May 17, Saturday, 10 AM. Brute Strength Workday at Gilbert-Miller Park in Georgetown. This session will spruce up the vest-pocket park by doing mulching, planting, and rock work. Wheelbarrows welcome. Call Susan Robinson (203-544-9879) for registration and information on what to bring and where to park.

May 17, Saturday, 4-5:30 PM. Amphibian Adventure. Sara da Silva and David Havens of NRWA will give a short introduction to amphibians and how to spot them. Then they'll lead a woodland walk to visit vernal ponds coming to life with salamanders, newts, frogs, and toads. Search for eggs and tadpoles; and learn about their seasonal habitats, life history, and different species. Meet in front of the Visitors Center at the New Canaan Nature Center, 144 Oenoke Road, New Canaan. Bring tall waterproof boots (a few pairs will be provided). Call NRWA for reservations.

May 22, Thursday, 7:00 PM Short Tour of Gilbert-Miller Park, Route 107. 7:30 PM. NRWA Annual Meeting and Slide Lecture on Rain Gardens and Other Treatments for Stormwater Control; River Water Quality Update. Georgetown Firehouse, 6 Portland Avenue/Route 107, Redding.

Park at the Georgetown Post Office lot which is on the north side of Route 107. 1/2 mile from the light at the intersection of Route 7 and Route 107. To the left of the Post Office toward the back of the lot is a gate in a low chain link fence that leads to the rear of the Georgetown Fire Station. Go through the gate and use the door directly under the sign for "NO. 1" to access the entry to the upstairs meeting room. Please do not park at the back of the firehouse on the off chance that the area will need to be used by firefighters in time of emergency. Thanks.

May 24, Saturday, 8-9:30 PM. Owl Prowl. Environmental educator and ornithologist David Havens will lead this nighttime birding walk. Learn about owl calls, habits, habitats, and history. Meet at St. Luke's School parking lot, 377 North Wilton Road, New Canaan, to carpool to two other sites. Call NRWA for reservations and directions.

June 3, Tuesday, Noon-1:30 PM. Tour of Norwalk's Wastewater Treatment Plant. The City's contractor will explain how wastewater is cleaned with today's equipment at 60 South Smith Street, Norwalk., and what improvements a five-year, $140 million upgrade will effect. Hardhats and safety goggles will be provided; please wear sensible shoes, and park at the Public Works Center; co-hosted by the DPW. For reservations, call NRWA.

June 7, Saturday, 9:30-11:30 AM. Natural History Walk at Weir Farm to Celebrate National Trails Day. Greg Waters. Horticulturist at the National Historic Site on the Ridgefield/Wilton border will lead this informative three-mile walk and discuss land-use history, botany, watershed management and observational skills in the woods. Meet rain or shine at the Weir Farm Visitor's Center, 735 Nod Hill Road near Pelham Lane. Call Greg Waters (203-544-9829, x11) to pre-register. Co-Leader: Lillian Willis of NRWA.

June 13, Friday, 4-5:30 PM. Riverbanks Tour of the Norwalk River at Wilton's Schenck's Island. Jeff Yates, fourth-generation Wiltonian, editor of The Wilton Bulletin, and member of the Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited, will guide this walking lecture about trout habitats and habits, stream restoration, and history of the area. Park in the Schenck's Island lot just over the vehicle bridge on Old Ridgefield Road across from the Stop & Shop plaza in Wilton Center. For reservations, call NRWA.

June 19, Thursday, 6:45-9 PM. "Eight Watersheds in Ridgefield!" Water resource quality and topography program coincides with and highlights the display of NRWA's 2008 Photography Exhibit at the Ridgefield Recreation Center, 195 Danbury Road/Route 35. Evening trail walk along Ridgefield Brook precedes the 7:30 PM indoor program, which features inland wetlands/land use expert Patricia Sesto. Co-hosted by Ridgefield Parks & Rec. For reservations and directions, call the Rec Center (203-438-2755).

June 21, Saturday, 9-noon. Norwalk Meets Saugatuck Hike. This hike features four Scout award projects, an old stone causeway, woodlands, floodplain, and the Ridgefield River Study site on the way from the Norwalk to Saugatuck Watershed and back. Bring a picnic lunch to eat at the dramatic overlook at Topstone Park in Redding where the Norwalk and Saugatuck trail systems meet. Wear hiking shoes for this fairly strenuous hike, bring water. Meet at the parking area on the east side of Route 7 just north of the intersection of Route 7 and Simpaug Turnpike at the Ridgefield River Study site and south of the light on Route 7 at Cain's Hill and Topstone Road in Ridgefield. Call Lillian Willis (203-438-8653) for reservations, directions, information.

July 6, Sunday, 9:30-noon. Kayak tour of Norwalk Harbor. Co-hosted by Appalachian Mountain Club's Flat-Water Coastal Paddling Committee Chair Jean-Ellen Trapani. Commentary about local shellfish industry and biodiversity. Bring your own kayak or rent from the Small Boat Shop, 144 Water Street, South Norwalk. Call 203-221-7439 for reservations.

July 18, Friday, 4 PM. Beautiful Stormwater Treatments Tour. Landscape architect Jane Didona will lead this tour to several local sites to show rain gardens, pervious pavement, and other control options in action at some residences and a small business. Meet at Ridgefield Town Hall Annex off Prospect Street between Main Street and Prospect Ridge to park and carpool.

August 23, Saturday, 10-noon. Butterflies! Lepidopterist Vic DeMasi, Research Affiliate for the Peabody Museum and NRWA Advisory Board Member, has been studying butterflies and moths in an area along the Norwalk River since 1977. He'll introduce area butterflies and moths, discuss their food and habitats, and show his remarkable collection. Meet at 10 Simpaug Turnpike in Redding, just east of Route 7, Ridgefield. Easy walk. Call Vic DeMasi (203-938-9016).

September 9, Tuesday, 4-5 PM. Meadow Walk at Keeler's Ridge. Experience the meadow in late summer glory and learn about birds that visit it. Walk led by ornithologist Kim Young and other local and botanical experts on Wilton Land Conservation Trust open space. Park by the wooden fence across from 658 Ridgefield Road/Route 33 in Wilton. Bring magnifying glass, binoculars. Rain date: September 11, 4-5 PM. Call NRWA.