Northwest Conservation District - NWCD

06/04/2026

On May 6 and 7, NWCD presented educational programs to 7th and 8th grade students at North Canaan Elementary School. Students explored the many types of forest products, learned how trees grow, and discussed factors that can affect forest health and tree growth.
They also received an introduction to macroinvertebrates and water testing and discovered how these fascinating organisms can serve as important indicators of water quality.
Audra, Kelsey, and Nick had a wonderful time working with Ms. Hasenbein to coordinate and deliver this engaging program. Thank you to the students and staff for making it such a great experience!

Thank you to Union Savings Bank Foundation for funding this event! Union Savings Bank

North Canaan Elementary School
Region One School District

06/03/2026

On May 9, NWCD attended Bird Fest hosted by Sharon Audubon Center in celebration of World Migratory Bird Day. Despite the drizzly weather, Sharon Audubon did an outstanding job planning and organizing a well-attended community event.
It was a wonderful day connecting with local families, sharing information about conservation, and meeting fellow organizations that are passionate about protecting birds, wildlife, and habitat.

Fellow exhibitors included:
* The White Memorial Conservation Center
* Lights Out Connecticut
* Litchfield Hills Audubon Society LHAS
* Homegrown National Park
* The Xerces Society
* Sharon Conservation Commission
* Kent Land Trust
* Lindera Native Plants

We appreciate everyone who stopped by and helped make the day such a success! 🐦🌿💚

🐦🌿🦋

06/02/2026

Join NWCD staff member Cynthia Rabinowitz on June 3rd at the Litchfield Community Center for the first of a three part series!

05/31/2026

🌱 On May 19, NWCD staff visited the Housatonic Valley Regional High School Land Lab to discuss the importance of vegetative buffers and demonstrate how to install a rain garden.

NWCD staff collaborated with Bruce Bennett, Chair of the Agricultural Education Advisory Committee, on this project. The rain garden was designed by Bruce, and the plants were purchased through a grant secured by the Conservation District (This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under Assistance Agreement LI-00A01075 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.)

This hands-on project helps improve watershed health by reducing stormwater runoff, filtering pollutants, and enhancing local habitat.



Housatonic Valley AgEd HVRHS Region One School District

05/30/2026

On Friday, May 15, NWCD staff helped facilitate the Environmental Career Development Event (CDE) for Connecticut FFA at UConn.

Audra has served as the event superintendent for more than 15 years, while Kelsey and Nick coordinated the Environmental Analysis Practicum. The Environmental CDE consists of five practicals where teams of four students compete to demonstrate their environmental and natural resource knowledge and skills. This year's practicals included General Knowledge, Identification, Environmental Analysis, Soil Analysis, and a Team Event focused on Urban Forestry.

A big thank you to all of our partners who help make this event a success each year: Union Savings Bank Foundation, NRCS, UConn, UConn CLEAR, NWCD, and UConn Extension/4-H. This event would not be possible without the content knowledge and dedication of all partners involved!

Ten teams competed in this year's event, including all five agricultural education programs in our district: Housatonic, Woodbury, Northwestern, Shepaug, and Wamogo. We are proud that four district teams placed in the top five overall!

🏆 Congratulations to the Woodbury FFA team for earning 1st place and advancing to compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis this October.

Additional district results:
🥈 Housatonic FFA – 2nd Place
🥉 Shepaug FFA – 3rd Place
🏅 Wamogo FFA – 5th Place

Congratulations to all the students who participated and showcased their environmental knowledge and leadership skills!



Connecticut FFA Association
Woodbury FFA Chapter
Housatonic Valley AgEd
Wamogo FFA
UConn CAHNR
UConn 4-H Fairfield County
UConn Extension
UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research
UConn
National FFA Organization
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Union Savings Bank

05/29/2026

Northwest Conservation District staff attended the Connecticut Envirothon Competition on May 21 at Rocky Neck State Park. Four of Connecticut’s five conservation districts play a major role in planning and implementing this incredible event.

