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We're not surprised that the good people of Connecticut want to fight climate change, protect the environment, champion sustainable transportation, strengthen local economies, celebrate the arts, and embrace equity. But we are heartened by, and eternally grateful for, the tremendous support you've shown Sustainable CT as your partner in pursuit of this critical work. Our special thanks go out to the Hampshire Foundation for its generous match of every dollar donated during our Campaign for a Sustainable CT - doubling the impact of all those who contributed. We take the stewardship of your dollars seriously, and we pledge to do all we can in the year ahead to support even more towns across the state in building vibrant, resilient and sustainable communities. THANK YOU!
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The Next Sustainable CT Coffee Hour:
THURSDAY, January 16 at 10 a.m.
Time waits for snowman!
The Coffee Hour is back from its holiday hiatus! Please plan to join us for the January Coffee Hour as we discuss the importance of sustainable Winter operations and management. We will be joined by Mary McCarthy, T2 Center Program Director, and Shannon O’Loughlin, T2 Center Educational Program Coordinator, who will provide an overview of the T2 Center's programs, the CT Green Snow Pro training program, and how it can help your municipality manage snow more sustainably and earn points towards action 3.14, Implement Sustainable Snow Management. We will also hear from Tom Modzelewski, Director of Public Works, WPCA Administrator, and Tree Warden for the Town of Ellington. Ellington is a leader in sustainable snow management and is the only town in the state to earn all 60 points available under Action 3.14.
REGISTER for JANUARY 16>
Join Sustainable CT for virtual, informal, discussions most third THURSDAYS of each month. We share program updates and resources, explore your questions, and strengthen the network of Sustainable CT champions. These sessions are free and open to all.
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January's IMPACT:
The 2025 Environmental Summit
Join us for the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters' 25th anniversary gathering
This year marks the 25th Anniversary Annual Environmental Summit. Hosted by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, it's a milestone in bringing together advocates, lawmakers, policy experts, and passionate community members to chart the future of Connecticut’s environmental movement.
And the IMPACT will be there - interviewing, witnessing, and learning. If you're not able to attend on January 7 - and even if you are - this will be a great opportunity to listen in and gain valuable insight on this "premier space for learning, collaboration, and action."
This month's episode of the IMPACT will be available on January 15 on the Sustainable CT website, and wherever you get your podcasts.
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The Community Match Fund
DeCARbonize the Oceans
Climate change is a growing challenge, and we're working with local youth to create and push for climate solutions. The New Haven Leon Sister City Project and the youth-led New Haven Climate Movement Project - tap into youth energy to advocate and educate. They're now organizing the DeCARbonize the Oceans Campaign to educate about climate impacts on the oceans and increase use of healthier options including buses, trains, car-pooling, biking and walking. Support a healthier world and a healthier you.
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LEARN MORE about the Sustainable CT Community Match Fund | | |
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Optimizing for Equity
Our Virtual Equity Training Series is back!
Our Virtual Equity Training Series has returned with new content and a process structured to enhance municipal impact.
The Winter 2025 series begins on February 4 with Be READI© for Municipalities - a workshop that introduces the foundational principles of the Be READI© framework. During the session, participants will learn values-based strategies for integrating belonging, representation, equity, access, diversity, and inclusion into their core functions and services.
The series continues on March 4 with Anti-Racism in Action - empowering municipal leaders to implement anti-racism initiatives by elevating the conversation from awareness to action.
And on March 25 you'll learn about Facilitating Race Dialogues - taking the art of conversation to the next level, offering techniques for leaders to facilitate dialogues on race.
This free, three-part, virtual equity workshop series provides a comprehensive framework of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Each session runs from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, and attendance at all three sessions is required to complete the series. Attendance for our virtual equity workshops is capped at 35, and spaces fill up quickly, so please register without delay.
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LEARN MORE about the Sustainable CT's Equity Support | | |
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Sustainable CT Success Reports
In 2024, we announced a new record for municipal certifications and Climate Leader designations. A total of 43 awards – 32 municipal certifications and 11 Climate Leader designations – were earned by Connecticut municipalities in 2024, making it the highest level of annual achievement in our seven-year history. All of these stellar Municipal achievements are documented in our 2024 Success Reports.
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Patch: Branford Honored with 2024 Sustainable CT Climate leadership Award
Ellyn Santiago had a nice piece in Patch reporting on the Town of Branford's 2024 Sustainable CT Climate Leader Designation: "One of just nine towns in the state to receive the award, in the application, Branford’s Sustainability and Compliance manager Tyler Bowne noted the many actions towards climate mitigation taken by Branford and its Clean Energy Committee since its creation in 2019." Way to go Branford!
