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About CLCC
The mission of the CT Land Conservation Council is to advocate for land preservation, stewardship and funding, and ensure the long term strength and viability of the land conservation community.
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August 13
Shorebird Workshop for Municipal Officials
11:00am - 3:00pm
Milford
August 14
Invasive Plants Workshop
8:30am - 5:00pm
Norfolk
August 21
Soils Workshop
9:00am - 3:00pm
Hamden
August 26
CLCC Regional Directors' Summit - Northwest CT
7-8:30pm
Bridgewater
September 7
CFPA's Run for the Woods
8:00am - 12:00pm
Burlington
September 12-15
Coverts Project
Norfolk
September 18
CLCC/CLEAR GPS Training
Beginner Class
9:00am - 4:30pm
Haddam
Sept. 17-19
2013 Land Trust Rally
New Orleans, LA
October 4
CLCC/CLEAR GPS Training
Advanced Class
9:00am - 1:30pm
Kent
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Executive Director
Amy B. Paterson, Esq.
Steering Committee
Tim Abbott
Litchfield Hills Greenprint
Alicia Betty
Trust for Public Land
David Bingham
Salem Land Trust
Hunter Brawley
Brawley Consulting Group
Sandy Breslin
Audubon Connecticut
Margot Burns
Lower CT River Council of Governments
Kevin Case
Land Trust Alliance
Stephanie Clark
Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust
Katchen Coley
Milddletown Conservation Commission
Jim Gooch
Connecticut Farmland Trust
Ginny Gwynn
Greenwich Land Trust
Eric Hammerling
Connecticut Forest & Park Association
Mary-Michelle Hirschoff
The Garden Club of New Haven
Elaine LaBella
Housatonic Valley Association
Connie Manes
Kent Land Trust
Tom ODell
CT Association of Conservation & Inland Wetland Commissions
David Sutherland
The Nature Conservancy
Humphrey Tyler
Lyme Land Conservation Trust
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Executive Director's Message
CLCC's 2013-14 Annual Membership Appeal is underway!
Thank you to those of you who have already contributed! YOU give CLCC the ability to provide:
- Technical assistance -- watch for news on our 2013-14 Model Conservation Easement Project!
- Opportunities for training, education and networking -- click here to view our schedule of upcoming Regional Directors' Summits, GPS and Standards & Practices Trainings and check back for updates on the 2014 Annual Conference!
- A voice and advocate for your organization -- We are working hard now in preparation for the 2014 legislative session!
- Conservation news in Connecticut and nationally -- This monthly Enews and other alerts provide current news of importance to the land conservation community, including upcoming events, funding and job opportunities and policy updates.
If you haven't yet made your contribution, please do so today! Click
here to donate on-line or to download a mail-in appeal form.
CLCC is a coalition organization -- and working together in support of land conservation with our partners, like you, has a powerful effect! Thank you for your support!
With warmest regards,
Amy
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Upcoming CLCC Regional Directors' Summit and GPS Trainings
Regional Directors' Summit
Northwest Region - Litchfield County
When: Monday, August 26, 2013, 7:00 - 8:30pm
Where: Bridgewater Land Trust Office
38 Town Line Road, Bridgewater, CT
Cost: No charge! Light refreshments will be served!
Please join CLCC and our co-hosts, the Housatonic Valley Association/Litchfield Hills Greenprint Collaborative, the Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust and the Bridgewater Land Trust, for this unique opportunity to share your land trust board's experiences and challenges, offer advice on what's working, and get some advice on what could work better for your land trust and for your region. To read our meeting notes from other Summits held around the state, please click here.
Space is limited! Please RSVP by email to CLCC Executive Director Amy B. Paterson at [email protected]. CLCC Directors' Summits are open to all board members, with first priority given to land trusts in the host region.
Funding for this Regional Directors' Summit is provided by the Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut! We thank them for their continued support of our programs.
CLCC and CLEAR GPS Trainings
Beginner GPS Training
What: Using GPS for Monitoring and Mapping Land Holdings
When: September 18, 2013, 9:00am - 4:30pm
Where: Middlesex County Extension Center
1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT
Cost: $90 for CLCC members and $110 for non-members. Lunch will be provided. Space limited to 15 participants!
