2023 Tucker Fund Projects:
Jennings Beach Revitalization Project & Fairfield Downtown Pocket Park
The Tucker Fund is very excited to be funding two incredible projects that will provide a resilient and valuable environment for pollinators as well as our community. Our mission is to protect, to preserve and revitalize our community’s natural spaces. It is the Tucker Fund’s goal to continue to support and educate our community through our projects.
Our first project for 2023 will be Phase Two for the Jennings Beach Revitalization Project. In 2022 we successfully raised the funds needed to pay for the removal of the dead and dying shrubs, the existing trees were trimmed, we removed telephone poles that were serving as a makeshift border and most importantly create a beautiful gathering space surrounded by large boulders. Additionally, we have started installation of the native plantings which will serve as a beautiful pollinator environment for the local birds, bees and other pollinators.
For 2023 we hope to continue to build on this space by raising funds to build a natural border for the entryway space as well as to plant native, resilient shrubs and plantings throughout the space. These plants will provide for wildlife habitat, stabilize the soil, prevent erosion and help filter storm water. Our hope is to raise $10,000 to complete this beach area.
Our second project is to help raise funds to support the purchase of native plantings for a beautiful new “pocket park” being created by the Fairfield Forestry Committee and supported by many local businesses. This park will be a highly visible garden surrounded by walkways and seating areas complete with signage that will serve to educate visitors on the beauty, the benefit and the low maintenance of a pollinator garden. We hope to raise $5,000 to support this beautiful space.
The Tucker Fund’s 2022 project
To restore, revitalize and enhance the Jennings Beach Entryway. The goal of our project is to create an ecologically resilient and sustainable beachfront entryway that provides valuable coastal habitat. Jennings beach is the largest beach in Fairfield with over 27 acres and therefore attracts the most visitors year after year. With its large parking lot and home to Sandcastle playground, this is a very active and populated area throughout the year.
Jennings Beach entryway
2021 Project 1
With the funds raised in 2021, we were able to fund a second Tucker Fund Pollinator Garden at Smith Richardson. The newest garden, located at the front of the clubhouse, was generously designed by Bill Pollack, Keith Simpson Associate Landscape Architects and curated by Charlie Stebbins.
A view of the sign in front of the The Tucker Fund Smith Richardson garden. Individuals can scan the QR code for more information on the native plantings.
2021 Project 2
Additionally with the funds raised in 2021, we were able to support the Connecticut Audubon Larsen Fragrance Loop Restoration located at 2325 Burr Street. The Tucker Fund donated $15k to help with the cleanup and purchasing of native plants to revitalize this educational loop. This project is slated to be complete in the spring of 2022.
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2020 Tucker Fund Pollinator Garden
at Smith Richardson Golf Course
In 2020, unable to hold our annual fundraising event due to the global pandemic, we pivoted to developing and selling Tucker Fund merchandise as a means of fundraising. This money, approximately $10k, was used to to plant a pollinator garden behind the new Smith Richardson Golf Course Clubhouse.
2019 Bird Viewing Platform
In 2019, The Tucker Fund donated over $18k to Fairfield’s Conservation Department to fund the building of a bird viewing platform on a newly acquired open space located at 760 Old Post Road. Once built the bird viewing platform will offer a shelter for bird viewers to observe wildlife at close quarters without disturbing their habitat.
This project will be constructed in the summer of 2022.
2018 Hoydens Hill Pollinator Meadow
In our first year, The Tucker Fund raised over $15k which was donated to Fairfield’s Conservation Department. This donation was used to fund the pollinator meadow restoration of approximately four acres at Hoydens Hill open space to a native grass and wildflower meadow. This restoration will be greatly beneficial to pollinator species and ultimately serve to provide education of these important benefits to various conservation organizations and schools.