February 2024

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

Thank You UConn Faculty for Attending CIRCA's Research Symposium

Thank you for participating in the CIRCA's climate change research symposium. For those who couldn't attend, and for those of you who would like to explore the materials further, visit the Research Symposium Website. There, you will find the agenda with speaker info, presentation slides with video and summaries from the round table discussions.



Dr. Yaprak Onat will be available for virtual office hours regarding grant applications on Monday, February 12, 2024 from 2 to 4 pm. Click HERE to sign up for a 15-minute meeting.

Do You Live or Work in the Capitol Region?

If So, We Want Your Input!

CIRCA and the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) are working to update the Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP), this time incorporating challenges associated with climate change directly into the plan to produce a “Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan (HMCAP)”. The plan will outline a set of actions that can be taken to reduce losses of property and life due to natural disasters like floods, severe wind events, winter storms, wildfires, droughts, extreme heat events, and earthquakes, many of which are exacerbated by the effects of climate change. A draft plan can be found on CRCOG’s website HERE, along with the recording of a public meeting to present the plan. As part of the plan process, CRCOG and CIRCA are looking for people who live and work in and near the CRCOG region to provide input on the draft plan. Any edits or comments can be sent to Nicole Govert at [email protected] by Feb 16, 2024.

Announcements

Governor McKee, Infrastructure Bank Announce $12 Million In Action Grants For Municipal Resilience Projects Across 20 Communities Across Rhode Island

Today, Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank announced $12 million in Action Grants for participants of the Municipal Resilience Program (MRP). Communities prioritized local actions through the program and will use grant funds to implement projects that will increase their climate resilience. Funding for these action grants comes from the 2022 voter-approved Green Bond, which provided for $16 million for municipal resilience projects and was part of Governor McKee’s FY2023 budget. The Green Bond directs $16 million to the MRP to help communities restore and improve vulnerable coastal habitats, river and stream floodplains, and infrastructure. It also includes $5 million for a small business energy loan program to provide zero-interest and below-market loans for clean energy projects.

Grants

FEMA: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities

Application Deadline: February 29, 2024

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program will support states, local communities, tribes and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. The BRIC program’s guiding principles are to support communities through capability and capacity building, encourage and enable innovation; promote partnerships, enable large projects, maintain flexibility, and provide consistency.

Awards made under this funding opportunity will be funded, in whole or in part, with funds appropriated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The BIL is a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure, which will grow a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable economy by enhancing U.S. competitiveness, driving the creation of good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union, and ensuring stronger access to economic and environmental benefits for disadvantaged communities. The BIL appropriates billions of dollars to FEMA to promote resilient infrastructure, respond to the impacts of climate change, and equip our nation with the resources to combat its most pressing threats.

DOT: Rebuilding American Infrastructure with

Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program 

Application Deadline: February 28, 2024

The U.S. Department of Transportation has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program for 2024. The popular program helps communities around the country carry out projects with significant local or regional impact. RAISE discretionary grants help project sponsors at the state and local levels, including municipalities, Tribal governments, counties, and others complete critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors to obtain funding for projects that may be harder to support through other U.S. DOT grant programs. As was the case in previous years, the Department is encouraging applicants to consider how their projects can address climate change, ensure racial equity, and remove barriers to opportunity. The Department also intends to use the RAISE program to support lowering costs for household budgets, wealth creation and the creation of good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union, the incorporation of strong labor standards, and training and placement programs, especially registered apprenticeships. 

CLCC: Climate Smart Land Stewardship Grant Program

The overarching goal of the Climate Smart Land Stewardship Grant Program is to increase the number of acres in Connecticut that are managed using climate smart land stewardship practices and encourage the use of climate smart practices among Connecticut’s land trusts. This grant program, and CLCC's accompanying outreach and technical assistance, will elevate the role of conserved lands in providing natural climate solutions by integrating climate mitigation, resilience, and adaptation into the stewardship of conserved lands throughout the state. This program will award $500,000 over multiple years for both planning and implementation grants. In 2024, grants will be awarded quarterly. In 2024, applications will be reviewed quarterly. Submission deadlines are at 5:00pm on: March 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. Funding decisions are anticipated approximately six weeks after application deadlines.

CT DEEP: Urban Forest Equity Grant Program

Proposal Deadline: April 17, 2024

DEEP is pleased to announce Urban Forest Equity Grant Program with support from the US Forest Service through the Inflation Reduction Act. This historic funding allocation is available to state and local government entities, federally recognized tribes, and non-profit organizations to support urban forestry projects that will increase equitable access to trees and the benefits they provide in disadvantaged communities throughout Connecticut. Awards are available for up to $200,000 and there is no match requirement. Potential projects include but are not limited to: Tree planting, stewardship, and maintenance, Forest planning and assessment, Education and outreach programs, Work force development, Invasive species management, Urban wood utilization, and Extreme heat mitigation. potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an informational and grant writing guidance session on February 1, 2024 from 4:30-5:30PM. Contact [email protected] for registration. Potential applicants may also want to attend the Urban and Community Forestry Program's bi-weekly virtual office hours for ongoing guidance and project development support. 

