Cornwall Bridge, CT – The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) received National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC) Award of Excellence in May and Aquarion Water Company’s Environmental Champion Award in June. HVA was recognized for its track record of conservation accomplishments and goal of achieving climate-ready environmental conditions across the region over the next two decades.
To help establish watershed conditions that are healthy enough to withstand the effects of climate change, HVA launched three key initiatives: Clean, Cool and Connected, aimed at restoring and protecting rivers, streams, and groundwater; Follow the Forest, aimed at helping partners conserve a connected woodland corridor and wildlife habitat linkages from the Hudson Valley to Canada; and engaging and involving more people and local communities to be a part of the solution.
HVA has saved or helped save more than 20,000 acres of land, with another 50,000 acres needed, and restored several hundred miles of local waterways and wetlands with another 500 miles needed, all leveraged by their 200+ partners. This includes municipalities, land trusts, nonprofits, businesses, and community groups, as well as the thousands of volunteers engaged in river clean ups, plantings, paddle trips, and more.
The Federated Garden Club of Connecticut, Inc. (FGCCT), who honored HVA with its 2021 top Bronze Award, also nominated HVA for the National Garden Clubs award, which is its highest award presented to a non-member making a significant contribution toward the advancement of NGC’s goals and purposes.
“I was so honored to accept both of these awards on behalf of the entire HVA team including our board, staff, volunteers and partners across the region,” said Lynn Werner. “All of our work together restoring streams, conserving woodland corridors, engaging more people in new ways – it’s all more urgent than ever as climate change accelerates. Being honored by the National Garden Clubs and Aquarion is especially meaningful because they’re both key partners in this work.”
About National Garden Clubs, Inc.
National Garden Clubs, Inc. has over 5,000 local clubs with 145,000 members and over 330 international affiliates. The organization provides education, resources, and national networking opportunities for its members to promote the love of gardening, floral design, civic, and environmental responsibility. Learn more about National Garden Clubs, Inc. at www.gardenclub.org.
About Federated Garden Club of Connecticut, Inc.
Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc., is a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc. Its mission is to coordinate, stimulate and encourage higher standards in all aspects of Garden Club work and to protect and conserve our natural resources, preserve our heritage, and promote civic beauty. Learn more at www.ctgardenclubs.org.
About Aquarion Water Company
Aquarion Water Company, a subsidiary of Eversource, is the public water supply company for more than 700,000 people in 69 cities and towns in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. They are the largest investor-owned water utility in New England and are among the seven largest in the nation. Based in Bridgeport, CT, Aquarion has been in the public water supply business since 1857. Learn more at www.aquarionwater.com.
