Repair Café At The deKoven House
2023-06-10 12:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Pattaconk Reservoir, Chester, CT 06412, Pattaconk Reservoir, Chester, CT, 06412, United States
The Rockfall Foundation, in cooperation with the City of Middletown Recycling & Public Works and RiverCOG, will be hosting a Repair Café on Saturday, June 10, at the deKoven House Community Center in Middletown. Skilled volunteers will help fix and teach you how to fix your things—saving you money and keeping items working and out of the garbage. Tool use and help are free. Participants are responsible for obtaining any necessary replacement parts.
Have a skill to offer? To volunteer, call 860-347-0340 or email pete@rockfallfoundation.org.
Electronics & Electrical
Jewelry
Sewing & Mending
Knife Sharpening (in limited quantities)
Small Appliances (no TVs or large appliances)
Woodwork/Furniture
Laptops
Bicycles
Smart Phones & Tablets
Lamps
AND MORE
Coffee and snacks will be served. Please bring your travel mug.

Yoga at the Mansion on June 17 CANCELED
2023-06-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Wadsworth Mansion Rose Garden, 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
Important update! Unfortunately, the June 17 Yoga at Wadsworth Mansion event has been canceled due to rain and thunderstorms coming through the area Friday and all day on Saturday. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Starr Mill Yoga will offer yoga classes on Saturdays in June at Wadsworth Mansion’s rose garden. Enjoy the healthy benefits of breath, movement, and being outdoors. Meet Starr Mill Yoga’s instructors and experience a wide range of practices. All levels are welcome. Proceeds benefit The Rockfall Foundation’s environmental grants and education programs.
Classes begin at 10:00 AM and will be held Saturdays from June 3 to June 24. Cash, check or credit card accepted. Pre-registration is appreciated at www.starrmillyoga.com.
$20 donations. Profits benefit The Rockfall Foundation.
After class, enjoy the mansion’s expansive grounds, walking trails, notable trees and exotic plants. Wadsworth Mansion is located at 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown. Rain cancels.
Click below to register: For more information and assistance with pre-registration (encouraged but not required), contact info@starrmillyoga.com or call 860-740-4939.
Schedule:
June 3: Natalie Spadaccino
June 10: Nicole Cari
June 17: Juliana Tryon-Ranaudo
June 24: Jamie Wright
Bring your own yoga mat, sunscreen, and water. The garden has both shaded and sunny areas.
Rain cancels. Contact 860-740-4939.

Yoga at the Mansion on June 24 CANCELED
2023-06-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Wadsworth Mansion Rose Garden, 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
Important update! We are sorry to inform you that we must cancel Yoga at Wadsworth Mansion again. The weather just doesn’t want to cooperate! Unfortunately, the June 24 Yoga at Wadsworth Mansion event is canceled due to rain and thunderstorms coming through the area Friday night and Saturday morning. Please stay tuned for Yoga at the Mansion dates in September.
Starr Mill Yoga will offer yoga classes on Saturdays in June at Wadsworth Mansion’s rose garden. Enjoy the healthy benefits of breath, movement, and being outdoors. Meet Starr Mill Yoga’s instructors and experience a wide range of practices. All levels are welcome. Proceeds benefit The Rockfall Foundation’s environmental grants and education programs.
Classes begin at 10:00 AM and will be held Saturdays from June 3 to June 24. Cash, check or credit card accepted. Pre-registration is appreciated at www.starrmillyoga.com.
$20 donations. Profits benefit The Rockfall Foundation.
After class, enjoy the mansion’s expansive grounds, walking trails, notable trees and exotic plants. Wadsworth Mansion is located at 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown. Rain cancels.
Click below to register: For more information and assistance with pre-registration (encouraged but not required), contact info@starrmillyoga.com or call 860-740-4939.
Schedule:
June 3: Natalie Spadaccino
June 10: Nicole Cari
June 17: Juliana Tryon-Ranaudo
June 24: Jamie Wright
Bring your own yoga mat, sunscreen, and water. The garden has both shaded and sunny areas.
Rain cancels. Contact 860-740-4939.

Healthy PlanEat Local Food Tour: Food For You and the Planet Festival
2023-07-23 10:00 - 14:00 | Wadsworth Mansion, 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
Explore the Healthy PlanEat Local Food Tour: Food For You and the Planet Festival! Join the local sustainable farmers and food artisans who are part of the Healthy PlanEat community for workshops, live demos, and activities for the whole family!
The event is part of the Healthy PlanEat Local Food Tour, where people can receive a stamped passport when they shop from local sustainable farms and food artisans via the Healthy PlanEat website at www.healthyplaneat.com. Stamps can be redeemed for raffle tickets for a chance to win local prizes at the festival.
The event is generously supported by the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG) and delivered in partnership with the Rockfall Foundation and Wadsworth Mansion.
Healthy PlanEat is a new sustainable food tech startup based in East Lyme, Connecticut, which helps farmers using sustainable growing practices to sell their food directly to local customers.
Free Admission: click below to register.

