September 9, 2016
IN THIS ISSUE...
Mark your Calendars

Regional Land Trust Summit

Exploring the Spectrum of Alt. Land Management Models

Regional Land Trust Summit
GPS Smartphone Training

View CLCC's 2016 schedule and program details  HERE
 
Save the Date! March 18
CT Land Conservation Conference -  Middletown
Green Tech Talk!
Green Tech Tools!
Connect With Us
Executive Director's Message
The Green Geek Squad

Every summer since 2012, CLCC has convened a Summer Focus Group - a consultant-led roundtable intended to provide peer-to-peer networking for a group of individuals serving in a similar capacity in diverse land trusts from across the state. Our groups have included land trust treasurers, stewardship chairs, executive staff, and most recently, Green Geeks.

Green Geeks? 

You know; they're the people on your boards and committees who can't get enough of cutting-edge technology to advance your organization's conservation planning, land management, public engagement and more. And on August 5, we had a room full of some of the best and brightest green geeks in the state!

Facilitated by CLCC's  Training & Education Subcommittee Chair Connie Manes, the conversation was fast-paced and jam-packed with tech terms, ideas, concepts and apps. There was even a show and tell featuring some very cool gadgets, including a drone - thanks to Harry White!



It was awesome!

If you missed the meeting, you can catch-up at the 2017 Conference (March 18), where representatives of this Green Geek Squad will present a report highlighting some very cool take-aways from our conversation.

While a lot of the tech lingo was admittedly lost on me, the conversation was yet another very satisfying reminder that good things happen when CLCC brings together Connecticut land trust folks to share their incredible wealth of knowledge, passion and energy for land conservation.

With much appreciation for all you continue to do to inspire us -

Amy

P.S. Check out some of the drone footage sent to CLCC by Avalonia Land Conservancy and Waterford Land Trust featured below.
Connecticut Land Trusts in the News
Prepare to be impressed!
Connecticut Land Trusts Earn Accreditation

Credit:  Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust
Three Connecticut land trusts have earned accreditation, bringing the total in the state to 18. Newly accredited land trusts include: Candlewood Valley Regional Land Trust, Cornwall Conservation Trust and Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust. Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust and Redding Land Trust have also earned re-accreditation. 

Read more HERE. Congratulations to all!
Southeast CT Land Trusts Put Drones to Good Use

Credit:  Avalonia Land Conservancy
Avalonia Land Conservancy (ALC) and Waterford Land Trust (WLT) recently shared footage and photos taken by drones they are using to help monitor their properties.  Read about ALC's experience in "A New View for Stewardship:  Avalonia's Woolworth Porter Marsh", and view the stunning footage HERE.  View  aerial panoramas of WLT's properties HERE. Can you say "Green Geeks?"  Nice!

Senator Murphy Visits the Farmington Land Trust 

Credit:  Farmington Land Trust
On August 23, Senator Chris Murphy paid a visit to the Farmington Land Trust's (FLT) Canal Aqueduct Parcel. Joining FLT were representatives from the Simsbury, Canton and Burlington Land Trusts, as well as from the Farmington River Watershed Association
Said FLT President Richard Kramer, "Everyone had an opportunity to talk with Senator Murphy - most of the comments were about property management -  as we walked down the tow path to the Farmington River [and viewed] the remnants of the Canal Aqueduct."  

If you would like help scheduling a visit with a member of CT's Congressional Delegation, please contact Amy at [email protected]
CLCC News
CLCC Regional Programs - Exploring Land Conservation in Your Neck of the Woods 

CLCC regional programs start next week!  Join us and bring a friend!  Read more HERE and view our full calendar of training & education programs HERE .  For more information contact Amy at [email protected].
Funding Opportunities
Hand with dirt
Credit: USDA-NRCS
First Sign-Up Period Announced for USDA Conservation Programs


The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced the first application deadline date for two of its principal conservation programs - the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Agricultural Management Assistance Program (AMA). Click HERE to find out more details. Application deadline is October 21, 2016.
Apply Now - 2016-2017 Competitive Grant Cycle - Middlesex County
From The Community Foundation of Middlesex County

