About

Jane Brawerman, Executive Director

Manages District operations, planning, fundraising, finances and programs. Directs the Connecticut River Watch Program, the District’s citizen monitoring program. jbrawerman at conservect.org

Kelly Starr, Natural Resource Specialist

Conducts site plan reviews for municipal commissions, provides technical assistance to municipalities and landowners, conducts outreach and provides technical assistance to the agricultural community, plans and manages conservation and watershed management projects, conducts workshops and seminars, conducts natural resource assessments and develops habitat management plans, and contributes to ERT reports. kstarr at conservect.org

Sandy Weiss, Office Administrator

Manages general office operations and community outreach. Coordinates programs like the annual plant sale, event registrations and the District’s library of manuals, brochures, videos and other resources. sweiss at conservect.org

Watershed Projects Coordinator (open-not currently hiring)

Coordinates watershed management activities in the Mattabesset watershed, plans and conducts field stream surveys, assists in implementing Connecticut River Watch Program stream monitoring programs, assists with conservation projects, and provides GIS support for District projects.

Board meetings are usually held bi-monthly on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 PM at the deKoven House, but are currently being held virtually. Meetings are open to the public.

The CT River Coastal Conservation District offers volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Students looking to fulfill community service hours are encouraged to inquire.

Every summer and fall, the Connecticut River Watch Program recruits volunteers for river monitoring activities throughout the Connecticut River watershed.

In April we invite volunteers to help out at our Shrub & Seedling Sale, an annual fundraising event. We offer hard to find native plants and educate the public about the advantages and importance of planting native species.

The District is also involved with ongoing watershed improvement projects such as clean-ups, invasive plant removal, stream buffer plantings, and storm-drain marking that rely on volunteer participation. Students, retirees, or anyone with extra time are encouraged to inquire about assisting with one of our watershed management, water quality monitoring, or natural resource protection projects.

Interested in volunteering? Contact us.

The Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District is located on the 2nd floor of the deKoven House, a historic brick mansion at the corner of Washington Street and deKoven Drive, easily accessible from Route 9. Our office is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.

Directions from Hartford and points North:

Take I-91 South to Route 9 South (to Cromwell and Middletown).
Get off at Exit 15 (Wesleyan University and Washington Street exit).
The deKoven House is immediately on your left past the railroad tracks.

Directions from Old Saybrook and points Southeast:

Take Route 9 North to Exit 15 (on the left).
The deKoven House is immediately on your left past the railroad tracks.

Directions from New Haven and points Southwest:

Take I-91 North to Route 66 East.
Stay on Route 66 (Washington Street) into Middletown.
The deKoven House is on the right just past the municipal parking lot,
before the Route 9 intersection.

Carpooling can be easy by using CT DOT Park & Ride Locations.

Daytime parking is restricted to deKoven House staff and visitors to the offices.
Daytime or evening meeting participants can park in the Mellili Plaza parking lot adjacent to the deKoven House (entrance on deKoven Drive or off of Washington Street).

Bicycles can be locked to the rack adjacent to the entrance.

The Conservation District is looking for a full time Natural Resource Specialist to assist communities in protecting natural resources throughout the 26 municipalities in our area. Responsibilities range from designing conservation projects, to physical work in the field, to developing and presenting educational programs. You can view the full job announcement here.