Avalonia Land Conservancy, Groton Public Library organize water, ecology programs

Groton - Avalonia Land Conservancy and the Groton Public Library have organized a five-part series of programs over the next four months to highlight the importance of water and water protection.

All indoor programs will take place at 7 p.m. at the library. 

The first program will be Feb. 28, when Judy Preston, Connecticut Outreach Program Coordinator for the Long Island Sound Study, will present a program titled “River Continuum.” She will discuss the relationships between streams that link every stream to every river and ultimately to the sea. Preston, who works out of the Connecticut SeaGrant office at the University of Connecticut’s Avery Point campus, will bring her academic background in ecology and longtime involvement in community conservation projects to her program.

On March 13, the series continues with, “Blue Gold,” a film about world water wars that won the Best Environmental Film award at the Vancouver International Film Festival.

On March 27, the film, “Chemical Reaction,” will be shown. This documentary tells the story of the natural lawn-care movement in the United States, and also provides information for those interested in reducing or eliminating the use of pesticides around homes and schools.

On April 10, Juliana Barrett, assistant educator in residence at Connecticut SeaGrant and a member of the Connecticut NEMO, (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials), team will present, “Connecticut’s Wetlands: Defined, Their Importance, How They Are Protected and the Value of Riparian Corridors.” She will discuss the history of wetlands protection in Connecticut and present information and photos about riparian corridors along rivers, streams and wetlands.

On May 5 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. will be a program of pond dipping at Avalonia’s Pine Swamp Wildlife Corridor in Ledyard. Participants should meet at the Whalehead Road trailhead. The group will hike to a group of ponds and use nets to catch frogs, fish, bugs and other wildlife, which will be returned afterwards. Kim Hargrave of the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center will lead the program.

There will also be an open house at Groton Utilities’ water treatment plant on May 12. For information on this program and updates on the others, check the library’s monthly calendar and Avalonia’s website, www.avalonialandconservancy.org.