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Programs
Birding
Friends of the Farm River hosts Bird walks for beginners and advanced
birders to document bird sightings and increase the public's awareness
of the estuary as a valuable asset.
Kayaking
FFRE facilitates an annual kayaking event, which is not a guided
tour, or scientific exploration, but rather a friendly gathering
of enthusiastic folks, getting to know one another, out to witness
the river's beauty first hand.
Miscellaneous
Events and Activities
There are many important projects that are great fun-educational
outings, talks, canoe trips. But much of the work, although satisfying,
is time consuming and difficult. Some of this work includes plant
identification and marsh monitoring to chart the changes in vegetation
and wildlife; river usage monitoring; anadromous fish identification
and count; buffer zone planting and erosion control; bioassessments
and water quality monitoring.
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Educational
programs about the Farm River's ecosystem are developed through
partnerships with other organizations dedicated to the conservation
of the environment, particularly Long Island Sound and the rivers
of Connecticut.
Farm
River Flyway & the eBird project
EBird is an online database initiative that was established by the
Connecticut Audubon Society by which local citizens record their
sightings of birds on the internet. Residents with little birding
knowledge as well as experienced birders are encouraged to participate.
The
eBird project will confirm whether the Farm River Estuary contains
a number of Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Birds,
as evidence suggests, and the eBird database will help scientists
better understand the habitat needs and population trends of birds,
uncover movement patterns, migratory pathways, breeding ranges,
population trends and other important environmental issues.
FFRE
facilitates the Buffer Zone Project, which involves a group
of conservation and protective organizations whose goal is to identify
and target areas for special protection.
Community
Networks
FFRE recognizes the need for consistent collaboration, networking,
and unity among local organizations, businesses and residents and
has developed partnerships with land trusts and other environmental
organizations that have an interest in the Farm River Estuary.
River
Stewardship
Regulations that were enacted to protect local estuaries, watersheds,
and ecosystems are often violated (encroachment, lack of erosion
control, illegal dumping, improper use of contaminants, faulty septic
systems, etc.)
FFRE's
roles is not to police the river, but to influence public policy,
keep people informed, distribute information about legislation affecting
the estuary, encourage respect for the environment and ensure environmental
laws and regulations are enforced by public officials
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