| 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.
|
Steering Committee Alicia Sullivan, Chair
Trust for Public Land
Catherine Rawson, Vice Chair
Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust
Tim Abbott Litchfield Hills Greenprint
David Bingham Salem Land Trust
Sandy Breslin Audubon Connecticut David Brown Middlesex Land Trust
Margot Burns Lower CT River Council of Governments Kevin Case Land Trust Alliance Eric Hammerling Connecticut Forest & Park Association Michael Hveem
Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust
Elaine LaBella Housatonic Valley Association Connie Manes Kent Land Trust Elisabeth Moore Connecticut Farmland Trust
Shirley Nichols
Darien Land Trust Tom ODell CT Association of Conservation & Inland Wetland Commissions David Sutherland The Nature Conservancy Humphrey Tyler Lyme Land Conservation Trust Staff Amy B. Paterson Executive Director Cristina Gastador Communications Coordinator
|
|
| |
|
Executive Director's Message
Working to inspire the next generation
One of the perks of conference planning is having the opportunity to get to know our speakers and other exceptional faculty. This year, thanks to some pretty slick road conditions, I enjoyed some extra quality time with our 2015 keynote speaker, Juan Martinez, during our slow drive from Bradley Airport to Middletown the night before the conference.
The story of how Juan found his life's work in conservation is re-printed in the
conference program; you can also learn more about him on
his website. His accomplishments and work as the Director of Leadership Development and the Natural Leaders Network of the
Children & Nature Network are extraordinary and inspiring.
|
|
Juan Martinez delivers the 2015 CT Land Conservation Conference keynote address
|
Talking with him during our car ride and listening to his speech the next day - as he described the roots of his passion for conservation and his dedication to connecting all kids with nature - left me with an even greater sense of urgency to ensure that we protect the programs and funding that are essential to your ability to conserve land.
Juan's life-changing experiences in nature are a testament to a conservation ethos instilled in him by members of the generation that came before him. And so it is that the connections to nature that you foster through your hard work are vital to cultivating and inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders.
Now more than ever we need to stand together to ensure that legacy.
 With warmest regards,
Amy
|
2015 Conference Wrap-up
 Breaking all time records in attendance (400+),
sponsorship support (99, including 36 land trusts) and reception donors (13, including 5 CT breweries), the
2015 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference was nothing short of extraordinary. Many thanks to those of you who braved the un-spring-like weather to participate, including 70+ faculty, 40+ exhibitors and a team of dedicated and tireless volunteers, for helping to make the day a success.
A full wrap-up of the 2015 Conference, including 2015 Excellence in Conservation Award winners, is
HERE.
Link to workshop handouts is
HERE.
So what did you think? If you haven't already submitted your evaluation forms, you can now do so on-line HERE.
Interested in helping to plan our 2016 Conference? Contact CLCC ED Amy B. Paterson and join our planning committee.
|
|
State News
Policy Update - CLCC's Call to Action
 Many thanks to those of you that responded to our Call to Action last week. If you received a response from your State Legislator, please let us know. If you didn't have an opportunity to communicate with your lawmakers, please take a moment to do so today.
The Call to Action focuses on Budget cuts and legislation that will have lasting impacts on conservation:
- A complete sweep of the Community Investment Act over the next 2 years (S.B. 946, Section 29b)
- Cutting $2M/yr from state parks and eliminating funding for the Council on Environmental Quality (H.B. 6824)
- Conveying public lands to towns and private entities.(H.B. 6998)
Click HERE for further details, including links to CLCC's testimony.
If you didn't have an opportunity to communicate your concerns about any or all of these issues with your lawmakers last week, please take a moment to do so today. A quick call or e-mail really makes a difference.
Click
HERE to find your legislators and their contact info or
contact us for assistance.
***
CEQ Annual Report Now Available
From the Council on Environmental Quality
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has published its annual report on the state's environment along with a news release. Find the news release HERE. Access the Annual Environmental Quality Report HERE.
|
|
Federal News - CE Incentive Act Update
Senator Chris Murphy Signs-on as Co-Sponsor of S.330
As we reported last month, with the House of Representatives having approved H.R. 644,
a package of charitable incentives including the conservation tax incentive, attention is now focused on asking senators to cosponsor S. 330, the Conservation Easement Incentive Act. To that end, we are delighted
to report that
Senator Chris Murphy has signed on as a cosponsor. Please take a moment to thank Senator Murphy for his leadership
, and also contact Senator
Richard Blumenthal
to ask that he also sign-on as a cosponsor of S.330.
