Shaping our Forests with Stories
Community Storytelling: Shaping the Future of Urban Conservation in Connecticut
Jhoni Ada
April 2025

At the core of every movement for change is a powerful story. In our fight to protect Remington Woods, storytelling has been one of the most powerful tools we have used—not just for raising awareness, but for building connections, fostering understanding, and inspiring real action.
Over the past few years, we’ve gathered stories from the community—students who dream of birdwatching in a protected forest, longtime residents who remember a greener past and feeding deer with their loved ones, and environmental advocates who value the city of Bridgeport and are working towards a more sustainable future for their community. These voices will be front and center in our upcoming documentary on Remington Woods, a film that captures not only the beauty of this space but also the deep relationship our communities have with it, and the miracle that happens when the vision of community and corporation finally align.
​
The Role of Stories in Urban Conservation
As cities grow and develop, natural spaces often become an afterthought, squeezed between roads, buildings, and industry. But urban forests like Remington Woods are not just empty land waiting for development—they are vital ecosystems that improve air quality, protect wildlife, reduce heat, and provide mental and physical health benefits for residents.
Connecticut has a long complicated land use history. Nevertheless, we can observe our state's interest and action as it continues to value its green spaces. From Westport’s Earthplace to Bridgeport’s Beardsley Park, Connecticut has shown a deep commitment to preserving nature. But urban conservation comes with unique challenges—it requires strong advocacy, creative solutions, and most importantly, public engagement. That’s where storytelling comes in.

How Storytelling Can Shape the Future of Urban Conservation
The truth is—facts and figures alone don’t move people to action—stories do.
Jane told us about how her mother worked at Remington Arms and when she was a little girl, her mother would take her and her brother to see the deer there. That area holds many happy memories for her, and that is why she has been invested in the campaign to save this urban forest.
Micheal remembers being very little and his father stopped by the Remington Woods fence to feed the "wild" white tailed deer that periodically showed up for some handouts. This was during the time when seeing a wild deer was much more rare. His story is what spurred him to support the conservation of this “rare and unique open space set in between Stratford and Bridgeport.”


Judith told us about how passionate she is about her town, Stratford. The overabundance of condos and apartments that seemed to be on “every parcel of land” make her streets clogged with traffic. For her, the future of her community was the story she wanted to highlight. She told us a story of a future where trees and wildlife remained protected, where the voices of her community were listened to. She told us a story of a future where Remington Woods was preserved.
Sure, we could tell you the staggering facts and figures:
-
In Connecticut 93% of people of color live in nature-deprived areas, according to the Center for American Progress’s 2020 report, The Nature Gap.
-
Breathing in particle pollution can increase the risk of lung cancer. Fairfield County continues to receive failing marks in High Ozone Days and received a “C” in Particle Pollution according to the State of the Air Report 2024.
-
Stratford & Bridgeport residents experienced higher rates of anxiety than the rest of the state according to Bridgeport’s 2023 Equity Profile & Stratford’s 2023 Equity Profile.
-
Bridgeport residents are at high risk of exposure to a variety of pollutants and hazards including air toxins which increase cancer risks, lead paint exposure, hazardous waste, and waste water discharge according to Bridgeport’s 2023 Equity Profile.
-
Or that “this 419-acre site may be the largest forested, undeveloped open space in urban New England. By conserving the Lake Success site, the open space in Bridgeport and Stratford will increase by 16%. This enhancement underscores the importance of preserving urban green spaces.”
​
But stories make these facts & figures real.
​
Stories move us beyond facts and figures and remind us why we fight for green spaces. A child seeing her first great blue heron. A family finding peace in the woods. A community breathing cleaner air because nature was protected instead of paved over. These are the golden moments that shape the future we advocate for.
​
That’s why we’ve worked so hard to gather the voices of those who have a stake in Remington Woods’ future. These voices will be at the heart of our upcoming documentary on Remington Woods, a film that not only showcases the beauty of this urban forest but also tells the personal stories of the people who cherish it. We believe this documentary will be a turning point in how Connecticut thinks about conservation in urban areas.

Be Part of History. Be Part of This Story
​
Your support makes this movement possible. As a donor, you will receive exclusive access to a VIP screening of the documentary before it is released to the public. This is our way of thanking you for being part of this journey and giving you the first look at the stories shaping the future of urban conservation in Connecticut.
​
Together, we can make sure that places like Remington Woods are not only protected but also recognized as essential parts of our communities. Let’s continue to tell these stories, amplify these voices, and fight for a future where green spaces are a priority, not an afterthought.
​
Help us tell this story. Donate, share, and stay engaged.
​
Patronicity.com/SaveRemingtonWoods
A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors
​
Thank you for your generous contribution towards our Remington Woods Campaign.
Guardian of the Green Sponsors
​
Stewards of the Woods Sponsor
-
Connecticut Land & Conservation Council
-
Friends of SBMcKinney Nature Wildlife Refuge
Jhoni Ada is Sierra Club Connecticut’s Organizer on Save Remington Woods project in Bridgeport, along with other outreach and projects within the city and Fairfield County.
