August 2025

The Resilience Roundup highlights announcements and events along with links to the previous month's state, regional, and national resilience news. 

Learn more about CIRCA at circa.uconn.edu

and the Resilient Connecticut Project at resilientconnecticut.uconn.edu

Resilient Jewett City Final Report Now Available

CIRCA, in collaboration with the Town of Griswold, the Borough of Jewett City, and Fuss and O’Neill, has assessed current and future riverine flood risks in Jewett City. The study focuses on vulnerable areas, including residential housing complexes north of South Main Street and west of Anthony Street, as well as the Jewett City and Griswold wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). It outlines potential mitigation strategies to reduce these flood risks. The report also evaluates the community’s vulnerability to extreme heat and recommends measures the town and borough can adopt to address increasing temperatures. To see the full report, click HERE.

CIRCA's Heat Sensor Project

This year, CIRCA has partnered with the town and city of Groton and East Hartford to deploy a total of 27 temperature sensors. 15 sensors have been placed in Groton and 12 in East Hartford. The sensors collect data every 10 minutes for Temperature(°F), Relative Humidity (%) and Dew Point(°F). The goal of this project is to help towns better understand heat trends as people would experience it at the street level. We can also use this data to calculate the heat index, which is what the temperature feels like when relative humidity is combined with temperature data. The team prepared dashboards for each location, allowing the public to view past and current temperatures and humidity during summer 2025.

Click here to access more information about the Groton and East Hartford neighborhood-level heat study.

Announcements

Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund 2025

Awardees Announced

It is a critical priority to restore and protect the Sound, so it can continue to provide a diverse ecosystem, commercial opportunities, resiliency, and recreational access to all people. The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) is a partnership between Restore America’s Estuaries, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Long Island Sound Partnership. The purpose of LISCIF is to provide technical and financial assistance to communities addressing environmental issues and improving the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound. 

Governor Lamont Announces State Grants To Protect 2,270 Acres of Open Space and Create Six New Community Green Spaces

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is awarding $14.3 million in state funding to aid in the purchase and protection of more than 2,270 acres of open space through 25 properties in 22 towns and cities across Connecticut. Additionally, $725,353 is being awarded to support the creation of six new community green spaces. These funds are being provided through the state’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA) and the Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program (UGCG), both of which are administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). “Open space is a big contributor to our great quality of life here in Connecticut, and we are excited to help all these communities improve access to the outdoors with these funds,” Governor Lamont said.

Grants

CT DEEP: Trees for Communities Grant Program



Application Deadline: August 31 at 5:00 p.m.

The Trees for Communities Grant Program helps address tree canopy gaps in Connecticut by funding urban forestry projects in communities of need. Eligible projects include tree planting, invasive species management, workforce development, urban wood utilization, and creating space for trees by removing impervious surfaces. All projects must demonstrate strong community support and clear benefits for priority areas identified in DEEP’s Urban Forestry Grant Screening Tool. An informational webinar will be held on July 8 at 4:30 p.m. and virtual office hours are available through August. 

Land Easement and Aquisition Program (LEAP) Grant

Next Application Deadline: September 1

The Land Easement and Aquisition Program (LEAP) grant empowers land trusts to swifty secure critical conservation lands by providing financial support for land and conservation easement acquisitions. Launched in 2025, LEAP (formerly known as Land Capital Grants) is designed to bridge funding gaps and accelerate the protection of valuable conservation lands. CLCC prioritizes projects that: demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation, align with statewide land conservation goals, have leveraged and/or exhausted other public and private funding sources, and have a closing time frame of 12 months or less. Potential applicants are required to contact Yaw Darko, CLCC’s Director of Grants and Programs, to discuss their project and determine eligibility. Applications will be due throughout the calendar year on the 1st of every other month.

Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development Grant Program

Application Deadline: September 10

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development (OBRD) announced multiple funding availability notices under Round 22. Eligible uses of funds include: Costs associated with the investigation, assessment, remediation and development of a brownfield, including but not limited to: soil, groundwater and infrastructure investigation; assessment; remediation; abatement; hazardous materials or waste disposal; long-term groundwater monitoring or monitoring for natural attenuation; other forms of institutional controls; attorneys’ fees (non-DECD contract related), planning, engineering and environmental consulting; building and structural issues (including demolition, asbestos abatement, PCB removal, contaminated wood or paint removal and other infrastructure remedial activities). Public-Private Partnership: DECD hopes to encourage public-private partnerships with this NOFA offering.

Connecticut Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

Application Deadline: October 2025

The Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is pleased to announce that the Hazard Mitigation Grant Application Period is accepting applications or letters of intent These grant opportunities provide funding for projects aimed at reducing the impact of natural disasters within your communities.

Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program

Application Deadline: November 3

The Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program provides funding assistance to develop or enhance urban green spaces for public enjoyment and/or environmental education. Promotion of open space in an urban setting may include, but may not be limited to, the development of a community garden or reclaiming and enhancing existing open space for the public’s use. Grants are awarded to projects that demonstrate the highest ability to benefit urban communities in close proximity to population centers.

USDA: Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island

Application Deadline: Rolling

This program supports rural communities, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island that need help preparing for or recovering from an emergency that threatens safe, reliable drinking water. Eligible areas are rural towns with populations of 10,000 or less, tribal lands in rural areas, or colonias with household incomes below the state’s non-metro median. Funding may be used for waterline repairs, new wells, treatment plants, or other improvements to restore or secure water supplies. Applications are accepted year-round through your local USDA Rural Development office or online.

