CWU Keynote Speaker Pieces Together

Environmental Conservation & A Faith-Based Service Community

By Shannon Hicks

Rob Sibley loves his job, and it shows any time he answers a question related to his position as deputy director of Planning & Land Use for the Town of Newtown. It is also apparent — through the smile that reaches into his eyes, the excitement in his voice, the rapid-fire presentation of facts mixed with anecdotes — any time he is invited to speak about what he does for a living, which he did last Friday night at Newtown Congregational Church.

The Sandy Hook resident was the keynote speaker for World Community Day, co-hosted locally by the Newtown and Danbury units of Church Women United at the West Street church. In just about 15 minutes on November 6, Mr Sibley reminded those who attended the annual celebration that “We are called upon in our faithful service to go out and enjoy the land that has been worked and set aside.”

Mr Sibley’s comments continued the evening’s theme of “Piecing Earth Together.” The theme was actually being followed and interpreted by CWU units around the world as they chose to celebrate World Community Day. The focus was to be on the environment and how all are called to work together to be good stewards of the gifts of the Earth. In coordinating the local service, CWU-Newtown Celebration Chair Linda Manganaro made the perfect choice in inviting someone who oversees inland wetlands, aquifer protection, open space, flood management and forest practices, among other elements, as part of his career.

On Friday night Mr Sibley reminded his audience about the Clean Rivers & Harbors Act, the 1899 federal law that he calls “the birth of environmental activity and conservation.”

“We realized we were having an impact on our environment,” said Mr Sibley. “Ships couldn’t pass through harbors not because of rocks, but because of what we were putting into the water.”

He also touched upon the 1947 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), The Clean Waters Act, The Water Quality Act, and The Clean Air Act, the latter of which was signed into law by the EPA in 1970 and shortly thereafter when Connecticut’s DEP followed with state level regulations. He touched upon Newtown’s determined efforts to continue saving open space (21 percent of the town by 2020 is the target, he said); highlighted Newtown Forest Association, one of the oldest private land trusts in the country; and invited everyone to visit him after his talk or any time at his office to explore some of the tools his office relies on, including a GIS system and Natural Resources Directory.

Mr Sibley reminded attendees that Connecticut’s 171 municipalities each have their own flavor of regulations, and that he is proud to be involved with Newtown’s progress.

“It’s beautiful when we begin to peel back the regulations of what we are here to protect,” he said. “There are so many positive benefits of what we are here for. There is beauty even in those words [of the regulations] that spell out what we are here for.”

 In his work, Mr Sibley stays updated on legislation and regulations that standardize what people can do with their land. He also takes time to enjoy the land he is charged with protecting, on both a personal and professional level.

“Walk that space,” he said of the growing number of acres of open space in Newtown. “For that moment, when you’re out there and you’re just walking on that land, whether you’re alone, or with someone who has been on this Earth for many years, or with kids who are running and laughing… that all reminds you of what is there, why we are charged with saving and protecting that land.”

As part of Friday’s ecumenical service, three children presented their take on “The Creation Story.” Narrated by Elizabeth Ricci and directed by Jen Peterson, Newtown United Methodist Church members Carolyn and Elizabeth Wolf and Trinity Episcopal Church member Devin Peterson used pantomime and skit work to tell their tale.

Members of the two CWU units presented the program, which included prayers, readings, and hymns. An offering that was taken during the service was earmarked for the national office of CWU, which would use it to support the environment.