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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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October 17
Regional Directors' Summit -"Using Social Media"
7-8:30pm
Danbury, CT
October 17
AFT Ag Easement Training
9:30am - 3:30pm
New Milford, CT
October 19
S&P Training - Part I
Membership Development
9:30am - 3:00pm
Hartford, CT
October 30
CUFC/CT Forest Forum
8am - 3:30pm
Southington, CT
November 2
AFT Ag Easement Training
9:30am - 3:30pm
Simsbury, CT
November 9
S&P Training - Part II
Membership Development
9:00am - 2:30pm
Litchfield, CT
November 20
Regional Directors' Summit -
7-8:30pm
Essex, CT
December 4
Regional Directors' Summit -
7-8:30pm
North Stonington, CT
March 15, 2014
30th Annual
CT Land Conservation Conference
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT
Click here!
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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
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
Federal Budget Updates
Dear Friends --
As the partial government shut down grinds on, we are all concerned about how this will affect our conservation work and that of our partners across the country. While there are certainly no easy answers, the following is information from the Land Trust Alliance which provides some insight into the implementation of what we hope will be a very short-term interruption of services and funding for all government programs.
Federal Programs Impacted
Most existing grant obligations will continue to be paid; but new grants, federal assistance, and park operations will stop. Click here to access contingency plans for agencies across the Federal Government. (The page will be updated as more plans are posted.) Note, for the NRCS Contingency Plan -- which affects federal conservation easement programs, including FRPP -- please read page 10 of the plan for more specific guidance on how this affects conservation funding and easement monitoring.
Sequestration Getting Worse
While we do not know how long this budget impasse will drag on, we can be fairly certain that government funding is not going to get better any time soon. According to the Alliance, sequestration's across-the-board cuts will grow to 7.2%, regardless of how Congress resolves this shutdown. Continued cuts will hamper natural resource programs that comprise just 1.26% of the federal budget and have grown just 2% over the last 30 years, yet support 12.8 million jobs and over $1.7 trillion in economic actiivity. Read more here -- and be sure to attend our 2014 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference on March 15, with its organizing theme of the "The Economic Benefits of Open Space".
Farm Bill Expired: Conservation grants programs (including FRPP) will likely remain on hold until the Farm Bill, which expired on October 1, and FY14 appropriations are resolved. To stay up-to-date on the Farm Bill, click here.
But there is some good news ... Thanks to you!
The bill proposed by House appropriators several months ago, seeking to eliminate all funding for land conservation stalled in committee and, at least so far, few have insisted on severe program cuts in the current negotiations. A big thank you to those of you that signed-on to the national letter supporting conservation grant programs, circulated by Teaming With Wildlife. These federal programs, including State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Program, North American Wetlands Conservation Fund, Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, Forest Legacy Program, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund, are critical to work led by state agencies and non-profits, including land trusts. Click here to view the sign-on letter. We will continue to keep you updated on efforts to save these vital programs.
So what else can you do?
Please continue to reach out to your federal and state representatives -- talk with them about your land trust and town's conservation priorities, invite them to site visits, project celebrations, board meetings and other events, and show them first hand why conservation is a smart investment for their communities. Most importantly, continue to do what you do best: work hard to protect the land, water and other natural resources that make our towns and cities so special -- and be sure to take time to get outside and celebrate your well-earned success stories!
With much appreciation for your tireless dedication and support,
Amy
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Upcoming CLCC Workshops and Roundtables
Space Still Available! Register Now!
2013 Standards & Practices Trainings:
A two-part series on Community Outreach, Membership Development and Fundraising featuring national experts, Judy Anderson and David Allen
Part I: Connecting People to the Land & Your Land Trust: Tips and Strategies
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
10 Columbus Blvd., Hartford, CT
For further program details and to register, click here
Judy Anderson will teach you how to ramp up your fundraising efforts, build your membership, prioritize your outreach and programs, and receive tips on creating "Ambassador Landscapes" -- enhancing your nature preserves to gain greater community support, while balancing the need for habitat.