National Disaster Preparedness Training Center: FEMA Certified Hurricane Awareness Course

August 12, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in Old Saybrook, CT

August 14, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in Fairfield, CT

This eight-hour awareness-level course provides emergency managers, first responders, and community members across all sectors with a basic understanding of the latest knowledge in hurricane science, forecasting, warning, and preparedness. This course enhances the ability of state/local decision-makers to identify and describe the hazards associated with hurricanes and to better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of high winds, heavy rain, and storm surge. This course is presented as an awareness-level course, which means that a successful participant in the course shall be able to identify and recognize the hazards associated with hurricanes and take necessary steps to prepare. Both sessions found below in the NDPTC Delivery Schedule Section.

UConn Marine Sciences: Long Island Sound Celebratory Event

August 16, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Location: UConn Avery Point, 1080 Shennecossett Dr, Groton, CT 06340

A special event celebrating 40 years of conservation on Long Island Sound! The day will feature free boat trips with Project Oceanology, games, touch tanks, art workshops, hands-on science, and more. This event is free and open to the public, but spots are limited for certain activities. Please register at the link provided.

June 13, 2025, DEEP Climate Action Planning Meeting Recording Available

All materials, including the recording and slides, from the Office of Climate Planning's June 13 Climate Action Planning Public Meeting are now available online. DEEP will be seeking ongoing public comment throughout the development of Connecticut's triple-impact plan and the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP). Written comments may be submitted to deep.climatechange@ct.gov.

July 24, 2025, DEEP Energy Webinar Recording Available

On July 24, 2025, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) held a public webinar to describe its plans to deliver affordable, reliable, and clean energy to Connecticut residents. The webinar highlighted how DEEP is incorporating recently enacted state legislation (P.A. 25-173 and P.A. 25-125) and federal actions related to electricity markets and also provided updates on federally funded energy programs and energy procurement plans. The webinar was recorded and is available for viewing at the link below, use the passcode (+DX7j9yH) to access it. DEEP is also sharing the presentation slides from the webinar, click HERE to view. Last, DEEP is seeking stakeholder input on potential policy and program responses to recent federal developments. 

FEMA: New Flood Insurance Installment Payment Plan and Quoting Tool 

FEMA will be fully implementing an installment payment plan for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance premiums in autumn 2025. Previously, flood insurance premiums had to be paid in full to take effect, placing a financial burden on policyholders. Some insurance companies may have already initiated the new installment payment plan in late 2024, but full implementation will be achieved by October 1, 2025. Consumers looking to purchase NFIP flood insurance can now use the new Quoting Tool to get a flood insurance premium quote in about 10 minutes. On October 1, 2025, the NFIP Flood Insurance Manual will be updated with these changes.

CT's Office of Policy and Management's New Resource Website for Neighborhood Revitalization Zones (NRZ)

This site is intended to be a central hub for NRZs providing essential information on everything from setting up and running an NRZ to addressing neighborhood concerns like blight and public safety.

CT Leaders Raise Doubts Over Future FEMA Responses After Texas Floods

Connecticut Public Radio - July 14, 2025

Appearing on MSNBC’s “PoliticsNation” on Sunday, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont was blunt: “I just don’t know if I can count on [the Federal Emergency Management Agency] right now.” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) echoed that sentiment Monday at a Hartford press conference. “They're hollowing [FEMA] out,” Blumenthal said of the Trump administration. “They're destroying it.” Blumenthal is calling for an investigation into FEMA’s response to this month’s deadly flooding in Texas, which he says was “inadequate.” He wants the investigation to also cover what dramatic drops in staffing and other cuts will mean for the agency’s ability to respond to future disasters around the country.

CT Cities Find Progress Toward Clean Air Leaves Some Behind

Connecticut Public Radio - July 14, 2025

As smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed New Haven in 2023, it sent fine particle pollution soaring to more than 15 times the normal daily level. The sky turned hazy, health officials urged residents to stay inside, and what once seemed like gradual progress toward cleaner air suddenly felt alarmingly fragile. New Haven’s air quality has improved overall in recent years. But the gains aren’t equally shared—and they’re easily reversed by climate events and policy setbacks. Residents in lower-income areas, often near highways and industrial sites, still breathe some of the dirtiest air in the state. Dr. Mark Mitchell, a public health physician and founder of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice, said these disparities are rooted in planning decisions made decades ago.

For Hope on Climate Change, Follow the Money, UN Chief Tells AP

New Haven Register - July 23, 2025

For nearly a decade, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been using science to warn about ever more dangerous climate change in increasingly urgent tones. Now he's enlisting something seemingly more important to the world's powerful: Money. In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, Guterres hailed the power of market forces in what he repeatedly called “a battle” to save the planet. He pointed to two new U.N. reports showing the plummeting cost of solar and wind power and the growing generation and capacity of those green energy sources. He warned those who cling to fossil fuels that they could go broke doing it.

The Resilience Roundup highlights CIRCA's presence in the news, provides links to recent local/state/national news articles related to resilience and adaptation, and announces upcoming events and seminars.

The Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation's (CIRCA) mission is to increase the resilience and sustainability of vulnerable communities along Connecticut's coast and inland waterways to the growing impacts of climate change and extreme weather on the natural, built, and human environment. The institute is located at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus and includes faculty from across the university. CIRCA is a partnership between UConn and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP).