Uncategorized

by Jennifer Siskind Mosquito populations are high. Flooding, frequent rains and hot temperatures have created habitats and active breeding cycles.  Good mosquito management lowers health risks and improves backyard enjoyment now and next Spring. It’s easy with this inexpensive solution: 1. Remove standing water in your yard; 2. Follow Dr. Doug Tallamy’s $1 method to …

Managing Mosquitos (Without Spraying and Killing Pollinators)      Read More »

By Bruce Bowman Glastonbury residents are fortunate to have land owned by the town that has been purchased to help preserve our open space and natural environment. Two properties that are currently being evaluated are the J.B. Williams Park and the “former MDC property.” The Town has partnered with GZA (a nationally recognized consultancy, practicing …

Town Seeking Public Input through Open Space Management Survey of J.B. Williams Park and the former MDC property Read More »

by Dan Boughton This is a follow up to my November, 2022 article in The Glastonbury Citizen about the Meshomasic State Forest. For new readers, the Meshomasic is a 9,000 acre state forest located between Glastonbury, Portland, East Hampton, Marlborough and Hebron. It is a hidden gem in our midst. My previous article spoke of …

2023 Meshomasic Update Read More »

By Lisa Eldridge Hey everyone!  The 53rd anniversary of Earth Day is on Saturday, April 22, and what better way to celebrate than by going to our free Earth Day fair!  It is free and enjoyable for everyone, young and old! Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22 in the United States and …

Earth Day Fair Read More »

by Beth Hilson Not seeing much green, yet? Not to worry.  Spring is coming and gardens will soon flourish. Hopefully, you’ve placed orders for seeds and seedlings, and planned flower and vegetable gardens, too.  Perhaps you are designating an area as a butterfly garden.  Please consider doing that.  And maybe you’ve sent soil samples away …

This month is brought to us by the color green, naturally! Read More »

By Dan Boughton Nature’s Best Hope is a book written by Doug Tallamy that provides a blueprint for the homeowner to transform their yard from its current state into an ecologically friendly sanctuary. You get to move at your own speed as Doug provides a practical and easy-to-follow guide. Beyond his step by-step approach, Doug …

Nature’s Best Hope – A Call to Action      Read More »

By Shawnee Baldwin Back in September the Board of Education held a hearing to solicit input from the community regarding the next five years of planning. Of the eight categories listed on the brochure, Environmental Sustainability caught my attention.  At the actual meeting where I and two others spoke about composting, climate education, and electric …

Sustainable School Solutions for a Green Year Read More »

by Sarah Jeanne Royer The contents of this column were recently presented to Town Manager Richard Johnson, Glastonbury Town Council Members and Glastonbury Board of Education. The comments are by  Sara-Jeannie Royer, PhD., a research scientist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California, San Diego, Center for Marine Debris Research, Hawaii Pacific University …

Choosing Synthetic Turf is Choosing Environmental Harm Read More »

By Jennifer Siskind Awareness of environmental toxins and their impacts on health is increasing. Carcinogens and PFAS surround us from a variety of sources, and many try to reduce exposures. Toxic products once commonplace in our lives have fallen out of favor. The prevalence of PFAS in non-stick cookware, food wrappers, cosmetics, sunscreens, stain and …

Serious Consideration is Needed for Synthetic Turf Read More »

By Bruce Bowman The Town of Glastonbury has the distinction of being a ‘Climate Leader’ for its recognition and actions demonstrating the Town’s commitment to environmental, economic, and social stewardship, while remaining fiscally responsible. In 2018, the Town enacted a Sustainable Purchasing Policy where it seeks in part to encourage environmental sustainability by being mindful …

Is More Artificial turf Sustainable? Read More »