Waterfest 2026, Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed

September 19 | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
79 Homestead Road, Ledyard

Creating/managing Native Meadows Educational Event

SUNDAY September 27, 2026 8:30 am to 2 pm

What? Come learn about the techniques and tools needed to create a native meadow.

Where? Sessions Woods Conservation Education Center at 341 Milford Street Burlington CT.

8:30am to 10am Presentations Tracy Zarrillo and Peter Picone

At 10:15am leave Sessions Woods and travel (car pool if you can) to Robbins Swamp WMA in Falls Village CT (

Who? Anyone interested in learning about creating and managing a native meadow.

How? RSVP Peter Picone at peter.picone@ct.gov, 860-919-7236

When? Sunday, September 27, 2026, 8:30

Description:

8 am registration and refreshments

8:30 am Welcome/ Go over schedule of day’s activities

9:00 am – 10:00am

DEEP Wildlife biologist Peter Picone will speak on how to transform the land at Robbins Swamp WMA into a biologically diverse native meadow with vibrant ecotone.

Entomologist Tracy Zarrillo will speak on the diversity of pollinators from year one to year five at Robbins Swamp WMA native meadow restoration project

10:15 am Travel to Robbins Swamp WMA in Falls Village

11am Arrive at Robbins Swamp WMA

11:10 am to 2 pm Interpretive tour of the native meadow. Learn about native plants/techniques/tools/equipment used in the creation and management of native meadows.

CT Reserve Invasive Plant Training

September 29, 2026 1:00 – 4:00 pm

If you are interested in identifying, mapping, and managing invasive terrestrial plants then this event is for you! Join UConn CLEAR, CT Sea Grant, and the CTNERR team for a hands-on training in Old Saybrook.

Registration for the 2026 CIPWG Symposium is now open!

Wednesday, October 28, 2026, UConn Student Union, 2110 Hillside Rd, Storrs, CT. **Attend in person or purchase the recording** The symposium will be recorded and made available after the event. Registration, Agenda, and more information at CIPWG.uconn.edu!

UConn's Invasive Plant Certificate Course will be held again in 2027!

Curious about how to better manage invasive plants in Connecticut?

Interested in improving your identification and management skills?

Sign up to be notified about the next UConn Extension’s Online Invasive Plant Certificate Course, which will:

Prepare you to manage invasives using effective, science-based procedures.
Equip land managers, green industry professionals, municipal staff, town/city commission volunteers, and residents with the information and tools needed to manage invasive plants in Connecticut.
Fully online course, making content easily accessible and providing the opportunity to learn from anywhere and at your own pace.

More information and Frequently Asked Questions available at https://ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu/invasive-plant-certificate.