Yoga at the Mansion: with Natalie Spadaccino
2023-09-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Wadsworth Mansion Rose Garden, 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
Starr Mill Yoga will offer yoga classes on Saturdays in September at Wadsworth Mansion’s rose garden. Enjoy the healthy benefits of breath, movement, and being outdoors. Meet Starr Mill Yoga’s instructors and experience a wide range of practices. All levels are welcome. Proceeds benefit The Rockfall Foundation’s environmental grants and education programs.
Classes begin at 10:00 AM and will be held Saturdays from September 2 to September 30. Cash, check or credit card accepted. Pre-registration is appreciated at www.starrmillyoga.com.
$20 donations. Profits benefit The Rockfall Foundation.
After class, enjoy the mansion’s expansive grounds, walking trails, notable trees and exotic plants. Wadsworth Mansion is located at 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown. Rain cancels.
Click below to register: For more information and assistance with pre-registration (encouraged but not required), contact info@starrmillyoga.com or call 860-740-4939.
Schedule:
September 2: Natalie Spadaccino
September 9: Nicole Cari
September 16: Jamie Wright
September 23: Juliana Tryon-Ranaudo
September 30: Lauren Goodale
Bring your own yoga mat, sunscreen, and water. The garden has both shaded and sunny areas.
Rain cancels. Contact 860-740-4939 for more information.

CANCELED: Yoga at the Mansion: with Nicole Cari
2023-09-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Wadsworth Mansion Rose Garden, 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
🌧️ EVENT CANCELLATION 🌧️ Due to inclement weather and unfavorable conditions, ‘Yoga at the Mansion’ is canceled for September 9. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for being so understanding!

Starr Mill Yoga will offer yoga classes on Saturdays in September at Wadsworth Mansion’s rose garden. Enjoy the healthy benefits of breath, movement, and being outdoors. Meet Starr Mill Yoga’s instructors and experience a wide range of practices. All levels are welcome. Proceeds benefit The Rockfall Foundation’s environmental grants and education programs.
Classes begin at 10:00 AM and will be held Saturdays from September 2 to September 30. Cash, check or credit card accepted. Pre-registration is appreciated at www.starrmillyoga.com.
$20 donations. Profits benefit The Rockfall Foundation.
After class, enjoy the mansion’s expansive grounds, walking trails, notable trees and exotic plants. Wadsworth Mansion is located at 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown. Rain cancels.
Click below to register: For more information and assistance with pre-registration (encouraged but not required), contact info@starrmillyoga.com or call 860-740-4939.
Schedule:
September 2: Natalie Spadaccino
September 9: Nicole Cari
September 16: Jamie Wright
September 23: Juliana Tryon-Ranaudo
September 30: Lauren Goodale
Bring your own yoga mat, sunscreen, and water. The garden has both shaded and sunny areas.
Rain cancels. Contact 860-740-4939 for more information.

Yoga at the Mansion: with Jamie Wright
2023-09-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Wadsworth Mansion Rose Garden, 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown, CT, 06457

Free Screening - Clear Day Thunder: Rescuing the American Chestnut
2023-09-21 18:00 - 20:00 | deKoven House, 27 Washington Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
A FREE screening of CLEAR DAY THUNDER: RESCUING THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT will be held at The Rockfall Foundation’s deKoven House. This film screening is in partnership with The American Chestnut Foundation, Friends of Indian Hill Cemetery, Middletown Garden Club, and The Rockfall Foundation.
“This is the story of a tree.
A mighty wonder that graced the forests of Appalachia and sustained all forms of life. Embraced us, from cradle to grave.
At the turn of the 20th century, a deadly blight accidentally imported into the U.S. from Asia devastated the American Chestnut. Within a span of only two generations, the tree was nearly extinct.
This is the story of people.
The new documentary film CLEAR DAY THUNDER: RESCUING THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT tells the story of passionate citizen scientists and researchers working to restore this ecologically and economically important species, during this pivotal moment.
This is the story of promise.
The tree that forged a connection with humankind has been embraced in turn by humans who, invigorated by hope, are working tirelessly to revive this magnificent tree — so that it can once again help shape the future.”
Location: The Rockfall Foundation – deKoven House, 27 Washington Street, Middletown, CT 06457
Source: rescuingtheamericanchestnut.com Click Here to Sign-up

