Join the Farmington River Watershed Association on November 15th and 16th for their 7th annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour Event at the Town Hall Auditorium in Collinsville, Connecticut to celebrate the two national Wild & Scenic Rivers designations on the Upper Farmington River and the Lower Farmington River & Salmon Brook and learn more about the watershed and their organization.
On Friday, November 15, from 7-9pm, they will be showing environmental river films, including special Farmington River focused films. There will be a raffle with great prizes, a cash bar serving Brewery Legitimus beer, hot cider and donuts from the Pickin’ Patch in Avon, popcorn and other concessions (included in all tickets)!
On Saturday, November 16, from 2-4pm, there’s a matinée show featuring a Farmington River wildlife film and youth focused environmental films, plus family-friendly program with activities, and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream will be served!
This event promises to be a great time to come together, talk with other river advocates, and be inspired by the films. The energy in the auditorium each year is wonderful – truly a sense of community surrounding a love for the river.
The Farmington River Watershed Association is a citizen-based, non-profit 501(c)3 organization. It was founded by residents in 1953 to address critical water quality problems. Today, FRWA still leads in addressing Farmington River issues such as water quality, water allocation, habitat restoration, recreation, open space, and wetland and floodplain protection. They work with federal, state and local governments, businesses, and with people in the watershed’s 33 communities to protect the river and its surrounding landscape.
The Farmington River and Salmon Brook hosts two national Wild & Scenic River designations.
The Farmington River Watershed Association gathers information that can lead to action. Their research and mapping projects assist planners, policymakers, watershed residents and river users. Their ongoing water quality monitoring provides information that complements the work of other agencies. It also builds up a long-term record that could show how the river responds to changes in the watershed.
FRWA also engages in hands-on stewardship such as fish habitat restoration, reduction of stormwater runoff, installing rain gardens and re-vegetating streambanks with native plants.
Providing education and resources to our community and schools is an important part of restoring and protecting the Farmington River. From fieldtrips, workshops and presentations, publications, and more, the FRWA is committed to providing a variety of resources to help teach the public about the river.
The Farmington River Watershed Association’s Conservation Director, Laura Hart, says, “The Wild & Scenic On Tour helps us reach a larger audience, gain new members, connect with local businesses, raise funds, and explain issues facing our river.
Hart’s favorite part of hosting a Wild & Scenic On Tour Event is, “getting to celebrate our river through a fun, meaningful, and inspiring way!”
