Weathering the Storm: On the Shore and in the Forest
On the Shore
Every year Connecticut residents become more accustomed to hearing the words superstorm, hurricane, and deluge. We see days, or in worst case scenarios, even weeks without power as tree companies and utility services remove the devastation left by yet another storm. The intensity and frequency of the storms is increasing, notes Dr. Juliana Barrett with the Connecticut Sea Grant (CTSG), and they are “slowing down, and hanging around a lot longer.” As an Extension Educator with UConn Extension she has been studying the Connecticut shoreline for many years. “We haven’t stopped building on the coast,” she says. “But I am hopeful that as more and more people become aware of the hazards, we can make positive changes.”
Barrett, along with others at UConn work on programs that help the state better manage its coastline through educational resources for gardening along the coast with native plants and helping maintain the resilience of the shoreline. Barrett and CTSG are promoting the use of living shorelines as one approach to becoming more resilient to volatile storms. Living shorelines are a suite of shoreline stabilization techniques using natural materials such as sand, plants or rock. One example of a living shoreline are biodegradable coir logs, which are made of coconut fiber, and native plants. This natural barrier helps slow down the waves and their overall impact on the shoreline, all while creating a place for plants to anchor in the soil and reduce erosion of our coast. Living shorelines are more resilient over time than the manmade concrete and rock seawalls that can be damaged during major storm events and cause further erosion of our sandy beaches.
Adapt CT is an outreach partnership between CTSG and UConn’s Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR); Barrett and Bruce Hyde from CLEAR collaborate with others on the project. The Climate Corps and the Climate Adaption Academy are two Adapt CT programs that exist as a means of educating students and those in the public on current issues with regard to climate change, as this is a main reason, we are seeing such fervent storms in Connecticut and other areas. Working with students, municipalities, and professionals of various organizations, the Climate Adaption Academy and Climate Corps are preparing Connecticut to take the next steps in making our shoreline more resilient and our state more sustainable. Municipalities often have tight budgets and don’t have the resources needed to take the next step. These programs offer a solution; providing communities with the knowledge and resources necessary to take aim.
There are many actions that communities are taking with regard to storms and flooding. Many municipalities participate in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS). This is a voluntary incentive program that encourages floodplain management activities. Communities that meet certain criteria may see discounted flood insurance premium rates. Barrett, Hyde and UConn students have assisted communities with CRS activities. Their goal is to benefit communities financially and ecologically as they prepare for storms and prepare their residents. Adapt CT provides educational opportunities for communities on both short- and long-term adaptation actions, from storm preparedness to managed retreat in severe storms and flooding. This helps residents along Connecticut’s coast prepare for sea level rise and more damaging storms in the years to come. When asked whether she believes we can meet the goals necessary to adapt to climate change Barrett replied, “teaching the Climate Corps course makes me hopeful, the new generation of students is highly motivated to action.”
In the Forest
As we move inland throughout Connecticut it is no surprise that passing storms have taken a detrimental toll on the state’s utility lines, and sadly, some homes. With a state that has more than half its total land deemed as forest, trees have become somewhat of a nuisance. Thankfully for Connecticut, we have Tom Worthley, a forestry Extension educator. When the state saw immense damage in the years 2011-2012 from a hurricane, blizzard, and superstorm Sandy, an advisory group convened and deemed that a tree biomechanics research program would help the state gather information necessary to better prepare for storms.
Worthley, a tree expert with a joint appointment in UConn’s Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, states, “The damage to our utility lines along roads is due in part to the 100-foot strip along the road that is not getting much attention, as it is a fairly new occurrence. “Our forest has developed around the power lines.” He explains that much of what is a young forest today used to be brush and woody shrubs. Stormwise was created in response to this. It is a collaboration between the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources and the School of Engineering.
Through Stormwise, scientists, engineers, and many other professionals can analyze the effects of wind on tree movement. They are observing data once every 1/10th of a second, as well as gaining insight on tree demographics in the forest using airborne light detection and ranging technology (LiDAR). However, even with all the technology and scientific evidence the true nature of Stormwise aims its “focus on arborists and perspectives from tree crews,” says Worthley. The human dimensions aspect allows the program to develop an understanding of how people will react to new management of their forests and then provide them with the knowledge that its management is based on reducing storm damage. Worthley notes that they start by finding out what is important to the arborists and tree crews, and then they can work with forest and woodland owners to develop strategies to thin out the trees along the utility lines.