Yoga at the Mansion: with Juliana Tryon-Ranaudo
2023-09-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Wadsworth Mansion Rose Garden, 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown, CT, 06457

Classroom Presentation: Edible Wild Plants and Fungi of Autumn
2023-09-28 18:00 - 19:30 | deKoven House, 27 Washington Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
Classroom Presentation: Cost $10
Join us at the deKoven House Community Center on Thursday, September. 28th at 6:00 P.M. for a presentation about “Foraging Edible Wild Plants and Fungi of Autumn.”

Autumn is a time of bounty and harvest for woodland creatures and foragers alike: nuts are falling to the forest floor, fruits are ripening and scenting the crisp fall air, roots and tubers are thickening up in anticipation of sustaining the plants through the tough winter, and edible fungi can be found in astounding amounts. Learn how to identify, sustainably harvest, and prepare the wild foods of autumn, from acorns through minty wintergreen leaves, including golden honey mushrooms and maitake, the “dancing mushroom”. Join The 3 Foragers as they teach the edible plants and fungi of autumn with their original photos and recipe ideas in an educational slideshow.
The 3 Foragers are a family from southeastern Connecticut who have been identifying, photographing, and cooking with the edible plants and fungi of New England for more than 17 years. Their blog, Facebook page, and book all focus on family-friendly, environmentally sustainable harvest of both our native and invasive species of plants, and ways to incorporate these foods into your diet with original recipes.

Classroom Presentation Sign-up Note: We are also offering an additional Forage Walk on September 30. This is a separate event from the presentation. You must sign-up separately if you plan on attending the Forage Walk. Space is also limited to the first 25 adults for the walk at a $10 fee.

CANCELED: Yoga at the Mansion: with Lauren Goodale
2023-09-30 10:00 - 11:00 | Wadsworth Mansion Rose Garden, 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
UPDATE:

🌧️ EVENT CANCELLATION 🌧️ Due to inclement weather, ‘Yoga at the Mansion’ on Saturday, September 30 is canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for being so understanding, and thank you @StarrMillYogo, for your generosity and patience with all this RAIN!!!!

—————————————————–
Starr Mill Yoga will offer yoga classes on Saturdays in September at Wadsworth Mansion’s rose garden. Enjoy the healthy benefits of breath, movement, and being outdoors. Meet Starr Mill Yoga’s instructors and experience a wide range of practices. All levels are welcome. Proceeds benefit The Rockfall Foundation’s environmental grants and education programs.
Classes begin at 10:00 AM and will be held Saturdays from September 2 to September 30. Cash, check or credit card accepted. Pre-registration is appreciated at www.starrmillyoga.com.
$20 donations. Profits benefit The Rockfall Foundation.
After class, enjoy the mansion’s expansive grounds, walking trails, notable trees and exotic plants. Wadsworth Mansion is located at 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown. Rain cancels.
Click below to register: For more information and assistance with pre-registration (encouraged but not required), contact info@starrmillyoga.com or call 860-740-4939.
Schedule:
September 2: Natalie Spadaccino
September 9: Nicole Cari
September 16: Jamie Wright
September 23: Juliana Tryon-Ranaudo
September 30: Lauren Goodale
Bring your own yoga mat, sunscreen, and water. The garden has both shaded and sunny areas.
Rain cancels. Contact 860-740-4939 for more information.

Edible Plants and Fungi Walk- SOLD OUT
2023-09-30 10:00 - 12:00 | Pattaconk Reservoir, State Forest Rd, Chester, CT, 06412
SOLD OUT
Edible Plants and Fungi Walk: Cost $10 (limit 25 adults)
Join us at the Pattaconk Reservoir on Saturday, September. 30th at 10:00 am for a forage walk!

Join The 3 Foragers as they teach the edible plants and fungi of autumn on a foraging walk. Autumn is a time of bounty and harvest for woodland creatures and foragers alike: nuts are falling to the forest floor, fruits are ripening and scenting the crisp fall air, roots and tubers are thickening up in anticipation of sustaining the plants through the tough winter, and edible fungi can be found in astounding amounts. Learn how to identify, sustainably harvest, and prepare the wild foods of autumn, from acorns through minty wintergreen leaves, including golden honey mushrooms and maitake, the “dancing mushroom.”
The 3 Foragers are a family from southeastern Connecticut who have been identifying, photographing, and cooking with the edible plants and fungi of New England for more than 17 years. Their blog, Facebook page, and book all focus on family-friendly, environmentally sustainable harvest of both our native and invasive species of plants, and ways to incorporate these foods into your diet with original recipes.
NO DOGS, PLEASE – AS PER THE REQUEST OF THE INSTRUCTORS.

