Announcing Rockfall’s 2025 Environmental Champions!

We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Environmental Champion Awards. Through these awards, we honor individuals and organizations whose leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact on natural resource preservation, conservation, restoration, or education in the Lower Connecticut River Valley.

We invite you to celebrate the 2025 Environmental Champions with us at Rockfall’s 90th Anniversary Celebration on October 8, 2025, from 5:30-8:30 pm at Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown. Join us for an evening honoring their achievements and Rockfall’s nine decades of environmental leadership. The evening will feature food and drinks, live music by Leah Gastler, table displays from our 2025 grant recipients, the presentation of awards, interviews with our champions, and a keynote by Christine Palm, former CT State Representative, founder of The Active Voice, and recipient of the Rockfall President’s Award.Get your tickets today!

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Tom ODell Distinguished Service Award

Given to an organization or individual for outstanding lifetime accomplishments in environmental preservation, conservation, restoration, or education in the Lower Connecticut River Valley.

Bruce Dodson

Bruce has been a conservation advocate and civic leader in Killingworth for decades. Since joining the Killingworth Land Conservation Trust in 1973, he has served multiple terms as president, helping protect nearly 1,100 acres of open space and 450 acres of town property. He played a key role in acquiring Parmelee Farm, the Pond Meadow Cranberry Bog, and in creating the Platt Nature Center and Keystone Preserve, while also building trails, mentoring future conservationists, and inspiring residents through his vision and hands-on dedication.

Chet Arnold

For nearly 30 years, Chet has been a leader with the Essex Land Trust, serving as board member, president, and land acquisition chair. During that time, he helped secure more than $1.25 million in grants to acquire and protect 177 acres of open space. Professionally, Chet co-founded UConn’s Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) and helped create programs including CT NEMO, the Natural Resources Conservation Academy, and the Environment Corps.

Certificate of Environmental Achievement

Given to an organization or individual to recognize significant programs or projects in environmental preservation, conservation, restoration, or education in the Lower Connecticut River Valley.

Diana Martinez

Diana is a community organizer, environmental justice advocate, and agricultural leader, serving as Agriculture Director at Chicks Ahoy Farm. She led the creation of Miller Street Community Farm in Middletown, turning a rarely used city park into a hub for food access and community agriculture, complete with beehives and raised beds. She also founded the Pathways to Agriculture Program, which helps youth build skills in farming and leadership. Her work advances equity and food security by supporting BILPOC farmers and grassroots partnerships.

Dick Shriver
Dick founded Estuary Magazine to highlight the history, ecology, and conservation of the Connecticut River Watershed, which spans 11,260 square miles across Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Launched in 2020, the quarterly print and digital magazine has quickly become a respected voice for regional conservation. Dick’s work has amplified education and storytelling around the health and future of the Connecticut River.