The Extension educator also amplifies that in these storms they “have seen no evidence that more damage was caused by dead trees than strong young ones,” saying that the trees against the power lines are easy for wind to destroy because they are crammed in an area. “Trees with space will be more robust,” he says, “if the tree is allowed to move in the wind it will become more resistant.” The lack of movement along roadways and forest edges sets trees up to be less likely to withstand strong winds.
Moving forward with Stormwise, Worthley hopes to continue tree biomechanics so the program can give more information about potential storm damage to land managers and residents prior to a storm event. UConn Extension and his outreach education are a mechanism to engage stakeholders to make proper management decisions. Worthley knows that this project needs a collaborative approach among many groups, but in the end “it will contribute to the knowledge we already have,” to make our forests in Connecticut more prepared in the event of a storm.
When we look to the future and often worry about the next storms and their growing frequency and intensity, it is comforting to know individuals like Tom Worthley, and Dr. Juliana Barrett work with programs to protect our state. Workshops and educational seminars will always be available to Connecticut residents through UConn Extension, and will provide all with the information necessary to stay safe and keep their community safe during any storm.
Article by Zachary J. Duda
Responding to COVID and Food Insecurity
One of every nine residents in Connecticut struggled with food insecurity before COVID-19. For many individuals and families, challenges surrounding food insecurity increased when the pandemic arrived and continued throughout 2020. The stress associated with food insecurity challenges one of the most basic human needs and deepens income and health disparities.
UConn Extension programs quickly pivoted to address the challenges that our community members are facing. Educators coordinated dairy foods donations and curated vegetable gardening resources, in addition to other initiatives, to help address food insecurity challenges. Extension is part of the UConn College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, and has over 100 years’ experience strengthening communities. Our programs are in all 169 municipalities of Connecticut.
Operation Community Impact was the civic engagement initiative selected by the Litchfield County 4-H members in January 2020. It was adopted statewide in March and Extension provided infrastructure, innovative ideas, and staff support. Our 4-H and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) partnered with dairy processors to secure donations and mobilized our volunteers to distribute the donations to food pantries in 57 towns.
The project has served over 10,000 individuals and families. Our volunteers moved the equivalent of 10 full-size elephants, or over 130,000 pounds, during the distribution process. Recipients of the dairy products have expressed their gratitude and shared how much the support means to them.
“My residents are mostly elderly and live on very fixed incomes,” says Cheryl Herzig, who manages a food pantry in Bantam. “For some, they are not able to purchase the dairy items as there is not enough money to allow them to do so. Receiving these donations is a dream come true and a luxury for them to enjoy. Most of these people run out of food by the third week of the month and the food donations help support them and allow them to have a meal. We cannot thank you enough for the availability of these donations. It brings tears to some residents’ eyes. Thank you so much for allowing this program for our community.”
Volunteers from many programs participated in the dairy distribution, including 4-H youth members. Many families participated in multiple distributions, often dedicating hours or an entire day for the project.
“Over my seven years in 4-H I have been given many cool community service opportunities, but the dairy outreach community project was by far the most influential,” says Madeline Hall, a Litchfield County 4-H member. “It was a huge operation that really helped the community. It was a beautiful sight to see how utterly grateful the pantries and families receiving the milk were. I never knew how many families in Connecticut were in need. I’m so proud to be part of UConn 4-H.”
Food insecurity will challenge many residents even after the COVID-19 crisis is over. The sustained giving from our volunteers and donors is supporting our 4-H and EFNEP programs and helping us feed people in communities around the state.
“The amount of support and outreach that has been available to them during this COVID-19 is overwhelming to our residents,” Cheryl says. “Things were hard for them prior to this, but with the virus it has made it even harder for the elderly. Thank you so much for your support.”
Distributions of dairy donations began in April with donations from the dairy processors. Since then, the Litchfield County 4-H program secured donations and have continued every two weeks with three pallets of milk per distribution. Our UConn 4-H program is building a sustainable model where the community members work together to support those in need.
Our Extension Master Gardener program and the Home and Garden Education Center have a long history of offering horticultural training and resources to residents. Vegetable gardening surged in popularity at the beginning of the pandemic as residents sought to address food shortages by growing their own. Vegetable gardens are a means of increasing food stability and access to a safe, healthy, food supply for individuals and families.
“Along with the satisfaction of growing your own fruits and vegetables, gardening gets you outside, in the fresh air and sunshine. You just feel better all-around after working with plants,” said Sarah Bailey, state coordinator for the UConn Extension Master Gardener program. “Even if you just grow some herbs and flowers in containers, you get the benefits.”
