Connecticut Communities Recognized for Certification and Climate Leader Designation
Vernon earns GOLD certification
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We are proud to announce the certification achievements of five towns for their exceptional commitments to sustainability.
Achieving the highest level of certification, the Town of Vernon has showcased extraordinary leadership and innovation in sustainability. The town’s Gold certification recognizes comprehensive and effective sustainability strategies that serve as a model for other municipalities. Vernon has also achieved Climate Leader designation – a mark of distinction required of Gold level certification.
The Town of Marlborough has achieved Silver certification, highlighting their proactive approach to sustainability, and reflecting the town’s advanced initiatives in sustainable practices and community engagement.
The Cities of Norwalk and Stamford have earned Bronze certification, demonstrating significant achievements across a range of sustainability actions, including environmental stewardship, public health, and social equity.
Additionally, the Town of Mansfield has achieved Climate Leader designation. Climate Leader designation is awarded to municipalities that demonstrate outstanding leadership in addressing climate change through reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing climate resilience strategies.
READ the FULL PRESS RELEASE>
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The Next Sustainable CT Coffee Hour: TEAM Westport
Thursday, June 26 at 10 a.m.
"Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism"
Join our June Coffee Hour to hear from Bernicestine McLeod and Harold Bailey, co-founders of TEAM Westport. TEAM Westport's mission is to make the Town of Westport more welcoming with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, and LGBTQIA+. TEAM stands for "Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism." TEAM Westport has been in place for over two decades and in that time has developed and delivered a core organizational model and variety of programing that engender town values surrounding mutual respect and equality while increasing awareness, understanding and engagement across racial, ethnic, religious, and LGBTQIA+ lines for all who live, work, study, and visit Westport. Join us to learn about how they are building a more welcoming community.
REGISTER for JUNE 26>
Note that this month's Coffee Hour will take place on June 26. But it remains true that you can normally join Sustainable CT for virtual, informal discussions most third THURSDAYS of each month. We share program updates and resources, explore your questions, and strengthen the network of Sustainable CT champions. These sessions are free and open to all.
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June's IMPACT: Meet the Fellows
They're young, they're smart, and they're here to make a difference!
The June episode of our podcast will introduce some of our newest Sustainable CT Fellows. We place highly qualified college students across the state’s Councils of Governments (COGs) to help cities and towns become registered, certified, or recertified with Sustainable CT during the summer. Fellows are directly engaged in supporting cutting-edge sustainability initiatives, local government operations, and regional coordination. And they’re swell people! You will want to hear what they have to say.
This month's episode of the IMPACT will be available on June 15 on the Sustainable CT website, and wherever you get your podcasts.
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The Community Match Fund
Hartford Press Co-op Community Workshop Series
The mission of the Hartford Press Co-op is to make the democratic art forms of printmaking and book arts more accessible to the community by providing affordable workshops, classes, and sliding scale co-op studio memberships. With your support, they can bring a series of free printmaking and book arts workshops to the Hartford community. C'mon, kiss the book!
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Connecticut Town & City highlights Sustainable CT
The Connecticut Conference of Municipality's (CCM) spring issue of Connecticut Town & City magazine featured an excellent piece on Sustainable CT and some of our work in support of Connecticut communities - namely, Bristol, West Hartford and Old Saybrook. "Sustainable CT has been a supporting partner and trusted friend," said David Oakes, facilities manager in Bristol. You betcha, David. Read the entire article.
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DEEP launches new online tool to assist solar siting
The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced that it has launched a new online tool that will enable a more transparent and efficient siting and permitting process for large-scale renewable energy projects, while at the same time protecting Connecticut’s environmental and natural resources.
AND Don't miss DEEP's Municipal Recycling Coordinator News - full of webinars, grants, events and more!
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The Sustainable West Hartford Newsletter is in full bloom
Read for ways to reduce waste, garden smarter, explore solar energy, and connect with your community. Because what we do - at home, at work, in our neighborhoods - adds up. Individual actions matter. Subscribe today!
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Connecticut Age Well Collaborative: Healthy Aging Data Report
The Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston and the Point32Health Foundation recently released the 2025 Connecticut Healthy Aging Data Report. Connecticut Age Well Collaborative served as advisor to the Connecticut report. It's designed to help residents, agencies, lawmakers, and community leaders understand the older people who live in our cities and towns. Visit the website to view your community’s profile.
