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In 2025, conservation partners from around Litchfield county formed a coalition to address watershed pollution and nutrient loading.
Our key objectives include:
Data Collection
Perform regular testing within the watershed to understand how the water quality is affected by nutrient loading and invasive species.
Structural Improvements
Work with key stakeholders to identify the most important structural improvements (e.g. erosion control) we can make to secure the health of the watershed.
Community Education
Provide materials and opportunities for learning so community members can understand best practices for living within a watershed. Take the Bantam Watershed Protection Pledge.
Bantam Watershed By the Numbers
21,000
acres of land.
4
towns: Morris, Litchfield, Goshen and Torrington.
7.6 trillion
gallons of water flow through the watershed from April - October each year.
3
reasons Bantam Lake is listed as an impaired water body according to CT DEEP: algae, clorophyll-a, & excess nutrients from within the watershed.
BWC Team Members
White Memorial Foundation
Lukas Hyder, Executive Director
Michael Berry, Forest Manager
Northwest Conservation District
Audra Leach, Education Specialist
Kelsey Sudol, Natural Resource Specialist
Sustainable Litchfield
Dean Birdsall, Litchfield Land Trust
Rivers Alliance of Connecticut
Alicea Charamut, Executive Director
Housatonic Valley Association
Michael Jastremski, Watershed Conservation Director
Jillian Gunderson, NY/CT Restoration Coordinator
Bantam Lake Protective Association
Connie Trolle
Emily Lupinacci
Debi Smiley