Part II: Fundraising that Matters
Saturday, November 9, 2013
9:00am - 2:30pm
White Memorial Conservation Center
Carriage House
80 White Hall Road, Litchfield, CT
For further program details and to register, click here
At this second workshop, taught by David Allen, you will have an opportunity to apply and practice what you learn in the morning about the basics of fundraising, in an exercise in major gift asking role playing in the afternoon.
Funding for these trainings is generously provided by our friends at the Land Trust Alliance. We thank them for their continued support and partnership.
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Roundtable: Social Media -- "Channel to Reach NewGen Conservationists"
An informal roundtable discussion offered as part of the CLCC Regional Directors' Summit Series
Thursday, October 17, 2013
7:00 - 8:30pm
Tarrywile Park & Mansion
70 Southern Blvd., Danbury, CT
Co-hosted by the Land Trust of Danbury
This event is free! Space is limited - Please RSVP to [email protected]
Are you flummoxed by Facebook? Terrified by Twitter? Lost in LinkedIn? Boggled by blogging?
The long-term sustainability of your land trust depends on being able to reach the next generation of conservationists with your message -- and effective use of social media is increasingly becoming more of a required component of your community communications strategy. Here's your chance to learn about the basics of social media through an informal roundtable discussion led by two experienced denizens of the social media world.
Jeff Yates, Communications Manager for the Fairfield County Community Foundation, and Tom Andersen, Director of Communications and Community Outreach for the Audubon Society of Connecticut, will help to facilitate this discussion, explain the basics of navigating social media platforms, and answer your questions about the quirks of the various platforms on which they operate.
Support for this event generously provided by the Fairfield County Community Foundation. We thank them for their continued support of the land conservation community.
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Regional Land Trust Board Directors' Summits
Networking -- Socializing -- Information Sharing!
Our popular series of roundtables continues and, in response to your feedback, we will continue to add more opportunities for topic-specific discussions, such as the roundtable focused on
Social Media described above.
Middlesex and New London Counties (but open to all!)
New Date! November 20
7:00-8:30pm
Elisha Mather House
145 Dennison Rd., Essex, CT
Co-hosted by the Lower CT River Council of Governments and Lower CT River and Coastal Region Land Trust Exchange, with funding generously provided by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County
December 4
Stephen Main Homestead
1 Wyassup Rd., North Stonington
Co-hosted by the Avalonia Land Conservancy, Inc.
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Reminder! 2014 CT Land Conservation Conference --
Call for Presentations
Deadline is November 1!
Share your knowledge, experience, skills and research with others!
The 2014 Conference, scheduled for March 15, will offer 24 workshops and 3 seminars, following 8 subject matter tracks! If you are interested in submitting a workshop or seminar proposal, please click here or contact CLCC Executive Director Amy B. Paterson at 860-685-0785 or at [email protected] for further details and instructions.
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News Articles on Farmland Access and Forest Change
Learn more at upcoming American Farmland Trust workshops and the 2013 CT Forest Forum
Farmland Access
In the New York Times Op-Ed, "Keep Farmland for Farmers" (September 30), the authors -- founders of the National Young Farmers' Coalition -- describe innovative programs in NY, MA and VT which have helped to keep farmland affordable and in production. Click here to view the article.
"Farming Protected Lands" Workshops
To learn more about CT programs, please consider attending an upcoming workshop on "Farming Protected Lands", presented by the American Farmland Trust, in partnership with CLCC and the CT Farmland Trust.
Workshops are scheduled for October 17 (New Milford) and November 2 (Simsbury) and will provide you with an opportunity to share your experiences and insights and help us to develop model agricultural easement language, learn about monitoring and stewardship of protected agricultural lands, and have a chance to discuss opportunities and challenges of farming protected land with farmers. Click here for further information and to register.
