Composting 2022
Earth Day Compost Giveaway 2022

For Earth Day, You Can Get Free Compost on Saturday, April 23 at Darien Recycling Center

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In celebration of Earth Day and Darien’s successful food scrap recycling program, residents are invited to pick up a bucket or two of nutrient-rich food scrap compost on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the Darien Recycling Center, 126 Ledge Road, from 7 am – 2:45 pm. The compost will be next to the transfer station building, and  volunteers will be available to help. — an announcement from the Darien Advisory Committee on Sustainability and the Darien Beautification Commission
Food scrap compost can be used in vegetable gardens, flower beds, or to enrich lawns in place of chemical fertilizers. Please limit container size to six gallons so that everyone has the opportunity to take some. Any leftover compost will be available for pick up the following Saturday, April 30.

Aquarion 2022
Sprinkler Water https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

Use a Sprinkler in Darien? There’s a Mandatory Regulation for That

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Aquarion Water Company on Wednesday announced the start of the 2022 mandatory sprinkler irrigation schedule. — an announcement from Aquarion Water Company

The schedule applies to customers in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Newtown, Stamford, Westport and now Fairfield. That town was part of a voluntary schedule last year, and has been added to the mandatory irrigation schedule for 2022. The schedule helps to conserve water supplies by reducing overwatering of lawns and gardens through a maximum two days per week schedule. The conservation program helps to ensure local water supplies remain sufficient for critical needs such as human consumption and fire protection.

City Nature Challenge
“bioblitz” City Nature Challenge

You’re Invited to Participate in ‘Global Bioblitz’ to Record Observations of Nature, April 29 to May 2

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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is encouraging residents of Fairfield and Westchester counties to make and share simple observations of plants and animals April 29-May 2 as part of a global bioblitz called City Nature Challenge. — an announcement from The Maritime Aquarium

The Aquarium is organizing Fairfield and Westchester counties’ “team” in this four-day international event, which pits metro areas in a contest to make the most observations of nature, to find the most species and to engage the most people. “We’d love for as many families and individuals in the two counties to make as many observations as they can, even if it’s just for a brief time on one of the four days,” said Bridget Cervero, senior education manager. “Making observations for City Nature Challenge is more than a fun excuse to get out and learn about the animals and plants in your community,” Cervero said. “The data gives scientists an annual invaluable moment-in-time snapshot of our local and global species.”

Anyone can participate anywhere.

Environment
Darien Department of Public Works sign on barrier saw horse

Gorham’s Pond Tide Gates Scheduled To Be Opened March 14 to 21, Unless it Rains a Lot

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The Gorham’s Pond tide gates will be opened on two different days this month for flushing and cleaning, unless there’s “extensive rain […] or a series of very high tides,” or bad weather, Darien Public Works Department announced Tuesday. Unless either of those natural events prevent it, the gates will open on Monday, March 14 and close again on Monday, March 21. A large amount of rain or very high tides would cause too much water flowing over the dam to open or close the gates, the announcement said.

Aquarion Water Company 2022

Used Rain Barrels Designed to Fit Under Downspouts Available From Water Company

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To help conserve water, Aquarion Water Company is selling 60-gallon rain barrels designed to fit under a house’s downspout. The barrels, which are used, cost $75 and would catch rainwater off of the roof. “Customers can collect and store water for use in a garden whenever it rains,” the company said in an announcement. “It takes just one quarter-inch of rainfall on an average roof to fill the barrel and provide water to use during dry periods, even when restrictions are imposed on water usage. The usage of rain barrels can help conserve water and reduce water bills.”

Business

Online Panel Discussion: EV Charging Stations Could Add to Your Business Bottom Line

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If you’re a retail or hospitality business owner, property manager, developer, or landlord in an area where many residents drive electric vehicles, you may be wondering, “Are electric car charging stations profitable?”

— an announcement from Greenwich Library

The good news is there are several ways to earn money from car charging stations. Once the possibilities are explored, you’ll see the answer to the question is a resounding “Yes.”

Greenwich Library invites you to join a group of experts at a Zoom workshop offered to you by the Greenwich Conservation Commission, Sustainability Committee, and Chamber of Commerce to learn more. REGISTER HERE. The event takes place at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 16 via Zoom.com.

Environment

Rid Your Home of Toxic Waste: Darien Household Hazardous Waste Day Comes on June 5

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The Darien Department of Public Works is organizing the town’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Day to be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 5 at the Noroton Heights Train Station. — This article is based on an announcement from the Darien Department of Public Works

The event gives you an opportunity to get rid of toxic, sometimes poisonous household items you don’t want that could be a hazard to you and your family members, especially children. And it lets you do it in a safe way that doesn’t hurt the environment, making it a better alternative to putting it in the trash, which would go to an incinerator that puts it into the air; flushing it down the toilet, which sends it to Long Island Sound; or pouring into the soil on your property. If you’re going to the drop-off site on the train station’s south parking lot (nearest the tracks leading away from New York City), you need to use the entrance at Hollow Tree Ridge Road. After driving through and dropping off your items, you leave the station using Ledge Road, near Post 53.

