Connecticut Land Conservation Council
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eNews | February 28, 2018
Like Family
At the State Land Trust Association meeting at the national Rally last fall, Becca Washburn (formerly the Alliance's awesome New England Program Manager), told the group that attending CLCC gatherings with Connecticut land trusts was like being with family -- fun, close-knit, interesting, and comfortable; thanks to you!

We can't wait to see you on March 17 for the 2018 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference -- our biggest land conservation family gathering of the year!

Sincerely,
Amy Blaymore Paterson, Esq.
Executive Director
CLCC News
Land Trusts in the News
Avalonia Land Conservancy Celebrates 50 years!
We were delighted to join Avalonia Land Conservancy and over 100 of their supporters at the land trust's 50-year celebration held at Mystic Aquarium. Speakers included State Rep. Diana Urban and DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee. Congratulations! Learn more about Avalonia Land Conservancy >>
State News
UConn Study Finds Resistance to Conservation Easements. "A survey of more than 1,000 landowners in coastal Connecticut found 'skeptical attitudes' toward conservation easements ..." (Source: Martha Shanahan, The Day)

Governor Malloy Announces Launch of Passport to Parks Program. Supported through a $10 fee applied through the DMV to registration of non-commercial vehicles, the program provides Connecticut residents access to all state parks for free, while helping to restore and support park services. 

DEEP Wants Environmental Permit Rule Reversed. "A provision that limits DEEP to 90 days to either approve or deny a laundry list of nearly four-dozen permits was slid into the final negotiations of the state budget signed into law in November. There is no provision for additional time if needed and, perhaps most worrisome to DEEP, if it doesn’t take action, the permit automatically goes into effect." (Source: Jan Ellen Spiegel, CT Mirror)

The Governor’s Council on Climate Change has voted to recommend an interim target to keep Connecticut on track to meet its greenhouse gas obligations under the Global Warming Solutions Act. (Source: CFE/STS)

CLEAR & CT ECO. CLEAR announced that 1 foot resolution impervious cover data is now available for the entire state in NEMO's MS4 interactive map as well as for viewing and download on the CT ECO website . 
National News
LWCF Action Alert:  The Land and Water Conservation Fund will expire September 30, 2018, without action from Congress. CLCC has signed-on to a LWCF coalition letter asking Congress to take action. You can, too!  Take action to #savelwcf >>

Off Shore Drilling:  The entire Connecticut Delegation wrote a letter to Dept. of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke in opposition to the proposed offshore oil and gas drilling expansion, submitted as part of the agency's public comment period, open through March 9.  Read the full letter >>

Farm Bill Feedback:   Please share your thoughts and ideas on the 2018 Farm Bill with Senator Chris Murphy on his “Our Farm Bill” website >>

Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act: The Land Trust Alliance reported that a bipartisan companion bill to HR 4459 was introduced in the U.S. Senate on February 15, 2018. Both bills seek to address the problem of abusive syndicated conservation easement transactions.  Learn more >>
Funding & Project Assistance Opportunities
Audubon CT 2018 Wetland In lieu Fee Program . Audubon Connecticut will soon be soliciting proposals for the preservation, restoration, and protection of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the State of Connecticut.  View Request for Letters of Intent >>

Next Round of EQIP Applications. The USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for the the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a Farm Bill program providing funding to landowners seeking to optimize conservation practices on working lands. Deadline: March 16, 2018

Environmental Education Local Grants Program for Region 1. The purpose of the grants program is to support locally-focused environmental education projects that increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental and conservation issues. Deadline: March 15, 2018.
Land Trust Resources & Opportunities
Job & Volunteer Opportunities
Tip of the Month
How do Land Trusts Choose Software?
A popular question on our CT Land Trust Listserv , and apparently across the country too.

Check out a short article in the  Winter 2018 edition of Saving Land (p.35) with information on how to obtain Idealware's new Field Guide to Software for Nonprofits -- "a handy reference to all the different types of software that might be useful to you. It covers nearly 80 types of software and costs $25.
Connecticut Land Conservation Council
27 Washington Street, #12
Middletown, CT 06457
860-614-8537
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The Connecticut Land Conservation Council advocates for land conservation, stewardship and funding, and works to ensure the long term strength and viability of the land conservation community.