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A Record 43 Awards Earned
by Connecticut Towns in 2024
Eight municipalities earn their first certification
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BOZRAH, CT, October 7, 2024 – Sustainable CT announced a new record for municipal certifications and Climate Leader designations for 2024.
A total of 43 awards – 32 municipal certifications and 11 Climate Leader designations – have been earned by Connecticut municipalities this year, making it the highest level of annual achievement in the organization’s seven-year history.
READ the FULL PRESS RELEASE>
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The Next Sustainable CT Coffee Hour:
THURSDAY, October 17 at 10 a.m.
Help us design our new website to suit YOU
We're re-creating our website, and we need your input. Municipal officials, sustainability teams, partners, friends - anyone who uses our website to pursue certification or just as an information resource - now's your chance to tell us what you like, and what you don't like, about our current site. Your input will help inform our decisions about how to construct a new platform for 2025. Don't be shy - come and tell us what you really think! Just don't spill the coffee.
REGISTER for OCTOBER 17>
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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October's IMPACT:
Carl Fortuna of Old Saybrook
The First Selectman serves up some hearty fare
Carl Fortuna's service to the community reads like a hearty alphabet soup: MIRA (the Materials Innovation Recycling Authority), CCM (the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities), COST (the Council of Small Towns), River COG (the Lower Connecticut River Council of Governments), and let's not forget CIRMA (the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency). Topping it off, he's been the First Selectman of Old Saybrook, a Gold certified town, for 13 years. And we just happen to be holding our 2024 Awards Celebration at the historic Kate Theater in Old Saybrook on November 13th! Come to the table for October's IMPACT when we sit down for a great conversation and a healthy helping of Old Saybrook.
This month's episode of the IMPACT will be available on October 15 at sustainablect.org and wherever you get your podcasts.
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The Community Match Fund
Clean up and protect the North Branch of Hartford's Park River
The little river formerly known as the "Woods" river was visible from Mark Twain's window. Today it is sadly toxic from runoff, industry, parking lots and streets, and trash thrown in the woods. The Park River community and a consortium of local organizations wants to stop toxic run-off with water retention basins, and you can help them do it. Just days are left in their campaign to reach a modest funding goal. As Twain said, "Nature knows no indecencies; man invents them." Spot on, Sam.
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LEARN MORE about the Sustainable CT Community Match Fund | | |
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Nature's Throne: a Charter Oak Scion
The Bushnell Park Conservancy raised funds to turn the trunk of a tree into a piece of art (a Sustainable CT Community Match Fund project!). Hartford artist Tao LaBoissere brought a Charter Oak scion back to life. He created artwork from a tree stump, giving it new life as a functional work of fine art. Our intrepid program coordinator, Inez Ortiz, was there for the unveiling.
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New Curriculum Sparks Conservation Awareness in Middle School
Lights Out Connecticut has developed a new lesson plan for middle schoolers that teaches them about the effects of light pollution on migratory birds in Connecticut. The five-part curriculum, Bird Migration & Light Pollution in Connecticut, equips students with information and critical thinking skills to investigate questions like why birds migrate, which species pass through Connecticut, the anthropogenic threats migrating birds face, and how communities can help protect them.
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Northwest Hills Council of Governments Debuts New Quarterly Newsletter
NHCOG has introduced a new quarterly newsletter, Quarterly Compass, created specifically to keep Connecticut's northwest region informed and engaged with the latest updates in regional services and items of interest. Project updates, staff insights, community engagement and more.
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New Round of Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance
As of October 1st, 2024 a third round of the Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Support Program is available for municipalities and community organizations. The program assists Connecticut communities within the Long Island Sound coastal boundary to hire a grant writing consultant to develop successful sustainability and resilience-focused project grant proposals and increase capacity within municipalities and community organizations to navigate the funding landscape.
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Patronicity Case Study: Steve Munno, Massaro Community Farm
Sustainable CT's crowd-funding partner, Patronicity, produced a case study on Steve Munno and the Massaro Community Farm in Woodbridge, a Community Match Fund Project. Massaro Community Farm envisions a world where everyone has access to fresh, healthy, affordable food, communities feel connected to the land and each other, and individuals build a healthier future for themselves and the planet.
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Yale Program on Climate Change Note: Changes in U.S. Voters' Top Reasons to Reduce Global Warming
People get involved in climate action for different reasons. Some people want to benefit their community through development of renewable energy resources. Others want to protect their grandchildren from the long-term harms of climate change. Knowing why people feel it is important to reduce global warming is valuable because it can help climate communicators better understand their audiences and develop better messages to reach them.
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You're Invited!
Please plan to join us for the 2024 Sustainable CT Awards Celebration on November 13 at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center ("The Kate") in Old Saybrook. We'll be honoring all of our 2024 certified towns and a brand new cohort of Climate Leaders. We'll also be celebrating FIVE YEARS of Community Match Fund success!
REGISTER TODAY
Sponsorship opportunities are available! Join us in working for a better Connecticut. Don't wait: contact Jessica LeClair, 860-259-4767, to discuss options and details.
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Connecticut Department of Housing Virtual Roundtables
The Connecticut Department of Housing (CT DOH) is currently hosting a series of virtual roundtable discussions, and your input is crucial in shaping the future of housing and homelessness strategies across the state. This is your opportunity to contribute directly to Connecticut’s strategic plan on housing, homelessness, and community development.
