Landscaping For Ponds And

River Banks

RIDGEFIELD — On Thursday, March 1, from 7:30 to 9 pm, at the Dayton Room of Ridgefield Library, licensed landscape architect Jane Didona and Larry Marsicano, the lake preservation director of Candlewood Lake Authority, will give a presentation entitled “The Aesthetics of Riparian Buffers.”

The slide lecture and discussion will focus on landscaping for ponds and river banks. The Norwalk River Watershed Association, the program’s sponsor, is urging anyone interested in planting near wetlands to attend the lecture to learn how function and aesthetics can go hand in hand to improve both the landscape and water quality. The Program is also co-sponsored by Ridgefield Conservation Commission and The Discovery Center.

Ms Didona is principal and founder of Didona Associates – Landscape Architects of Danbury. She has been responsible for all phases of the design and installation of a variety of commercial, retail, residential, institutional, and civic projects. A former instructor of landscape design at New York Botanical Garden and Western Connecticut State University, Ms Didona states, “Riparian buffers are essential to the health of any watershed or wetland.” She also feels aesthetics must be a part of the functional design if any plan is to be successful.

As Candlewood Lake Preservation Director, Larry Marsicano is responsible for conservation efforts for the lake, including the review of proposals, monitoring activities and impacts, and development of educational programs for the community.

The program will include information on appropriate native plantings, techniques for attractive and functioning buffers, designs to lessen stormwater runoff and water pollution, as well as a question-and-answer session. Light refreshments will be served, and parking is available at the library and behind Webster Bank on Prospect Street.

For information about this free program, call the Norwalk River Watershed Association at 203/846-8210 or Ridgefield Library, 203/438-2282. The library is at 472 Main Street, Route 35.