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About CLCC
The mission of the CT Land Conservation Council is to advocate for land preservation, stewardship and funding, and ensure the long term strength and viability of the land conservation community.
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October 6
CLCC Roundtable
7:00 - 8:30pm
Granby, CT
October 8
CLCC Roundtable
6:00 - 8:30pm
Rockfall, CT
October 24
Stefan Nagel, Esq.
9:30am - 1:30pm
Hartford, CT
Further Info coming soon!
November 7
S&P Training
Board Governance & Leadership
David Allen
Hartford, CT
November 14
Roundtable
Accreditation: Truth or Dare!
Connie Manes & your land trust peers!
Middletown, CT
November 21
GIS Training
Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust staff
Kent, CT
December 5
Model CE Training Series
Workshop #4
Stewardship & Enforcement
Linda Francois, Esq.
Lindsay Michel (CFPA)
December 10
Roundtable
Regional Land Trust Board Summit
N. Stonington, CT
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Alicia Sullivan, Chair
Trust for Public Land
Tim Abbott
Litchfield Hills Greenprint
David Bingham
Salem Land Trust
Sandy Breslin
Audubon Connecticut
David Brown
Middlesex Land Trust
Margot Burns
Lower CT River Council of Governments
Kevin Case
Land Trust Alliance
Eric Hammerling
Connecticut Forest & Park Association
Mary-Michelle Hirschoff
The Garden Club of New Haven
Elaine LaBella
Housatonic Valley Association
Connie Manes
Kent Land Trust
Elisabeth Moore
Connecticut Farmland Trust
Shirley Nichols
Darien Land Trust
Tom ODell
CT Association of Conservation & Inland Wetland Commissions
Catherine Rawson
Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust
David Sutherland
The Nature Conservancy
Humphrey Tyler
Lyme Land Conservation Trust
Staff
Amy B. Paterson
Executive Director
Cristina Gastador
Communications Coordinator
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Executive Director's Message
Way to go, Connecticut land trusts!
Dear Friends -
It was wonderful to see so many of you at Rally 2014 in Providence. Over 90 Connecticut conservationists were in attendance! In my experience, this Rally was one of the best yet - from start to finish! Here's what other Connecticut attendees had to say about their Rally experience:
- "Rally provided me with a unique opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge from peers across the country who deal with similar issues I face on a day to day basis." Lindsay Michel, Land Conservation Director, Connecticut Forest & Park Association
- "Inspiring, invigorating, and indescribably incredible." W. Scott Peterson, President, Middlebury Land Trust
- "A perfect opportunity to get Board Members fired up about open space protection and stewardship. Everyone gets a lot of positive energy from being with the larger Land Trust community." Chris Schipper, President, New Canaan Land Trust
- "The Plenary speaker Andy Goodman really brought home how important our message is -- and that it must be made part of a moving story. Don Gerber [Lyme Land Conservation Trust] gave great practical advice for building your volunteer workforce." Linda Francois, President, Bethany Land Trust
- Even on Saturday the energy was pulsing -- a highly charged and enthusiastic atmosphere!" Allison Burchell - Robinson, Trustee and Past President, Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust
Way to go Connecticut! Four of our own recognized at Rally!
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Celebrating Accreditation at Rally 2014 are:
l. to r.: Connie Manes (KLT, accredited 2010, Tony Zunino and Elaine LaBella (HVA), Sarah Coon (SLT), Susannah Wood (NLT) and Rick Orluk (GLT)
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October is a busy one for CLCC and the Connecticut land trust community! We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and at yours! Enjoy it all!
With warmest regards,
Amy
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2015 CT Land Conservation Conference
Call for Presentations - Proposals Due November 3
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2014 Conference Plenary Session
Photo Credit: DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee via Twitter
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31st Annual Connecticut Land Conservation Conference
Saturday, March 21, 2015
8:30am - 4:45pm (followed by post-event reception)
Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
CLCC invites you to submit a proposal for its 2015 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference, the state's largest annual full-day land conservation gathering, which continues to grow in popularity and size. CLCC seeks workshops on a variety of subjects relevant to the work of land trusts and other members of Connecticut's conservation community.
SUBMIT A PRESENTATION APPLICATION HERE
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CLCC October Calendar of Events
Register Today!
