Woman's Club of Danbury/New Fairfield (WCDNF) Holds Environmental Seminar

On Tuesday, March 31, WCDNF held an Environmental Seminar inviting experts in the environmental field to highlight the critical issues that threaten our community today. The WCDNF Environmental Committee invited Kenneth Gucker, third-term member of the CT House of Representatives, Jennifer Heaton-Jones, Director of HRRA, and Brian Kleinman expert in the study of turtles, an endangered species.

Representative Gucker, life-long resident of Danbury, has been active in many local city issues related to environmental conservation, historic preservation, and is credited for the passage of the Aquatic species bill giving financial support to protect our lakes and streams. Currently, he is monitoring the production of fertilizers that threaten the health of our water and land and is promoting legislation for the safety of our environment.

Jennifer Heaton-Jones is the Executive Director of the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA). Her work advocates for the development and promotion of policies that encourage the minimization of waste from manufacturers and the public. She is active in the education of communities on the importance of protecting the environment with recycling and product design that is sustainable.

Brian Kleinman is the owner of the Riverside Reptiles Education Center and is an expert in the field of studying invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles and birds. Mr. Kleinman's presentation informed the audience that turtles are the most endangered groups of vertebrates in the world. He shared the factors that contribute to their decline and what we can do to preserve these ancient reptiles. The audience was delighted to meet four native turtles and appreciate their beauty, strength and fragility.