Forage Walk Sign-up Note: We are also offering an additional Classroom Presentation of Edible Wild Plants and Fungi of Autumn on September 28. This is a separate event from the forage walk. You must sign-up separately if you plan on attending. The classroom presentation cost is a $10 fee.

2023 Annual Meeting, Grants and Awards Celebration
2023-10-04 18:00 - 21:00 | deKoven House, 27 Washington Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
The Rockfall Foundation’s Board of Directors welcomes all to the 2023 Annual Meeting, Grants and Awards Celebration on Wednesday, October 4th, at 6 pm at the deKoven House Community Center.
We will present the 2023 Environmental Champions Awards to honor individuals for their contributions to the region. Additionally, recipients of the 2023 Annual Environmental Grants will display their projects and programs. An hors d’oeuvres and wine reception kicks off the evening, followed by a brief meeting, the awards ceremony, and multimedia presentations by three grantees.

Winners of the 2023 Environmental Champion Awards
The Rockfall Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2023 Environmental Champion Awards. The award winners were selected from nominations submitted by members of the community across the Lower Connecticut River Valley. The Rockfall Foundation is honored to present Certificates of Environmental Achievement to Christine Cummings, John Ogren, and the Macdonough School.
Featured grantee video clips to be shown during the event by:
Displays for the 2023 Annual Environmental Grant recipients will include:
ARTFARM – Circus for A Fragile Planet
Brownstone Quorum – Portland Riverfront Park Riverwalk
Bushy Hill Nature Center – Bushy Hill Day Camp Camper Scholarships
Chester Fair Project Fund – Chester Fair Zero Waste Project, Phase II
Chester Land Trust – Chester Creek Habitat Protection Project
Ct Forest and Park – Highlawn Forest Trail Improvement Projects
Everyone Outside – Everyone Outside in Portland and Easthampton
Free Center – Debris Couture, a Trashion Fashion Show
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding – Environmental Education Intern to promote environmental stewards
Killingworth Land Trust – Interpretive Sensory Nature Trail
Middletown Public Schools – Urban Gardening, Pollinator Awareness and working farm trip
The Estuary – Recycling Grant
Two Coyotes Wilderness School – Nature Connection for Youth
Valley Shore YMCA – Farm To Table Camp
Westbrook Garden Club – Westbrook Garden Club Meadow Walk Project

The Elements: 'The Seeds of Vandana Shiva' Film Screening
2023-10-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Wesleyan University’s Center for Film Studies – Goldsmith Family Cinema, 301 Washington Terrace, Middletown, CT, 06457
How did the willful daughter of a Himalayan forest conservator become the world’s most powerful opponent of Monsanto? The Seeds of Vandana Shiva, a feature-length documentary, presents the remarkable life story of the Gandhian eco-activist and agro-ecologist, Vandana Shiva.
A classic David versus Goliath tale, the film shows how Vandana, a brilliant scientist, became Monsanto’s worst nightmare and a rock star of the international organic food movement.
Vandana Shiva is a modern-day revolutionary who has been fighting a heroic battle on behalf of humanity and the ecologically besieged natural systems that support us for forty years. However, she is opposed by powerful multinational corporations invested in continuing their degenerative but lucrative agricultural practices. By profiling one of the greatest activists of modern times, the film looks at the epic struggle over who controls the world’s food systems and asks the question, who will prevail?
The film screening on October 16, at 7 PM is open to the public and free of charge.
The Seeds of Vandana Shiva/Running time: 1 hour – 25 minutes
Location: Wesleyan University’s Center for Film Studies – Goldsmith Family Cinema 301 Washington Terrace, Middletown, CT 06457
Face masks are optional, unless there are changes in Wesleyan University’s Covid policy.

