 |
| |
August 26
Prospect, CT
September 11
GPS Training Series: Smartphone GPS/On-line Mapping
Haddam, CT
September 18
Hartford, CT
September 25
Focus Group: FUNdraising Events
Rockfall, CT
More info coming soon!
|
| Summertime ... when the learning is easy & fun! |
|
|
|
Regional Summit co-hosted by HVA/Litchfield Hills Greenprint
July 9, 2015
|
|
|
|
|
Communications & Community Engagement with Judy Anderson
July 28, 2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Director's Message
|
|
Turning your ideas into action
|
Have you attended a
CLCC Regional Land Trust Summit? If so, you know that these roundtables are a fun and informal opportunity to share experiences, exchange ideas, get advice and otherwise network with members of neighboring land trusts.
I love our Summits.
I get to travel all over the state - with every region a showcase of beautiful and diverse landscapes.
I get to visit with you - land trust volunteers and staff whose dedication and passion for conservation continue to be our inspiration at CLCC.
I get to listen to you - your conversations give us the opportunity to take your ideas and turn them into action.
Last year, at a Summit co-hosted by
Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust, the group suggested that CLCC create an email listserv to provide land trusts with a easy way to communicate with each other, pose questions, and exchange ideas related to their conservation work.
The
CT Land Trust Listserv is intended for use by members of Connecticut's land trust community for discussion of land conservation, land stewardship and land trust organizational questions. In the few weeks that it has been up and running, we've already had email conversations on topics including tax exempt status of land trust properties, land management equipment, and opportunities to partner with students interested in conservation.
Give it a try! It's simple to sign up and participate. Visit the Listserv page
HERE for more details on how to subscribe along with guidelines and general information. Or contact me anytime for more information at [email protected].
Keep those ideas coming and we'll do our best to turn them into action.
Enjoy the remaining weeks of summer.
With warmest regards,
Amy
With conservation partners, legislators and DEEP staff at a ceremonial bill signing for SB347 hosted by Governor Malloy and Lt. Governor Wyman. Our cup runneth over!
MORE HERE.
|
|
|
|
CLCC Strategic Planning Survey -- Your Participation is Needed!
The CLCC Steering Committee is developing a new strategic plan and we are seeking your input. Our goal is to map out our tasks which will help to best serve Connecticut's land trusts and broader conservation community and, in doing so, enhance our collective efforts to advance conservation throughout the state. Access the survey here.
|
CT Record Keeping Project - Intern Needed
|
|
CLCC Training & Education Events
|
 |
Conservation Easement Modifications
Date: August 24
Time: 9:30am - 1:30pm
Location: CFPA, 16 Meriden Road, Rockfall, CT
Instructor: Attorney Linda Francois
Cost: Free for CLCC members; $25 for non-members (lunch provided)
We will explore the challenging, and at times controversial, issues land trusts face when deciding on easement amendments. Click HERE for more information. Register HERE.
|
|
|
|
|
Regional Land Trust Board Summit
Prospect
Date: August 26
Time: 7:00 - 8:30pm
Location: Prospect Public Library, 17 Center St., Prospect, CT
Cost: Free
CLCC regional roundtables are free and open to all who are interested. Click HERE for more information. To RSVP contact CLCC ED Amy B. Paterson at [email protected].
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GPS for Land Trusts:
Using Smartphone GPS for Monitoring and Mapping Land Trust Holdings
Presented by CLCC and UConn CLEAR
September 11, 2015
9am - 2:30pm
Middlesex County Extension Center
1066 Saybrook Road
Haddam, CT 06438
Cost: $60 for CLCC members, $90 for non-members.
Registration and further details HERE.
(A few spots left! Class size is limited to 16 students)
|
 
NEW! Savvy Risk Balancing for Land Trusts
Presented in partnership with the Land Trust Alliance
September 18, 2015
9:30am - 2:30pm
10 Columbus Blvd.
Hartford, CT 06106
Cost: Free for CLCC members; $25 for non-members
(lunch provided)
Led by Land Trust Alliance Conservation Defense Director
Leslie Ratley-Beach and representatives from Connecticut land trusts, we will discuss key concepts in risk balancing as they apply to land trusts so organizations advance their mission and protect their vital assets.