Extension educators collaborated to provide a website with resources for residents interested in growing their own vegetables. Other benefits for residents growing their own food include that it is cost effective, fun, and for those with children, an engaging and educational experience. Resources available include information for new gardeners on selecting seeds, avoiding common mistakes, and testing the soil, as well as advice that seasoned gardeners can use. Container gardening resources offered an alternative for those without land. The website has had over 2,400 visitors since it launched, and over 400 inquiries through the Ask UConn Extension initiative have helped answer additional questions.
Food insecurity is a stressful and ongoing challenge for many Connecticut residents. The negative impacts coronavirus has on food insecurity among Connecticut residents will linger. However, Extension will continue innovating and creating systems to help residents address and overcome food insecurity.
Article by Stacey Stearns
Empowering Individuals and Communities
We all face challenges. Situations outside of personal control intensify those challenges for some. Circumstances including where a person was born, their race, family structure, and socioeconomic status can elevate or hamper individual success. This has a ripple effect on communities and our state.
Extension empowers individuals and communities. We provide diverse voices a platform and help change systems and communities. Our educators share resources from UConn and collaborate on solutions that improve health and economic outcomes for individuals. Classes and workshops offered by Extension teach new skills to participants to help them grow. Empowered individuals lead to empowered communities as they lead initiatives that create lasting change.
Zoraida Velazquez, one of our Extension educators, is answering questions for Bridgeport and residents of surrounding communities each Friday morning on Radio Amor/Radio Love 690 AM. Her nutritional advice and guidance are helping the community improve their health and wellbeing. She is an educator in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (UConn EFNEP). EFNEP helps families learn about healthy eating, shopping on a budget, cooking, and physical activity. The EFNEP team has 11 members working in communities across Connecticut. EFNEP reaches individuals through strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations.
Topics evolve in our EFNEP program and on the weekly Radio Amor show, and Zoraida caters each program to the needs of her listeners, just as she caters her EFNEP programs to her audiences. Zoraida’s 20-minute radio show is rarely long enough to answer all the questions. It regularly becomes a 45-minute segment. She stays on the air until she’s answered all of the questions.
Food security is a basic need that all people have and EFNEP programs reduce food insecurity among participants. Zoraida exemplifies the spirit of service and community assistance that the EFNEP program is known for. Zoraida and other EFNEP staff understand the needs of the communities they are serving because they live and work in these communities.
Our People Empowering People (UConn PEP) program is also empowering individuals and communities to make positive changes. UConn PEP is an innovative personal and family development program with a strong community focus. It builds on the unique strengths and life experiences of the participants. The program emphasizes the connection between individuals and community action.
Community projects are an important component of the UConn PEP program. They provide participants with an avenue to create a positive change in their community and work collaboratively with their UConn PEP cohort.
“Connectivity is the one word I would use to describe UConn PEP,” Rich Mutts, a UConn PEP facilitator from Hamden, says. “The overall theme of the UConn PEP programming is taking people and letting them know they are already leaders. We are pulling a dormant fire and determination out of them. They often feel overlooked as just parents, but they are great leaders.” The community projects that the groups select prove what great leaders they are and empower the participants to continue making a difference in their communities after graduating from the UConn PEP program.
UConn PEP was the starting point for Yukiyo Iida of West Hartford to address equity issues in her town by establishing the West Hartford Parent Community Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Groups with fellow PEP participants. Now she is a part of Equity CT because of the connections she made at PEP, and she is having a broader impact on equity, diversity, and inclusion in Connecticut. The changes that Yukiyo and her PEP cohort made in West Hartford are sustainable and continue positively influencing the lives of people in the community.
“The really good thing about UConn PEP was that it was accessible and got parents thinking that even though the outside world views you as a parent, you have a lot of power and tangible skills to use your power,” Yukiyo reflects. “PEP got us to lean on our network and use that power and lean on each other to make change. Civic engagement really starts at these small, hyper-local levels. Having the skills and network of people you can count on to advance your voice and make changes at the small levels is critical.”
Extension offered over 763 programs and events throughout Connecticut in 2019. UConn PEP and EFNEP are just two of many programs that are empowering individuals and communities. We are here to serve Connecticut and will continue collaborating with partner organizations to address challenges and make our state a better place to live. The future is brighter when all voices contribute to the solutions our communities need.
Article by Stacey Stearns