The Connecticut Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership is one of 12 chapters throughout the country under the umbrella of Coastal America. It represents a true partnership of public and private entities with a goal of voluntary corporate involvement in priority wetland restoration and protection projects. The Federal and state partners provide a list of the top priority, ready-to-go projects in the state, and the corporate partners contribute funding that is often the crucial ?tipping point? to getting projects completed.

In the past six years, the partnership has helped augment over $3,000,000 in federal funds for Connecticut wetlands restoration projects with about $50,000 in corporate contributions.

Other speakers included Tim Keeney, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (and former commissioner for Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and currently U.S. Department of Commerce's Principal for Coastal America); Jean LaVecchia, Vice President, Environmental Management, Northeast Utilities (the partnership's corporate lead); Bill Hubbard, Chief, Environmental Branch, New England District, U.S. Army Corps (Coastal America Northeast Team chair); and Ron Rozsa, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Long Island Sound Programs.

The luncheon was held as part of the monthly Society for Women Environmental Professionals meeting series. The partnership was the sole topic of the meeting. The goal is to solicit new corporate partners in order to further grow the Connecticut Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership.

Approximately 35 companies attended the luncheon, and a number of inquiries have already been received.