| About CLCC
The mission of the CT Land Conservation Council is
to advocate for land preservation, stewardship and funding, and ensure the long term strength and viability of the land conservation community.
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Steering Committee Alicia Sullivan, Chair
Trust for Public Land
Catherine Rawson, Vice Chair
Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust
Tim Abbott Litchfield Hills Greenprint
David Bingham Salem Land Trust
Sandy Breslin Audubon Connecticut David Brown Middlesex Land Trust
Margot Burns Lower CT River Council of Governments Kevin Case Land Trust Alliance Eric Hammerling Connecticut Forest & Park Association Michael Hveem
Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust
Elaine LaBella Housatonic Valley Association Connie Manes Kent Land Trust Elisabeth Moore Connecticut Farmland Trust
Shirley Nichols
Darien Land Trust Tom ODell CT Association of Conservation & Inland Wetland Commissions David Sutherland The Nature Conservancy Humphrey Tyler Lyme Land Conservation Trust Staff Amy B. Paterson Executive Director Cristina Gastador Communications Coordinator
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Executive Director's Message
"Capitol"- izing on Earth Day
The
Connecticut Land Conservation Council was well represented at the Capitol on Earth Day this year, taking advantage of opportunities to spread the message to lawmakers that conservation matters now and for future generations.
Which Capitol? Both of them!
 At the State Capitol, CLCC Steering Committee members Sandy Breslin (
Audubon CT), Eric Hammerling (
Connecticut Forest & Park Association), and David Bingham (
Salem Land Trust) attended an Earth Day Celebration organized by Environment Committee Co-Chairs James Albis and Ted Kennedy, Jr. Lawmakers from both parties were joined by advocates to voice their support for pro-environment legislation and for funding for state parks and open space.
 Also in attendance were Bird Ambassadors Atka, a juvenile Bald Eagle and Athena, a Peregrine Falcon -- provided courtesy of Audubon CT through
Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation and Education Center. Once on the brink of being wiped out as a result of pesticide overuse, both species are making a comeback and are now found nesting in Hartford.
 Meanwhile, inside the Beltway, Connecticut's land conservation community was in the capable hands of CLCC Steering Committee members Tim Abbott (
HVA/Litchfield Hills Greenprint), Connie Manes (
Kent Land Trust) and Humphrey Tyler (
Lyme Land Conservation Trust), along with Nick Moore (
Connecticut Farmland Trust) (shown here with Senator Chris Murphy). "Team Connecticut" traveled to DC to meet with members of CT's Congressional Delegation as part of
Land Trust Alliance Advocacy Day, advocating in support of the enhanced conservation easement tax incentive bill (S.330) and federal conservation funding programs.
Like you, CLCC works hard every day to make sure that the message of Earth Day is heard all year round.
With warmest regards,
Amy
Earth Day Celebration photos courtesy of Audubon Connecticut
Advocacy Day photos courtesy of Connie Manes
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State Budget Update
Detailed update to follow later this week
The Appropriations Committee passed its proposed Biennial Budget on Monday, which now moves on to the House for a vote. The good news for conservation and environmental protection includes proposed restoration in whole or in part of funding for DEEP positions, State Parks, the Council on Environmental Quality, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
To review the full Appropriations Committee Budget, click HERE.
The Republican Budget, announced last Thursday, proposes the full restoration of the Community Investment Act (CIA) and State Parks funding. View a summary HERE. The CT Mirror provides a handy Budget Tracker with comparisons of the spending proposals.
Waiting for news on the Community Investment Act
We'll know more about the status of the CIA after the Finance Committee passes a revenue package, perhaps later today, which will then be sent on to the Senate. Stay tuned for a full budget update later this week.
Join us for CIA Day on May 13
Meanwhile - SAVE THE DATE for CIA DAY - May 13, 1-4pm, Legislative Office Building. Details forthcoming in this week's detailed budget update.
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CLCC News - Request for LOI
CT Land Trust Record Keeping Project - Request for LOI
The Connecticut Land Conservation Council in partnership with the Land Trust Alliance is seeking letters of interest from land trusts interested in participating in the CT Record Keeping Project. This project aims to address the backlog of land trust's records management needs and assist land trusts in adopting sound records management policies and procedures. Land Trusts will be selected to work with an experienced contractor and an intern to organize and scan fee land and easement property records and certain organizational records during 2015.
Click HERE for more information about the project and how to submit a letter of interest by June 1.
CT Record Keeping Project - Intern Needed
The Connecticut Land Conservation Council in partnership with the Land Trust Alliance is seeking an intern to work on the CT Record Keeping Project. Interested applicants should be available to work 10-15 hours per week from June to November. Click HERE for more information and details on submitting an application.
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State Park News
Input Requested for Seaside Master Plan
From CT DEEP
 Last month, the state planning team and their design partners held a public information session in Waterford to present the initial public survey findings and outline three concepts developed as a result of the survey feedback: a Destination Park, an Ecological Park and a Passive Park.
Please take a few minutes to review the concepts presentation Seaside master plan. Then take the NEW survey to provide your feedback to the planning team. For questions, contact Susan K. Whalen, Deputy Commissioner, at 860-424-3005 or [email protected].
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New State Park Scenic Reserve in Bloomfield
From the State of Connecticut
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Auerfarm Logo Courtesy of Auerfarm.org
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DEEP has acquired approximately 40-acres of land in Bloomfield that will be preserved for public open space. The Auerfarm State Park Scenic Reserve
includes grasslands, historic apple orchards, and woodlands habitat for a variety of wildlife, as well as scenic views and opportunities for passive recreation. To ensure the permanent protection of the land, the family granted a conservation easement to the Connecticut Forest & Park Association prior to donating the land to the state. Click HERE to read the full press release.
