March 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

Resilient Connecticut Phase III Update

Phase III of Resilient Connecticut focuses on community and site scale resilience planning and the development of adaptation strategies and pilot projects. These projects are located in areas that were identified as having vulnerability to climate impacts (during Phase II), where there are opportunities to take action and improve resilience for communities. Following the first round of projects in Fairfield and New Haven Counties in 2022-2023, Phase III is expanding to Southeastern Connecticut to work on Resilience Opportunity Areas (ROARs) that were identified during the Phase II planning process with River COG and Southeastern COG towns. This month the CIRCA Team will be working with partners to begin projects in Portland, East Haddam, Jewitt City, Mystic/Stonington, and Norwich. Stay tuned for more details and individual project websites as these projects get underway.

Climate Resilient Zoning for Municipal Land Use Commissioner Training 

CIRCA has created an online training on resilient zoning principles that can be adopted by municipalities to address emerging issues related to a changing climate. The three modules together fulfill one hour of training required for land use officials by Public Act 21-29. Module One discusses climate change impacts on Connecticut, and Modules Two and three cover how zoning authority can be a tool for municipal climate resilience. These modules and the topics discussed are supported with longer, more detailed FactSheets in the Climate Resilient Library, which can be found HERE.

Land use commissions or interested municipalities who would like an online or in-person presentation of this training with opportunity for questions and answers can contact CIRCA Legal Fellow Louanne Cooley [email protected] to schedule a time. 

CRCOG Hazard Mitigation and

Climate Adaptation Plan (HMCAP) Update

CIRCA and the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) are working to update the Capitol Region's 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 final draft plan can be found on CRCOG’s website HERE. This plan has now been sent to DEHMS for review. 

Grants

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 Futures Fund 2024 Request for Proposals

Full Proposal Deadline: May 13, 2024

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) is seeking proposals to restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound (Sound) with approximately $12 million for grants in 2024. The program is managed by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS). Major funding is from EPA through the LISS with additional funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Zoetis Foundation. All proposed projects must be within the Long Island Sound watershed boundary. The LISFF supports efforts to test innovative approaches to conservation, deliver transformative projects and support people and communities who value the Sound and take a role in its future.

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

EPA: Target Investment Areas - Tribes in the

Continental United States

March 6, 3:00 p.m.

EPA will hold a series of informational webinars on the $2 billion Community Change Grants (CCG) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the five Target Investment Areas (TIA). This webinar is targeted to Tribes in the continental United States, and will cover similar content including what is in the NOFO, application requirements, eligible entities, eligible project activities, and other helpful information on the specific TIAs.

SRS Funding Workshops

March 7 - Eastern Connecticut | REGISTER HERE

March 21 - Western Connecticut | REGISTER HERE

Please join the Sustainable and Resilient Communities team at this regional funding workshop, where you will hear from program officers who provide resilience-related funding, along with successful awardees. You will have the opportunity to talk with the panelists about project ideas and ways improve your applications.

NFWF LIS Futures Fund Feedback Sessions

February 13 - April 25| 1:00 -3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays & Thursdays

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Long Island Sound Futures Fund supports projects to fully restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. This annual funding opportunity typically opens in early March and applications are due in May. NFWF staff will be available to provide one-to-one feedback on project ideas with applicant.

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.

Coastal Resilience and Long Island Sound Watershed Funding Opportunities for Connecticut through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Tuesday, March 26, 1 pm

As Connecticut experiences more frequent flooding due to climate change-related extreme weather, communities need to plan for and prepare for the future. Join the National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) and Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) Field Liaison team from Throwe Environmental and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection staff in a webinar to learn about two National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) funding programs and brainstorm ideas. Attendees can collaborate with peers, prepare proposal ideas, and receive information about available technical assistance, including NFWF and Field Liaison Proposal Labs held throughout Spring 2024. 

UConn Avery Point: Coastal Perspectives Lecture Series

The University of Connecticut is hosting their Coastal Perspectives Lecture Series online and in person at the Avery Point Campus from now through April. These lectures are free and open to the public, and cover a range of coastal issues. 

LIS Resource Hub

The LIS Resource Hub serves as a vital tool in empowering communities to combat climate change. By providing a comprehensive repository of information, resources, and practical guidance, the hub equips individuals and organizations with the knowledge and tools necessary to take meaningful action. From educational materials on sustainable practices to guides for climate solutions, the hub fosters awareness and facilitates informed decision-making. Through collaborative efforts and shared insights, communities can leverage the hub to enact positive change, driving collective efforts towards a more sustainable and resilient future in the face of climate challenges.

The East Coast Is Sinking

New York Times - February 13, 2024

New satellite-based research reveals how land along the coast is slumping into the ocean, compounding the danger from global sea level rise. A major culprit: over pumping of groundwater. The most vulnerable areas of Boston have been sinking up to 3.8 centimeters per decade, which adds up to nearly 10 centimeters by 2050, based on the analysis of satellite data from 2007 to 2020. Parts of New York City and Long Island are sinking over 3 centimeters per decade.

Select Board, Land Bank Sign Pact For

Coastal Resilience Project On Washington Street

Nantucket Current - March 3, 2024

The Select Board and the Land Bank have inked an agreement to partner on a coastal resiliency project along Washington Street aimed at reducing the risks of flooding along the critical public roadway along Nantucket Harbor leading into and out of the downtown area. The project will include stormwater management strategies along with a coastal berm, an elevated multi-use path, and a recreation area all of which are "intended to offset or defer the imminent need to raise Washington Street caused by projected sea level rise..."

How Mapping ‘Heat Islands’ Can Help Cities

Prepare for Extreme Heat

NPR - February 1, 2024

Climate change, driven primarily by burning fossil fuels, pushed temperatures so high last year that scientists were astounded when 2023 became the hottest year on record. Communities like Oklahoma City are now preparing for a future with extreme temperatures by understanding which areas are the hottest. Understanding where heat pockets persist in communities is the first step to cooling those places down — and protecting residents from heat illness. 

The Human Cost of Climate-Related Disasters Is Acutely Undercounted

NPR - February 29, 2024

A new study published in Nature Medicine looks directly at the human health impacts from severe weather like hurricanes, floods, and intense storms. The study examined Medicare records before and after weather disasters that incurred more than $1 billion of damages from 2011 to 2016. The analysis didn't include Hurricane Dorian, but it finds exactly what Storr saw: emergency admissions, and even deaths, are higher than expected for days and weeks after storms.