Earlier this week, CLCC and CT DEEP announced a new public-private partnership, the Connecticut Conservation Partnership Program (CCPP).

This partnership establishes a coordinated process by which land trust applicants to DEEP’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA) may apply to the federal Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) program as a source of match funds. CCPP has been awarded more than $6.7 million by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Administered by CLCC, the program components include technical support from the Connecticut Farmland Trust and Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy for land trusts applying to ALE for matching funds and a grant program to provide financial assistance to land trusts for due diligence and transaction costs. The five-year program is targeted to commence in late 2022.

The nation has committed to protecting 30 percent of its land and ocean areas by 2030 (30x30). The Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality reported that Connecticut's land conservation efforts are not nearly on pace to achieve its goal. The public’s need for equitable access to the outdoors has never been more important and impactful.

This partnership comes at a time when the Connecticut legislature is considering numerous proposals to invest in programs (like OSWA) and legislation (like HB 6441) that are essential to maximizing ALE and other federal dollars.  

This month's blog post, "Thoughts on Imposter Syndrome and Inclusivity" comes from CLCC Sandy Breslin Conservation Fellow Yaw Owusu Darko.

A series of lunchtime roundtables

June 8, 10, 15 & 17

Annual Amateur Photo Contest Featuring OSWA-Funded Properties

Sharing your land trust's amazing news and photos has never been easier. CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED. We'll take care of the rest!

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The CT River Paddlers Trail Executive Committee is offering mini grants for site funding and maintenance. Deadline: 5/1/21

The EPA has opened up to $6 million in grant funding through their Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program. Deadline: 5/7/21

The EPA is accepting applications for the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program (EJSG). Deadline: 5/7/21

The CT Federation of Lakes, Inc. has announced their request for proposals for the 2021 CT Lake Grants Program. Deadline: 5/15/21

The EPA is now accepting applications for the 2021 Healthy Communities Grant Program. Deadline: 5/20/21

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is seeking proposals for the 2021 Long Island Sound Futures Fund. Deadline: 5/27/21

One Tree Planted is seeking CT organizations on reforestation projects. They fund projects ideally ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 or more seedlings.

The Beaver Institute provides grants through the CT Beaver Initiative to land trusts and other landowners to non-lethally resolve conflicts with beavers. Rolling deadline.

The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) has established the 2021 Restoration and Resilience Fund to assist public lands impacted by increased use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rolling deadline.

Summer Trail Crew Leader - CT Forest & Park Association

Multiple Positions - CT River Conservancy

Multiple Positions - Housatonic Valley Association

Seasonal Land Stewards - Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy

Executive Director - Rhode Island Land Trust Council

Dr. Masood Mohammed from Massachusetts has started a campaign Masks Off, Straps Off to bring awareness for properly disposing masks. Wildlife, especially birds, are at risk of getting caught in the straps of masks.

Unfortunately, single-use personal protective equipment (PPE) is not recyclable. Properly dispose of your PPE by cutting off the straps and throwing both the straps and mask in the trash.