This popular course is offered as part of the CLCC and CLEAR series focused on best practices in land stewardship and developed especially for land trust staff and volunteers. This one-day beginner training will cover the basics of using a handheld GPS unit for improved conservation easement monitoring and enforcement as well as fee property stewardship, including mapping trails or areas for management activities. Each student will have a GPS receiver and computer to use during the training.
To REGISTER and for full detail of class curriculum and logistics, please click here.
NEW! Advanced GPS Training
What: Monitoring Land Trust Holdings -- Advanced Topics
When: October 4, 2013, 9:00 - 1:30pm
Where: Kent, CT (specific venue TBD)
Cost: $50 for CLCC members and $65 for non-members. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited!
This is a new training, designed specifically for those who have taken the introductory GPS course or otherwise have experience with using a hand-held GPS unit for conservation easement monitoring, enforcement and stewardship. This advanced course, which includes both classroom instruction and field training, will focus on monitoring and management strategies, including documentation of violations, reading and understanding surveys, and options for creating/saving maps and will provide participants with an opportunity to build upon their existing GPS skills.
If you would like to provide input on the specific curriculum being developed for this training, please click here to participate in a short survey.
To REGISTER and for further details, please click here.
For any other questions about either GPS training, please contact CLCC Executive Director Amy B. Paterson at [email protected] or at 860-685-0785 or CLEAR GPS Instructor Cary Chadwick at [email protected] or at 860-345-5216.
Support for the Advanced GPS Training has been provided by the Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut. We thank them again for their continued support of our programs to build stronger and more effective land trusts.
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Other Upcoming Workshops and Events
Shorebird Workshop for Municipal Officials
What: Sharing our Shores: Managing Municipal Coastal Resources for Birds and People
When: August 13, 2013, 11:00am - 3:00pm Raindate: August 16th
Where: Margaret Eagan Center, 35 Matthew St., Milford, CT and guided walk at Milford Point
Cost: No charge! Lunch provided.
The Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, in cooperation with Connecticut DEEP Wildlife Division, is pleased to offer a free half day workshop for municipal officials and interested board and commission members facing the challenge of managing coastal resources for birds and people. The workshop is designed to increase understanding and expertise regarding beach nesting birds such as the Piping Plover and other coastal species; explain local responsibilities for protecting these birds; share strategies and best management practices with shoreline colleagues; and finish the day with a guided tour of beautiful Milford Point, an area that provides habitat for several species of protected shorebirds and numerous other species.
RSVP and questions, please contact Sandy Breslin at 203- 264-5098 x306 or at [email protected].
Invasive Plants Workshop with Bill Moorhead
What: Distinguishing Invasive Plants and Native Look-A-Likes During the Growing Season
When: August 14, 2013, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Where: Aton Forest Headquarters, 270 North Colebrook Rd., Norfolk
Cost: $75 Lunch provided.
With the help of expert botanist Bill Moorhead you will learn to identify invasive plants in both terrestrial and wetland ecosystems, as well as become familiar with native plants that may potentially be confused. Workshop includes classroom and fieldwork. Continuing Education Credits available. For more information or to register click here or contact Aton Forest Association at (860)542-5125 or [email protected]
Soils Workshop
What: CT Soil Day and Soil Survey Work Planning Conference
When: August 21, 2013, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Where: Lockwood Farm, 890 evergreen Ave., Hamden, CT
Cost: No charge!
Connecticut NRCS and the Society for Soil Scientists of Southern New England will be hosting a soils workshop, which includes a morning indoor session (9:00am - 1:00pm), followed by afternoon field demonstrations (1:00pm - 3:00pm). Light refreshments and beverages will be provided. Please bring a bag lunch. To view the conference agenda, please click here. To register please contact Lisa Krall at 860-871-4051 or at [email protected] by Friday, August 16.
Connecticut Forest & Park Association's Run for the Woods
What: 5K & 10K Trail Races and 5K Trail Walk
When: September 7, 2013, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area, Burlington, CT
Cost: $25 for 5K run or walk, $35 for 10K run
Join CFPA for the 2nd annual Run for the Woods - a celebration of the outdoors, with people who love the outdoors. This year's events include a 10K Trail Race (8:30am), 5K Trail Race (9:00am) and 5K Walk (9:15am). If you can't join in the events, consider pledging a donation dedicated to one of the runners or walkers. All donations go to the protection of Connecticut forests and trails. For more information, please click here.
2013 Coverts Project
What: In-depth seminar on forest and wildlife management
When: September 12-15, 2013
Where: Great Mountain Forest, Norfolk
Cost: No charge!
