News

The Connecticut River Gateway Commission and the Connecticut River Museum, Essex, are collaborating to present a panel discussion on “Legacies of Preservation.”

The event will be held at the museum on December 13th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Registration information may be found on the museum website.

The Gateway Commission, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has been critical to the conservation and preservation of 21,500 acres in the Connecticut River estuary, its shoreline and the landscape up to the first ridge line.

Commission Chair Suzanne Thompson will discuss the Commission’s work in preserving the “natural and traditional riverway scene” as mandated by state law. Jerry Roberts, a former Executive Director of the museum, will explain why the Connecticut River uniquely has not been industrially developed at its mouth, contributing to its scenic appeal, and describe its conservation zone. Judy Preston, noted environmental professional, will address how the estuary is ecologically significant and the Commission’s efforts to encourage preservation through riparian buffers.

Speakers’ Biographies:

Judy Preston is a RiverCOG South representative to the Commission. She is a long-time environmental professional in Connecticut where she focuses on community-based conservation and education. An avid gardener, she has transitioned her yard into native habitat that informs her writing, public speaking, and commitment to environmental well-being. Judy was awarded The Garden Club of America Coastal Zone Conservation award in 2021. She holds an undergraduate degree in geology, and masters degree in botany (UVM Field Naturalist) and environmental management (Yale). She writes about the intersection of people and nature, and contributed articles and images to the site.

Jerry Roberts is a Deep River representative to the Commission. He has been in the history business for over 30 years. He has served as Vice President in charge of Exhibits at the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum in New York City, and as Executive Director of the National Lighthouse Museum project in NYC, the Connecticut River Museum in Essex CT, and the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks CT. He has written several books and other historic publications and has co-written and appeared in a number of documentaries. He is a popular public speaker and enjoys bringing history to life through all of the projects he takes on. Jerry lives overlooking the Connecticut River with his family where he continues to write and consult. He contributed articles on the river’s history for the website and arranged permission for the Commission to use photographs from his book “The Connecticut River From The Air.”

Suzanne Thompson is an Old Lyme representative to and Chair of the Commission. She has worked on all sides of the microphone. You may have followed her CT Outdoors weekly talk show on WLIS & WMRD radio stations for 16 years, or read her features and garden columns in The Day, Harbor News, Lyme Times or in Lymeline.com or Lyme-Old Lyme Neighbors magazine. An environmental advocate, she is co-leader of Pollinate Old Lyme, her town’s Pollinator Pathway effort, and founder of Nix the Knotweed, a campaign to combat the invasive plant through organic control methods. You can follow Nix the Knotweed on Facebook and its YouTube channel.