No charge. Co-sponsored  by Wilton Library, Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited,  Norwalk River Watershed Association, and Wilton Land Conservation Trust. Online registration required in order to receive the Zoom invitation link. Please register with Trout Unlimited here.

Kelly Nealon, a graduate student in the Integrated Biological Diversity program at Western Connecticut State University, has been working to introduce a species of native flowering aquatic plant to the Norwalk River in Wilton. This weird aquatic plant has declined in numbers drastically across the Northeast, likely a side effect of human impacts on water quality and aquatic ecosystems. The plant, known by its common name as “Hornleaf Riverweed” is nondescript in appearance, and typically goes unnoticed by those who might come across it. However, its importance to river ecosystems makes it a potentially critical tool in river restoration.

Kelly will discuss the project, her work with advisor Dr. Tom Philbrick (Western Connecticut State University), and collaborating partners Trout Unlimited (Mianus Chapter), and the Town of Wilton. She will speak about the ecology of the plant species, and how this plant can help support fish populations and contribute to improving water quality in the River. She will highlight the significance of the project, and how this work can help to revitalize a river that has historically suffered from human activity.