Connecticut Land Conservation Council
Educate. Protect. Inspire. Connect... with you
eNews | June 25, 2018
Nature has a way of doing that.

This past Saturday was misty and at times rainy, but that didn’t stop a crowd of people from showing up for the Branford Land Trust’s 50th anniversary celebration, which included a dedication of the Red Hill Woods Preserve and a guided hike on the new bog walk. (Links to more details and photos below in “Land Trusts in the News”)

Many of us, while walking single file along the bog walk, had never met before. After a couple of minutes, everyone was chatting. 

We marveled at the effort and teamwork it took to build the boardwalk, were awestruck by the landscape (including towering mountain laurel), photographed each other by the gigantic rock outcrops, and, more than once, reminded ourselves that this incredible preserve was just a stone’s throw from I-95.  

We started the walk as strangers and we ended it as friends. Nature has a way of doing that.

Summer is a wonderful time to build connections with nature and each other. Enjoy it all!
Sincerely,
Amy Blaymore Paterson, Esq.
Executive Director

P.S. The acquisition of the Red Hill Woods Preserve was supported in part by an Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition Grant (OSWA), with funding from the Community Investment Act.  

Photo credit: I took the banner photo on the bog walk at Red Hill Woods Preserve.
CLCC News
Join us this summer to visit land conservation success stories around the state made possible by DEEP's  Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition Program (OSWA) - funded by the  Community Investment Act (CIA) -  and other state, federal, and local investments.


The Greenhouse at Grand Acres Garden - photo courtesy of Ian Christmann
We are accepting applications for a full-time Program Administrator to support CLCC's administrative activities and programs, and assist the Executive Director in daily operations. Applications will be accepted until July 2 or until the position is filled.

We're Updating our Land Trust Directory
Is your land trust's information on our website up-to-date? As part of our annual membership appeal, CLCC is updating our on-line land trust directory.. Please send updated info to Kathy at kblachowski@ctconservation.org.

Land Trusts in the News
Branford Land Trust Celebrates 50 years!
We were delighted to join the Branford Land Trust for their 50th anniversary celebration at Red Hill Woods Preserve...
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State News Headlines
National News
Senator Murphy discusses proposed Living Shorelines Bill at a listening session at the CT River Museum in Essex on June 15. Photo credit: Judy Benson
Farm Bill 2018 Updates
(Compiled from various sources)
On June 13, the Senate Agriculture Committee approved its bipartisan version of the Farm Bill which includes changes to the Agricultural Land Easement program (such as allowing landowner donation and expenses to satisfy match requirements) and fully funds the conservation title. A Senate vote is expected soon. Read more >>  

On June 22, the House passed the Farm Bill with controversial food stamp changes. Read more >>
Action Alert!
Sign-on in Support of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) (Shared by the Land Trust Alliance)  
Funding for LWCF -- a critical source of funding to protect National Parks, preserve grasslands, and provide grants for conservation and recreation projects -- is set to expire in September 2018. The LWCF Coalition sign-on letter seeks to build co-sponsorship support for reauthorization in H.R.502 and S.896 and S.569.
Senators Murphy and Harris Introduce Living Shorelines Act.
(Source: Office of Senator Chris Murphy)
Introduced on June 19 to help communities protect their coasts, the legislation would create a new grant program to support creation of living shoreline projects.
Funding & Project Assistance Opportunities
NRCS Accepting Applications for Conservation Collaboration Agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources, addressing local nature resource issues, encouraging collaboration, and developing state and community level conservation leadership.   Deadline: 7/5


American Honda Foundation Grants ranging from $20,000 to $75,000 support nonprofit organizations and educational institutions that address youth and scientific education including in the areas of science, technology, and the environment.  Deadline: 8/1

Access Fund: Climbing Conservation Grant Program supports projects that preserve or enhance climbing opportunities and conserve the climbing environment nationwide. Land trusts are eligible to apply. Most grants range from $1,000 to $4,000.  Deadline: 8/1
Land Trust Resources & Opportunities
"Cedar Waxwing Enjoying Berries for Lunch"
Hilltop Farm East, protected by the Town of Suffield and the Friends of the Farm at Hilltop
Photo courtesy of Libby Lord - First Place Winner

Job & Volunteer Opportunities
Idea of the Month
Community Campout
Has anyone done this in CT? We love this idea!

The D&R Land Trust in New Jersey partners with the Hopewell Borough to offer a community camp-out on its St. Michael's Farm Preserve. 

Activities include Scout demonstrations, hiking, building fairy houses, a campfire with s'mores, and more >>

Photo: Kevin Smith, Flickr, Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC by 2.0)
Connecticut Land Conservation Council
deKoven House
27 Washington Street
Middletown, CT 06457

860-614-8537
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Educate. Protect. Inspire. Connect... Together we are EPIC
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.