Flower

Learn About Native Plants and Pollinators: Webinar Monday Night

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Learn about native plants and pollinators in our community by joining Deepika Saksena and Juliet Cain Darien Pollinator Pathways in a Zoom webinar from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday in an event sponsored by Darien Library. — an announcement from the library

Native plants and pollinators are an essential part of creating a healthy habitat. Native plants provide food and shelter to an array of butterflies and moths, which are often dependent on specific native plant species. You’ll learn about native plants and pollinators in our community, how we can encourage them to thrive and how you can become a citizen scientist with the iNaturalist App and assist Pollinator Pathways’ ongoing pollinator habitat research by tracking native plants and pollinators in our area. About the Presenters
Deepika Saksena is a co-founder of the Darien Pollinator Pathway.

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.

Friends of Animals tree removal

Friends of Animals Staff Confronts Town Workers to Prevent Removal of Trees

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While Friends of Animals’ work extends internationally, Monday morning it hit close to home—literally outside a window of the organization’s downtown Darien headquarters at the corner of Sedgwick Avenue and the Post Road. “A crew from the Darien Public Works Department began the removal of the first of four HEALTHY trees abutting sidewalks around our office building,” a news release from the animal advocacy organization said. “Friends of Animals’ staff stood in front of the second 100-year-old tree, forcing the crew to stop what they were doing and leave until town officials could hear FoA’s reasons for opposing the dreadful plan.” At least one tree was removed by the DPW, and a tree remains on Sedgewick Avenue. The remaining tree now has a sign on it, saying, “Removing this healthy tree is a crime against nature and humanity.”

Jon Dunn author of The Glitter in the Green about Hummingbirds

Author Speaks Tuesday About Hummingbirds — Following Them From Alaska to the Tip of South America

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Natural history writer Jon Dunn will speak about his latest book, The Glitter in the Green: In Search of Hummingbirds on Tuesday morning in a Darien Library online event. — an announcement from Darien Library

Hummingbirds are a glittering, sparkling collective of over three hundred wildly variable species. For centuries, they have been revered by indigenous Americans, coveted by European collectors, and admired worldwide for their unsurpassed metallic plumage and immense character. Yet they exist on a knife-edge, fighting for survival in boreal woodlands, dripping cloud forests, and subpolar islands. They are, perhaps, the ultimate embodiment of evolution’s power to carve a niche for a delicate creature in even the harshest of places.

Darien Cops Website Coyote

Coyote Bites Woman in New Canaan Park: Walkers Warned To Be Wary in Waveny

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New Canaan Police are urging Waveny Park visitors to avoid trails and areas of tall grass Thursday after a coyote bit a woman taking a morning walk there with her dog. — an article from NewCanaanite.com. At about 6:30 a.m., a woman was bit in the backside by a coyote near the walled garden east of Waveny House, according to police. Officer Allyson Halm, head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section, said it’s unclear at this point whether the coyote is sick or was exhibiting “escorting” behavior while denning. “If it’s a den situation, I’m not sure where it is,” Halm said.

Boating Course Students

Boating Safety Videos Now on Darien TV79

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Darien TV79 will be showing videos from America’s Boating Channel to promote safety on the water, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the local government cable channel announced. The first video, “Social Distancing While Boating” is 3 1/2 minutes long and already on Vimeo with six other America’s Boating Channel safety videos. Here’s the full text of the announcement, issued Tuesday morning:
Given that the COVID-19 crisis may be with us for some time, it’s important that everyone maintain the safe “social distancing” when out in public, even on the water. As marinas and boat clubs are allowed to re-open and boaters take to the water, America’s Boating Channel (ABC), which produces boater safety and education videos,  has produced a video segment regarding “social distancing and boating”. Darien TV79 will air the videos on its cable channel and Vimeo on-demand archive after that episode.

