Jonah Center's Paddle With A Purpose Starts Starts In May

MIDDLETOWN, CT – To control the invasive species known as Water Chestnut (Trapa Natans), Jonah Center for Earth and Art is seeking canoe and kayak paddlers to join their Paddle with a Purpose event.

Paddle with a Purpose is an event by the Jonah Center for volunteer canoe and kayak paddlers to work in parties and pull invasive species out of the water, starting May 27.

The work parties will continue every Saturday until late July in partnership with the Connecticut River Conservatory.

Start times will vary according to the tides.

Work parties in the Floating Meadows will launch at 185 Jonson St. in Middletown’s north end.

Smaller work parties, some on mid-week mornings or evenings, will launch from Portland Boat Works, the Town Landing in Middle Haddam, Haddam Meadows State Park, or the south end of River Road in Cromwell.

Jonah Center for Earth and Art said numerous invasive plants have affected the Connecticut River, two of which are especially harmful: Water chestnut and Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata).

Jonah Center said Hydrilla cannot be controlled by hand-pulling, and attempting mechanical removal is not only impractical due to fragmentation.

As Summer 2023 approaches, the Jonah Center prepares to handle the invasive Water chestnut with two new flat-bottom utility boats.

However, the Jonah Center said more help is needed at the Connecticut River Conservancy to address Trapa natans in Glastonbury, Wethersfield, East Hartford and Hartford. An especially large and stubborn infestation emerges yearly in Keeney Cove in Glastonbury.