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SAVE THE DATE!
33rd Annual
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT
Workshop Sneak Peek Coming in January!
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Executive Director's Message
Land Conservation in 2017?
Bring it on!
The year sure flies by quickly! At CLCC we operate at a fast pace all year round to ensure you have the tools, services and leadership needed to advance your community's land conservation goals.
We don't stop ... and neither do you, because land conservation is an ongoing commitment.
Land conservation deals often take years to cultivate, negotiate and close. Stewardship and land management take time, money and many hands.
And perhaps the longest commitment? Building connections, engaging the public, and making sure your land trust is relevant and meaningful to everyone in your community.
You are in the land conservation business for the long haul ... and we're here to support you every step of the way.
Land conservation in 2017? Bring it on!
With you as our partners, we can't wait to get started!
On behalf of the CLCC Steering Committee, I wish you and yours a joyous holiday season filled with opportunities to explore your favorite places.
 With appreciation for all you do.
Amy
P.S.
Thank you for voting for our video,
"Land is our Commitment ... to you!"
, which we entered into the Land Trust Alliance's
"Land is my ..." national video contest
.
While we didn't win a prize, we had a ton of fun putting together a video that captured how we feel about our land conservation work and yours!
Special thanks to our videographer, Paul Rochford (Burlington Land Trust).
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Important Update: CLCC Model Conservation Easement
Amendment Clause revisions underway!
The CLCC Model Conservation Easement Working Group is just about finished with its most recent revisions to our model conservation easement and associated commentary. The new draft should be posted on our
Model Document Webpage before the end of the year. The main revision seeks to address the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) ongoing position that including an amendment provision may cause the easement to not meet the perpetuity requirement of IRS Code
§170(h), thereby possibly undermining a landowner's claim for a charitable deduction. We will issue an advisory when our revision is posted. As always, please consult with your attorney for guidance. For more information contact Amy at abpaterson@ctconservation.org.
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33rd annual
CT Land Conservation Conference - March 18, 2017
Reserve a spot in the 2017 Conservation Service Provider Directory
Are you a Conservation Service Provider? Or is your land trust working with one?
CLCC is once again offering Conservation Service Providers (law firms, appraisers, surveyors, land trust and non-profit consultants, land management, environmental professionals, etc.) an opportunity to increase their visibility within the conservation community, including a listing in our 2017 Conservation Service Provider Directory.
View the 2016 Service Provider Directory HERE.
More info is
HERE
or contact CLCC Steering Committee member Drew Iacovazzi at dmtiacovazzi@gmail.com.
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The 2017 Legislative Session Begins on January 4
The 2017 Regular Session of the
Connecticut General Assembly convenes January 4th, 2017 and adjourns June 7th, 2017. CLCC has sent a copy of our 2017 Conservation Agenda -- our annual state and federal legislative priorities that impact land conservation in Connecticut - to all incoming members of the legislature.
You can view our Conservation Agenda
HERE and our letter to legislators
HERE. Stay tuned! And get ready! Your participation and engagement with your legislators and your communities will be critical to our success. Thank you!
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Access the CT Land Trust Listserv Archives
We have had great participation in our CT Land Trust Listserv, with interesting discussions around a variety of topics and questions related to your land conservation work. If you are a subscriber, you can access the archives of all emails through the listserv homepage HERE. You will need your user name and password. If you haven't subscribed to the listserv, please do! It's easy and you will have access to practical advice from land conservation practitioners and land trust peers from throughout the state. Subscription info is HERE.
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Connecticut Land Trusts in the News
Prepare to be impressed!
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Lyme Land Trust Featured in PBS Video on Land Conservation
The
Lyme Land Trust was selected as the subject for a documentary PBS video on land conservation in the town of Lyme. The series, now in its 21st season, entitled "The Visionaries", is hosted by actor Sam Waterston, and airs on over 100 PBS stations.
Many wonderful Lyme characters appear: Carolyn Bacdayan, Emily Bjornberg, Ralph Eno, Fritz Gahagan, Lyndon Haviland, Tony Irving, Ralph Lewis, Parker Lord, John Pritchard, Penny Smyth, Jack Tiffany and the children and teachers of Lyme Consolidated
School. The video will air on CPTV in CT on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 7:00pm. Read more
HERE and be sure to tune in!
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Photo Credit: Glenn Hilliard
from 2016 Winter Edition, Edible Nutmeg
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A Tree Grows in Salem
From Edible Nutmeg
CLCC Steering Committee member,
Salem Land Trust Vice-President, and conservationist extraordinaire David Bingham has been featured in an article in the December 2016 issue of Edible Nutmeg. David talks about the rise and fall of the American chestnut, along with his hope to avoid its permanent downfall
. Read the full article
HERE.
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Granby Land Trust in the News
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Seth and Lucy enjoying a sleigh ride in 1980.
