Bridgeport: Building Bridges

Bridgeport Call to Action: Reconnect, Restore, Rebuild with Nature

Bridgeport is ready for transformation—and nature holds the key.

For decades, studies and plans have highlighted what Bridgeport needs: healthier rivers, cooler neighborhoods, and restored green spaces. Now, with the support of existing grants and a roadmap of science-backed solutions, we have a unique opportunity to bring real change to our city, starting one forest, one buffer, one tree at a time.

Aspetuck Land Trust (ALT) is calling on residents, city leaders, educators, businesses, and community organizations to join us in building a network of green infrastructure that restores natural systems and improves quality of life for all Bridgeport residents.

We are planting micro-forests at schools, establishing riparian buffers in industrial zones, deploying floating islands, and working toward the permanent protection of urban lands. These projects are more than symbolic—they are the first tiles in a mosaic of ecological restoration that will cool our streets, clean our waters, and reconnect us to the landscapes we call home.

Why Now?

  • We already have decades of planning and data. We don’t need to study more; we need to act.

  • Climate change is not waiting. Neither should we.

  • Nature-based solutions are cost-effective, fast-acting, and community-driven.

  • Restoration builds equity, resilience, and pride in every neighborhood.

 

Based on the successful results our Conservation Outreach Director, Reggy St. Fortcolin, has had with Bridgeport residents, organizations, and other stakeholders, we know that our Building Bridges Outreach Program is on the right track. For the past two years, we have engaged over 600 people in Bridgeport in nature-based hikes, workshops, and activities. In 2023 alone we coordinated 25 different events with various groups, organizations, and partners across the city. These activities included beekeeping, birdwatching, blueberry picking, seed sowing, nature hikes, and wellness focused events such as our awe walk and mindfulness hikes. We met some owls, caught and released some fish, planted Miyawaki forests and pollinator gardens, and together engaged in the natural world around us in every way possible. Going forward, we will continue to provide these nature-based experiences for Bridgeport and we will continue to build and develop relationships and partnerships around the city and look for every opportunity, like the Miyawaki Forest and Buffers for Bridgeport projects, to improve the environment for our Bridgeport neighbors and community.

In 2024 we received the Excellence in Community Engagement Award for our work in Bridgeport from the Connecticut Land Conservation Council.

Current Projects

Bridgeport Miyawaki Forest Project

Buffers for Bridgeport Project

 

Ash Creek in Bridgeport, CT is a tidal estuary. It has crucial roles as a delicate environment for the maintenance of bird, fish, and plant life, and for aesthetic enjoyment for the people who live, work, and play around it. Ash Creek tidal estuary is the heart of Bridgeport’s park of St Mary’s-by-the-Sea.

 

Before she could plant her tree at Claytor Elementary School's Miyawaki Forest, the worm she found needed a name. "Her name is Kylie, like me".

Bridgeport Miyawaki Forest Project

Tiny Forests for Bridgeport, Big Impact

Aspetuck Land Trust received funding from the CT Department of Agriculture to bring the forest to Bridgeport. With this grant we are installing Miyawaki microforests at seven public schools. Three schools received their very own Miyawaki forests in the Fall of 2023.

With this pilot project of a Climate Smart forestry practice, we hope to demonstrate that these densely planted microforests, a practice developed by Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki 50 years ago to heal industrial and urban landscapes, will grow rapidly and provide increased carbon sequestration, stormwater capture and heat amelioration. These forests will also increase biodiversity providing food and shelter for wildlife all of which will be measured as part of this grant.

In 2023, 1,350 native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers were planted at two Bridgeport schools. In 2024, 1,784 native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers were planted at four Bridgeport schools. A grand total of 3,000 sq. ft of micro-forest. And in 2025, 6,000 native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers at Miyawaki By The Sea, Seaside Park Bridgeport. 12,000 square feet of micro-forest added to Bridgeport.

Our favorite part of bringing the forest to Bridgeport has been engaging students. These eager future environmentalists helped plant the forests and were also provided fun classroom instruction to learn all about the multiple benefits trees and plants provide to create a healthy environment. Dirty hands and happy hearts were abundant and a great time was had by all!

 

Blackham Elementary students and staff with Bridgeport Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carmela M. Levy-David celebrating the Miyawaki forest planting.

 
 

Buffers for Bridgeport Project

Aspetuck Land Trust also received funding from Long Island Sound Futures Fund for Buffers for Bridgeport, a program designed to engage the Bridgeport Community in the health of Long Island Sound and the community by planting garden buffers across the city to help with flooding and to capture and filter stormwater before it goes into the waterways headed to the LI Sound.

In 2024, 30 native riparian gardens with 1,314 native plants were planted at Bridgeport residences, businesses, and organizations around the city. 9000 square feet of green infrastructure were added to the city. In 2026, 40 free native riparian gardens and a 3,100 square foot riparian buffer demonstration site at The Knowlton Art Space, Bridgeport will add 2,540 native plants, trees, and shrubs. A total of 15,100 square feet of green infrastructure will be added around the city.