The 2023 Fall Lecture series The Food Waste Crisis: Implications for Branford  is still available by Livestream.

October 11:  What to Do with Your Banana Peels in Branford presented by Malaine Trecoske, U. Conn Master Composter and Sustainable Food Practices in Sweden-  and at Branford High School presented by Erica O’Brien, Culinary Arts Teacher, Branford High School

October 18: The Food Waste Crisis in Connecticut presented by Sherill Baldwin, Sustainable Materials Management Dept., CT Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection.

October 26: Working Together to Reduce Food Waste, a panel Discussion by Forward Thinkers, Moderated by Tyler Bowne, Branford’s Sustainability and Compliance Manager.

Click here to view.

Did you know Connecticut faces a looming waste crisis?  Click here to learn why.

The Fall Lecture series entitled Branford Moves Towards A Sustainable Future:  Three Groups who are making a difference, was interesting, informative and very well presented. Review the livestreams at your leisure and learn how these Branford citizens are making a difference to our environment for today and the future.  

Coastal Vulnerability Ad Hoc Working Group, November 2, 2022
Chair, Peter Hentschel
https://youtu.be/_mmFZGQnqQ0

Community Forestry Commission, November 9, 2022
Chair, Patrick Sweeney
https://youtu.be/SJ6A4dwr94k

Conservation/Environmental Commission, November 16, 2022
Chair, Heather Sweeney
https://youtu.be/wN_i2cvdULg

Signs of Hope from the 2022 Branford Earth Day Fair


 
 

Inside the Global Effort to Keep Perfectly Good Food Out of the Dump

Around the world, lawmakers and entrepreneurs are taking steps to tackle two of humanity's most pressing problems: hunger and climate change. Click here to read more.

Recordings from Earlier Presentations

Commentary: Solar canopies need to be a part of Connecticut's energy plan

From the Union of Concerned Scientists re. Battery-Powered Electric Vehicles (EVs)


Seasonal Opportunities for Change

  1. Select for Success!  Pick a tip (or more) from the Checklist for a Healthy Yard.  Each change, multiplied by as many people as can make each positive change, will make a positive impact.  
  2. Educate yourself before you buy fertilizer.  Buy phosphorus-free.  Learn more here.
  3. If you have never composted - now is a good time to start.  Composting 101 will help you get started.
  4. Find accredited resources for Local & Organic through CT's chapter of Northeast Organic Farming Association:  https://ctnofa.org/. Find a Farm, Food Guide, a Landscaper, and more.
  5. Margaret Roach - organic gardener, author, blogger, cook -- renowned and admired.  Follow her on https://awaytogarden.com/

"Planting Hope"

Click here to see slides from a recent presentation on Doug Tallamy’s book “Nature’s Best Hope” by Malaine Trecoske and Michalah Braden

COVID-19

Governor Lamont Encourages Connecticut Residents to use the "How We Feel" App to Improve COVID-19 Response (click here to learn more, and to sign up)

Check your CO2 Emissions

If you want to know the amounts of carbon dioxide emissions from the fuels that you burn for home heating (natural gas, oil), personal transportation (gasoline) and your gas grill or generator (propane, you can use two pages on the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) website.  The first page presents the carbon dioxide emitted per British thermal unit of energy (Btu) produced and explains some reasons that individual fuels emit different amounts of carbon dioxide for the same amount of energy produced. 

The second page presents the carbon dioxide emissions from different fuels in familiar units (gallons of gasoline, heating oil and propane, cubic feet of natural gas).

In Her Words: The Pandemic's Economic Crisis Calls for a Green Recovery

A major turning point for Renewable Energy? Read this article by Rachel Kyte, Dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts, in the New York Times environmental newsletter for an encouraging view!

Connecticut green bonds offer residents a chance to fund war on climate change

The state’s green bank hopes to inspire residents to help fund clean energy investments to combat climate change.

Click here to learn more.

Video and Slides from Branford’s Clean Energy Committee’s Feb. 19 presentation: "Can Branford Be a Renewable Energy Community by 2050?"

Connecticut Green Bank

Connecticut Green Bank offers green energy solutions to home, building and multifamily property owners, residential and commercial contractors, towns and cities, and even capital providers. 

A Good Time to Be Outside

Dear Friend of the Branford Land Trust,

I am writing this in the early stages of the Coronavirus outbreak here in the Northeast. Like all of us, I am filled with apprehension for the health and welfare for my neighbors in the coming months. As a precaution the BLT has cancelled public education programs like our Winter/Spring Lecture Series, and we are monitoring the situation closely with respect to upcoming events and will keep you informed.

At the time of this writing, all of our public preserves remain open. I have been out on them daily with members of my family. I have seen an uptick in folks hiking and getting outside as most of us are putting other activities on hold to maintain social distancing. Getting outside and hiking remains a great option to boost your physical and mental health. Just remember to avoid hiking in large groups and respect distances when approaching other hikers.

For places to hike in Branford, see:

• Branford Land Trust Trail Maps
• South Central Regional Council of Governments Trail Maps
• Shoreline Greenway Trail

We’ll be adding more posts in the coming days and weeks including places to walk, things to see, videos, and other contributions from our members. Please visit our website, visit our Facebook page, or watch for our regular eblasts.

All of us at the Branford Land Trust remain hopeful for the best possible outcome over the next months and have our neighbors and friends on our minds.

Pete Raymond
President, Branford Land Trust

Questions: Contact us at livingwiselyandwell@gmail.com