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ENVIRONMENT

Kayakers cleanup the Fish Islands Darien CT (J. Bacal)

Downunder supports the following organizations in their environmental efforts:

The Nature Conservancy's Saugatuck River Watershed Partnership 

The Saugatuck River Watershed is one of the healthiest river systems in southwestern Connecticut. Nearly one third of the watershed's land has been protected from development by conservation groups, the state and municipalities.  The Nature Conservancy's Partnership is dedicated to maintaining the health and diversity of the varied habitats within the watershed that spans over 53,000 acres in eleven municipalities.  They present workshops, conduct stream monitoring projects, and have been actively restoring fish passage over dams.  Downunder leads a paddle tour to view the dam in Westport Center, and the fish ladder that was installed to help fish over the dam.  Volunteer opportunities. 

Harborwatch

Downunder has been participating in other environmental efforts through Harborwatch, an organization that operates out of Earthplace in Westport (www.earthplace.org).  They take weekly readings on local rivers and Long Island Sound for hydrogen, nitrogen, salinity and connectivity, and bacteria and nutrients.  Testing is done at the labs in Westport or Norwalk (where Norm Bloom of Bloom Oysters makes a boat and laboratory available to them for their work), and the information provided to the DEP.  Harborwatch is very proactive in following up on concerns that are raised, and tracking contamination to the point of origin. 

Save the Sound

Part of the CT Fund for the Environment, Downunder has been cleaning local beaches, shorelines, rivers, and coves shorelines of debris for many years.  We participate in the annual September Clean-Up.  Did you know that a glass bottle takes more than 1 million years to biodegrade?  Find out more in this PDF Rates of Decomposition Chart. 



Now we’re cleaning up the Saugatuck River, starting on Earth Day (Friday, April 22, 2011) and continuing with an educational paddle with the Saugatuck River Watershed Partnership Director Sally Harold on World Environment Day (Sunday, June 5). 

Kayak For A Cause

Kayak for a Cause was created as a way to blend the love of the sport with a commitment to helping good causes.  Each year, kayakers join together to cross Long Island Sound and raise money for a group of carefully selected charities, most of which work to protect our local waters, environment, and community. Even if you've never picked up a paddle, you can help by supporting our paddlers with a donation.  Or you can paddle!  Downunder is a proud sponsor and an instruction and safety training facility for Kayak for a Cause (KFAC) and we have a fleet of KFAC’s Old Town Cayuga 146 sea kayaks.  These are primarily for the use of event paddlers, secondarily for instruction and tours.  Please note that unless you have taken an approved class that includes capsizes and rescues you may not rent these kayaks without a guide.  KFAC participants get 25% off rentals and tours.  Instruction $100 for quickstart class vs $125, and $50 for a 1 hour review.



Norwalk Land Trust

Farm Creek Natural Wildlife Reserve is one of our favorite paddling spots, a tidal estuary and salt marsh that is the feeding ground, nursery, and safe haven of hundreds of species.  A major fundraiser has been in place for 4 years to purchase property on Farm Creek to protect the area from development and maintain it as a wildlife sanctuary.  Farm Creek was home to the Hart Castle, destroyed in a fire in 1980.  The property is now owned by The Land Trust, and still houses a stone barn dating back to 1907, and hopes to become an educational classroom for children.

NOT FOR PROFIT

Downunder is committed to serving the community.  We do this in many ways - we contribute thousands of dollars worth of services to charities annually.  We offer children's program scholarships for those that simply can't afford it.  And most important, we look for groups and organizations that are of an outreach nature or for the underserved, and find ways to help them.  We offer free rentals for outreach groups, and discounts for not-for-profit educational groups – such as schools and scouts.  Email us to coordinate an event.

Some of our educational and outreach groups:

• A Better Chance
• DARE
• Greenwich Catholic School
• Indian Guides and Princesses
• Indian Harbor Yacht Club
• Kids in Crisis
• King Low Heywood Thomas School
• New Canaan YMCA
• Noroton Yacht Club
• Norwalk Family & Children’s Agency
• Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America
• Stamford Jewish Community Center
• United Methodist Church
• Westport Historical Society

FUNDRAISING

Downunder hosts fundraisers to support organizations that benefit the environment and youth, and many that our friends and clients participate in.  Some organizations that have benefited from our fundraisers include:

• ITP Foundation
• Norwalk Land Trust Darien Land Trust
• World Food Program
• Kayak for a Cause
• Surfer’s Environmental Alliance
• Autism: Autism Family Services Of NJ (AFSNJ), Autism NJ,  Autism Speaks, Beautiful Son Foundation, Believe In Me Foundation, Best Day Foundation, Parents Of Autistic Children (POAC)
• Medical Knowledge Institute
• Save The Sound
• Harborwatch

Kim Beaumont and Emily Schaller of Save the Sound in a beach cleanup

Guide Scott Keller during a beach cleanup

Toothbrush art using those found during a cleanup

Staff Brenden Becker disposes of 200lbs trash from 2007's cleanup

Volunteers 2007 from left Patty Super, Gail and Keenan Worthington, Judith Bacal, Brady Worthington and Mark Hawkins.

Fish Islands and Greens Ledge Lighthouse

John and Tamara Cox volunteer to bring back trash by boat, Patty Super helps.

Judith Bacal