The Community Foundation of Middlesex County is now accepting grant applications for the 2016-2017 Competitive Grant Cycle. Organizations considering applying to the Community Foundation are encouraged to review the Community Foundation's grant making priorities, focus and impact areas, and guidelines available HERE. Application materials can be found HEREApplications are due Thursday, September 15 at 4:00pm.
S eed and Grow Grants Available
From New England Grassroots Environmental Fund


The New England Grassroots Environment Fund offers two grants available for community-based environmental groups. Seed grants range from $250-$1,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Grow grants range from $1,000-$3,500. The next deadline to apply is September 15. More info is HERE.
Small Grants for Outdoor Education Programs
Shared by the Mass Land Trust Coalition

Funding for Native Plants & Outdoor Learning Centers
The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant Program, established by Wild Ones, provides small grants to schools, nature centers, or other nonprofit educational organizations for the purpose of establishing outdoor learning centers. Grants of $100 to $500 are provided for the purchase of native plants and seeds.  October 15, 2016 deadline.   Learn more  HERE.

Grants Promoting K-12 School Gardens
The Whole Kids Foundation's School Garden Grant Program provides support for edible gardens at K-12 schools in the U.S. and Canada. Grants of $2,000 are awarded to schools as well as nonprofit organizations working in partnership with schools.  
October 31, 2016 deadline.  Learn more and apply
 
HERE .
Land Trust Resources
US Treasury Department
Credit: Land trust Alliance
Clean Hands, Clean Planet
From Land Trust Alliance

Important advisory on tax shelter abuse of conservation donations!  Last year, Congress made the enhanced incentive for conservation easements permanent. Unfortunately, these are now being threatened from tax shelter schemes coordinated by a small group of aggressive tax planners. Read more about this issue HERE along with some key points to remember.  

Free Webinar:  Bringing Parks to the People: Working with Land Trusts
From City Parks Alliance

More than 80% of Americans live in urban and metropolitan areas. Preserving open space is more important than ever, not only to create new parks, but also to protect green space for future growth. Join this webinar to find out how a land trust, a parks department, and a nonprofit park organization in Birmingham, AL work together on conservation efforts throughout the city. Click HERE to register.
Free Webinar:  Learn How to Increase Community Passion for Land and for Your Land Trust
From Land Trust Alliance

Are you thinking about perpetuity and the need for long-term support? Join this free webinar from the Land Trust Alliance on "Increasing Impact with Community Conservation" on September 14 from 2pm - 3:30pm. In this webinar led by Judy Anderson, you will learn all about ambassador lands and how they build long-term support while making communities healthier. Click HERE to register.
Brown Cow
Credit: CFT
Never Heard of an Agricultural Easement? Check Out These Upcoming Workshops

From Connecticut Farmland Trust

Connecticut Farmland Trust (CFT) will be presenting a series of three workshops to introduce the model agricultural easement developed by American Farmland Trust, CLCC and CFT. The next workshop "Agricultural Easement Workshop for Town Planners and Municipal Officials" will be held Tuesday, September 20 from 10am - 12:30pm in Norwich. Click HERE for more details on the workshop series.
Upcoming Events
2016 Connecticut Urban Forest Conference/Forest Forum
From Connecticut Urban Forest Council

Do you wonder what will happen when challenges such as climate change, invasive pests, and storms confront the trees along your street or your back woods? Plan for a day of learning and networking with people who care about trees, forests, and their future on Wednesday, October 26 at the 2016 CT Urban Forest Conference/Forest Forum. Click HERE for more info. Click HERE to register online or HERE for a downloadable form.