There are a few spots still open for participants in the Coverts Project, a volunteer training program in forest and wildlife management. The Project is seeking woodlands owners who want to learn more about their forest and the wildlife that reside there, in exchange for a commitment to volunteer some time sharing information with others in their community. All costs of the seminar (meals, lodging at the camp, reference and curriculum materials) are covered by the Project. If interested, or know of others that may be interested, please contact Thomas Worthley, Associate Extension Professor, Middlesex County Extension Center at 860-345-5232 or at [email protected].
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State News - Conservation Project
TPL Announces Conservation Opportunity for The Preserve
Note: Congratulations to CLCC Steering Committee member, Alicia Betty (State Director, the Trust for Public Land [TPL]) and the Connecticut TPL Project Manager, Kate Brown, for their work on reaching this agreement to protect this critically important property.
TPL recently announced that it has reached an agreement to protect the 1,000-acre parcel known as The Preserve -- the last large unprotected coastal forest between New York City and Boston -- for conservation, recreation and habitat protection. If the acquisition is successful, the land will be permanently protected from future development and open to the public to enjoy for passive recreational activities. The property, which is rich in natural resources and wildlife, will connect to 500 acres of existing town parkland and miles of existing hiking trails. TPL expressed its appreciation to Governor Dannel P. Malloy, DEEP, the town of Old Saybrook, and many other conservation organizations for their support in creating this opportunity.
To read the full announcement, please click here.
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Federal News - Policy Updates
From the Land Trust Alliance
Tax Issues -- Conservation Easement Incentive Act
Representatives Jim Gerlach (R-PA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) have officially introduced the Conservation Easement Incentive Act now known as H.R. 2807! With less than 150 days until expiration, Congress has a limited amount of time to act to make permanent the enhanced incentive for the donation of conservation easements. For further details and to learn how you can help, please click here.
Tax Issues - Charitable Deductions
Thanks to all 200 land trusts who signed on to the Independent Sector letter to Senators, asking them to support the charitable deduction and to make permanent the three charitable provisions that were extended until January 1 -- including the enhanced easement incentive. To read the full article, view the letter and see who signed-on, please click here.
Farm Bill & Agriculture -- Key Conservation Programs to be Reconciled
The Alliance is working with staff of the Agriculture Committees in both chambers to ensure that the Agriculture Conservation Easement Programs (ACEP) don't take any more hits and to make sure the cost-share waiver is included in the final conference version of the Farm Bill. For further updates on the Farm Bill, please click here.
LWCF and other Federal Conservation Funding Programs
Note: Representative Rosa DeLauro is Connecticut's only member of the House Appropriations Committee. Please contact Rep. DeLauro to thank her for her leadership on these conservation issues and ask her to continue her work to restore funding for these key programs.
Last month, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee voted to eliminate all funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Forest Legacy Program (FLP), North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), and other programs that have together provided about $400 million for land conservation in recent years. This bill represents an unprecedented attack on conservation funding, but with your help, the Alliance is already making progress:
- The Appropriations Committee unanimously adopted an amendment to restore $20 million to LWCF.
- Amid widespread controversy, the Committee abruptly halted consideration of this bad bill until at least September, and possibly for good.
- The draft Senate bill would increase LWCF to $400 million and preserve other programs.
To read the full article and to learn more, please click here. Visit the Alliance's public funding webpage for recent updates, supporting materials and a table of proposed funding levels.
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Resources on Land Trust Risk Management
From the Land Trust Alliance
Publication on Risk Management and Assessment for Land Trusts Available On-line and more ...
The Land Trust Alliance recently announced that A Guide to Risk Management for Land Trusts is on-line now in its new pre-publication format at The Learning Center.
And if you are attending Rally, consider attending the September 17 half- day seminar on Savvy Risk Taking and Prevention -- Seminar 9 with Paul Doscher of the Society for Protection of NH Forests and Kevin Reilly of Trout Unlimited, who will delve into the practical details and benefits of organizational risk management using the new Guide and many real-life examples. Last day for Rally registration is August 26! Click here to learn more about Rally.
Finally on insurance (always good to have the right coverage) and risk financing, remember the new resource for land trusts to insure their conservation portfolio: Terrafirma Risk Retention Group LLC. If your land trust is not enrolled yet, get ready for the next enrollment window starting December 1, 2013 by checking the eligibility information and policy coverage online.
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