challenges of climate change will be experienced differently by different communities. A new tool from the Long Island Sound Study, the Long Island Sound Resilience Resource Hub website, will also be highlighted. This website can help communities in NY and CT learn, plan, and implement climate resilient strategies by providing information, case studies, and funding opportunities.
April 17th, 2023 1:00-2:00PM
Presented by: Juliana Barrett and Chet Arnold; UConn CLEAR Emeritus
In this presentation by Juliana Barrett and Chet Arnold we will explore what riparian buffers are and why they are a critical component of both our coastal and inland communities. Riparian buffers play a critical role in water quality and watershed protection, provide wildlife habitat, and assist with climate resilience. Because of the transitional nature of riparian buffers (wet to dry), these areas allow for a variety of non-traditional landscaping choices and designs that still allow for water access and water viewsheds.
February 27th, 2023 12:00 – 1:00PM
Presented by: Mary Looney & Dave Dickson, UConn CLEAR; Kathleen Knight, Chris Stone, & Nicole Kibbe, CT DEEP; Victor Benni, North Branford
This webinar is the final one of our CT Stormwater Quality Manual: An Update on Stormwater Management in CT. Stormwater management and its impact on our water bodies and communities have received a lot of attention and support in recent years. With a revised MS4 permit in 2017, revised construction, commercial, and industrial stormwater permits, and a new Stormwater Quality Manual going into effect in March, there has been a move to use lower impact approaches to stormwater management. This webinar will cover takeaways, challenges, and opportunities from this approach. What is working, what is a work in progress, and what is coming? Presented as a collaboration between CT DEEP and UConn CLEAR and featuring Victor Benni of the North Branford Public Works Department.
In case you missed our two webinars of the series, you can access the recording, slides, FAQs, and a breakdown of the Manual on our website: https://ctstormwatermanual.nemo.uconn.edu
January 22nd, 2023 1:00 – 2:00PM
Presented by: Mary Looney & Dave Dickson, UConn CLEAR
This is the second webinar of the Stormwater Quality Manual Webinar Series on the newly released Connecticut Manual. CT NEMO has teamed up with CT DEEP to help provide more information and insight into the revised Manual and what it means for you. This webinar, The Low Impact Development Process, highlights how the Manual offers a pathway to stormwater management design from non-structural to structural practices.
In case you missed our first overview webinar on the new Manual, you can access the recording, slides, FAQs, and a breakdown of the Manual on our website: https://ctstormwatermanual.nemo.uconn.edu