Regional Land Trust Board Summits
Time: 7:00 - 8:30pm
Location: Granby Senior Center, 15 N. Granby Rd., Granby, CT
Cost: Free
Co-hosts: Granby Land Trust and the Farmington River Watershed Association
Date: Thursday, October 24
Time: 7:00 - 8:30pm
Location: Eagleville Schoolhouse and Trust Headquarters
Cost: Free
Co-host: Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust
Networking - Socializing - Information Sharing
CLCC's Regional Summits are informal, fun and interesting -- with the discussion driven by your interests. What's on your mind? Accreditation? Funding for land acquisition projects or stewardship? Thinking about hiring staff or sharing staff? Looking to organize a regional conservation effort? Considering the purchase of a donor/membership program? Bring your thoughts, ideas, challenges, concerns and success stories to share with your regional peers. Further details HERE. RSVP HERE.
(Note: Summit in Stamford has been postponed until November. Date TBD)
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CLCC Conservation Policy Summit:
What will it take to reach CT's conservation goals?
Date: Tuesday, October 8
Time: 6:00 - 8:30pm
Location: Connecticut Forest & Park Assn., 16 Meriden Rd., Rockfall, CT 06481
Facilitator: Karl Wagener, Executive Director, CT CEQ
Panelists: Sidney Van Zandt (Groton Open Space Association), Tom ODell (Westbrook Conservation Commission), Elisabeth Moore (Connecticut Farmland Trust), George Logan (Aquarion Water Company), Graham Stevens (DEEP) and Susan Whalen (DEEP)
Cost: Free (light refreshments provided; BYO brown bag dinners encouraged!)
In this facilitated panel discussion, representatives from Connecticut's conservation community will share their thoughts on what they perceive to be the biggest challenges to accomplishing Connecticut's land conservation goals and how we may be able to address some of those challenges through policy, legislation or other means. Your participation is key! Further details HERE. RSVP HERE.
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CLCC Model CE Series Workshop #3
Conservation Easement Rulings and Guidance:
Trends and Take Aways for dealing with the IRS
Taught by National Expert
Attorney Stefan Nagel
Date: Friday, October 24
Time: 10:30am - 1:30pm
Location: The Lyceum, 227 Lawrence St., Hartford, CT 06106
Instructor: Attorney Stefan Nagel
Cost: Free for CLCC Members; $25 for non-members (lunch included)
A Can't Miss Opportunity! Bring your Questions & War Stories!
Understanding how to keep the IRS happy when undertaking a conservation easement project can be challenging -- to say the least! In this workshop, you have an opportunity to ask national conservation easement and nonprofit law expert, Attorney Stefan Nagel, your tax, legal, appraisal and drafting questions! Workshop details and a bio for Attorney Nagel are HERE.
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State News
Public Input Sought on Green Plan Revisions & Wildlife Action Plan
DEEP Revising Green Plan - Your Input is Needed!
From CT DEEP
Pursuant to the Connecticut General Statutes, DEEP is updating the Green Plan (Connecticut's comprehensive open space strategy) and prioritizing actions through the Department's actions through 2019 to best achieve the State's changing open space acquisition goals and meet new plan component requirements. YOUR INPUT IS CRITICAL!
DEEP encourages you to review the materials provided on the GREEN PLAN WEBPAGE (also listed with links below) and to submit your thoughtful comments on the Green Plan's draft outline via e-mail to: Jamie Sydoriak, Land Acquisition Resource Assistant
Phone: 860-424-3143
Note: CLCC will be have Green Plan materials on hand at all of our upcoming Regional Summits and workshops
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September Update: Revisions to Connecticut's Wildlife Action Plan - Info Sessions Scheduled
From CT DEEP
Work on the Connecticut Species List of Greatest Conservation Need is continuing and a draft list should be posted on the Wildlife Action Plan webpage next month. Public PowerPoint presentations about the Plan and facilitated workshops that will require public participation are scheduled through November. We encourage you to attend at least one! Click HERE to view the calendar of meetings.
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Federal Policy News
Time is Running Out to Make the Easement Incentive Permanent
 | Land Trust Advocacy Day 2014
Interested in participating in 2015? Contact [email protected] |
From the Land Trust Alliance
The clock is ticking: The House voted to make the conservation tax incentive permanent. The Senate has reconvened for a brief two-week session. This is an opportunity to pass the America Gives More Act and make the tax incentives for conservation easement donations permanent.