Meet Your Greens: With Aziz Dehkan
2023-10-19 17:30 - 19:00 | Tavern at the Armory – Inn at Middletown, 70 Main Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
Aziz Dehkan is a seasoned advocate for social and environmental justice. Raised in New York City, Aziz holds a degree in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University. His passion for sustainable living led him to construct an award-winning passive-solar house and pioneer one of New Jersey’s first organic farms. Aziz has held key roles throughout his career in organizations such as The Coalition for the Homeless and Mother Jones, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to positive change.
As a community organizer and Executive Director of the NYC Community Garden Coalition, Aziz has been at the forefront of the battle for land tenure and food security, particularly addressing systemic racism.
Aziz is the current Executive Director and Lead Organizer of the CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, which builds alliances among diverse constituencies to combat climate change, create jobs and promote racial, economic and environmental justice. In 2021The Roundtable passed historically significant legislation that attaches strong Labor standards on larger renewable energy projects in CT. The Roundtable’s most recent legislative action is The Carbon Free Healthy School Initiative, a Statewide Bill that seeks to rehab, renovate, and rebuild schools throughout CT.
Aziz will discuss his organization’s efforts to tackle climate change while fostering well-paying employment opportunities for Connecticut’s families and how shifting Connecticut towards a low-carbon economy will benefit the environment and empower its workforce.
Join us on Thursday, October 19, at Inn at Middletown at 5:30 PM – 70 Main St, Middletown, CT.

Sign-up is not required but helps us better plan the event.

Sign-up Form

Living with Black Bears In Connecticut
2023-10-24 18:30 - 19:30 | deKoven House, 27 Washington Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
Bears have been in the news a lot lately. Join us at the deKoven House Community Center on Tuesday, Oct. 24th at 6:30 P.M. for a presentation about “Living with Black Bears.”

Gail Cameron is the current President of the Hamden Land Trust and a Master Wildlife Conservationist with the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. She has participated in a mammal monitoring program with the Pomfret Audubon Center, assisted with CT DEEP’s bobcat study, and loves nothing more than being outside and learning from nature.

Gail will discuss the expanding black bear population in the state and offer advice on how we can co-exist.
Admission: FREE

Sign-up Form

Repair Café At the Estuary Council of Seniors
2023-10-28 13:00 - 16:00 | The Estuary, 220 Main St., Old Saybrook, CT
The Rockfall Foundation, in cooperation with the Estuary, City of Middletown Recycling & Public Works, RiverCOG, Sustainable Essex, Reboot Eco, and Mr. Fix This! will be hosting a Repair Café on Saturday, October 28, at the Estuary Council of Seniors, 220 Main Street, Old Saybrook.
Skilled volunteers will help fix and teach you how to fix your things—saving you money and keeping items working and out of the garbage. Tool use and help are free. Participants are responsible for obtaining any necessary replacement parts.
Have a skill to offer? To volunteer, call 860-347-0340 or email pete@rockfallfoundation.org.
Electronics & Electrical
Jewelry
Sewing & Mending
Knife Sharpening (in limited quantities)
Small Appliances (no TVs or large appliances)
Woodwork/Furniture
Laptops
Bicycles
Smart Phones & Tablets
Lamps
AND MORE
Coffee and snacks will be served. Please bring your travel mug.

Meet Your Greens: Eating Greener With Anne S Bingham, MD
2023-11-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Aroy Thai Garden, 203 Main Street, Middletown, CT
Our November Meet Your Greens will be on Thursday, November 16th, at Aroy Thai Garden Restaurant, 203 Main Street, Middletown.
Join us for complimentary beverages, food (advanced purchase required), and conversation from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
Guest speaker Anne S. Bingham, MD, who has been a member of the Middlesex medical community since 1995, will discuss “Eating Greener.” Come learn how to eat greener with confidence and about the benefits to your health and the environment.
Complimentary wine, provided by the Rockfall Foundation, and a flavorful non-alcoholic beverage, provided by Thai Gardens, will be available to all who attend.
For those who would like to experience a special dinner offering, restaurant owner, Lapat Watrous, will showcase her flavorful vegan dishes with an optional exclusive MYG’s buffet. The buffet is $25 per person (advanced purchase required) and the menu will include appetizers and main menu items. (to facilitate prompt service there will be no off the menu orders accepted).
If you choose not to participate in the special buffet, there is no cost to attend.
Join us on Thursday, November 16, at Aroy Thai Garden, 203 Main St, Middletown, CT
Advanced Registration is required for this event.

Sign-up $25 Buffet No Buffet Sign-up

Meet Your Greens: "It's All About the Habitat" With Stephen Gephard
2024-01-18 17:30 - 19:30 | Scotch Plains Tavern, 124 Westbrook Rd, Essex, CT, 06426
Our January Meet Your Greens will be on Thursday, January 18, at Scotch Plains Tavern, 124 Westbrook Road, Essex, CT.
Guest speaker Steve Gephard‘s talk is titled “It’s All About the Habitat.” He will discuss what constitutes habitat, why it is a critical need for our fish and wildlife species, and how we go about protecting, conserving, and restoring habitat to support those species.
Steve is a retired fisheries biologist from the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), who transitioned to an independent consultant after a distinguished 42-year career overseeing programs like the Diadromous Fish and Habitat Conservation. His profound connection to the Connecticut River spans over 60 years, driving his active role as a trustee of the Connecticut River Conservancy, the nation’s oldest watershed association.
Besides consultancy, Steve is an avid paddler, boater, and angler, embodying his dedication to the river’s ecological health. In addition, he also co-writes for Estuary magazine and hosts a radio show for iCRV streaming radio.
Join us on Thursday, January 18, at Scotch Plains Tavern, 124 Westbrook Road, Essex, CT.
Registration is not required but recommended.

