Monthly Review | April 25, 2023

Greetings! How was your Earth Day? Whether a land trust hike, community clean-up, or stewardship work party, I hope you had a chance to participate in at least one special event to commemorate this global environmental movement.   This year’s theme, “Invest in our Planet”, is particularly relevant to CLCC’s conservation priorities and programs. The CLCC team is working hard in Hartford and Washington to advocate for sources of critical land conservation funding, like DEEP’s open space and community garden grant programs, and the federal Farm Bill. We are building CLCC's own grant programs to put dollars directly into the hands of land trusts to help conserve and protect more land in your community and region.  At every opportunity, we speak up for investments in natural and working lands and other nature-based solutions that are essential to addressing the worsening impacts of the changing climate, halting an alarming decline in plant and animal life, and keeping our air and water clean – services that protect our environment, enhance our quality of life, and strengthen our local economies.

Of course, none of this work would be possible without you, your land trust, and community. With no time to lose, it’s your voice, your advocacy, and – most compelling of all – your land conservation success stories, that are key in making the case to #InvestInOurPlanet this Earth Day, and every day. Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely, Amy Blaymore Paterson Executive Director abpaterson@ctconservation.org P.S. Are you interested in hosting a summer Conservation Conversation to give your elected officials and community members an opportunity to see and feel firsthand the value of state and federal investments in local land conservation? Contact us and let's start planning! #LoveYourCTLandTrust

CLCC is Your Voice at the US Capitol

CLCC Staff Aaron Lefland and Yaw Darko reflect on their Advocacy Days trip to Washington D.C. with the Land Trust Alliance

Two of the most important aspects of advocacy are connection and empathy. The joining of these two nurtures a space from which a shared understanding of needs, desires, and fears can be evinced, explained, and acted upon. Participating in the Land Trust Alliance’s Advocacy Days and listening to land trusts from across the country express their passions, frustrations, and visions for land conservation was insightful, humbling, and inspiring. As a state, our congressional delegation are unyielding in their support for legislation that protects our lands and waters for our current and future generations. The value in having legislators like these is that it makes our advocacy easier, but more important, it amplifies our voices beyond our town and state lines...

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Join the CLCC Team

Two Exciting Opportunities to Join the CLCC Team

Community Conservation Coordinator  The Community Conservation Coordinator’s primary focus will be initiating, building, and maintaining new partnerships and developing and implementing CLCC’s existing and new programs that help land trusts engage new members of their communities, create more inclusive, equitable, and diverse organizations, and foster the next generation of conservation leaders. This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits. Apply Now >>

Climate Smart Stewardship Coordinator  Established through a multi-year grant from the CT Department of Agriculture Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Grant Program, this position offers a unique opportunity to assist land trusts with integrating climate resilience, mitigation, and adaptation into their land stewardship programs, and to further elevate the role of land trusts as part of the climate solution. This is a part-time, salaried position with benefits. Apply Now >>

These positions will be based in CLCC’s office in Middletown, CT with flexibility to work remotely. Extensive in-state travel expected. Please share this announcement with your networks and all who may be interested.

CLC Office Hours - Next Tuesday

Join CLCC for Office Hours, hosted the first Tuesday of each month, from 10-11am via Zoom.  These casual, drop-in office hours are a great way to connect with the CLCC team, ask questions, or brainstorm about upcoming challenges and opportunities. Bring your land conservation questions, suggestions for future CLCC programs, or anything else that relates to your land trust’s work. More Details and Zoom Link >>

Don't Forget to Keep An Eye On...

Service Provider Directory This growing list features businesses, consultants, and contractors that specialize in land trust-related work. From appraisers to surveyors to foresters, we've got you covered. Check out the Directory today >>

Grant Opportunities CLCC maintains a growing list of external funding opportunities for conservation, stewardship, programming, and more. See what funding is available right now >>

Job Board Looking for a career in conservation, or hoping to get greater exposure for your job posting? Check out CLCC's free job board >>

Resource Library Our growing Resource Library has dozens of new resources from the 2023 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference. Other helpful documents can be found in our Template Library and on our Model Documents page.

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

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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. ctconservation.org ©2023 Connecticut Land Conservation Council. All rights reserved. View as Webpage