Participants will leave the session understanding how to develop a risk management plan that integrates sound risk balancing practices into land trust operations including saving money and buying the right type and amount of insurance. Click HERE for more information. Register HERE.
|
Entire 2015 Calendar of CLCC training & education events is
HERE
|
|
CT Land Trusts in the News
|
Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust Awarded Accreditation
|
Wintonbury Land Trust: Supporting and Improving
Land Access to Local Farmers
From UConn Extension
The Wintonbury Land Trust and its Hawk Hill Preserve were the subject of a case study on how land trusts can support access to farmland by Rachel Murray, for UConn Extension. "Land trusts are at the forefront of reshaping the agricultural landscape in Connecticut. They can be a leader supporting and promoting new and beginning farmers by providing access to farmland." Read more on Wintonbury Land Trust and Hawk Hill Preserve HERE.
CLCC Executive Director Amy B. Paterson was honored to speak at the Hawk Hill Preserve Dedication Ceremony last May. Read more on our CLCC Blog.
|
Wildlife Action Plan - Final Draft for Review
From CT DEEP
DEEP's draft 2015 Wildlife Action Plan is available for public review and comment. Connecticut's plan has been revised to set priorities for the next 10 years. It outlines actions that agencies, conservation organizations, towns, landowners, and others can take to protect habitat and address the needs of fish and wildlife with the greatest conservation needs. A key goal of the plan is to "keep common species common."
Public input will be accepted through August 21, 2015.
|
|
|
|
Credit: Preserve Plum Island Coalition
|
CT and NY Senators Join in Introducing the "Plum Island Conservation Act" to Prevent Sale of Plum Island
From Save the Sound
CT Senators Blumenthal and Murphy, along with NY Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, joined together to introduce Senate Bill 1675, the "Plum Island Conservation Act", on June 24th. The Act eliminates the language requiring the sale of the island and requires a report to be developed analyzing the potential transfer of the island to a federal agency best equipped to conserve the undeveloped portion of the island. Click HERE to read an article about this new legislation. Visit the Preserve Plum Island website for more information.
|
Progress Made for Conservation Easement Incentives
From Land Trust Alliance
As predicted, the Senate Finance Committee agreed to a two-year extension of the enhanced incentive for conservation easement donations. Senate support has increased to 36 Senate sponsors for S.330. Later this year will provide at least two opportunities for the House and Senate to address the permanence of these incentives. To find out more about these incentives, click HERE. Don't forget to thank Senators Blumenthal and Murphy for their support!
|
|
Free Legal Assistance Available from The Pro Bono Partnership
The Pro Bono Partnership provides free legal assistance to nonprofit organizations that need help with business or transactional issues (i.e., not litigation), including those related to environmental or
conservation work. Legal services are provided primarily through the volunteer efforts of local business attorneys who work in corporate legal departments or in local law firms. The Pro Bono
Partnership also helps with educational programs and operates a resource helpline. For more information visit their website HERE.
|
Opportunity to Participate in Seeds of Success
From New England Wild Flower Society
As part of the Seeds of Success program,the New England Wild Flower Society reaches out to land trusts in the hopes of collecting seeds from preserved land to avoid or minimize trampling of delicate habitat. This program is also looking to provide seeds for restoration free of charge to organizations seeking to restore degraded habitat. Click HERE for a list of interested species. If you are interested in participating, contact James Lucas at [email protected].
|
2016 USDA Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration
From CT DEEP
The Fiscal Year 2016 USDA Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration Request for Proposals is available HERE. If your organization is interested in apply for this competitive grant program please follow the guidelines and instructions found at the above link.The grant applications will be due to DEEP Forestry for review by 4:30pm on Tuesday, September 15. Please send your completed RFPs to Daniel Peracchio at [email protected].
|
CIRCA Matching Funds Program - Third Round of Funding Available
From the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA)
CIRCA is offering up to $100,000 through its Matching Funds Program for projects that will assist, CT towns, NGOs and other entities to adapt to a changing climate and enhance the resilience of their infrastructure.
