Press Release from Connecticut River Museum

Once unsafe and clogged by sewage and industrial waste, the Connecticut River is today the nation’s first and only National Blueway, making for an inspiring ecological success story. The story of that transformation—and the risks and challenges the river still faces—offers a lens on broader issues facing waterways nationwide. To draw these questions into sharp relief, the Connecticut River Museum will host a major Environmental Symposium on Sunday, June 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This one-day event, held at Wesleyan University's Beckham Hall, will bring together leading environmental experts, scientists, and policymakers to discuss success stories and the critical issues which still face the Connecticut River. The symposium will explore national implications, using the Connecticut River as a case study of the challenges facing rivers and estuaries across the nation.

The symposium will feature a series of panel discussions and presentations focusing on various aspects of the river's health, including water quality, habitat restoration, wildlife management, and climate change impacts. Attendees will gain valuable insights into these universal issues and how they are being addressed on the Connecticut River, offering a blueprint for tackling similar challenges in their own communities.

“The Connecticut River is not just a regional treasure, but a tremendous ecological success story,” said Elizabeth Kaeser, executive director of the Connecticut River Museum. “This would have seemed unlikely in the 1960s, when the river was filthy and unsafe. The river was transformed through the hard work and engagement of activists, students, politicians, and concerned citizens—work which is ongoing and requires a new generation of river stewards. The museum’s mission is to foster that new generation of river stewards, and we are thrilled to host this symposium as a way of bringing together important voices to inform, inspire, and educate.”

At 410 miles, the Connecticut River is the ecological backbone of New England. It flows through four states, and its watershed encompasses all five states, including 2.4 million inhabitants. The river provides 70% of the freshwater which enters Long Island Sound.

Speakers at the symposium will include State Representative Christine Palm of the 36th District; Johan Varekamp, Smith curator at Joe Webb Peoples Museum; Harold T. Stearns, professor emeritus of earth science; Mark Tedesco, director, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Long Island Sound office; Lisabeth Willey, science coordinator at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Rebecca Todd, executive director of the Connecticut River Conservancy; Markelle Smith, director of Friends of Conte; Barry Chernoff, director and chair of the Wesleyan University Bailey College of the Environment; Charles DiMarzio, associate professor of Northeastern University’s electrical and computer engineering, mechanical and industrial engineering, and bioengineering; and Randall Erb, associate professor of Northeastern University’s department of mechanical and industrial engineering.

The cost of admission for the symposium is $85 for non-members, $70 for members, and $30 for students. Lunch is included. Table reservations and sponsorship inquiries are welcome.

For more information and to register for the Connecticut River Environmental Symposium, please visit the museum's website at ctrivermuseum.org/events/environmental-symposium.