- Municipal Roundtable #3 (for the Willimantic area)
10/8/2024, 10:00-11:30am, Join here.
- Municipal Roundtable #4 (for the Bridgeport area)
10/10/2024, 10:00-11:30am, Join here.
- Municipal Roundtable #5 (for the New London area)
10/17/2024, 10:00-11:30am, Join here.
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Yale Clean Energy Conference
This annual convening of leading experts to discuss clean energy justice, finance, technology, policy, and careers is back on Thursday, October 10, noon to 7:30 p.m. and Friday, October 11, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Join the hundreds of attendees from countless sectors, organizations, schools, and industries coming to New Haven, Connecticut, for this flagship event. Get your ticket to the conference and experience the keynotes, content speakers, workshops, poster presentations, network building activities, and lively discussions for yourself. In-person only.
REGISTER and LEARN MORE>
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UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research: The GIS Landscape - Where & How to Find Maps and Data for CT
This 30-minute webinar will provide a broad overview of the GIS Landscape in Connecticut and how it continues to evolve. The presenters will explain general ways to “get” geographic data from map viewers to services to download including the pros and cons of each. Next, they will talk about how to find authoritative data sources and tools and how the CT Geodata Portal is working to bring them together in one place. October 10, 1:00 p.m.
REGISTER>
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The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut to Hire 'End Hunger Connecticut!' Policy Coordinator
The CFECT's "End Hunger Connecticut!" campaign is currently looking to hire a new Policy Coordinator to work on policy and advocacy initiatives related to anti-hunger efforts in Connecticut, including their ongoing School Meals for All CT program. Applications must be submitted by October 11, with a November 4, 2024 start date.
VIEW the JOB DESCRIPTION>
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UConn and CT DEEP: New London Urban Forestry Community Workshop
Join the University of Connecticut and the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for a free two-hour workshop to discuss the community and environmental health of New London. They want to learn what's important to you as a member of the New London community. Anyone who lives in New London is welcome and invited. Free food and free childcare provided. An in-person event: 26 Broad St., New London, October 12, 10 a.m. to noon.
MORE INFO>
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Saukiog Harvest Festival
Celebrate Indigenous identity and culture at the Saukiog Harvest Festival on October 12, Keney Park, 183 Windsor Avenue, Windsor, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The community will gather to create space and celebrate, recognize, and honor the history, art, food, music, cultures, traditions, and Indigenous beliefs of Hartford and Connecticut Tribes, and to preserve the legacy of Indigenous ancestors. A Community Match Fund Project.
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Connecticut Councils of Government to Host Climate Action Forum
Councils of Government across Connecticut are collaborating to host an in-person Climate Action Forum on Wednesday, October 23, at Middlesex Community College, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Discussions will include climate action implementation strategies, challenges, and opportunities within the context of the regional climate action plans COGs and others are preparing under the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. Municipal staff, commission members and community groups with climate and sustainability-related responsibilities are invited to attend.
INFO and TICKETS>
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DEEP Seeks Input on Expanded Climate Resilience Funding Initiatives
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced the strategic expansion of the successful DEEP Climate Resilience Fund (DCRF) program to better enable communities to access federal funding for climate resilience. Virtual public meetings will be held October 24 and 30, with written comments due November 8.
READ the FULL PRESS RELEASE>
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2024 CIPWG Invasive Plant Symposium
The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) 2024 symposium will be a full day in-person program on October 29, 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. with some sessions directed to all attendees and other sessions in concurrent breakouts. This year's theme is Real Talk: Making an Impact in Invasive Plant Management.
REGISTER and LEARN MORE>
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Groton Posts RFP for Consultant Services to Support 'Climate Ready' Plan
The Town of Groton is seeking consultant services to support their Climate Ready Groton plan. Sealed proposals will be received until 2:30 P.M. on November 6, 2024.
MORE INFO>
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US Department of Energy: Apply for Peer-Learning Cohorts
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program is now accepting applications for a new round of peer-learning cohorts. Participants in C2C peer-learning cohorts receive strategic and technical assistance; access to training materials, tools, and best practices; and the chance to collaborate with peers across the country. The cohorts start in January 2025 and last 6 months. Participants should be available approximately 4 hours per month. Applications are due by October 31.
LEARN MORE>
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Long Island Sound Study’s Draft 2025 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan Available for Review
The Long Island Sound Study’s (LISS) draft 2025 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) is available for review and public comment from now until November 22, 2024. LISS invites feedback on the draft Plan to help shape the future of restoration efforts across the estuary and its land and waters.
ACCESS the PLAN>
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Sustainable CT Joins 1% for the Planet
1% never felt so BIG
Thanks to the recommendation of 1% for the Planet member James Osborn of Envest Asset Management, Sustainable CT was recently accepted as a 1% or the Planet partner. Member businesses, like Envest, commit to donating at least 1% of annual sales directly to "environmental partner" organizations like Sustainable CT. There are thousands of business members and environmental partners all around the globe, and, to date, 1% for the Planet has certified over $655 million in donations to environmental causes. Members and partners alike are strictly vetted and qualified, so we're proud to have made the grade; more than that, though, we're excited to be part of a growing movement to bring corporate dollars to bear on the existential issue of saving our planet. So, if you're looking for yet another incentive and method to support the essential work of Sustainable CT, consider becoming a 1% for the Planet member. We - and the planet - need you.
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