Tree planting recommendations

Celebrate Earth Day: Eversource Has Tips on Saving Energy, Planting Trees

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In recognition of Earth Day, Eversource is suggesting activities for customers to celebrate while maintaining social distancing. The theme for this year’s Earth Day is climate action, and Eversource’s sustainability experts and licensed arborists are offering several ways that people can safely join the 50th annual celebration from home. — an announcement from Eversource

“The 50th annual celebration of Earth Day is a unique opportunity for our customers to join people around the world in taking action to promote environmental stewardship,” Catherine Finneran, the utility’s vice president of sustainability and environmental affairs. “With an industry-leading goal to be carbon neutral by 2030, we’re committed year-round at Eversource to sustainability and clean energy leadership.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many ways that customers can celebrate from home while being mindful of social distancing, including:

Plant a tree: Eversource’s expert arborists cultivate a list of 30 recommended trees under 30 feet tall that can be safely planted near overhead utility lines and encourage everyone to “Plan Before You Plant.” Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it, with a single hardwood tree able to remove up to one ton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over 40 years. Reduce energy use and save money with energy efficiency: The energy company offers a library of energy-saving tips and innovative solutions for customers to save on their electric bill while reducing their impact on the environment, including many particularly impactful steps customers can take to mark Earth Day, such as switching to a low-flow showerhead to save a significant amount of water.

Boating Course Students

Tri-State Govs Agree on Allowing Marinas Open During COVID-19 Epidemic (With Regulations)

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Marinas, boatyards and marine manufacturers in the tristate area will be allowed to open for personal use as long as strict social distancing and sanitization protocols are followed, Gov. Ned Lamont, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in an announcement on Saturday. — an announcement from Governor Ned Lamont’s Office

Chartered watercraft services or rentals will not be allowed, and restaurant activity at these sites must be limited to take-out or delivery only, like anywhere else in the three states. This announcement aligns the policies of the three states on this particular service. Governor Lamont explained that in Connecticut, this multi-state alignment is an affirmation of the state’s current policy, and marinas and marina repair remain on the essential business list. Governor Lamont said, “Our states share workforces, resources, public transit, and we all have share a connection on the water.

Lapham Road Waveny Park entrance

New Canaan Officials Support Surveillance Cameras to Record Vehicles Entering Waveny Park

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Following an online petition signed by more than 2,000 people, and acting on the advice of police, New Canaan officials said this week that they’re looking to install cameras to record motor vehicles entering and leaving Waveny Park, just north of the Darien border. — This article originally was published by NewCanaanite.com

Parks and Public Works officials said during a subcommittee meeting Tuesday that the cost of installation might be around $25,000, for which they would likely request a special appropriation. The main purpose of the cameras will be to “show visibility of activity coming in and out of our parks,” Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Rona Siegel said during a meeting of the appointed body’s Camera Subcommittee. The two-person subcommittee, which also includes Parks Commissioner Matt Konspore, discussed potential locations for the cameras, focusing on the three entrances to the park — one on South Avenue and two on Lapham Road, including near the Waveny Pool. “It would just be an extension of cameras at the entrances — not throughout the park,” Siegel said during the meeting, held at Town Hall.

Slawson Cemetery Gorman Bell

Photos from Saturday’s Cleanup at Darien’s Old Cemeteries

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Members of Darien’s Masonic Lodge, Ivanhoe Lodge No. 107 partnered with Darien’s Monuments and Ceremonies Commission’s Cemetery Committee and Good Wife’s River DAR Chapter to cut brush, remove debris, rake pinecones, and clean stones at the Slawson Cemetery on Hanson Road. — This article, an announcement from the Darien Monuments and Ceremonies Commission, is written by Karen Pollet. The pictures are by David Polett, chairman of the commission and a member of the Ivanhoe Masonic Lodge in Darien. This cemetery is the resting place of Darien town founder, Thaddeus Bell, his wife and son.

Showdown on the Sound 2019 announcement

Showdown on the Sound Competition at Weed Beach from 1 to 6 PM, Saturday, June 8

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Laughter, music, food and friendly competition will be part of the third annual Showdown on the Sound on Saturday, June 8 at Weed Beach in Darien. The fundraiser, which will run from 1 to 6 p.m., honors the memory of Michael Taylor, a Darien native who tragically lost his battle with opioid addiction in 2016. Admission is free. Mike was a son, brother and friend, but most of all he was simply a terrific human being. This is why his friends and family joined forces with Shatterproof to shatter the stigma of addiction and to fight the opioid epidemic.

Family Concert Series on Four Wednesdays in June at Weed Beach

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The Darien Youth Commission is pleased to announce plans for its Family Concert series at Weed Beach. Taking place on four Wednesdays in June, these events are meant to be fun for the whole family. — an announcement from the Darien Youth Commission

Whether you pack a picnic dinner or buy dinner at “Uncle’s By the Shore,” grab a blanket, the beach chairs and come enjoy the evening at the beach. Show time is 6:30 p.m. for all concerts. The cost (per concert) is $4 per person or $10 per family.