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08/03/2022 08:30 AMNick Webb has only been a Clinton resident for about two years. In that short time, he’s become dedicated to preserving its natural beauty as a member of the conservation commission and beautification committee
It’s no secret that a shoreline town that also contains a lot of forested area, Clinton’s natural beauty is an aspect that residents and tourists alike find appealing. To protect that beauty, the town has a conservation commission. The commission’s mission statement says, in part, that the commission is there “to create an inventory of existing open space, publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, and to create an open space network for our Town that will enhance the Town's natural character. The mission shall further include the protection and conservation of natural and watershed resources.”
For Nick, that mission was right up his alley.
“It’s been an interest and a passion of mine for many years. Preserving and protecting the planet is something that is very important to me,” Nick says.
Nick joined the Commission about a year ago and when the former chairperson stepped down. He was approached about taking over and agreed to do so.
“I think it’s a way for me to do my part to help protect and preserve the planet and it’s the least I can do,” says Nick.
Asked to describe what the commission does in his own words Nick says simply “making Clinton a bit of a better place to live.”
“Therese’s obviously a lot of different focuses,” Nick adds. “The first overall priority to open space preservation which is a big long-term goal we’re always working toward. In the interim we have smaller projects we also take up that are more short term and also make a difference.”
One of those smaller term projects is the rain garden and pollinator garden that the Conservation Commission is working with the Beautification Committee on along the banks of the Indian River. According to Nick, it was observed that during rain storms water carrying debris and contaminants from nearby parking lots was being washed into the Indian river.
“That’s really not good for the environment so we worked together and with the town, and we’re hopeful to have the gardens in place by September, so we’re really excited about that,” says Nick.
Pollinator gardens are gardens planted to restore lost habitats for animals that are important to the ecosystem. A recent lecture about their importance at the library was a big hit, Nick says, and part of an ongoing project for the Commission.
“It was amazing. We had 55 people there. We’re talking about doing another presentation possibly in September,” says Nick.
“If someone has a pollinator garden and they haven’t reached out to me, please email me at nwebb62@gmail.com so I can add you to the national register. It helps us know what we have in the area,” says Nick.
Besides his work with the Conservation Commission, Nick is also a member of the Beautification Committee. “I joined that committee because it goes hand in hand with the Conservation Commission. The Beautification Committee works more on aesthetics in town which has a lot of overlap in some things the conservation commission works on,” says Nick.
Nick says that his favorite part of being involved in to two groups is getting to meet the many helpful people around town who make Clinton…. Clinton.
“The thing I enjoy, because I’m new to town, is when I meet the next person. There are so many people I get introduced to that I haven’t met yet that are ready to help with what we need. It’s awesome,” nick Says.
On the flip side, Nick acknowledges that there are obstacles he encounters while trying to preserve the land.
“The hardest part is we don’t have a great structure right now for land acquisition,” says Nick.
While surrounding towns have the ability to respond relatively quickly to pieces of land that become available, Nick says right now the same mechanism isn’t in place in Clinton.
“There are some places where I think we can collaborate with relevant groups so we can react more quickly when a piece of land comes available,” says Nick.
Nick grew up in Kansas City but spent most of his adult life in Stamford. Nick and his wife decided to Clinton two years ago to be closer to his wife’s family.
“We’ve been tied to this area for quite a bit,” says Nick.
In his spare time Nick says he and his wife can be found outside kayaking, sailing, hiking, “or just being outside.”
“I like Clinton because we’re are a waterfront community with real people who aren’t pretentious. Just salt of the earth people you can talk to.”