Outdoors
Darien Land Trust 65th Anniversary

Darien Land Trust Invites You to a ‘Trails Challenge’ by Going on Three Walking Trails This Summer

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The Darien Land Trust is inviting the town to come participate in two challenges to mark the trust’s 65th anniversary year — walks in three of the trust’s preserves, now through the end of July and a running event in October. — an announcement from the Darien Land Trust
Trails Challenge
First, the Trails Challenge takes visitors to three of its preserves with walking trails: Olson Woods, (at 31-1 Heather Lane) the Trails at Cherry Lawn (at 120 Brookside Ave.) and Dunlap Woods (near the end of Parklands Drive). (This Web page shows where each of the land trust’s preserves are located, although it doesn’t give addresses of the entrances.)

The Trails Challenge, which started this weekend and runs to July 31, is to visit all three sites. Participants must register through a QR code posted at each property to be entered into a prize drawing. Winners will be announced on our website and social media on Aug.

Coronavirus 2021
Ribbon Cutting Swap Shop

Swap Shop Reopens Monday at the Dump: Here’s Why It’s Not Opening on Saturdays Just Yet

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The Swap Shop at the Darien Transfer Station and Recycling Center is opening Monday for the first time since the pandemic closed it, town officials have announced, and they’ve explained why the shop won’t be open on Saturdays yet. The town Department of Public Works announced that the Swap Shop will now be open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

DPW Director Edward Gentile said in an email Thursday that “the additional hours and days could be expanded further to include more hours and even Saturdays once we are back open and running during the week,” he said in an email Thursday.  “The crowds have been larger and volunteers fewer. […] We are always looking for volunteers.” He said the idea for keeping the Swap Shop closed on Saturdays came from Craig Flaherty, chairman of the town Advisory Committee on Sustainability. Flaherty returned a phone call asking for comment late on Friday.

Aquarion 2021

Aquarion Water Co. to Sell Customers Rain Barrels at a $50 Discount to Help Conserve Water

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Aquarion Water Company is again offering 60-gallon rain barrels at a discount to its customers across the state. The rain barrel sales support the utility’s conservation program and, the company says, also “provides numerous benefits for users.” You can pick up the barrels, which will cost you $75, in Darien on June 5, Aquarion says. But you’ll have to order them by May 28. Here’s most of the company’s announcement: 

Rain barrels are an efficient and effective way to store rain water for later use by collecting rain and runoff from a roof or downspout.

Environment
Darien DPW saw horse Department of Public Works Department

Here’s When Gorham’s Pond Tide Gates Will Open and Close for Flushing and Cleaning

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The Gorham’s Pond Tide Gates flushing and cleaning, Autumn 2020 schedule is:

—Opened on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020; and,

—Closed on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020. Tide gates cannot be operated following extensive rain events or a series of very high tides because of the large volume of water flowing over the dam. The opening or closing of gates may be delayed dependent on weather.

Aquarion 2020
Sprinkler Water https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

Mandatory Irrigation Ban for Southwest Fairfield County Announced by Aquarion Water Company

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Aquarion Water Company is requiring customers in Darien and other southwest Fairfield County communities to turn off their irrigation systems and sprinklers for the season as southwest Fairfield County hits its third drought trigger this fall. — an announcement from Aquarion Water Company

The water company’s announcement, made in coordination with state and local officials, is a mandatory irrigation ban for customers in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Stamford and Westport. Recent rainfall from Hurricane Delta remnants did little to replenish water supplies.  Effective immediately, the ban includes automatic irrigation systems and hose-end sprinklers. As cooler temperatures have arrived, irrigation system use has become unnecessary.  Consequently, all Aquarion-issued, irrigation variances are revoked for the season with this ban.  Hand-held watering, soaker hose, and drip irrigation continue to be permitted for new plantings. “With drought conditions continuing to worsen across the state, this mandatory ban will help to ensure an adequate water supply for everyday needs and give reservoirs time to recover for the spring,” said Aquarion President Donald J. Morrissey.

Darien Library

The Art of Seed Saving with ‘The Seed Huntress,’ an Online Talk

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Sefra Alexandra, “The Seed Huntress,” will discuss her work with seed saving for conservation, multiplication and distribution. Her talk, hosted by Darien Library, takes place online from 7 to 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 21. — an announcement from Darien Library

This work supports seed sovereignty through the different initiatives she’s worked on at the local, national, and international scales. She’ll look at the importance of in situ (in place) seed banking and of ex situ (cold storage) seed saving strategies.

Environment

You Can Get Rid of Your Household Hazardous Waste Saturday, Sept 12 in New Canaan

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New Canaan has a household hazardous waste collection day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12 (two Saturdays away), and Darien residents are welcome there. The event takes place outside the New Canaan Wastewater Treatment Plant at 394 Main St. — Information here is from the public works web page of the New Canaan town government website. Darien residents are also welcome at household hazardous waste collection events in Westport on Oct.