REGISTER HERE
For those of you not familiar with Meet Your Greens: Middletown Green Drinks, this monthly event provides networking opportunities for anyone who is interested in making connections and exchanging news about emerging environmental issues to help keep Lower Connecticut River Valley communities green and growing. An official location of Green Drinks International, this informal monthly gathering of people drawn from the community, nonprofit groups and the business world offers time to brainstorm ideas and plant seeds for collaboration. All are welcome and there is no admission fee, unless otherwise noted.

The Elements: An Annual Environmental Film Series - The Biggest Little Farm
2024-01-27 14:00 - 16:00 | Russell Library – Middletown CT, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
The next film in The Elements: An Environmental Film Series will be “The Biggest Little Farm.” The film screening is on Saturday, January 27, at 2 PM at The Russell Library; it is open to the public and free of charge.
“THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM chronicles the eight-year quest of John and Molly Chester as they trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland and a dream to harvest in harmony with nature. Through dogged perseverance and embracing the opportunity provided by nature’s conflicts, the Chesters unlock and uncover a biodiverse design for living that exists far beyond their farm, its seasons, and our wildest imagination.
Featuring breathtaking cinematography, captivating animals, and an urgent message to heed Mother Nature’s call, THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM provides us all with a vital blueprint for better living and a healthier planet.”
Date & Time: Saturday, January 27, at 2 PM
Location: Russell Library – 123 Broad Street, Middletown, CT 06457
Source: biggestlittlefarmmovie.com
Alternate Date for Inclement Weather: In the event of unfavorable weather conditions, the alternate date is scheduled for February 3rd. Click Here to Sign-up

Meet Your Greens: Drowning in Trash: An Open Discussion with Kim O'Rourke
2024-02-15 17:30 - 19:30 | Perk on Main, 386 Main St., Middletown, CT, 06457
Meet Your Greens: Drowning in Trash: An Open Discussion about Waste Reduction at the Local Level with Kim O’Rourke
Our February Meet Your Greens will be on Thursday, February 15, at Perk on Main, 386 Main St, Middletown, CT.
Let’s talk about waste reduction. Is it important? Is it possible? What does it mean? Kim O’Rourke, Middletown’s Recycling Coordinator, will give an overview of the City’s new, controversial waste reduction program, talk about the challenges and barriers, entertain solutions, and lead a discussion on actions families take to reduce their waste, help the environment and potentially save money. This will be less of a presentation and more of a discussion. Please bring your questions, solutions and ideas for reducing the amount of trash we all are generating.
Join us on Thursday, February 15, at Perk on Main, 386 Main St, Middletown, CT.
Registration is not required but recommended.

REGISTER HERE
For those of you not familiar with Meet Your Greens: Middletown Green Drinks, this monthly event provides networking opportunities for anyone who is interested in making connections and exchanging news about emerging environmental issues to help keep Lower Connecticut River Valley communities green and growing. An official location of Green Drinks International, this informal monthly gathering of people drawn from the community, nonprofit groups and the business world offers time to brainstorm ideas and plant seeds for collaboration. All are welcome and there is no admission fee, unless otherwise noted.

Guided Winter Bird Walk: Hammonassett Beach State Park
2024-02-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Hammonasset Beach State Park, 1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT
Join Anthony Zemba, Sr. Ecologist with LANDTECH, and Rockfall Foundation Board member for a guided bird walk and search for seals at Hammonassett Beach State Park in Madison at 10:00 am. We will be searching for winter resident birds in various habitats that include coastal grasslands, dunes, salt marsh, and coastal forests and shrublands.
Our travels will take us on the Moraine Trail out to the end of Meigs Point to look for various waterfowl offshore, such as loons, gulls, and diving sea ducks, and any seals that may have hauled out onto their favorite offshore rocks near the mouth of the Hammonassett River. The trip is limited to 25 participants. Bring binoculars (and a telescope if you have one) and dress warmly, as Hammonsassett can be very cold this time of year, especially if it is windy. The trail out to Meigs Point can be rocky and uneven, so wear appropriate footwear.
📅 Date: Saturday, February 17
🕙 Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
📍 Location: Meet outside the Nature Center at Meigs Point, Hammonasset State Park
🔭 Limited to 25 participants

