Our to-do list is yours too. |
|
I love to-do lists. Yes, I know; they aren’t for everyone. But I swear by them.
To give you a preview of some of what lies ahead for CLCC in 2022, here’s a digested version of our to-do list:
-
2022 Conservation Priorities - the next legislative session kicks off on February 9. We’ve been meeting with legislators and the administration to discuss CLCC's 2022 priorities focused on ramping up land conservation funding, enhancing the open space grant program, and developing policies around climate change and forest protection. Your partnership as active and vocal advocates will be key to our success.
-
CT Conservation Partnership Program - since the award was announced last April, we’ve been working with NRCS to launch the new federal grant program in partnership with DEEP to provide financial assistance to land trusts. Our informational webpage is just about ready to share. Your land acquisition projects will fuel the success of this program.
-
2022 CT Land Conservation Conference - as we enter year three of this enduring pandemic, our team is planning creatively for a hybrid program - combining on-line workshops with an outdoor plenary session. Your ideas and requests will drive the curriculum.
-
Inclusive Conservation, Partnerships, and Mergers - guided by an outstanding team of consultants, CLCC’s staff is immersed in regional programming focused on bringing land trusts and other community groups together. Your desire to explore new and creative opportunities is the best part of these programs.
-
New Strategic Plan - with two new members joining our all-star board of directors and plans to add new staff, we are primed to dig deep into strategic planning for the next several years. Your input will be invaluable to turning a strong vision for statewide land conservation into reality.
It's a lot - it's important - and it energizes me to no end.
Our to-do list is yours too. Let’s make good things happen together in 2022.
|
|
Amy Blaymore Paterson
Executive Director
P.S. Your feedback is very important to our work. Please email me at abpaterson@ctconservation.org or give me a call at 860-614-8537 if you have ideas on how CLCC can expand our impact and support for your land trust and community.
|
|
|
Welcome CLCC Board Members & Officers |
|
Please join us in welcoming Mandi Careathers of Bloomfield and Gwen Marrion of Bolton as the newest members of the CLCC Board of Directors. Mandi and Gwen are seasoned professionals and community volunteers, dedicated to advancing land conservation, protecting the environment, and bettering communities across the state. We are honored to have them on our leadership team.
|
|
The Trust for Public Land |
|
Photo Credit Steve Burns, courtesy of the Trust for Public Land |
|
Simsbury Farm that Helped Influence Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Permanently Protected |
|
The Trust for Public Land and Town of Simsbury have protected Meadowood Farm, a 285-acre farm where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lived and worked in the summers in the 1940s. Historians say letters from Dr. King during his time spent in Connecticut had an impact on his work later in life.
|
|
Upcoming Events, Resources & More |
|
Conservation Finance Learning Lab – A five-part series from Highstead and The Conservation Finance Network. Scheduled from December 2021 to April 2022, the webinars feature opportunities for participants to take a deep dive into tangible, innovative approaches to conservation funding and financing. (Recordings of the first webinars are available to view in advance of the remainder of the series.)
World Wetlands Day and 50th Anniversary Kick-Off of the CT Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act – Hosted by the State Water Plan Outreach and Education subgroup, this virtual event takes place February 2, 12-1pm.
Should Your Land Trust Participate in the Forest Carbon Market? – Sponsored by the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition, this webinar features land trust staff and consultants who are working on forest carbon projects. This webinar takes place February 10, 4-5:30pm.
|
|
Application deadline is today! Host a conservation fellow – The Land Trust Alliance offers a one-year, paid career and leadership development fellowship program through the Scholars for Conservation Leadership. Deadline for land trusts to apply for a fellowship host opportunity is January 31, 2022.
Land Trust Alliance Practical Pointers – The Land Trust Alliance recently published new Practical Pointers to help land trusts with their work. Topics cover risk management, syndication, and managing neighbor disputes. Visit the Alliance's Digital Library to access the documents.
Call for presentations for the Land Trust Alliance Rally 2022 – This year's overarching themes for proposals include Inclusion, climate change and water. Proposals are due February 28.
|
|
State Grant Programs
Urban Forestry Equity through Capacity Building Grant Program
Deadline: Rolling basis starting 1/1/22 Info here
CT DEEP Grants for the Control of Aquatic Invasive Species
The Urban Forestry Climate Change Grant Program
|
|
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Grant Programs
NRCS EQIP Conservation Incentive Contracts. Deadline: 2/18/22 Info here
NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program. Deadline: 2/18/22 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
|
|
Other Grant Programs
CIRCA Municipal Resilience Grant Program. Deadline: 2/1/22 Info here
Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund. Deadline: 2/2/22 Info here
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund. Deadline: 2/3/22 Info here
Hartford Audubon Society Mini-Grants. Deadline: 2/15/22 Info here
National Environmental Education Foundation 2022 Biodiversity Conservation Grant: Enhancing Pollinator Habitats. Deadline: 2/17/22
Connecticut Association of Wetland Scientists Dr. Leslie J. Mehrhoff Grant for plant biodiversity preservation and invasive plant control. Deadline: 2/23/22 Info here
Cornell Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative 2022 Small Grant Program. Deadline: 3/1/22 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
|
|
As a statewide land conservation community, our work together is critical to the health of our environment and quality of life in Connecticut. We are grateful for your continued support of CLCC and for all you do in your neck of the woods and beyond to advance land conservation for all to enjoy.
A big thanks again to those of you who donated to our 2021 year-end appeal. With your generosity, we exceeded our challenge match goal, unlocking an additional $20,000 from a long-time friend of CLCC.
What a terrific way to end the year, and begin anew in 2022!
|
|
Photo Credits - CLCC except as follows:
Meadowood – Steve Burns, courtesy of the Trust for Public Land
Snowshoe Prints -- Stock
|
|
Connecticut Land Conservation Council
deKoven House
27 Washington Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-852-5512
|
|
|
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.
©2021 Connecticut Land Conservation Council. All rights reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
