March 30, 2016
Executive Director's Message
You are really important

March 19 was a beautiful day!  In stark contrast to last year's snow and sleet, this year's Connecticut Land Conservation Conference brought only sunshine.   Breaking yet another record for attendance, close to 500 conservationists from across Connecticut and beyond packed the classrooms at Wesleyan University to learn, network and share their ideas, insights, and passion for land conservation.

Access the full Conference wrap-up HERE, including links to workshop handouts, photos, and more. And a huge thank you to 2016 Sponsors!

Another record breaker!  Another amazing conference! Thank you!

Now, your voice is needed again, this time to help ensure that funding for land conservation programs is protected and that a Constitutional Amendment to better protect public lands happens. 

Please contact your legislators and ask them to join you for Connecticut Land Conservation Lobby Day on Weds. April 20, to celebrate your hard work to conserve and protect Connecticut's special places. (Details below)

You are really important. Please be there on April 20. 

You'll have fun, too.

With appreciation for all you do -
Amy 
CLCC News
Welcome New CLCC Steering Committee Members
Stewart Hudson (Audubon CT) and Chuck Toal (Colchester Land Trust)

On February 29, the CLCC Steering Committee welcomed Stewart Hudson (Audubon Connecticut) and Chuck Toal (Colchester Land Trust) as new members to serve a 2-year term. The CLCC Articles of Association allow for up to 19 members on its Steering Committee.  In considering new nominees we look for those with a depth of knowledge about land conservation in Connecticut, who represent geographically diverse parts if the state, and who will bring real added value to CLCC as it works to achieve its mission to ensure the long term strength and viability of land conservation in the state. Stewart and Chuck certainly fit the bill.  Read more about Stewart and Chuck HERE. 
Call to Action and Lobby Day (4/20)
Celebrate your accomplishments! Speak up for Land Conservation!

Call to  Action (4/13- 4/19) Please call or email your lawmakers with a message on why conservation is important to you and your community and ask them to join you at CT Land Conservation Day

CT Land Conservation Lobby Day (4/20)
1 0am - 12pm,  Legislative Office Building, Room 1A

Our goal is to have at least one representative from every land trust and conservation commission in attendance.

A limited number of display tables are available in the LOB concourse to showcase your organization and its conservation success stories. 

To reserve your display table and/or RSVP contact  Amy at abpaterson@ctconservation.org  

DOWNLOAD A CALL TO ACTION/LOBBY DAY FLYER HERE.
WATCH FOR STATE BUDGET & POLICY NEWS UPDATES LATER THIS WEEK!
CLCC Model Document Updates

Model Conservation Easement Revised
CLCC's Model Conservation Easement and associated Commentary have been revised as of February 23, 2016. Some of the changes are in response to IRS rulings, including a recent and controversial position taken by the agency regarding amendments.   View the revised documents and links to further information HERE.

New! 2016 Conservation Modification Package
To assist land trusts contemplating a change in a conservation easement or other conservation restrictions, the Connecticut Attorney General's office developed the 2016 Conservation Modification Package. The set of documents is comprised of a brief summary of procedure, sample pleadings from CT land trust cy pres actions (a court action to amend the terms of a charitable trust), and relevant law. View the modification package HERE.
CLEAR Smartphone Workshops

Using Smartphone GPS  for Monitoring and Mapping Land Trust Holdings 

April 15 - Litchfield - 9:30am - 4:00pm 
Link to more information and registration  HERE.
Limited space available

April 29 - New Canaan - 9:30am - 4:00pm
Link to more information and registration HERE.

This one-day introductory training will cover the basics of using a iOS or Android phone or tablet to collect field GPS data for improved conservation easement monitoring and enforcement. Course participants will be taught how to collect field data using personal mobile devices and upload GPS data to interactive online maps that can be saved, shared and embedded on land trust websites. 
State News
 
CT Greenways Council Accepting Nominations 
From CT DEEP

CT DEEP and the Connecticut Greenways Council are now soliciting nominations for official state greenway designations. The Greenways Council will evaluate all nominated greenways for consistency with designation criteria. The deadline for submission of nominations is April 29, 2016. Email completed nomination forms and digital photos and maps to Laurie.Giannotti@ct.gov. For more information, click HERE. 
Funding Opportunities
U SDA Announces FY2017 RCPP Funds -  Info Webinar (4/7) 
From USDA NRCS

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced they are accepting proposals for FY 2017 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funding. Up to $260 million is available for partner proposals to improve the nation's water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat, and protect agricultural viability. For more information, visit the RCPP website
Pre-proposals are due May 10.  