Admission: FREE

Sign-up Form

Meet Your Greens: Amy Blaymore Paterson Reviews Connecticut Land Conservation Council's 2024 Legislative and Policy Agenda
2024-03-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Tavern at the Armory – Inn at Middletown, 70 Main Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
Meet Your Greens: Amy Blaymore Paterson Reviews Connecticut Land Conservation Council’s 2024 Legislative and Policy Agenda
Our March Meet Your Greens will be on Thursday, March 21, at Tavern at the Armory – Inn at Middletown.
Guest speaker Amy Blaymore Paterson is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC). CLCC is the only statewide service provider and voice for all Connecticut land trusts. CLCC is a leader in advocacy and policy, education and training, and technical and financial assistance to empower Connecticut’s 120+ land trusts and ensure the long-term viability of land conservation efforts in the state. Amy will give a brief overview of CLCC’s 2024 legislative and policy priorities and the status of these and other major issues and initiatives impacting land conservation and the environment in the current legislative session.
Join us on Thursday, March 21, at Tavern at the Armory – Inn at Middletown
Registration is not required but recommended.

REGISTER HERE
For those of you not familiar with Meet Your Greens: Middletown Green Drinks, this monthly event provides networking opportunities for anyone who is interested in making connections and exchanging news about emerging environmental issues to help keep Lower Connecticut River Valley communities green and growing. An official location of Green Drinks International, this informal monthly gathering of people drawn from the community, nonprofit groups and the business world offers time to brainstorm ideas and plant seeds for collaboration. All are welcome and there is no admission fee, unless otherwise noted.

Learn How To Identify and Manage Invasive Plants In Your Back Yard
2024-05-05 10:00 - 12:30 | Middlefield Memorial School Parking Lot, 124 Hubbard St., Middlefield, CT, United States
This event is co-sponsored
by Everyone Outside
Join us at the Rockfall Forest in Middlefield, CT, for an Educational Invasive Plant Workshop and Cleanup Party.
You will learn how to identify and remove some of the more aggressive invasives in our state: garlic mustard, barberry, Asian bittersweet, honeysuckle, privet, autumn olive, Japanese knotweed, multiflora rose, and winged euonymus (burning bush), to name a few.
What to Bring: Bring clippers and gloves if you have them; a limited supply will be available. Tick repellant is suggested.
Bonus: You will have a chance to sample some invasive plant recipes.
What are Invasive Plants?
UCONN’s Invasive Plants Council best describes invasive plants as “non-native plants that are disruptive in a way that causes environmental or economic harm or harm to human health. In minimally managed areas, invasive plants crowd out native plants. The presence of invasive plants alters how plants, animals, soil, and water interact within native ecosystems, often causing harm to other species in addition to the plants that have been crowded out.”
Location: Meet at 9:45 in the Middlefield Memorial School parking lot, 124 Hubbard St, Middlefield, CT. Heavy rain cancels. Sign-up Form

Meet Your Greens: "It's All About Forests" With Tom Worthley
2024-05-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Scotch Plains Tavern, 124 Westbrook Rd, Essex, CT, 06426
Our May Meet Your Greens will be on Thursday, May 16, at Scotch Plains Tavern, 124 Westbrook Road, Essex, CT.
Our guest speaker, Tom Worthley, an expert in forestry from the University of Connecticut, will share his extensive knowledge of forests and will follow up with a Q and A on “climate-smart” management practices. Tom will provide valuable insights and answer your questions on this crucial topic.
Tom Worthley, Associate Extension Professor for Forestry at the University of Connecticut, brings over 40 years of experience in industry, consulting, and academia. A graduate of the University of Maine, he is also involved in conservation efforts as a Conservation and Wetlands Commissioner in Haddam. Tom, along with his wife Catherine, is a woodland owner in Higganum and actively participates in organizations such as the Haddam Land Trust and the Society of American Foresters. He advocates for woodland owners’ benefit, aiming to lower the risk of woodland conversion.
Don’t miss this chance to learn from Tom and connect with fellow environmental enthusiasts.
Join us on Thursday, May 16, at Scotch Plains Tavern, 124 Westbrook Road, Essex, CT.
While registration is not mandatory, we recommend it to help the restaurant ensure efficient service.