Click HERE to learn about ways you can help.
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USDA Announces Funding for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program for Fiscal Year 2014
From USDA-NRCS
Earlier this month, Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announcement $328 million for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for FY14. The money will go to 380 projects that will conserve 129,000 acres of working farms, grasslands and wetlands across the country. For a state-by-state allocation of funds, click HERE.
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Conservation Financing and Grants
Conservation Fund Bridge Loans Available
From The Conservation Fund, Land Conservation Loan Program (LCLP)
To help land trusts with their conservation efforts, the Conservation Fund LCLP has changed the policies so that any project that needs $3M or less in financing can close shortly after Loan Committee approval. To learn more about the LCLP program click HERE or call Reggie Hall at 703-525-6300 to discuss your project needs and get it on the schedule.
Environmental Education Programs Funded
From the Commerce Department
The NOAA New England Bay Watershed Education and Training Program is an environmental education program that promotes locally relevant, experiential learning in New England for K-12 students. Projects awarded through this grant competition provide meaningful watershed educational experiences and related professional development for teachers. The application deadline is October 31, 2014. Link to grant details is HERE.
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Other Upcoming Events
PA 490 Presentation
Date: Wednesday, October 1
Time: 6:00 - 8:00pm
Location: CT Farm Bureau (CFB) Office, 775 Bloomfield Ave., Windsor, CT 06095
Presenter: Joan Nichols, CFB Director of Member Relations and Community Outreach
Celebrate Land Trust Days in Northwest Connecticut
Dates: October 10-19
Details and schedule HERE
Free Workshop: Two Minute Video Production
Date: October 18
Time: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Location: Middlesex Community College, 100 Training Hill Rd., Middletown, CT 06457
Presenter: Lisa Simmons
Details: Using your phone or camera, you can produce catchy two-minute videos using free software and not much time (even if you aren't 14-years-old anymore!) In this one-day workshop with professional film producer Lisa Simmons, you will work with a gadget you already own, learn by doing, and go home with a video posted online. Space is limited.
Discover How to Create a Meadow
Date: October 18
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: CT Forest & Park Association, 16 Meriden Rd., Rockfall, CT 06481
Presenter: Kathy Connolly, landscape designer
Registration and further details HERE
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Conservation Job Opportunities
Joshua's Trust Seeking Executive Director
Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust, an established accredited non-profit regional land and historic trust in northeast Connecticut, is seeking a part-time Executive Director to direct all activities related to managing the more than 4,000 acres and two historic sites under its protection, and growing the Trust's public profile and financial resources.
This is a part-time salaried position requiring an average of 15 to 32 hours a week depending on the individual. The complete job description may be found HERE.
Conservation Easement Steward (Full Time) (New Hampshire)
The non-profit Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests seeks a self-motivated individual for the position. This is a full time position based at the Conservation Center in Concord, NH. The Steward is primarily responsible for ensuring that the organization fulfills its perpetual stewardship responsibilities for over 800 conservation easements and deed restrictions covering more than 130,000 acres. A copy of the full job description may be found HERE.
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Nominations Open for Farmland Preservation Pathfinder Awards
The Working Lands Alliance (WLA) is accepting nominations for the 2014 Farmland Preservation Pathfinder Awards, designed to recognize individuals and groups that have significantly advanced farmland preservation through leadership, advocacy, planning and education. Nomination forms, which include past winners, can be downloaded HERE. Deadline is October 20, 2014 in three different categories: Outstanding Individual, Outstanding Group, and Education Leader Awards. For further information contact WLA Project Director Lisa Bassani at [email protected]. Award winners will be honored at the WLA Annual Meeting on November 18.
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Have you renewed your CLCC membership?
We count on your support!
The CLCC membership year runs from July 1 to June 30 and we count on your support! Your membership contribution will help give a voice to land preservation, its stewardship, and the need to secure funding for new conservation projects -- across Connecticut. As an organization that provides leadership, training and assistance to communities and land trusts throughout the state, CLCC is supported primarily by the generosity of organizations and people like you. Thank you!
DONATE ON-LINE OR DOWNLOAD AN ORGANIZATIONAL OR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP FORM HERE.
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