Address your questions to [email protected]. Matching Fund request forms can be found HERE. Matching Funds requests will be accepted on a rolling basis.
To qualify for this current round of funding, requests are due by September 15.
|
Employment/Volunteer Opportunities
|
Field Coordinator, Trails Program - Connecticut Forest & Park Association
CFPA has just opened the search for a Field Coordinator for its Trails Program. CFPA maintains 825+ miles of Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails in Connecticut with the support of many, many volunteers. This is a 30-hour/week position with competitive salary and benefits commensurate with the applicant's experience.
For more information about this opportunity including instructions on how to apply before the September 20th deadline, click
HERE.
|
Save the Date! Rockfall Honors CLCC Executive Director and Steering Committee Members David Bingham and Eric Hammerling
From Rockfall Foundation
Date: September 24
Time: 5:30 pm
Location: The Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station, Haddam
 Mark your calendar and join the Rockfall Foundation as they celebrate their 80th Anniversary! Rockfall will honor CLCC's Executive Director Amy B. Paterson and Steering Committee members Eric Hammerling (Connecticut Forest & Park Association) and David Bingham (Eightmile River Watershed Committee, Salem Land Trust) in recognition of their hard work and efforts for the land conservation community. For additional information, contact Tony Marino at [email protected] or 860-347-0340.
|
|
Folks for Feathers
From Audubon CT and New Haven Land Trust
Date: August 16
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Location: Long Wharf Nature Preserve and Bayview Park
Come celebrate the beauty of New Haven's natural habitats and their importance to birds and people! Enjoy great music, bird walks and a live bird of prey show! For directions and more information, click
HERE.
|
|
|
|
|
Musical Bridges
From East Haddam Land Trust
Date: August 24
Time: 6:30-10:00pm
Location: Goodspeed Theater Lawn, East Haddam
East Haddam Land Trust presents
Musical Bridges, a unique event featuring local musicians improvising, pick-up band style, with other local musicians. There is no charge to attend this event, but the Land Trust will gladly accept donations to help fund materials for a new footbridge. Click
HERE for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coverts Project Seminar
Date: September 17-20
Location: Great Mountain Forest, Norfolk, CT
The Coverts Project is a volunteer training program in forest and wildlife management. The Project aims to demonstrate that well-planned forest management can improve wildlife habitat along with other benefits. The goals of the project are: 1) to help landowners understand why and how management can enhance habitat and improve forest health and productivity; 2) to inspire and help them pass their knowledge on to their peers.
If you or someone you know is interested in the Coverts Project, contact Thomas E. Worthley at 860-345-5232 or [email protected].
Credit: 2013 Facebook Page Coverts Project Seminar
|
The Connecticut Land Conservation Council's mission is to advocate for land preservation, stewardship and funding, and ensure the long term strength and viability of the land conservation community.
|
Our 2015-16 Annual Appeal is Underway!
|
|
Connecticut Land Conservation Council
Steering Committee and Staff
|
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); David Brown (Middlesex Land Trust); Margot Burns (Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments); Kevin Case (Land Trust Alliance); Eric Hammerling (CT Forest & Park Association); Michael Hveem (Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust); Elaine Labella (Housatonic Valley Association); Connie Manes (Kent Land Trust); Elisabeth Moore (CT Farmland Trust); Shirley Nichols (Darien Land Trust); Tom ODell (CT Association of Conservation and Inland Wetland Commissions); David Sutherland (The Nature Conservancy); Humphrey Tyler (Lyme Land Conservation Trust)
Amy Blaymore Paterson, Executive Director
Cristina Gastador Hayden, Communications Coordinator
|
|
|
|
|
|
