Educate. Protect. Inspire. Connect... with you

eNews | February 25, 2019

Whoa! There's a lot going on! We need you!

There sure is a lot going on this time of year. Here's what you should be watching for this week: Wednesday (2/27) is HB 5254 Call-In Day Mark your calendar and watch for information to call your legislators this Wednesday (2/27) and ask that they support HB 5254 - legislation enabling a voluntary local funding option for open space and farmland acquisition, stewardship and other environmental projects. Read our action alert for further details and watch for reminders >> We'll also keep you posted about upcoming state agency budget presentations and public hearings, and other opportunities to weigh in on bills which impact your land conservation work. Thursday (2/28) kicks off #2019ConferenceCountdown With less than 4 weeks until the biggest Connecticut land conservation event of the year, we have some exciting updates coming to you this week. If you haven't done so already, please register !

Yes, there's a lot going on. There's also a lot at stake. Thank you in advance for taking action and being our partners in all things land conservation! Sincerely Amy Blaymore Paterson, Esq. Executive Director abpaterson@ctconservation.org Photos credits: Barred Owl banner photo by John Triana; and Environment Committee public hearing by Patrick Comins.

Testifying at the Environment Committee public hearing on February 4 in favor of HB 5254. You can follow CLCC's, alerts and testimony on our website >>

CLCC News

35th annual Connecticut Land Conservation Conference March 23, 2019 Early Registration Deadline is March 1 This is a conference you do not want to miss! Whether you're part of an all-volunteer land trust, or one with staff, or a municipal land use commissioner -- or other member of the community who cares, you will love it! Visit our conference webpage for details >>

CLCC Seeking Input on Model Conservation Easement CLCC has assembled a working group of land conservation attorneys and practitioners to review and revise our 2014 Model Conservation Easement, and develop supplementary options including those for prohibited uses, grantor reserved rights, grantee rights and a forever wild version. Your input is important! Please contact Amy at abpaterson@ctconservation.org with your suggestions and comments. The revised draft will be presented at the annual CT Land Conservation Conference (Workshop A.2) >> View current Model Open Space Conservation Easement >>

Land Trusts in the News

Wyndham Land Trust Wee Wanders Program Featured in Hartford Courant

If you follow Wyndham Land Trust on Facebook then you should be familiar with the land trust’s Wee Wanders Program. “The Wee Wanders are meant to get people of all ages outside. They are called ‘Wee’ because they are short hikes and appropriate for children as well as adults. ‘And, [says WLT Program Director Marcy Dawley], because we can do them together.”… Photo courtesy of Denise Coffey, Hartford Courant

Look for additional stories in #LoveYourCTLandTrust eNewsletter

State News Headlines

Governor Lamont Releases 2020-2021 Budget Proposal - Read Governor Lamont's press release which includes links to his February 20 budget address and full documents for the budget proposal >>

SHPO Announces Statewide Historic Preservation Plan - The CT State Historic Preservation Office has released its 5-year statewide historic preservation plan >>

National News Headlines

February brings big wins for land conservation Special thanks to the Office of Senator Chris Murphy for sharing the following news:  Lands Package (S.47) passed - biggest in over a decade - includes Senator Murphy’s Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic Act; the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF); the creation of more than 1.3 million acres of wilderness in the western United States; and The Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Wild and Scenic River Act (protecting parts of seven rivers in Connecticut and Rhode Island. View Washington Post article >>   Appropriations bill passed - funds the Department of the Interior - includes $20 million for the Highlands Conservation Act ($10 million more than FY18 levels); $435 million for LWCF ($10 million more than the FY18 level); $14 million for the Long Island Sound Geographic Program ($2 million above FY18 level, President’s FY19 Budget proposed elimination); and $26.7 million for the National Estuary Program ($600,000 per estuary) Plum Island Conservation Act – Introduced by CT Senators Murphy and Blumenthal along with NY’s senators - would permanently repeal the law requiring the General Service Administration to mandate sale of the island to the highest bidder. Read more >>

TOMORROW, February 26, 9:00 a.m. - 2018 Farm Bill Implementation Listening Session - Participate Via Webinar - For those unable to attend in person, the program will be streamed live. View details >>

Funding & Project Assistance Opportunities

The Cornell Lab and Land Trust Alliance Announce 2019 Request for Proposals for Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative for grants to support land trusts and their partners in accomplishing bird conservation on private lands. Deadline: 3/1/19 The Rockfall Foundation is now accepting applications for the Virginia R. Rollefson Environmental Leadership Scholarship honoring a high school junior or senior in the Lower CT River Valley. Deadline: 3/1/19 The Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund is seeking proposals to restore and protect the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. Deadline: 3/15/19 The Last Green Valley has announced a new source of funds for grants ranging in $2,000 - $3,000 for projects located within The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. Deadline: 3/29/19 MassConn Sustainable Forest Partnership is accepting grants to assist with the transactional costs of donated land or conservation easements within the 39 town MassConn service area. Deadline: 3/29/19 CT DEEP is accepting proposals for 2019 Clean Water Section 319 grants to control nonpoint sources of pollution. Deadline: 4/3/19 Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut is accepting applications for Civic Engagement Mini-Grants of up to $1,000. Applications accepted on Rolling Basis USDA-NRCS is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program. Applications accepted on Rolling Basis

Land Trust Resources & Opportunities

Photo courtesy of Connecticut Forest & Park Association

Registration open for Rivers Alliance of CT and CCSU Center for Public Policy and Social Research Water Conference (3/9) >> Registration open for the 4th Annual Creating and Improving Pollinator Habitat Conference (3/14) >> CT DEEP will host an all-day conference on volunteer-based water monitoring (4/5) >> Land Trust Alliance Advocacy Days (4/10) Washington D.C. >> Trails Day 2019 Registration is Now Open >> Connecticut Forest & Park Association now accepting applications for 2019 Coverts Project (9/12-15) >> Natural Resource Conservation Academy Accepting Applications for Environmental Programs for Teens, Adults and Teachers >> Sign-up for Climate and Conservation eNews for Land Trusts >>

Job & Volunteer Opportunities

Development Director - The Rockfall Foundation Executive Director - Southwest Conservation District in CT Assistant River Steward - Farmington River Coordinating Committee Frogwatch Citizen Scientist - Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History Conservation Intern - Highstead Executive Director - Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust Executive Director -The CT Council on Soil and Water Conservation Executive Director - Common Ground High School Volunteer Opportunity - Plant Conservation Volunteer Program, New England Wild Flower Society.

Tip of the Month

CT Farmlink Helps Farmland Owners

CT Farmlink helps farmland owners connect with farmland seekers. The program is funded by the Community Investment Act and administered by the CT Dept. of Agriculture in partnership with Connecticut Farmland Trust. CT Farmlink assists with the transition between generations of landowners to keep farmland in production.  Read more >>

Photo courtesy of CT Dept. of Agriculture as shared by CT Farmland Trust

Connecticut Land Conservation Council deKoven House 27 Washington Street Middletown, CT 06457 860-852-5512 ctconservation.org

Support CLCC >> ‌ ‌ ‌

#LoveYourCTLandTrust

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. ctconservation.org