I’ve heard from many land trusts seeking information on the Connecticut Conservation Partnership Program (CCPP) – a new public-private partnership enabling land trusts that have submitted or intend to submit an open space (OSWA) grant to DEEP to apply through CLCC for federal match funds for their project.

Since the award to CLCC was announced last April, we’ve been working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to put the federal components of the program in place. Next steps include ironing out grant coordination with DEEP and technical assistance services with partners Connecticut Farmland Trust and Northwest CT Land Conservancy.

We’re getting there, and remain on track to open up the application process by the end of 2022.

Meanwhile, we are very excited to announce a new CCPP webpage as a first step in our public outreach efforts. Developed by CLCC Project Specialist and CCPP Administrator, Yaw Owusu Darko, the webpage is a depository for all CCPP information. It will be updated regularly as the program unfolds.

So how do you get started?

Like all conservation projects, the development of this program is taking patience and persistence. And like all conservation projects, it will be worth it.

Advocating for strong and well-funded Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) and Urban Green & Community Garden (UGCG) grant programs is a top CLCC priority each and every year. Here are three opportunities to showcase your OSWA and UGCG community projects:

Contribute a Video Clip: In preparation for Earth Day on April 22, CLCC is putting together a compilation video featuring clips of your OSWA and UGCG projects. Deadline to submit your video is April 1. More info here

Submit Photos: The 2022 Diana Atwood Johnson Photo Contest featuring properties supported by OSWA or UGCG grants is on! Deadline to submit your photos is May 3. More info here

Invite us (and your legislators!) for a hike! Winter is a terrific time to get out on the land and celebrate OSWA and UGCG success stories. Interested in hosting a hike with your legislators? We are happy to help!

Contact Sylvie with any questions!

2022 CT Land Conservation Conference – How do you view land conservation and the natural world? What are the changes you want to see now that will help shape the world as you want it to be? CLCC is seeking students of all ages to plan and participate in our 2022 outdoor conference plenary session scheduled for May 14. Interested in how you can get involved? Contact Cristina

Youth Climate Change Summit – CLCC is honored to participate in DEEP's Youth Climate Change Summit for high school students. The summit takes place May 5-6 with a kick-off on March 3. Register by March 1.

ALPINE Summer Institute – Wildlands & Woodlands is now accepting applications for the 2022 ALPINE Summer Institute. This program is open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as young professionals. The deadline to apply is April 1.

Powerful legislation in Connecticut requires water companies—the second-largest owners of open space in the state—to give land trusts a head start when they put land up for sale. Using a contact list maintained by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, water companies are required by law to let you know when a sale is coming—but you need to tell them how to reach you.

World Water Day is March 21– CLCC joins Save the Sound, The Nature Conservancy, Rivers Alliance, Clean Water Action, CT River Conservancy, CT League of Conservation Voters, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, and other partners for a digital/virtual celebration exploring “Groundwater- Making the Invisible Visible.”

Conservation Finance Learning Lab – A five-part series from Highstead and The Conservation Finance Network scheduled through April 2022.

Ask an Expert Farmland Webinar Series – The Connecticut Farmland Trust will host a four-part series on current events in agriculture starting March 7.

Forest Instruction on Mapping with Your Phone – DEEP Forestry will host this in-person workshop on March 19. Register by March 10.

2022 Master Naturalist Trainings – This training takes place on six Saturdays between April and June. Apply by March 18.

Make Your Land Available for Farming – A workshop series hosted by the New England Farmlink Collaborative, for farming and non-farming private landowners. March 23, 30, and April 6.

Deadline: Rolling basis starting 1/1/22 Info here

NRCS Urban Agriculture Initiative. Deadline: 3/18/22 Info here

NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) - Classic. Deadline 4/13/22 Info here

NRCS RCPP - Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA). Deadline 4/13/22 Info here

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) will soon announce ~$10M in Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) dollars available through its 2022 Request for Proposals. Funding is available to help Connecticut communities develop and implement nutrient reduction/prevention projects throughout the inland areas of the Long Island Sound watershed. Match requirements are expected to be significantly lower in 2022.

Northeast Bird Habitat Conservation Initiative eBird Mini-Grants for Northeast RCPs. Deadline: 3/15/22 Info here

Environmental Professionals Organization of Connecticut (EPOC) Environmental Grant Program. Deadline: 4/15/22 Info here

CT Beaver Initiative grants. Rolling deadline. Info here

Multiple Positions – Housatonic Valley Association

Multiple Positions – Green Village Initiative

Multiple Positions – Connecticut Forest & Park Association

Multiple Seasonal Resource Assistant Positions – CT DEEP

Seasonal Naturalist Educator – Goodwin Conservation Center

Executive Director – CT Council on Environmental Quality

Assistant Land Steward Position, Summer 2022 – Sharon Land Trust

Dr. Marc J. Taylor Internship – Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition

Administrative Director – Southbury Land Trust

Executive Secretary – ECFLA/Wolf Den Land Trust

Vice President of Administration & Finance – Buzzards Bay Coalition (MA)

The Connecticut Land Conservation Council is Connecticut's only statewide land trust service organization. Your annual membership support of CLCC ensures that you will be part of a coalition that supports and is responsive to the needs of all land trusts and their communities not only during these extraordinary times, but always. Your organization’s contribution – at any level – will make a difference.

Please renew your land trust's membership in CLCC today!