You can reach either office via the switchboard at 202-224-3121 or directly:
Senator Murphy: (202) 224-4041 and
Senator Blumenthal: (202) 224-2823.
|
|
CT Land Trusts and Leaders in the News
Property Owner Ordered To Pay Lyme Land Conservation Trust $650K For Violation Of 30-Year-Old Conservation Restriction
Reported by The Day March 27, 2015
 The property owners involved in a lawsuit brought by the Lyme Land Conservation Trust for violations of a conservation easement on their Selden Road property in Lyme have been ordered to pay a total of $650,000 in damages and legal fees. In the lawsuit that began six years ago, the land trust had argued that property owner Beverly Platner had landscaped her property - including by installing lawns and an irrigation system - despite an easement placed on parts of the property. The Connecticut Attorney General's office intervened in the matter to "protect the public interest". Read the full article HERE. This decision sets an excellent precedent for the CT land trust community. Congrats to the LLCT!
***
|
|
| Photo by Greenbomb Studios |
Circuit Riders take to the Road
From the Land Trust Alliance
CLCC Steering Committee member and Training & Education Committee Chair Connie Manes is one of several circuit riders featured in the Spring 2015 issue of Saving Land. "For me, it's the people...They pour their time and hearts into their organizations. To be able to help them is very rewarding," said Connie. To learn more about the Alliance Circuit Rider Program, read the full article
HERE.
***
Public Input Sought on CT Land Trust Accreditation Applications
From the Roxbury Land Trust - Application for Accreditation
(comments due by May 22, 2015)
 The
Roxbury Land Trust (RLT) is applying for accreditation by the national
Land Trust Accreditation Commission (LTAC) in 2015, the gold standard for the operation of a land trust. LTAC, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, invites you to comment on our benefit to you and the Town of Roxbury. For full announcement click
HERE.
From the Kent Land Trust - Renewal of Accreditation
(comments due by May 24, 2015)
 The Kent Land Trust (KLT) is proud to announce that it is applying for renewal of its accreditation from the LTAC. In August 2010, KLT was the second Connecticut land trust to achieve the award of accreditation. Now there are 13, with the Warren Land Trust and the Colchester Land Trust the most recent to earn this distinction. Accreditation requires land trusts to conduct their affairs in accordance with nationally-recognized best practices, and requirements are rigorous.
Submitting Comments
The LTAC invites public input through signed, written comments on pending applications. Learn more about accreditation requirements and the accreditation program
HERE.
Comments must relate to how the land trusts comply with national quality standards addressing the ethical and technical operation of land trusts. For the full list of standards see
Indicator Practices. S
ubmit comments by email
HERE or by
fax or mail to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attention: Public Comments, 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
|
Land Trust Resources
Free Phone Coaching for AVLT Board Members
From the Land Trust Alliance
The Land Trust Alliance is pleased to offer FREE coaching sessions by telephone for board members serving on all-volunteer land trust (AVLT) boards (defined as those either without staff or with a part-time staff member). Conference call sessions with multiple board members are encouraged. Land trust expert Donna Erickson will provide advice about board development, fundraising, monitoring easements, or other topics. Broach your questions about complying with Land Trust Standards and Practices or applying for accreditation.
To register for a coaching conversation, contact Donna directly at 406-370-0454 or [email protected] to schedule a time and to define the topic(s) your land trust wants to discuss.
This is a first-come, first-served service, but the Alliance will work to provide this service to all land trusts who respond to the invitation.
|
Job Opportunities
Aspetuck Land Trust Seeks Part-time Help
Aspetuck Land Trust is looking for a part-time person to help with administrative needs, including data entry and sending out mailings. The hours are flexible and you can work from home!
We are looking for someone who is detail oriented, and a self-starter who can make a positive contribution to the Land Trust.
To learn more, contact David Brant at [email protected] or
203-331-1906.
|
| WE COUNT ON YOUR SUPPORT! Join CLCC today!
|
|
|