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Federal News
CT Senators Among Co-Sponsors of S. 330
From The Land Trust Alliance
Connecticut Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal are among ten co-sponsors of S. 330, the legislation to renew and make permanent the enhanced deduction for conservation easement donations. Please be sure to thank them (click on their names for contact info). The sooner the Senate acts, the greater chance we have of affecting conservation this year.
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Land and Water Conservation Fund Call to Action
From the LWCF Coalition
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Stewart B. McKinney Natl. Wildlife Refuge funded by LWCF
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For 50 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has provided critical funding for land and water conservation projects, outdoor recreation and preservation of our nation's historic, cultural and iconic landmarks. LWCF is paid for with a small portion of revenues from offshore oil and gas drilling -- not taxpayer dollars. Click HERE to learn more and HERE to see how LWCF has benefited Connecticut.
LWCF's authorizing legislation expires in September of 2015. Please act now to support LWCF's reauthorization by Congress by signing on to a statement issued by the LWCF Coalition HERE.
Photo courtesy of connecticutliving.net
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USDA Extends Comment Period for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Interim Rule
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Grant Opportunities
NRCS to Provide Funds to Protect and Restore Agricultural Working Lands, Grasslands, and Wetlands
From USDA-NRCS
The USDA-NRCS is making available up to $3.1 million in financial and technical assistance through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) to help Connecticut productive farm and ranch lands remain in agriculture and to protect critical wetlands and grasslands.  ACEP applications may be submitted to NRCS any time; however, applications for the current funding round must be submitted by May 15, 2015. Learn more HERE.
Photo courtesy of NRCS CT
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CIRCA Matching Funds Program
From Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA)
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Courtesy of CIRCA website
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CIRCA is offering up to $100,000
through i
ts
Matching Funds Program
for projects that will assist CT towns, NGOs and other entities adapt to a changing climate and enhance the resilience of their infrastructure.
Address your questions
to
[email protected]
. Matching Fund request forms can be found
HERE
. Matching Funds requests will be accepted on a rolling basis. Requests will be acted upon every two months.
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Land Trust Resources
 Partner Your Land Trust to Mentor Students
From UConn's Natural Resources Conservation Academy
UConn's Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA) is an exciting program that has successfully partnered with a number of CT land trusts to mentor high school students on conservation-based projects that have been beneficial to the student, their local community, and the land trust. To learn more about the NRCA program, community projects, and successful community partnership, please visit our website or contact NRCA program coordinator Dr. Laura Cisneros at 860-486-4917 or email at [email protected].
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Salt Marsh Advancement Assessment Now Available 
From The Nature Conservancy (TNC) After developing a salt marsh advancement model with UCONN, TNC's Coastal Resilience Team in Connecticut has just finished a Salt Marsh Advancement Zone Assessment for all 24 CT coastal municipalities, providing detailed, parcel-scale data covering where and how much salt marsh advancement occurs on existing open space and unprotected parcels. The Program seeks to help add more specificity to the overall goal of building community resilience along CT's coast (see blog for further detail - "How Resilient Coastlines Build Safer Communities"). To access the Salt Marsh Advancement Zone Assessments for your community please click HERE and scroll down. Hard copies of these reports are available via email requests from Adam Whelchel at [email protected].
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CT Land Trusts in the News
Land Trust Earns Continued National Recognition
From The Salem Land Trust
The Salem Land Trust has achieved renewed land trust accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. Originally earned in 2009, the Salem Land Trust was then the first land trust in Connecticut, and the second all-volunteer land trust nationwide, to earn this status. "This achievement demonstrates our commitment to permanent land conservation that benefits the entire community," said Linda Schroeder, SLT President. The Salem Land Trust is one of the first land trusts to renew their accreditation, a significant achievement for the land trust and significant major milestone for the accreditation program.
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Trainings & Workshops
TONIGHT!
Lockwood Lecture: The Natural History Gap and the Citizen
When
: Wednesday, April 29
Time: 10:30am - tea, 11:00am - lecture
Where: CT Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT. More information is HERE.
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Larry Weaner Lecture at Yale Peabody Museum
From The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
When
: Friday, May 8
Time: 5:30pm
Where: Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Ave., New Haven
Admission is free.
More information is
HERE
.
Photo courtesy of Yale Peabody Museum
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Events
Riverfront Festival in Middletown
From Wesleyan University
Save the date for a FREE event on Saturday, May 9 at the Harbor Park beside the Connecticut River in Middletown.
Feet to the Fire: Riverfront Encounter, will feature live music, visual art installations, plein air painters, a kids' activity zone, environmental education exhibits, as well as a craft fair and farmer's market - all designed to bring you closer to the rich culture, history, and science of the Connecticut River.
Click HERE for a full list of activities. For more information or to get involved, contact Erin Roos-Brown at 860-685-5925 or [email protected].
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Job Opportunities
Weantinoge Land Trust Seeks Full-Time Conservation Easement Manager
Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust is hiring a full-time Conservation Easement Manager. Weantinoge is the largest land trust in Connecticut: over our 50-year history, we have permanently protected more than 9,000 acres in 17 communities throughout the northwest corner. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and 1-2 page writing sample to Paul Elconin, Director of Land Conservation by email to [email protected] (preferred). Applications accepted until May 15, 2015. Read the full announcement HERE.
Position Open in New Hampshire for Conservation Easement Steward
The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests seeks a self-motivated individual for the position of Conservation Easement Steward. This is a full time temporary position (for 1 year) based at the Conservation Center in Concord, NH. A copy of the full job description is available HERE. Applications are due Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Please mail resume and cover letter to Reagan Bissonnette, Director of of Easement Stewardship, to [email protected]. No telephone or email inquiries, please.
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Join Sam Droege from the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, U.S. Geologic Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior for a lecture: 