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Utilizing Housing Data Profiles to Support Sustainable Economic Development
If your town is pursuing Sustainable CT certification, The Partnership for Strong Communities Housing Data Profiles is a crucial resource. Developed with local leaders, planners, and advocates in mind, the The Partnership Housing Data Profiles tool delivers essential county and town-level metrics on housing stock, affordability, demographics, and other economic indicators for your municipal growth and business development. Each of these indicators are provided for every Connecticut town as well as the state and planning regions. Join Sustainable CT, The Partnership and CTData for a webinar on how to use these Housing Data Profiles as you work on your Sustainable CT certification actions. Wednesday, June 11, 1-2pm.
REGISTER to JOIN US>
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Eversource First Thursday Webinar Series
The Eversource First Thursday Webinar Series continues with Energy Efficiency Education Programs and School Year Highlights. Mary McCarthy, Supervisor, K-12 Education and Training with Eversource, will share an overview of Eversource energy efficiency education programs and engagement opportunities for K-12 educators and students. 2024-2025 school year highlights will also be reported. June 5, noon to 1pm.
REGISTER for JUNE 5>
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Middletown pride: Katherine "Sissy" Wells remembered
Katherine “Sissy” Wells was born over a century ago, in 1917. “Sissy” dared to live openly as a transgender person more than half a century ago. Until just a few years before her death in 1999, she lived in the Arriwani Hotel in the North End of Middletown and was a familiar figure on Main Street. On Friday, June 6, at 5:30 PM, “Sissy” Wells will be remembered and honored at The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main Street in Middletown. The event is free and all are welcome.
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Connecticut Green Bank holds webinar for commercial property on ways to control energy costs
The Connecticut Green Bank will host a discussion for property owners who want to take control of their energy costs. The Green Bank's Building Solutions program helps property owners reduce energy costs, generate renewable energy, and improve environmental impact. Learn about program benefits, eligibility, and how to get started. The webinar is relevant to all types of commercial property owners, including industrial, non-profit, multifamily, office, retail, and more. June 10, noon to 12:45pm.
REGISTER>
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DEEP: Climate Action Planning - public meeting and comment
This Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) meeting will open with reflections on this year’s legislative session with respect to climate action with the opportunity for questions from attendees. DEEP will kick off the development of the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) to identify actions to reduce climate pollution while also improving air quality, lowering energy costs, and increasing community resilience. There will be an opportunity for public comment. In-person at the Gina McCarthy Auditorium, DEEP Headquarters, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, and on Zoom, June 13, 10 to 11:20am.
REGISTER for VIRTUAL ATTENDENCE>
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Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut holds "End Child Poverty Now" legislative forum
Join the CFRCT to hear from legislators and advocates about the accomplishments and challenges of the 2025 legislative session. And learn more about how we all can address the root causes of child poverty, including income inequality, access to healthcare, safe and affordable homes, quality education and child care, and a healthy environment. Waterford Public Library, 49 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford, June 18, from 10am to noon.
REGISTER by JUNE 13>
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Fairfield County's Community Foundation hosts "Leaders of Color Networking Night"
Celebrate and unwind at a special networking evening. No presentations—just good company, local wines, delicious snacks, and the peaceful backdrop of rolling hills. Your $10 ticket includes a curated wine flight, pairings, and light bites. Come as you are, bring a colleague, and enjoy a well-deserved summer evening together. The evening of June 18 at Aquila's Nest, 56 Pole Bridge Road, Newtown.
REGISTER NOW>
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The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven will host its 2025 Annual Meeting on June 23
The theme of this year's CFGNH Annual Meeting will be "Upholding Democracy in Uncertain Times: Inclusion, Civic Institutions and the Public Good." The meeting will take place at the John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts, Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent St, New Haven, on Monday, June 23, from 4:30 to 7pm.
REGISTER TODAY>
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Give Black Alliance hosts a conversation: "Black to the Past - Justice Coded or Bias Rebooted?"
Dr. Ayanna Howard, Dean of Engineering at The Ohio State University and author of Sex, Race, and Robots, will explore how Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping our world—and how, for Black communities, its impact could either accelerate justice or deepen inequity. June 25 at 6pm.
REGISTER>
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We're all Connecticut Yankees in King Arthur's Court
Join us at the Twain House on June 4. Armor optional.
We know how to kick off summer - with a little fun, good food, great friends, and lots of obscure literary references.
We're having our Spring into Summer Celebration at the Mark Twain House & Museum this year. Some of our favorite partners will be tabling, we'll honor our spring certified communities, we'll introduce our newest cohort of Sustainable CT Fellows, we’ll have a panel discussion on how to create effective sustainability teams, and tours of the Twain House will be available, too. There's still time - though not much! - to register to join us for this free event. We'd love to see you there.
And now, to paraphrase Twain, 'we shall allow silence to accumulate while we get our impressiveness together.'
| | Our 2025 Spring into Summer Celebration is generously sponsored by: | | Actions & Impact is 100% chatbot-free. We think. | | | | |