Connecticut Forests
The Hartford Courant article (October 7), provides an excellent overview of the status of Connecticut's forests -- including threats thereto from development and invasive pest species. Click here to view the article.
2013 CUFC/Forest Forum: "Connecticut: Connected to Its Forests"
You can learn more Connecticut forests and meet those who are working to protect and manage them sustainably at the 2013 CT Urban Forest Conference & CT Forest Forum, scheduled for October 30 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington. Click here for further information and to register.
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Update: ADA Rules on Trails on Federal Lands
From Land Trust Alliance Conservation Defense Director, Leslie Ratley-Beach --
Additional rules on trails and access for disabled are about to be issued. These new rules affect federal land only but more are coming that will affect private land, so please make note of these important links to further information. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board ("Access Board") is publishing final guidelines in the Federal Register for outdoor developed areas. These guidelines amend the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines by adding scoping and technical requirements for trails, camping facilities, picnic facilities, viewing areas and beach access routes constructed or altered by or on behalf of federal agencies to ensure these facilities are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.
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Job Opportunities
Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) -- Goodwin Forest Conservation Education Center Program Director
CFPA is seeking an individual to work half-time managing and directing programs at the Goodwin Forest Conservation Education Center (Center) located at 23 Potter Road in Hampton, CT. The Center's mission is to provide forestry, wildlife and general conservation education to youth and adult audiences. The Center lies within the Goodwin State Forest and includes a small nature museum, several acres of grounds including a native plant wildlife garden, and an 83-acre forest. It is state-owned and supervised by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). CFPA contracts with DEEP to provide a Program Director for the Center's operation. For detailed job description, please click here or contact Eric Hammerling, Executive Director, CFPA at [email protected].
UCONN Extension -- Agriculture Program Coordinator
UConn Extension is seeking a program coordinator to work with and support Extension faculty working with the ag team. This is a non-faculty/non- tenuring position.You can view and apply for this position here and keep clicking next until you see job search number 2014089 for Extension Program Coordinator-Agriculture (USP5). For additional information, please contact Bonnie Burr, Asst. Director/Dept. Head, UConn Extension, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at [email protected].
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State Land Trust News --
Northwest CT October "Land Trust Days" Events Calendar Now Available
As reported in last month's Enews, Connecticut's Northwest Corner land trusts have organized this fall to offer a slate of programs in celebration of "Land Trust Days", scheduled to take optimal advantage of the season's great opportunities for observing the beauty of the change of seasons, our native wildlife, and engaging in outdoor recreation. More than fifteen area land trusts are offering an enticing variety of events including guided and self-guided hikes, a mushroom walk, picnics, a photo exhibit, programs with experts presenting on invasive plant species and predatory birds, and a River Festival.
For a calendar of events, please click here. For further information, please contact Connie Manes at [email protected] or Susan Payne at [email protected] for further information.
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Reminder!
Nominations Open for 2013 Farmland Preservation Pathfinder Awards
WLA is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for their 2013 Farmland Preservation Pathfinder Awards. Established in 2003, these prestigious awards are designed to recognize individuals and groups that have significantly advanced farmland preservation through leadership, advocacy, planning and education. Award winners over the last ten years have included municipalities, land trusts, farmers, town committees, and many individuals and groups who worked tirelessly to preserve Connecticut's most valuable and vulnerable resource -- our farmland.
Nominations are open now through October 18, 2013 in three different categories including: Outstanding Individual, Outstanding Group, and Education Leader Awards. Award winners will be honored at the WLA Annual Meeting to be held on November 13, 12:00 - 2:00pm in the Old Judiciary Room of the Connecticut State Capitol.
Nomination forms can be downloaded here or by contacting WLA Project Director Lisa Bassani at [email protected].
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We count on your support!
Please renew your membership today!
Please click here to contribute!
www.ctconservation.org
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