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There are so many amazing and interesting people who live along the Connecticut River – flowing right through the middle of New England. This summer, reporter Ben James hopped on his bike to meet – and interview – as many as he could.NEPM, NHPR, Vermont Public and the NENC · Listen to the full series here.

Once a ‘floating sewer,’ changes to the Connecticut River contribute to rebirth, hardship

Liz O'Gilvie is a farmer and director of the Food Policy Council in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Ben James
Liz O'Gilvie is a farmer and director of the Food Policy Council in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Connecticut River is a haven for raptors, sea birds and dozens of species of migrating fish. It was also once home to some of the most polluting industries in the country.

This summer, reporter Ben James rode his bicycle the full length of the river. In the second part of our series, he talks to people in those formerly industrial communities about changes on and alongside the river – for better and for worse.

Life on the Connecticut” was made possible through a partnership between NEPM, NHPR, Vermont Public and the New England News Collaborative.

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  • There are so many amazing and interesting people who live along the Connecticut River – flowing right through the middle of New England. This summer, reporter Ben James hopped on his bike to meet – and interview – as many as he could.NEPM, NHPR, Vermont Public and the NENC · Listen to the full series here.
  • This summer, reporter Ben James rode his bike the length of the Connecticut River, talking to people who love it. And people who don’t. Here's Ben's essay describing those conversations, with photos from along the way.
  • In the first audio report from his series, "Life on the Connecticut," Ben James brings us interviews with people working, grieving and getting by along the Upper Connecticut.