Hammonasset Group Gets DEEP Award

The Friends of Hammonasset, Inc., was awarded a state environmental award Friday during ceremonies in Hartford.

The nonprofit group, which works to preserve the natural resources of Hammonasset, was given a GreenCircle Award by the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for its ongoing preservation efforts at the state beach.

The GreenCircle Awards are given annually and recognizes individuals, nonprofits, civic groups and businesses that undertake efforts aimed at energy conservation, transportation, pollution prevention, conservation and overall environmental awareness.

Since it was established in 1998 the program about 1,000 entities have been recognized for 1,425 projects that the DEEP says has made a difference in preserving natural resources and protecting the quality of the state’s air, water and lands.

About 75 people gathered at the DEEP’s Hartford headquarters Friday for the annual awards ceremony presided over by DEEP commissioner Daniel C. Esty.

“We know very much in this department that the (environmental) agenda is big and broad and we can’t do it alone, so I’m very appreciative to those who are helping us move the ball down the field,” Esty told the participants. “We are really grateful of that sweep of support that we get. Cumulatively, it makes an enormous difference for the environment here in Connecticut.”

Some of the projects the Friends of Hammonasset undertook recently and which were recognized by the DEEP included: An annual beach clean-up removing trash and storm debris an invasive plant day called "Free Willy" in winter led by Jon Picard to get rid of invasive plants along Willard Island Trail. Also, each year the group participates in the DEEP’s monitoring workshop and the organization holds lectures informing and educating the public on topics such as owls, raptors, snakes, bears, and more.

The organization also offers Native American Education and hikes to Indian Rock shelter in Madison.