Long Island Sound Study (LISS) Research Call for Proposals Open

Connecticut Sea Grant (CTSG) and New York Sea Grant (NYSG) announce a request for preliminary proposals for the Long Island Sound Study Research Grant Program. The intent of this program is to fund research that will support the science-based management of Long Island Sound (LIS) and its resources, and the implementation of the LISS Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). The LISS is a regional, community-based partnership to protect and restore LIS. Information on the LISS can be obtained HERE. Preliminary proposals are invited for the funding period of January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026. Subject to available federal funding, up to $6.5 million is expected to be available for one- or two-year projects. Any investigator seeking support for this period (or a portion thereof) must submit a preliminary proposal via NYSG’s electronic submission website www.NYSGproposal.org by 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 8, 2024. Hard copy, email, and fax submissions will NOT be accepted.

EPA: Community Change Grants

Application Deadline: November 21, 2024

The Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant program (Community Change Grants), created by the Inflation Reduction Act, offers an unprecedented $2 billion in grants under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The Community Change Grants will fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation. This historic level of support will enable communities and their partners to overcome longstanding environmental challenges and implement meaningful solutions to meet community needs now and for generations to come. There will be two tracks of funding under this opportunity. Track I will fund approximately 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of $10 million - $20 million. Track II will fund approximately 20 meaningful engagement grants of $1 million - $3 million. Grants cannot exceed 3-years in duration. Please review the NOFO for further information about the exciting opportunities under the Community Change Grants program and details about the application process.

Events

Connecticut Land Conservation Conference

March 23, 2024

Wesleyan Univeristy: Usdan Center, 45 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown.

Join the Connecticut Land Conservation Counsel for a day of learning and networking with fellow land conservation enthusiasts from around the state and beyond at the 2024 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference. The conference is a pivotal gathering for conservationists, land trusts, and anyone passionate about conserving Connecticut's natural beauty. This year's event brings together a diverse array of voices and expertise to foster learning, collaboration, and innovation in land conservation.

Get ready to dive deep into a range of topics with our sneak peek of workshops now available on our website. These sessions are designed to cater to various interests and expertise levels, featuring hands-on training, interactive discussions, and expert-led presentations. Whether you're new to land conservation or a seasoned professional, there's something for everyone.

Surfrider Foundation: 2023 State of the Beach Report

Surfrider Foundation is deeply invested in helping states and local communities proactively plan for the effects of climate change. Seven years ago, they started putting our findings into a “report card” that tracks how well coastal states are managing coastlines and preparing for rising seas and extreme weather. This year, Surfrider is proud to present the 7th annual Surfrider Foundation’s State of the Beach Report. Data shows that nearly 70% of coastal states are doing a poor job of managing their coastlines and planning for climate change impacts. This is particularly concerning as climate change impacts are being felt more intensely along our nation's coastal communities. In 2023, a study published by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns: “The climate time-bomb is ticking. The IPCC’s report is a how-to guide to defuse the climate time-bomb. It is a survival guide for humanity.” These warnings from scientists, and the continued impacts of climate change, are clear indications that all levels of government must take more responsibility to curb climate change and proactively plan to protect our coastal communities.

Climate Study Suggests Flooding Solutions for Downtown Mystic

The Day - January 7, 2024

Improvements to the stormwater system, rain gardens, and a study of raising low-level roads are among potential solutions to help protect downtown Mystic from increased flooding in the face of climate change. Draft recommendations from a study that the Town of Groton and consultant GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. conducted to improve the resiliency and sustainability of downtown Mystic were unveiled at a public forum Thursday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Mystic.

New Exhibition Asks: Are You Seeing Climate Change?

UConn Today - January 31, 2024

In 2019, local artist Blanche Serban started a project painting Horsebarn Hill every day for the whole year. The paintings capture the landscape’s changes across the seasons, each day bringing something new. The study of such seasonal changes in natural phenomena — phenology– can tell us a lot about prevailing conditions and long-term trends. Her 365 paintings got Department of Earth Science Professor Robert Thorson wondering whether historic art from the Benton Museum could help us see phenological changes caused by climate change.

U.S. Cut Climate Pollution in 2023, but

Not Fast Enough to Limit Global Warming

NPR - January 10, 2024

The United States reduced emissions of climate-warming greenhouse gasses last year, after two years in which emissions rose. But the decline wasn't enough to meet climate targets set by the Biden administration. That would require much steeper cuts, most likely by significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels. U.S. emissions declined 1.9% in 2023 despite a growing economy, according to new estimates from the research firm Rhodium Group. That continues a trend in which wealthy countries have managed to break the link between economic growth and climate pollution.

As Climate Shocks Worsen, U.S. Disaster

Agency Tries a New Approach to Aid

New York Times - January 19, 2024

The Biden administration is overhauling the country’s disaster assistance programs, expanding aid for survivors of hurricanes, wildfires and other catastrophes and making it easier to access. The shift, announced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, comes amid a growing number of climate-related disasters. It follows years of criticism surrounding the agency’s aid programs, which experts have said are insufficient, too hard to access and disproportionately benefit wealthier and white Americans.