Climate Smart Land Stewardship Program Announcement |
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Greetings!
I am delighted to introduce myself as the newest member of the CLCC team, serving as the Climate Smart Stewardship Coordinator. In this new role, I will be coordinating CLCC’s new Climate Smart Land Stewardship program. In addition to awarding grants of up to $50,000 (details below), I will be available to meet with Land Trusts and explore ways of integrating climate resilience and adaptation into land stewardship programs. I hope to meet with you for a site visit, where we can discuss the grant program and potential projects in greater detail.
My passion for land conservation comes from growing up on a family farm in Northern Connecticut, and both working and recreating in this incredible landscape. After some time working and studying elsewhere (more on by bio page) I have returned home to dive into the work of conservation and climate resilience.
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I have spent a lot of time reflecting on the profound and personal impacts of climate change, seeing the changes in the woods of my hometown or the new extremes in seasonal weather. I am excited to pursue this important work in my home state, and look forward to connecting.
Sincerely,
Ricky Bentley
Climate Smart Stewardship Coordinator
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Funding for this project was paid for by the Climate Smart Farming: Agriculture and Forestry Grant. Funding awarded and administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture |
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Available Now: $500,000 for Planning and Implementing Climate Smart Practices |
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Today, we are thrilled to officially launch this grant program, which makes $500,000 available to land trusts in the form of planning and implementation grants.
Planning Grants - Up to $8,000
Designed for organizations in the early stages of developing a climate smart land stewardship project, these grants can fund the background research and plan development needed to implement a climate smart project. Examples include developing a forest management plans, pollinator planting plans, or work plans for implementing specific climate-smart practices.
Implementation Grants - Up to $50,000
Larger grants will be available to assist land trusts with implementing these climate smart practices on their preserves. They fund activities related to the on-the-ground implementation of climate smart practices and may fund the initiation of new projects and/or the continuation of existing projects. Scroll down for samples of climate smart practices that your land trust might wish to consider.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must be a tax-exempt organizations with a mission dedicated to land conservation and/or stewardship of conserved lands in Connecticut. Projects must be located within the state of Connecticut on land owned in fee by the applicant.
Together, these programs will increase the number of acres managed using climate-smart practices, and encourage future climate-smart management practices among Connecticut's land trusts.
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Info Session - January 10th
Join us on Wednesday, January 10th from 6:00pm - 7:30pm to learn more about this new grant program. The info session will include:
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Program Overview: Deep dive into the grant program’s objectives, eligibility criteria, and application process.
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Project Examples: Explore a range of eligible projects – from pollinator pathways to forest management activities.
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Q&A Session: Get your questions answered by our experts and clarify any doubts regarding the application process or project suitability.
Gain insights into the potential of climate-smart stewardship to maximize the climate benefit of land conservation, and better understand how climate mitigation, resilience, and adaptation can be applied to your land trust’s stewardship program.
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What Are Climate Smart Practices?
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Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry has gained a lot of traction over the last few years as the impacts of climate change become more frequent and extreme. Climate Smart practices encompass a collection of land management strategies and practices that increase carbon storage, support ecosystem services, and improve climate resilience.
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Examples of projects that may be funded through CLCC's re-grant program include:
- Developing plans for climate smart land stewardship projects, including forest management plans;
- Establishing pollinator habitat, including pollinator gardens and meadows;
- Managing invasive species, followed by native tree and shrub planting;
- Managing forests to improve wildlife habitat, create structural diversity, and facilitate oak regeneration;
- Establishing wildlife corridors to provide habitat continuity;
- Increasing riparian forest buffers;
- Implementing agricultural practices that improve water quality and/or soil health.
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Technical Assistance for Land Trusts |
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In addition to offering financial assistance through grants, CLCC will also offer technical assistance to land trust. Through the new role of Climate Smart Stewardship Coordinator, CLCC will offer a wide range of outreach and training programs, including:
- Site visits to land trust properties, to provide insight about how climate-smart practices could be incorporated into land stewardship programs.
- Brainstorming opportunities to implement climate-smart practices.
- Webinars, field tours, workshops, and more.
Whether your land trust is just starting to consider climate resilience, or has a shovel-ready project, Ricky is available to support the successful planning and implementation of practices.
We encourage you to utilize this new program & reach out with questions
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Double Your Impact For Nature
Through 12/31, all donations to CLCC will be matched 1-to-1.
Empower land trusts to address the threats to Connecticut's land and elevate nature as a critical climate solution today and into the future.
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Photo Credit:
Banner photo - Jerry Milne, CT DEEP
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Connecticut Land Conservation Council
deKoven House
27 Washington Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-852-5512
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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.
©2023 Connecticut Land Conservation Council. All rights reserved.
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