REGISTER HERE
For those of you not familiar with Meet Your Greens: Middletown Green Drinks, this monthly event provides networking opportunities for anyone who is interested in making connections and exchanging news about emerging environmental issues to help keep Lower Connecticut River Valley communities green and growing. An official location of Green Drinks International, this informal monthly gathering of people drawn from the community, nonprofit groups and the business world offers time to brainstorm ideas and plant seeds for collaboration. All are welcome and there is no admission fee, unless otherwise noted.

Guided Spring Bird Walk: Haddam Meadows State Park
2024-05-19 08:30 - 10:30 | Haddam Meadows State Park, Haddam, CT, 06438
Join Anthony Zemba, Sr. Ecologist with LANDTECH, and Rockfall Foundation Board member for a morning Bird Walk at Haddam Meadows on Sunday, May 19th. We will meet at the parking lot at the entrance of the park (the parking lot is on the left as soon as you enter the park and cross the railroad tracks) at 8:30 AM.
From there, we will walk south along the edge of the wooded wetland on the west side of the open meadow field. We will be looking for Spring migrants and breeding resident birds among the park’s varied habitats, which include a forested swamp, a scrub/shrub swamp, a pond, the CT River and its associated freshwater tidal emergent wetlands, and open meadows. We will walk about a 2-mile loop on open, flat terrain. But wear sturdy shoes that you don’t mind getting wet (but we will try to avoid walking in wet areas), and protect yourself from ticks. We plan to go until about 10:30 AM with the option to go longer if desired. A steady rain will cancel the trip, so monitor the weather and the Rockfall’s website for forecasts.
📅 Date: Sunday, May 19
🕙 Time: 8:30 am – 10:30 pm (With the option to stay longer)
📍 Location: Meet at the parking lot at the entrance, Haddam Meadows State Park
🔭 Limited to 30 participants

Admission: FREE

Sign-up Form

Qi Gong at the Mansion: with Erik Harris - June 1
2024-06-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Wadsworth Mansion Rose Garden, 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
Erik Harris has been a qi gong practitioner for 15 years. He was trained by Dr. Ming Wu from the Fengyang TCM lineage of practitioners that dates back thousands of years.
Qi gong is an ancient Chinese healthcare system that is the foundation for Tai Chi. Qi gong literally translates in Chinese to the practice of moving energy.
Qi gong focuses on breath and movement to open up the energy flow in the body.
Qi gong is commonly referred to as meditation in motion.
This class will be for beginners. Movements will be done in the standing position. You will be led through each exercise with mindfulness. The focus will be on the breath, grounding into the earth, and feeling the energy of the body.
The gentle, rhythmic movements of Qi Gong helps to:

reduce stress & anxiety
build stamina
increase vitality of the body & organs
enhance the immune system

It has been found to improve cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic and digestive functions.

Classes will be held at the Wadsworth Mansion Rose Garden starting at 10:00 AM on Saturdays, June 1, 8, and 29.
There will also be classes on August 4, 11, and August 18.
$20 donations. Profits benefit The Rockfall Foundation.
After class, enjoy the mansion’s expansive grounds, walking trails, notable trees and exotic plants. Wadsworth Mansion is located at 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown. Rain cancels.
Click below to register: Schedule:
June 1
June 8
June 29
August 4
August 11
August 18
The garden has both shaded and sunny areas.
Rain cancels.

Qi Gong at the Mansion: with Erik Harris - June 8
2024-06-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Wadsworth Mansion Rose Garden, 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown, CT, 06457

Repair Café At The deKoven House
2024-06-15 12:00 - 15:00 | deKoven House, 27 Washington Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
The Rockfall Foundation, in cooperation with City of Middletown Recycling & Public Works, RiverCOG, Sustainable Essex, Reboot Eco, and Mr. Fix This! will be hosting a Repair Café on Saturday, June 15, at the deKoven House Community Center in Middletown. .
Skilled volunteers will help fix and teach you how to fix your things—saving you money and keeping items working and out of the garbage. Tool use and help are free. Participants are responsible for obtaining any necessary replacement parts.
Have a skill to offer? To volunteer, call 860-347-0340 or email pete@rockfallfoundation.org.
Electronics & Electrical
Jewelry
Sewing & Mending
Knife Sharpening (in limited quantities)
Small Appliances (no TVs or large appliances)
Woodwork/Furniture
Laptops
Bicycles
Smart Phones & Tablets
Lamps
AND MORE
Coffee and snacks will be served. Please bring your travel mug.

Qi Gong at the Mansion: with Erik Harris - June 29
2024-06-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Wadsworth Mansion Rose Garden, 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
