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Citizens of our community can and do make a difference. On August 13, 2008, two dynamic individuals, Katherine Kosiba and Ellen Falbowski, brought forward a proposal to the Conservation Commission – “let’s work together to make Colchester the first Connecticut town designated a ‘Certified Community Wildlife Habitat Site’ by the National Wildlife Federation.”
After much discussion, the Conservation Commission voted in favor of moving the recommendation forward to the Board of Selectmen with the Commission’s support. Following a presentation by Katherine and Ellen -- and many questions -- the Board of Selectmen subsequently approved the project.
Katherine and Ellen were off and running. The first step? Register the town. The list of application requirements and questions is long – identify a team leader and build a team to carry out the project, set up and maintain a project journal, develop project goals and vision, provide ecological and demographic characteristics of the community, and identify funding sources and create a five year budget. These are just some of the requirements addressed by the group. With the assistance of Jay Gigliotti, Town of Colchester Wetlands Officer, and a commitment from core community organizations such as Colchester Garden Club, Colchester Land Trust, and Colchester Business Association, the group gathered the necessary information, answered the required questions, and is ready to submit its
application.
So, how do people, animals, and plants co-exist and help in keeping Colchester a pleasurable community? Residents, organizations, and government working together to obtain certification as a “Community Wildlife Habitat” will make a real difference in three areas: (1) bringing an awareness to our every day activities and how they impact the natural world around us; (2) pulling together smaller disparate activities occurring across town to preserve wildlife into one uniform community goal; and, (3) providing information to residents about ways to make a difference that are easy and meaningful.
In order for Colchester to become certified through the National Wildlife Federation, at least one hundred of our residents must register their homes to become individually certified. Your yard must provide water and food -- which could be berries, nuts, fruits, native trees, and bushes. Shelter includes dead trees and/or large bushes -- somewhere safe to go during bad weather. A place to raise young must be provided – perhaps a bird house or a pond. And last but not least, you need to practice sustainable gardening -- more mulch, less pesticides. Many of you may already have many of these five key components. To add the remaining ones does not need to be costly or time consuming at all; most of this can be achieved without spending a penny. Also, you choose what kind of wildlife habitat you
wish to provide – birds … fish … bees … butterflies? It’s up to you!
“Community Wildlife Habitat” residents make it a priority to provide better living conditions for wildlife, employ sustainable gardening practices, and host workshops and events to make the community healthier for both people and wildlife. As you know, Colchester grew quickly over the last decade. Although at a much slower pace, we continue to grow.
Already, the Colchester Garden Club has held an informational seminar in early September on how you can better the overall community. Lessons were provided on how to bring the habitat you want to your yard and how to keep out the habitat you don’t want. The “Community Wildlife Habitat” committee will have a booth at the upcoming 57 Fest which will be full of information on how individual businesses and home owners can become certified.
Thank you to Katherine and Ellen for sharing their vision and for their commitment. Please join us in making Colchester a better place for all to live.
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