Mr. Rigby, a Colebrook resident, has introduced a bill that would require all future state-funded projects that include planting to require one-fifth of those plantings be mountain laurel.
Mountain laurel is the state flower, and Mr. Rigby has worked with a volunteer organization within the 63rd District to raise awareness of its decline.
The project started with Anthony Cannavo, a Winsted former mayor, who is hoping to beautify the town and eventually the state with the mountain laurel.
The project has the support of various state leaders such as State Sen. Andrew Roraback (R-Goshen) as well as selectmen Michael Hamm and Gene Berlinski, who are members of the Laurel Revival Project.
Winsted, which is in the 63rd District, holds a Laurel Festival annually and is also home to Platt Hill State Park, which can serve as a nursery and greenhouse to revive the propagation and cultivation of the laurel, according Laurel Revival Project members.
Theresa Cannavo, a Laurel Project leader, said the group is preparing for The Connecticut Flower and Garden Show being held Feb. 19 through 22 in Hartford. The group will also feature photos of Platt Hill park when it was flush with mountain laurel.
Mr. Rigby has pledged to work with Ms. Cannavo and her team and to take legislative action to ensure the survival of the mountain laurel. "We're trying to take a two-pronged approach here," Mr. Rigby said, "saving what we've got and looking toward the future. The revival group has done well with step one, and I'm glad they asked me to help with step two."
The proposed bill from Mr. Rigby, No. 5370, has been referred to the legislature's Committee on Government Administrations and Elections. The 63rd District consists of Barkhamsted, Canaan, Colebrook, Falls Village, Hartland, Norfolk and Winsted.