Educate. Protect. Inspire. Connect...with you
eNews | October 30, 2020
Re-thinking Partnerships thanks to Rue Mapp
Each month since July, a CLCC staff member has shared a blog post discussing and recommending a resource, individual, or organization who we're following as we actively work to address the systemic racism we encounter personally and professionally. We’ve found this to be meaningful and thought provoking, and have enjoyed integrating what we have learned into our weekly staff meeting discussions.

This month is my turn, and I've chosen to share some of the things I learned from the inspiring speakers who joined us at CLCC’s 2020 CT Land Conservation (Virtual) Conference on October 17, starting with keynote speaker, Rue Mapp, Founder/CEO, Outdoor Afro.

In response to a question as to how land trusts and others may partner with Outdoor Afro, Rue challenged us to think more deeply about how we define partnerships. 
In particular, she encouraged us to think about partnerships more in the context of relationship building, and offered the following avenues:  

  • Participate in existing Outdoor Afro programs. Connecticut is fortunate to have a strong Outdoor Afro leadership team, offering a range of programs in which to participate—from day hikes to back-packing to bird-watching. They also are interested in engaging in other organization’s activities.

  • Ideate together on accessibility. Land trusts are in the business of owning land and offering the variety of opportunities to recreate that go along with it. How can your organization work with Outdoor Afro and other groups to get more people out on your land trust properties? 

  • Sponsor each other. Build relationships with Outdoor Afro and other groups whose mission you believe in by sponsoring the work that they are already doing.  

  • Frame the relationship. When thinking about partnerships, are we giving people an opportunity to first develop a love for the land—through unstructured play, recreational touches, and immersions in nature--before asking them to participate in stewardship projects and organized work parties? This is particularly important for communities that lack equitable access to greenspaces and outdoor recreational opportunities.
And perhaps my favorite takeaway: Don’t wait for a checklist on how to break down barriers or rely upon some toolkit for cultivating relationships.

Building partnerships is about embracing this moment, reaching out, getting to know each other, and coming together around a common love for the outdoors—one step at a time.
Sincerely,
Amy
Amy Blaymore Paterson
Executive Director
P.S. Read previous CLCC staff blog posts by Katharine Lange, Rebecca Dahl, Cristina Hayden, and Yaw Darko. View CLCC's collection of Anti-Racism Resources. Get to know Outdoor AfroContact me—let’s talk!
CLCC News
Connecticut Land Conservation (Virtual) Conference
Program Survey and Resource Page Available
Thank you to everyone who helped make CLCC's 2020 Connecticut Land Conservation (Virtual) Conference a success! It was a great day filled with informative and inspiring speakers, and capped off honoring the Excellence in Land Conservation award winners, and a special musical performance from David Sutherland.
Your feedback and comments are really important to us.
We couldn't have done it without you!
Land Trusts in the News
Strong Family Farm
Scarecrow Contest
Because of COVID-19, Strong Family Farm in Vernon was unable to hold its annual Harvest Festival, but they still wanted to celebrate its 9th annual Scarecrow Contest.

Click on the photo to check out the video featuring all of the winners!
State News
DEEP Open Space Reports Available

The CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's 2019 Annual Open Space Report and August monthly report are now available. Congrats to the Deep River Land Trust and East Haddam Land Trust, respectively, for closing on their OSWA funded projects.

Governor's Council on Climate Change (GC3) Update

The Working Groups are now reviewing feedback received during the public review period that closed on October 21 and holding meetings to discuss the finalization of their reports. DEEP is aiming to have final Working Group reports posted in early November. Once the GC3 members receive the final reports, they will begin their review and deliberations on the reports. Meetings of the GC3 will be publicly noticed. (Source: Rebecca French, Director, DEEP Office of Climate Planning)

For Land Trusts
Action Alert! The Land Trust Alliance is asking for your help to pass the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act this year by signing on to a letter to Congress that abuse of the federal conservation easement tax incentive will no longer be tolerated. 

Attention CT Terrafirma members! Guy O. Peterson from the Newtown Forest Association, Inc. has announced that he is running for the Northeast Region Representative on the Terrafirma Insurance Membership Committee. All Terrafirma members are eligible to vote electronically on the Terrafirma website starting November 2.

The Indiana University School of Philanthropy has scholarships for nonprofits interested in sending staff to attend courses on fundraising and philanthropy. The deadline for scholarships is November 30. (Thanks to CT Farmland Trust for the reference)

Land Trust Input Sought on Invasive Shrub-Eating Robot Project as part of UCONN Ph.D. candidate's work in developing a business model for invasive shrub management using drones and robotics.
Funding Opportunities
Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) -- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) grants available to fund locally driven conservation efforts. Deadline: 11/20/20

US Forest Service Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program is accepting applications to establish community forests through fee simple acquisition of private forest land.

Wild Ones Mountain Laurel Chapter is accepting applications for Youth Planting for Nature Grants. Deadline: 11/15/20

USDA - NRCS is now accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program. Deadline: 11/20/20
Job Opportunities
Tip of the Month
Keep an Eye Out for the Spotted Lanternfly
Credit ECFLA Wolf Den LT
From ECLFA/Wolf Den Land Trust
The Invasive Lanternfly, an invasive sap-feeding planthopper, has been found in West Haven and Greenwich. They can attack multiple hosts and can cause severe damage to the state's farm crops.

CLCC land and wave
Photo Credits
Amy, Josie & Harriet - CLCC; Land Trust in the News - Scarecrow Contest Video - Strong Family Farm; Pumpkins - stock photo - Pixabay; Mums - stock photo - Pixabay;
Spotted Lanternfly - ECFLA/Wolf Den Land Trust
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.


©2020 Connecticut Land Conservation Council. All rights reserved.