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eNews | February 26, 2020

Undaunted

T he 2020 legislative session kicked off on February 5. CLCC’s 2020 legislative priorities include protecting funding for land conservation, supporting new conservation funding options and incentives, and ensuring natural climate solutions are incorporated into the state’s goals and policies to address climate change. This week, we are voicing our support for the Passport to the Parks program, participating in the Forests Sub-Group of the Governor's Council on Climate Change, while also planning for the 2020 Community Investment Act Day (3/25).

Unfortunately, our top priority--a bill giving municipalities the option to establish a funding source for land conservation and stewardship, climate mitigation strategies, and other local environmental projects--wasn’t raised by the Environment Committee.   While we are extremely disappointed in this inaction, we remain undaunted in our efforts to support YOUR local work to save land, protect natural resources, and fight climate change --while there is still time to make a difference. The stakes are too high to do anything less.

Sincerely, ‌ Amy Blaymore Paterson, Esq. Executive Director abpaterson@ctconservation.org P.S . Stay tuned for action alerts and keep track of CLCC’s testimony on our website.

Connecticut Land Conservation Conference

Saturday, March 21, 2020 - Wesleyan University

#ConferenceCountdown Only 3 Weeks To Go! Early registration discount ends March 1 This is a conference you do not want to miss!

Register Now & Save >>

Sponsorship opportunities still available >> Learn more about this year's lineup >>

Land Trusts in the News

Warren Land Trust

Expanding Public Access and Providing Public Benefit As part of the Warren Land Trust's 30th anniversary theme of “public access, public benefit", the land trust expanded its Eel Pond Preserve to include a wheelchair accessible viewing platform. Additional projects included the launch of a new website and the addition of trail maps, available on-line and at the Warren General Store and town hall...

Look for additional stories in #LoveYourCTLandTrust eNewsletter >>

Governor's Council on Climate Change News

This week! Attend a Working Group Meeting

Governor's Council on Climate Change (GC3) Working Group meetings are open to the public and include opportunities for public comment. Meeting tomorrow (2/27) are the following sub-groups of the Working and Natural Lands Working Group: Forests Sub-Group >> Wetlands Sub-Group >> Rivers Sub-Group >> View additional meeting schedules >> Subscribe to the Office of Climate Change listserv to receive notification of Office of Climate Change related meetings, web postings, events, and other information by e-mail. More information is here >>

Land Trust Resources & Opportunities

TerraCorps Program is now accepting applications from Connecticut nonprofits to host TerraCorps Service Members beginning in August 2020. Application deadline is March 13, 2020 . More information here >> UConn's Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA) has announced its 2020 programming for teens & adults interested in working together on local conservation-based service-learning projects. More information here >>. Tomorrow (2/27) Webinar! Ballot Measures: Leveraging Public Support for Land Conservation featuring Will Abberger of the Trust for Public Land. More information here >> March 3 – New Canaan Pollinator Pathway will host Professor Doug Tallamy as he speaks about his book "Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard". More information here >> March 12 – The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station will host a meeting between Eversource and groups interested in native plants, wildlife, and pollinators. More information here >> March 30 – April 1, 2020 is Land Trust Alliance Advocacy Days providing land trust leaders with hands-on advocacy training in Washington, D.C. More information here >>

Funding Opportunities

CT DEEP Funding Programs

Section 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act for FY 2020, for projects to control nonpoint sources of water pollution. Deadline: 2/27/20 More information here >> Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program for land trusts, municipalities, and water companies . Deadline: 6/1/20 More information here >> Urban Green and Community Garden Grant Program for municipalities listed as targeted and/or distressed . Deadline: 6/1/20 More information here >> Save Money and Reduce Trash (SMART) Grants Program for municipalities and regions. More information here >>

USDA- NRCS Funding Programs

Long Island Sound Watershed Regional Conservation Partnership Program for Agricultural Easements to assist private landowners to restore, enhance and protect forestland resources. Deadline: 3/12/20 More information here >> Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to assist those involved with forestry and more. Deadline: 3/13/20 More information here >> Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) to assist landowners protect agricultural lands and wetland reserve properties. Deadline 3/27/20 More information here >>

Additional Funding Opportunities

Land Trust Bird Initiative Grant Proposals to support land trusts in accomplishing bird conservation on private lands. Deadline: 3/1/20 More information here >> EPA Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program for community-based organizations. Deadline: 3/7/20 More information here >> Environmental Professionals Organization of CT Environmental Grant Program . Deadline: 3/15/20 More information here >> Connecticut Urban Forest Council Community Forestry Small Grants Program. Deadline: 3/15/20 More information here >> The Conservation Fund conservation transaction loans. Deadline: 3/18/20 More information here >>

Job Opportunities

Executive Director - Newtown Forest Association Events Planning Assistant - Connecticut River Conservancy Eastern Division Director of Field Programs - Land Trust Alliance Executive Director - Green Village Initiative Summer Trail Crew Internship - Connecticut Forest & Park Association Environmental Protection Seasonal Resource Asst. (Windsor) - CT DEEP Environmental Protection Seasonal Resource Asst. (Old Lyme, Milford & Hartford) - CT DEEP River Stewards of Tomorrow Internships - Housatonic Valley Association Strategic Communications Director - Highstead Camp Director/Preserves Coordinator - New Haven Land Trust Director of Development and Programs - Avalonia Land Conservancy Senior Natural Resources Practice Leader - GEI Consultants

Tip of the Month

Seeking More Substantive Board Conversations?

Consultant Sara Wilson offers the following tips for more substantive board meetings: Prioritize action items first Use a consent agenda Only present decision-needed items Engage with open-ended questions on substantive issues Read full blog >> What do you think? If you use any or all of these tips, let us know!

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 ©2020 Connecticut Land Conservation Council. All rights reserved except photos as noted.