Kelsey Sudol from NWCD serves as the aquatics station lead alongside Melissa Mostowy from Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Audra serves on the CT Envirothon Steering Committee, while Annette and Nick volunteered during the event.

This year, 21 schools and 35 teams from across the state participated. Each team, made up of five students, competed in five content areas: aquatics, wildlife, soils, forestry, and the current issue topic. Teams also delivered presentations on the current issue.

The Northwest Conservation District was represented by 11 teams from 5 schools; Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Lakeview High School, Danbury High School, Marvelwood School, and Nonnewaug High School.

Results included:
* Housatonic Team 1 — 1st place overall
* Housatonic Team 2 — 2nd place overall and 1st place in Forestry
* Housatonic Team 3 — 9th place overall and 1st place in Wildlife
* David Moran- Housatonic - Advisor of the Year
* Danbury High School - Rookie of the Year Team!

Congratulations to Housatonic Team 1, which will travel to Mississippi in July to compete in the NCF Envirothon Competition!

Housatonic Valley AgEd
HVRHS
Region One School District
Danbury Public Schools
Lakeview High School - R20
Wamogo FFA
Nonnewaug High School
Woodbury FFA Chapter
Marvelwood School
Connecticut Envirothon
NCF-Envirothon

05/28/2026

April and May have been super busy months!! Get ready to see what we have been up to the past few months!!

05/13/2026

🌲 Great news educators! We’ve extended Early Bird pricing for the Forestry Educators Retreat!
There’s still time to register at the discounted rate and join fellow educators for learning, connection, fresh ideas, and time in the forest. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your network and recharge with colleagues who share your passion for environmental education.
📅 Register today!

Northwest Conservation District, Great Mountain Forest, and UConn 4-H are pleased to invite you to join us at the Forestry Educators Retreat: Teach the Teachers at the Yale Camp in Great Mountain Forest August 14-16, 2026 The goal of this retreat is to have teachers of all types (public school,

05/08/2026

Come visit us at Birdfest tomorrow!

We are still on for tomorrow's Birdfest! World Migratory Bird Day rain or shine! We have lots of canvas covers or tabling partner organizations, crafts, and activities. Plus, we have beautiful Audubon umbrellas to lend out in case of a more steady drizzle.

THIS EVENT WILL BE MOVED INSIDE IN THE CASE OF HEAVY RAIN.

Come and join us for this exciting event! We can't wait to see you!


Kent Land Trust Lights Out Connecticut Homegrown National Park Northwest Conservation District - NWCD The Xerces Society The White Memorial Conservation Center Litchfield Hills Audubon Society LHAS

11/18/2025

#🏡👩‍🌾👨‍🌾 Interested in the Permaculture Design Course??? 🏡👩‍🌾👨‍🌾

Flanders and the Northwest Conservation District are proud to collaborate on our first offering of a Permaculture Design Certificate course. This program is scheduled to start on Saturday, January 10, 2026. It will take place over eight Saturday sessions. Permaculture design is a whole-systems design approach to developing sustainable human settlements. Rooted in horticulture and agriculture, permaculture design also touches on regional planning, land stewardship, ecology, food production, animal husbandry, technology, and water management.

Flanders' Permaculture Design Course (PDC) teaches the design process and lays the foundation for a lifelong study and path in Permaculture. The course is ideal for anyone who wishes to create a sustainable design for their home, business, or other activity. The collaborative, rich curriculum guides you to complete a regenerative design for your own use.

If you think this course is right for you but would like to learn more about what you will learn and meet the instructors, please join one of our online info sessions on either Wednesday, November 19 from 7:00-8:00 PM or Wednesday, December 10 from 7:00-8:00 PM.

Please register for one of our free info session and a link will be sent to you via email.

https://flandersnaturecenter.org/permaculturedesigncourse/