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CONGRATULATIONS TO TOM ODELL
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| Rockfall Foundation Distinguished Service Award winner. Celebrating with Tom, L.R., CLCC's Amy B. Paterson, Sandy Breslin, David Brown and Alicia Sullivan |
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Executive Director's Message
Thank you Tim, Tom & Alicia!
Welcome new SC member Drew Iacovazzi!
An avid fly fisherman, mountain biker and nature lover, Drew is a V.P. and financial planner for U.S. Trust and will take the lead on coordinating our 2017 Conference sponsorship program.
With gratitude and best wishes to Tim, Tom and Alicia!
With mixed emotions, we
celebrated the long-time service of three exceptional conservationists who have stepped down from our SC:
- Tim Abbott - Director, Litchfield Hills Greenprint Collaborative. A member of the SC since 2009 and our Chairman for three years, Tim will continue to help guide CLCC's federal and state policy efforts as a member of our Advocacy Committee.
- Tom ODell - Westbrook Conservation Commission (46 years), CACIWC among many others! Serving on the SC since 2008, Tom's career as a conservation professional and volunteer has spanned over 50 years. CLCC awarded Tom the 2014 Katchen Coley Award for Excellence in Land Conservation and a Lifetime Achievement Award presented at a community celebration in his honor last month. Most recently, Tom was the recipient of Rockfall Foundation's 2016 Distinguished Service Award.
- Alicia Sullivan - State Director, Trust for Public Land. Alicia has served on our SC for eight years, the last four as our SC Chair. Her exceptional leadership and steady guidance have been critical to our growth and success as the state's only land trust service association. After 18 years at TPL, Alicia is moving on to serve as the Major Gifts Officer at Quinnipiac School of Law. Alicia leaves a legacy of forests and farms, clean water and air, and lots of fun places to run around and play.
Whether looking back or planning ahead, I'm incredibly thankful to have the opportunity to work with such smart, talented, dedicated and all-around wonderful people.
We wish you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Amy
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017 CT Land Conservation Conference - March 18, 2017
Sponsorship Program Underway
33rd Annual
Connecticut Land Conservation Conference
Saturday, March 18, 2017
8:30am - 4:45pm (followed by post-event reception)
Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
Position your business or organization before a sophisticated and engaged audience of conservation volunteers and professionals, while helping CLCC to keep the annual Conference accessible and affordable for all who wish to attend! We offer a range of sponsorship categories, including advertising opportunities for Conservation Service Providers. Sponsors will receive various benefits and recognition to acknowledge their leadership and support of CLCC. More information is HERE.
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Connecticut Land Trusts (& RCPs!) in the News
Prepare to be impressed!
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Amanda Branson
Photo Credit: Naromi Land Trust |
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Naromi Land Trust Names Executive D
irector
Amanda Branson has been named Executive Director of Naromi Land Trust in Sherman, CT. She will be Naromi's first Executive Director. NLT President Margery Josephson said, "Amanda Branson's many years of land trust experience, coupled with her knowledge of Naromi from her consultancy work for us over the years, gives us our best possible Executive Director."
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Scooter Hill Farm, Photo Credit: USDA-NRCS
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Lebanon Farm Preserved Forever
Thanks to a partnership among the
USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service,
Connecticut Farmland Trust, and the Town of Lebanon, Scooter Hill Farm is now preserved. Purchased by their ancestors in 1946, current owners John and Dawn Drum manage around 400 maple trees, grow hay and raise beef cows on their 34-acre farm. Read more about the farm
HERE. Congratulations to all!
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Photo Credit: Aspetuck Land Trust
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50-Year-Old Aspetuck Land Trust Highlighted for Accomplishments
With the leadership of David Brant,
Aspetuck Land Trust maintains over 120 open spaces and 40 miles of hiking trails, along with providing a refuge for more than 500 species of animals and plants. The latest preserve is the 39-acre Newman Poses Preserve honoring late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman. Read more about Aspetuck Land Trust's accomplishments
HERE.
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Photo Credit: Fairfield County Regional Conservation Partnership
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Open Space Story Map Now Available
From Fairfield County Regional Conservation Partnership
The
Fairfield County Regional Conservation Partnership (FCRCP) built a Strategic Conservation Map which identifies and highlights priority lands rich in natural resources within the county. Click
HERE to access the FCRCP Story Map to walk through the creation of their map.
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| Photo Credit: GLCT |
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Guilford Land Conservation Trust: "A Small Win that Includes the New England Trail"
The
Guilford Land Conservation Trust (GLCT) took another step toward preserving Totoket Mountain - the ridge that ends at Bluff Head - with the purchase in October of 12 acres in the northwest corner of Guilford, along the top of the ridge. The parcel had been one of GLCT's highest priorities for years, as it was one of only a few on the basalt ridge that was privately owned. A section of the blue-blazed
New England Trail passes over it, heading west from Bluff Head toward North Branford. Read the full release
HERE.
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2017 Connecticut Duck Stamp
Painted by Mark Thone
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Annual Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Artistic Competition Begins
From CT DEEP
CT DEEP invites artists to enter their waterfowl artwork in Connecticut's annual
Migratory Bird Conservation (Duck) Stamp Art Contest. The winning entry will be featured on the 2018 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp. Read the full release
HERE.