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YPCCC: Climate Change Messages Can Promote Support for Climate Action Globally
The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) announced the publication of a new article, “Climate change messages can promote support for climate action globally” in the journal Global Environmental Change. This study was a collaboration between YPCCC and Potential Energy. Key findings: an "urgency and generational message" is the most effective internationally; no messages are polarizing or have backfire effects; and the effectiveness of messages varies across the 23 countries studied.
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Come Be Awesome with Us!
We're hiring a Project Assistant to help with the management of our Community Match Fund (along with a lot of other very cool stuff). If you care about sustainability, you'll love working with us. Apply by February 10!
~AND~
Don't forget that we are now accepting applications for our 2025 Fellowship Program. We place highly qualified college students across the state’s Councils of Governments (COGs) to help cities and towns become registered, certified, or recertified with Sustainable CT during the summer. This is serious and fun - a great opportunity for learning, collaboration, and direct impact. Apply by February 10.
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Community Foundation of Eastern CT 2025 Grant Cycle Deadline Approaching
Applications are open for CFECT 2025 grants that empower youth, promote basic needs and rights, and benefit the environment through their Regional Impact and Environmental grant cycles. Regional Impact grants include Norwich Youth, Southeast General and Willimantic Basic Needs. The application deadline is Friday, January 10.
INFORMATION and APPLICATION>
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The Alliance Hosts Regional Legislative Forums
Alliance legislative forums are opportunities for legislators to meet members of the nonprofit community, hear the issues that are important to them, and consider legislative solutions that can help nonprofits meet the needs of the communities they serve. All forums take place from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
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Hartford - January 10 - NEAT Center at Oak Hill, Hartford, CT
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New Haven - January 22 - Marrakech, Inc, West Haven, CT
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Norwalk - January 29 - Keystone House, Inc, Norwalk, CT
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Danbury - January 30 - Ability Beyond, Bethel, CT
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Energize CT Announces Round 3 of Community Partnership Initiative
Energize Connecticut sponsors, Eversource and United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas announced Round 3 of the Community Partnership Initiative. The Community Partnership Initiative seeks to leverage the local knowledge, trusted relationships, and experience of local community groups, nonprofit organizations, and environmental justice municipalities in Connecticut who are committed to raising awareness and measurable participation in energy efficiency offerings within their communities. Informational webinars will be held on Tuesday, January 21, at noon and 7:00 p.m.
SIGN UP for the NOON SESSION>
SIGN UP for the 7 PM SESSION>
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New Round of Partners for Places Matching Grant Program Announced
The Partners for Places matching grant program supports equitable sustainability projects and helps build partnerships between local government leaders, frontline community groups and place-based funders in the U.S. and Canada. Prospective applicants are encouraged to take part in the Partners for Places Round 22 Informational Call on January 22 at 3 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY>
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Partnership for Strong Communities Forum: A Foundation for Growth - Deeply Affordable Housing as Economic Strategy
Connecticut's housing crisis is driving economic insecurity for nearly half of its residents. Policymakers, experts, and advocates will explore how housing policy can fuel economic growth. Learn how targeted investments in deeply affordable housing can strengthen the state's economy, stabilize the workforce, and reduce inequality. Wednesday, January 29, 1-3 p.m., The Lyceum, 227 Lawrence Street, Hartford.
INFORMATION and REGISTRATION>
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2nd Round of Long Island Sound Resilience Planning Support Program Now Available
This program provides planning support to advance climate resilience-focused projects by matching communities within the Long Island Sound coastal boundary across New York and Connecticut with qualified contractors to assist with assessing local climate risks, conceptualizing project ideas, and conducting preliminary planning efforts. The support is provided at no cost to the communities and no match is required. $1 million available. Deadline to apply is February 7.
INFORMATION and APPLICATION>
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Join Us at COST Town Meeting 2025
Celebrating 50 years representing the interests of Connecticut's small towns
The COST Town Meeting 2025 on January 29 is a must-attend event that includes presentations on the top issues facing Connecticut's municipalities, including a Legislative Leaders Forum to learn how the 2025 legislative session may impact municipalities - in municipal aid, education funding, the state's fiscal guardrails, energy policy, and environmental issues. In addition to outstanding speakers, the COST Town Meeting provides an excellent opportunity to network with mayors, selectpeople, town managers and administrators, and other municipal officials. So, of course, Sustainable CT will be there, and we hope you'll stop by our table to chat. Congratulations, COST, on 50 fabulous years of work!
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