Register Today for the 2016 CIPWG Symposium
From UConn

Online registration is now available for the October 11, 2016 Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) Symposium! The CIPWG symposium will take place at the University of Connecticut Student Union in Storrs, CT. Click HERE for the CIPWG symposium program and HERE for online registration.
Race Your Way Around the State
Runners at CFPA Run for the Woods
Credit: CFPA
CFPA Run for the Woods
TOMORROW!
When:  September 10
Where: Sessions Woods WMA, Burlington

Join the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) for the 5th annual Run for the Woods. Proceeds will help the CFPA to protect many of the forests and trails in CT you enjoy everyday. Register HERE for 10K trail run and 5K trail run or walk.
Norwalk Land Trust Trail Run Participants
Credit: Norfolk Land Trust
Norfolk Land Trust 3rd
5K & 10K Annual Race

When: September 25
Where: 75 Lovers Lane, Norfolk

Sign up for the Norfolk Land Trust 3rd Annual Trail Race. This year's 10K is also the 2016 USATF-CT Associate Trail Running Championship. Runners get a free Big Elm Brewing pint glass and a cup of chili. Register HERE.
Ives Farm Field
Credit: Cheshire Land Trust
Ives Farm Tractor Trot
5K Run & Walk

When: October 29
Where: Historic Ives Farm, 1585 Cheshire St., Cheshire

Have fun with a beautiful and challenging course through autumnal woodlands, planting fields and the Quinnipiac River. All proceeds benefit Cheshire Land Trust. Celebrate at the post-race party. Sign up HERE.
Your Input Needed
Standards & Practices Revisions - Your participation is needed!
From Land Trust Alliance

The Land Trust Alliance is leading a collaborative process to revise Land Trust Standards & Practices to reflect changes in the legal and operational environment of the land trust community over the past 10 years. For more information and to download the Standards & Practices Discussion Draft (the proposed revisions), click HERE . The community participation phase will run through approximately September 15.
Help Bat Conservation in Connecticut
From UConn NRCA

Do you have a bat house or know of any in the Connecticut area? Help UConn researcher and UConn Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA) student, Jamie Masthay, study the importance of bat houses to bat conservation in CT. Contact Laura Cisneros at [email protected] if you are interested in including your bat house in their survey.

Job Opportunities
Climate Change and Energy Attorney - Connecticut Fund for the Environment/Save the Sound

Connecticut Fund for the Environment (CFE) is seeking an experienced, dynamic, self-starter to fill a position as the Climate Change and Environment Attorney. This is a full-time position in New Haven, CT which reports to CFE's Program Director. The application process will remain open until a candidate is selected, however, CFE advises that materials be submitted prior to June 15, 2017. Find out more HERE.
Executive Director - Greenwich Land Trust

Greenwich Land Trust is seeking an Executive Director with demonstrated leadership and management experience, preferably in a non-profit organization. This is a full-time position that reports to the Board of Directors and works closely with the Board President. Resumes should be sent to [email protected] by September 20. A full job description can be found HERE.
Urban Program Assistant - The Nature Conservancy

The Connecticut chapter of The Nature Conservancy is hiring a short-term (9-month position) in their growing urban program, which is focusing its efforts on Bridgeport. All applications must be submitted through TNC's jobs portal. Please find the job description and application instructions HERE.

Our 2016-17 Annual Membership Appeal is underway!
We Count on Your Support!
Connecticut Land Conservation Council
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 (Bethany Inland Wetlands Commission) David Brown ( Middlesex Land Trust ); Margot Burns ( Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments ); Kevin Case ( Land Trust Alliance ); Eric Hammerling ( CT Forest & Park Association ); Stewart Hudson (Audubon CT); Michael Hveem ( Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust ) ; Connie Manes ( Kent Land Trust ); Elisabeth Moore ( CT Farmland Trust ); Shirley Nichols ( Darien Land Trust ); David Sutherland ( The Nature Conservancy ); 
Chuck Toal (Colchester Land Trust); Humphrey Tyler (CT River Watershed Council

Amy Blaymore Paterson, Executive Director
Cristina Gastador Hayden, Communications Coordinator 
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.
Connecticut Land Conservation Council | 16 Meriden Road, Rockfall, CT  06481 | 860-685-0785
© 2015 Connecticut Land Conservation Council. All rights reserved.