Entries must be received in person or postmarked on or before April 15, 2017.
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New CT Restrictions of Bee-Toxic Pesticides
From CT DEEP
CT DEEP has provided notice that the registered neonicotinoid pesticides listed
HERE will be re-classified to restricted-use only, effective January 1, 2017. On and after that date, none of the pesticides listed can be offered for sale, sold or used without full compliance with the requirements for restricted-use pesticides.
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Secretary Jewell Announces Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge
From U.S. Department of the Interior
Great news for conservationists! The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized the creation of the
Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge after overwhelming public support. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell said, "Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge will give New Englanders...the chance to conserve important habitat in the region, ensuring current and future generations can experience the rich variety of animals and plants that call these special places home." Read the full press release
HERE.
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USDA-NRCS Announces Funding Programs
From USDA-NRCS
The
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) provides payments to agricultural producers and forest landowners for actively managing, maintaining, and expanding conservation activities like cover crops, ecologically-based pest management, buffer strips, and pollinator and beneficial insect habitat - all while maintaining active agriculture production on their land. More information is
HERE.
Sign-up period will run through Feb. 3, 2017.
The
Conservation Innovation Grants
program provides support to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative approaches and technologies for conservation on agricultural lands. More information is HERE.
Sign-up will run through January 9, 2017.
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Apply Today for the Community Forest Program
From CT DEEP
CT DEEP has announced a Request for Applications for the
Community Forest Program (CFP) which provides funding to acquire and establish community forests through fee simple acquisition. More information is available
HERE and
HERE or
contact Dan Peracchio.
Applications due January 13, 2017.
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Photo Credit: Trust for Public Land
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Apply Now for DEEP Open Space Grant Program (OSWA)
From CT DEEP
CT DEEP has announced the next round of competitive grant funding to assist with the purchase and preservation of open space lands, urban green space and community gardens through the state of Connecticut's
Open Space Watershed Land Acquisition Program (OSWA). Click
HERE for details and grant application.
Application deadline is February 2, 2017.
Earlier this month, Governor Malloy announced the 2016 OSWA awards, funding 1,170 acres in 17 communities, plus two urban green/community garden projects. Read more HERE.
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Photo Credit: CT DEEP
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DEEP Requests Proposals for Recreational Trail Grants
From CT DEEP
CT DEEP is now accepting proposals for
Connecticut's Recreational Trails Program Grants. Further details and applications may be found
HERE or contact Laurie Giannotti at 860-424-3578.
Application deadline is December 15, 2016.
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RecycleCT Announces New Grants for Schools and Nonprofit Organizations
From CT DEEP
The
RecycleCT Foundation is currently accepting applications from K-12 schools and nonprofits for The Innovation Grant Program. The goal of these grants includes the promotion of waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting in CT.
Innovation Grant applications are due January 20, 2017. Read the full release
HERE. Find more info about the RecycleCT grants
HERE.
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Photo Credit: AmeriCorps NCCC
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Find Help for Large Trail Projects
From AmeriCorps NCCC
Are you looking for help for a large trail project? AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time service program for men and women aged 18-24. AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region is currently accepting Project Concept Forms for the upcoming 2017 term.
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Photo Credit: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
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Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative Website
From The Cornell lab of Ornithology and Land Trust Alliance
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and
Land Trust Alliance are happy to announce the release of their new Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative website. The website brings together a plethora of resources aimed at giving land trusts the tools and know-how to engage in strategic bird conservation, while increasing their own capacity to meet important goals. Click
HERE for more info and resources. Click
HERE to visit the website.
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 Now Accepting Nominations for National Wetlands Awards
From Environmental Law Institute
The
Environmental Law Institute is now accepting nominations for the 2017 National Wetlands Awards. This award is for individuals who have shown an extraordinary commitment to our nation's wetlands in six different categories. Find the guidelines and nomination form
HERE.
The deadline for short-form nominations is November 21, 2016.
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Communications Manager - Highstead
Highstead is now accepting applications for a senior-level Communications Manager. This position will bring expertise in shaping and implementing a communication strategy and will play a lead role in writing and producing various communications products for Highstead and the
Wildlands and Woodlands Initiative. Click
HERE for a full job description and application details.
The application deadline is December 5, 2016.
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Executive Assistant - CT Fund for the Environment/Save the Sound
The
CT Fund for the Environment/Save the Sound is hiring an Executive Assistant. This position reports to both the Save the Sound Executive Director and the Director of Individual Giving. The position will remain open until filled. Click
HERE for more info.
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Our 2016-17 Annual Membership Appeal is underway!
We Count on Your Support!
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Connecticut Land Conservation Council
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Catherine Rawson, Chair (Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust); Chuck Toal, Vice-Chair (Colchester Land Trust); 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 (
Connecticut Forest & Park Association
); Stewart Hudson (Audubon Connecticut); Michael Hveem (
Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust
)
; Drew Iacovazzi (West Hartford); Connie Manes (
Kent Land Trust
); Elisabeth Moore (
Connecticut Farmland Trust
); Shirley Nichols (
Darien Land Trust
);
David Sutherland (
The Nature Conservancy
);
Humphrey Tyler (CT River Watershed Council
)
Amy Blaymore Paterson, Executive Director
Cristina Gastador Hayden, Communications Coordinator
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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.
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