A webinar on the topic of RCPP and Watershed Authorities will take place April 7, 2016 at 1:00 pm. Click HERE to join the meeting.
N FWF Announces Release of New England Forests and Rivers Fund Request for Proposals
From The National Fish and Wildlife

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the New England Forests and Rivers Fund. The Fund is dedicated to restoring and sustaining healthy forests and rivers throughout New England. The full RFP can be found HERE. Proposals are due May 19, 2016. 
Request for Letters of Intent:  CT Wetland In-Lieu Fee Program for Land Conservation & Wetland Enhancement
From Audubon Connecticut
 
Sponsored by The National Audubon Society, Inc., through its Connecticut program Audubon Connecticut, the CT Wetland In-Lieu Fee Program has accrued sufficient funds which are now available for the preservation, restoration and enhancement of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the state. Full details are available HERE.  
Land Trust Resources
P ostcard Form 990-N e-File Required  
From Land Trust Alliance

The Internal Revenue Service announced that as of February 29, Form 990-N electronic submissions must be submitted via IRS.gov instead of the Urban Institute's website. A short, one-time registration will be required before an organization can begin submitting via the new system. Form 990-N only applies to charities with net annual receipts of less than $50,000. 
L isting Land Opportunities in NYFC Newsletter
From The National Young Farmers Coalition

The National Young Farmers Coalition is seeking land access opportunities from land trusts to include in their monthly newsletter. Listings should include: 1) A brief 1-2 line description of  the property (location, acreage, infrastructure, etc.); 2) Name of land trust listing the opportunity; 3) A link to the Request for Proposal or property description; 4) Deadline for proposals; and 5) Any other relevant information. Send listings to holly@youngfarmers.org at any time. 

Photo Credit: CT Dept. of Agriculture

N ew Web Pages Provide Resources for Understanding  "SLAMM" Long Island Sound Predictions
From Long Island Sound Study

Long Island Sound Study has added  the Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) --  new web pages to assist conservation commissions, land trusts, academic institutions, NGOs and others interested in understanding a computer mode's predictions on how salt marshes in Long Island Sound may respond to sea level rise.   View the web pages HERE .

  Photo Credit: ctpost.com
Upcoming Events 
Connecticut Trails Day - Host Your Own Event! 
From Connecticut Forest & Park Association

Share your favorite property, river or trail with others - register a Connecticut Trails Day event today! Connecticut Trails Day will be celebrated on both June 4th and 5th this year. It's not too late to be included in CFPA's popular online directory (over 100,000 visits last year alone!) Visit HERE for more details and to register. 
Our Changing Climate - Its Impacts on the Economy and the Way We Live
From The Rockfall Foundation and UConn Climate Adaptation Academy

When:  Friday, April 15, 2016
Where: Middlesex Community College, Chapman Hall, 100 Training Hill Road, Middletown, CT
Registration: Registration - $45; Student - $20; Optional Lunch - $15

Join The Rockfall Foundation and the UConn Climate Adaptation Academy for a symposium on the effects of climate change in our communities. Highlighted topics include the effects on tourism, infrastructure, agriculture and recreation. For questions or more information, contact Rockfall Foundation Interim Executive Director Tony Marino at tmarino@rockfallfoundation.org or 860-347-0340.
Conservation Job and Volunteer Opportunities
P art-time Seasonal Gardener - James L. Goodwin Forest Conservation Center
A Seasonal Gardener position is available at the James L. Goodwin Forest Conservation Center, 23 Potter Rd., Hampton, beginning immediately. If you enjoy working outdoors, can work independently and are highly motivated and organized, this position would be of interest to you. Perform work related to the gardens and grounds including, but not limited to, garden maintenance, weeding, planting, assisting volunteers with garden maintenance and garden education including assisting with interpretive signage in the gardens. Find full details and application instructions HERE. 
P art-time Seasonal Environmental Educator - James L. Goodwin Forest Conservation Center
 A Seasonal Naturalist position is available at the James L. Goodwin Forest Conservation Center, 23 Potter Rd., Hampton, beginning immediately. Design and teach environmental education programs in cooperation with other staff and volunteers. Duties may also include publicity and public relations, coordinating the Master Naturalist program, record keeping, creation care and maintenance of educational supplies, and organizing programs involving other presenters. Find full details and application instructions HERE. 
The Connecticut Land Conservation Council's mission is to advocate for land preservation, stewardship and funding, and ensure the long term strength and viability of the land conservation community. 

We Count on Your Support!  
Connecticut Land Conservation Council
Steering Committee and Staff
Alicia Sullivan, Chair (Trust for Public Land); Catherine Rawson, Vice-Chair (Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust); Tim Abbott (Litchfield Hills Greenprint); David Bingham (Salem Land Trust); 
Sandy Breslin (Bethany Inland Wetlands Commission) David Brown ( Middlesex Land Trust ); Margot Burns ( Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments ); Kevin Case ( Land Trust Alliance ); Eric Hammerling ( CT Forest & Park Association ); Michael Hveem ( Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust ); Elaine Labella ( Housatonic Valley Association ); Connie Manes ( Kent Land Trust ); Elisabeth Moore ( CT Farmland Trust ); Shirley Nichols ( Darien Land Trust ); Tom ODell ( CT Association of Conservation and Inland Wetland Commissions ); David Sutherland ( The Nature Conservancy ); Humphrey Tyler ( Lyme Land Conservation Trust

Amy Blaymore Paterson, Executive Director
Cristina Gastador Hayden, Communications Coordinator 
Connecticut Land Conservation Council | 16 Meriden Road, Rockfall, CT  06481 | 860-685-0785
© 2015 Connecticut Land Conservation Council. All rights reserved.