Photo credit: Granby Land Trust
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The
Granby Land Trust (GLT) recently received a wonderfully generous gift from two of its dearest friends, Seth and Lucy Holcombe, following Lucy's passing in December of 2015. The Holcombes left their beloved, 150-acre Thorne Bay Hill Farm, complete with walking and horse trails, to the organization. The Holcombes also bequeathed to the GLT the financial support to steward the property.
Another of GLT's preserves, the
Mary Edwards Mountain Property, and the importance of the trust's relationship with Mary, was featured in the
Alliance's Winter 2017 Saving Land Magazine. You can view the article and a beautiful image of the property
HERE on page 20.
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Norwalk Land Trust Receives NFWF Matching Grant Award
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Photo credit: Alex von Kleydorr, The Hour newspaper, as shared by Norwalk Land Trust
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Norwalk Land Trust has been selected by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation for a 2016 Long Island Sound matching grant of $20,000. NLT plans to develop a salt marsh restoration demonstration program, improving approximately 5 to 8 acres of degraded inter-tidal salt meadows. Along with its importance to wildlife, this will allow the state to develop alternatives to dumping harbor dredging into the middle of the Long Island Sound. Info on NFWF grant opportunities is
HERE. Photo shows Village Creek (really an inlet) facing South toward the Sound. Test area to be restored in mid-background.
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View Branford Land Conservation Trust 2016 Art Contest Winners
The
North Branford Conservation Land Trust recently posted pictures of the land trust's 2016 Art Contest Award Ceremony and all submitted artwork on their
website picture gallery. The art work is also available for viewing in person at the Atwater Library until Christmas, followed by a two week exhibit at the local Smith Library.
Photo credit: NBCLT
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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! Submit Your Proposal for Clean Water Matching Grants
From CT DEEP
CT DEEP is now accepting proposals for the Clean Water Section 319 matching grants for FY2017. Click
HERE for eligibility requirements. Proposals should be submitted by email to Charles Lee at
Charles.Lee@ct.gov.
Proposals must be received electronically by March 3, 2017.
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New! For New Haven and Hamden: Request for Proposals for Habitat Creation and Restoration
From Audubon CT Urban Oases Program
The
Audubon CT
Urban Oases Program is now accepting proposals for grant funding for planting projects located in New Haven or Hamden. Planting Projects would need to take place between May - August 2017. Grants range from $1,000 - $3,000. Find out more details and access the online application
HERE.
The deadline for applications is January 15, 2017.
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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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Sign Up for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
From USDA-NRCS
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Photo credit: USDA-NRCS
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
Find out more info
HERE
.
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Photo Credit: Sustainable CT
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Attend a Regional Forum with Sustainable CT
From Sustainable CT
What's YOUR vision for sustainable towns and cities in Connecticut?
Sustainable CT invites you to attend one of their FREE regional forums in January 2017. Find available dates and registration
HERE.
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CT Green Burial Grounds Seeking Land Trust Partners
Connecticut Green Burial Grounds is a small start-up organization seeking partnership with land trusts and conservation groups to establish the first exclusively green burial ground in all of New England. According to their Founder, Liz Foley, "We aim to be the driver of a new way to think about sustainable land management and environmentally friendly death practices. Green burials make the lands we wish to conserve economically productive while assuring their conservation in perpetuity. We can make our last gesture in life one of our greatest by helping to preserve open space for future generations." For more information on green burials visit
www.greenburialcouncil.org. For more information on this project please contact Elizabeth Foley at (860)462-6652 or ctgreenburialgrounds@gmail.com.
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Nominate an Outstanding Young Farmer Today!
From The Connecticut Agricultural Information Council
The Connecticut Agricultural Information Council is accepting nominations for the CT 2017 Outstanding Young Farmer. Candidates must be at least 21 years of age and must not reach their 41st birthday before January 1, 2018. The winner will be notified in early March and the award will be presented at Ag Day at the Capitol on March 15, 2017. Find the application
HERE.
Applications must be postmarked or emailed by February 19, 2017.
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Job and Volunteer Opportunities
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Nature Center Director - The Connecticut Audubon Society
The
Connecticut Audubon Society is hiring a full-time, senior-level position managing one of the organization's centers in western CT. The Center Director is responsible for carrying out or overseeing overall management, programming, maintenance, and communications activities of the Center, as well as for establishing and maintaining relationships with its neighboring communities. Click
HERE for more info.
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Plant Conservation Volunteer - New England Wild Flower Society
New England Wild Flower Society is seeking enthusiastic people who have a commitment to plant conservation and protecting natural habitats to participate in their Plant Conservation Volunteer Program. Find out more details and apply
HERE.
Submit your application by February 1, 2017.
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Please consider a year-end gift to CLCC!
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); Honor Lawler (Trust for Public Land); 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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