News & Events
Native Gardening Series Part I: What IS a Native Plant?
We are excited to be starting a new Native Gardening Video Series with Tom Barry, Grounds Manager at Green Farms Academy and Adjunct Instructor at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury. Tom oversees 45 acres of grounds at GFA and teaches part-time for NOFA Accreditation on organic lawn care.
Full Documentary: Keep the Hives Alive
Bees and other pollinators are declining at an alarming rate and an overwhelming number of scientific studies link these population declines to pesticide use. Unfortunately, uses of toxic pesticides are having far-reaching impacts on a wide range of environments – everything from urban parks, to croplands, to beeyards and aquatic ecosystems. Beekeepers, farmers, and consumers all need a healthier environment for bees! Learn more by visiting their website or watching the documentary below.
Darien Land Trust Presents: Bee Series Part 3
As part of Earth Day 50 the Darien Land Trust is pleased to present the third in our Bee Series videos!
Darien Land Trust Presents: Bee Series Part 2
As part of Earth Day 50 the Darien Land Trust is pleased to present the second in our Bee Series videos!
Darien Community Fund Recognizes Michael Sgroe as Darien Land Trust Volunteer of the Year
Each year the Darien Community Fund recognizes one volunteer from each Darien charity. This year’s Darien Land Trust community volunteer is Michael Sgore.
Michael joined the DLT Board in late 2018 shortly after retiring from a successful career in banking technology and just after he and his wife relocated to Darien. Michael identified with the DLT’s commitment to land conservation and quickly became involved, agreeing to co-chair the Darien Land Trust’s Stewardship Committee.
In addition to revitalizing and streamlining the Stewardship process, Michael has made invaluable contributions across the Board. We recognize Michael for sharing his enthusiasm, diligence and insights with the DLT as well as Darien Park & Recreation, Darien Community Association and Saint John’s Church. Our Board and community is very fortunate to have someone who recognizes the wealth of amenities and natural resources Darien enjoys as well as the importance of the town’s commitment to care for these resources.
DLT Washable Tote Bags Are Here to Help!
Made of durable Kraft paper with natural canvas handles, the bags have the look and feel of leather, but are actually made of heavy-duty, washable Kraft paper. Bags can be hand or machine washed and laid flat to dry. They are $20 each and all net proceeds will help the Darien Land Trust. See purchase details below! Bags will be delivered to the address provided in the order form.
Darien Land Trust Presents: Bee Series Part 1
Mutant Bacterial Enzyme Can Break Down Plastic Waste in Just Hours
Researchers working for industrial development company Carbios have created a mutant bacterial enzyme that can break down plastic bottles for recycling in only a couple of hours, according to The Guardian.
The enyzme can break down PET plastic bottles into their individual chemical composites, which could later be reused to make brand new bottles.
Conventional recycled plastic that goes through a “thermomechanical” process isn’t high enough quality and is mostly used for other products such as clothing and carpets.
Carbios partnered with major industry leaders including Pepsi and L’Oreal to help develop the technology. A scientific paper describing the discovery was published in the prestigious journal Nature today.
Forgotten Compost
The “PET hydrolase” enzyme can break down 90 percent of PET polymers in just ten hours.
“This highly efficient, optimized enzyme outperforms all PET hydrolases reported so far,” reads the paper’s abstract – even in comparison to the second most promising candidate, a plastic-degrading bacterium strain called 201-F6.
The new enzyme was first spotted in a heap of composted leaves back in 2012.
“It had been completely forgotten, but it turned out to be the best,” Alain Marty at the Université de Toulouse, France and the chief science officer at Carbios, told The Guardian.
Cost Benefit
The new enyzme was also extremely cost effective to produce. In fact, according to the researchers, making new plastic from oil would have cost 25 times as much.
“It’s a real breakthrough in the recycling and manufacturing of PET,” said Saleh Jabarin, professor at The University of Toledo, Ohio and a member of Carbios’ Scientific Committee, in a statement.
The researchers are hoping to test the material’s “industrial and commercial potential” in 2021 in France, according to Marty. “Our goal is to be up and running by 2024, 2025, at large industrial scale,” deputy chief executive at Carbios Martin Stephan told The Guardian.
This article was originally published by Futurism. Read the original article.
Coronavirus Update
Due to concerns about the coronavirus in the Darien community all Darien Land Trust events are postponed until further notice. Updates will be posted as they occur. All of our walking trails are open and can be found here. Our office will have limited hours. Please stay safe and contact us if you have any questions or concerns!
Green & Glam
Join us at Nielsen’s Florist on Thursday, April 2 from 7 – 9 PM for Green & Glam! Mike Nadeau of Wholistic Land Care Consulting will be giving a presentation at this happy hour style event on why native and organic gardening matters. Appetizers and cocktails will be provided.