Connecticut Land Conservation Council
Educate. Protect. Inspire. Connect... with you
eNews | October 25, 2018
The time to be fearless is now!
During his opening remarks at the National Land Trust Conference (Rally) in Pittsburgh, Land Trust Alliance President Andrew Bowman shared the Columbia Land Trust's "Fearless Conservation Campaign”.  Serving Washington and Oregon, the Columbia Land Trust describes this as a “bold agenda for science-based, community driven stewardship", outlining their short and long-term plans to protect the most important places in the Northwest.

I was inspired.

These are perilous times for our natural environment. We must be strong and vocal in our fight to keep land conservation front-and-center at the local, state, and federal levels — as well as in the minds of people across the state. 

On November 6, we have a historic opportunity to do just that.

The passage of Ballot Question #2 will ensure a comprehensive and transparent process to protect public lands and send a strong message that Connecticut residents care deeply about our land, water and other natural resources.
To quote our friends at the Columbia Land Trust:

“To succeed in protecting nature, amidst the daunting challenges of our time, we need more people to band together.”

November 6 is our chance to be fearless!

Let’s get this done!
Sincerely,
Amy Blaymore Paterson, Esq.
Executive Director

The "Fearless Conservation" banner is a photo I took of a slide from Andrew Bowman's powerpoint presentation. A big thanks to the Columbia Land Trust for inspiring us with their campaign.
CLCC News
Vote YES on Question #2 to
Protect Your Public Lands
Please continue to spread the word!

In less than 2 weeks -- on November 6 -- you can help pass a statewide ballot measure to better protect state-owned conservation and agricultural lands. Please ramp up your efforts to spread the word to vote YES on Question #2!

35th annual Connecticut Land Conservation Conference
March 23, 2019
Call for Presentations - proposal deadline is coming up!

CLCC is now accepting workshop proposals for the 2019 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference, the state's largest land conservation gathering and CLCC's premier annual event. In 2018 over 500 conservationists from across the state and region participated in 53 workshops on a variety of subjects. Visit our website for a list of topics, or submit an idea of your own!

Deadline is November 5. Learn more >>
Our 2019 Giving Tuesday Challenge Match is ON!
Donate today and help us meet our goal of $10,000!

It's a great time to support CLCC! Thanks to the generosity of several long-time donors, your contribution will be matched 1:1 between now and Giving Tuesday (November 27). It is your generous membership support that enables us to offer educational programs, provide direct technical assistance, and foster opportunities for collaboration, networking, and advocacy that are responsive to the needs of the state’s land conservation community. Thank you!

Land Trusts in the News
Newtown Forest Association
Wins the 2018 National Excellence Award
On October 11th, the Newtown Forest Association (NFA) received a National Land Trust Excellence Award from the Land Trust Alliance during its annual Land Conservation Conference (Rally) in Pittsburgh, PA.
This award,honors an all-volunteer land trust that has demonstrated outstanding achievement within its community ...
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Pictured left to right are Ed Kelleher (Board Member), Bob Eckenrode (President), Guy Peterson (Treasurer)
Photo shared by Newtown Forest Association
State News
ICYMI! New OSWA Grant Round -- DEEP has announced that it is accepting applications from municipalities, land trusts, and water companies for the next round of the competitive Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA) .  Application deadline is February 7, 2019

National News Headlines
Land Trust Alliance Issues Alert Regarding IRS Ruling Impacting Conservation Easement Deductions - Act now: Protect your Donors from Disallowed Deductions (Source: Land Trust Alliance)

World Has Just Over a Decade to Get Climate Change Under Control, U.N. Scientists Say - The World Street Journal reports on the U.N. International Panel on Climate Change . ( Source: The Wall Street Journal)

Farm Bill Lapse Cause for Concern - The U.S. loses three acres of farmland every minute. AFT's New England director, Nathan L’Etoile talks about how the Farm Bill is developed and what impacts it has on farmers and consumers across the region . (Source: American Farmland Trust)

Fall and Rise of LWCF - The Land and Water Conservation Fund, regarded as the country's single greatest tool for funding conservation expired on September 30. Read updates on committee action in the House and Senate with respect to reauthorization and status as dedicated funding. (Source: Land Trust Alliance - Conservation Defense Network)  
Funding & Project Assistance Opportunities
Bafflin Foundation Seeks Proposals from land trusts in support of arts, animals and the environment, including land acquisition projects. Deadline: 10/31/18

CT DEEP Recreational Trails Grants Program funds trail projects, including acquisitions and easements, for non-profits, municipalities, and others. Deadline: 10/31/18

IBA Small Matching Grants Program awards funds to Audubon chapters, landowners, universities, and members of Important Bird Area (IBA) stakeholder groups for projects at identified  IBAs  that advance Audubon's priorities. Deadline: 11/15/18

Farm Viability and Grants Program can provide matching funds to Connecticut municipalities, groups of municipalities, regional councils of governments, and/or agricultural non-profit organizations for projects that foster agricultural viability. Deadline: 11/20/18  

CT DEEP Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program matching grants program for municipalities, land trusts and water companies. Deadline: 2/7/19

The Conservation Fund offers bridge loans to land trusts.

Sustainable CT Grants Portal provides a comprehensive listing of resources to help your community implement Sustainable CT actions.
Land Trust Resources & Opportunities
Early Fall along the Shepaug River - Photo courtesy of Ann Astarita, Roxbury Land Trust
Job Opportunities
Tip of the Month
Change Takes a Healthy Dose of Advocacy!
Timely advice from Independent Sector
"Independent Sector’s Allison Grayson makes the case that just like individuals avoid exercise at the expense of their well-being, nonprofits often avoid advocacy to the detriment of the health of their organizations and communities." ...

"The good news is that the same tactics that help individuals prioritize health and exercise in life can help nonprofits prioritize organizational health through advocacy." ...

Connecticut Land Conservation Council
deKoven House
27 Washington Street
Middletown, CT 06457

860-852-5512
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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.