February 16, 2016
IN THIS ISSUE...
CLCC Event Calendar

CT Land Conservation Conference
Middletown, CT
Register early and save!
Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust hosts a Conservation Celebration
February 13, 2016 (More under Land Trusts in the News)



Photo credit:  Connie Manes
Connect With Us
Executive Director's Message
Remember the Four P's

Ensuring that conserved lands in Connecticut stay protected is at the heart of CLCC's mission ... and it's keeping us very busy!

Last month, I served as a panelist at an information session hosted by the Connecticut Fund for the Environment  and a coalition of organizations to discuss a proposed gas pipeline project which would impact protected Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) watershed lands as well as a preserve owned by the Wintonbury Land Trust in Bloomfield.

The issues raised by the public and the advice shared by the other panelists can be summed up in this way:

Perpetuity, Precedent, Public Trust, & Participation

1. Perpetuity - Lands intended to be protected and preserved to safeguard the quality of our state's water resources and for conservation and recreational purposes, should be protected as such in perpetuity to the greatest extent possible.

2. Precedent - Permitting a project that would undercut the strict legal protections on these lands sets a dangerous precedent for further erosion of such laws in the future.

3. Public Trust - Expanding the existing pipeline to the extent proposed would, at a minimum, undermine the charitable intent and the associated public purpose and trust in permanently protecting the respective lands.  

4. Participation - If we don't get involved and raise these concerns, who will?

I call these "The Four P's", and they apply to our efforts to protect all conservation lands.

On February 19, you have a chance to submit testimony to help ensure better protections for our public lands as part of a campaign for a Constitutional Amendment led by the  Connecticut Forest & Park Association. (More information below under State News and HERE).

This Friday and always -- remember the Four P's! Working together, we can ensure that conserved lands in Connecticut stay protected!

With warmest regards -
Amy 

With Congresswoman Esty and CLCC Steering Committee member Sandy Breslin
CLCC News
2016 CT Land Conservation Conference Updates
On-line Registration is Open --   Please register early!
State News
State Policy Call to Action:   Public Hearing Friday (2/19) to Protect Public Lands, Plum Island, & more!
This Friday (2/19), there is a public hearing before the Environment Committee to hear a proposed Constitutional Amendment bill ( SJ5). This is your opportunity to offer testimony that will ensure this bill results in better protection of state conservation, recreation and agricultural lands. (Click HERE for more information) 

Other items of interest on Friday's agenda include a resolution to support permanent protection of Plum Island ( SJ-4)and a bill designating a portion of the Housatonic as a Wild and Scenic River. ( RSB-81) 
CT Greenways Council Accepting Nominations 
From CT DEEP

Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Greenways Council are now soliciting nominations for official state greenway designations. The Greenways Council will evaluate all nominated greenways for consistency with designation criteria. The deadline for submission of nominations is April 29, 2016. Email completed nomination forms and digital photos and maps to Laurie.Giannotti@ct.gov. For more information, click HERE. 
N ew Web Pages Provide Resources for Understanding "SLAMM" Long Island Sound Predictions
From Long Island Sound Study

Long Island Sound Study has added new web pages to assist conservation commissions, land trusts, academic institutions, NGOs and others interested in understanding a computer mode's predictions on how salt marshes in Long Island Sound may respond to sea level rise. Information about how the Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) was developed to assist land use planners and natural resource managers in making decisions on how to manage the region's changing salt marsh habitats. View the web pages HERE

Photo Credit: ctpost.com
Photo Credit: CT Agricultural Information Council
Nominate an Outstanding Young Farmer Today
From The Connecticut Agricultural Information Council

The Connecticut Agricultural Information Council  is accepting nominations for the Connecticut 2016 Outstanding young Farmer. The purpose of the Outstanding Young Farmer program is to bring about a greater interest in the farmer, to foster better urban-rural relations through the understanding of agriculture's challenges, to develop an appreciation of their contributions and achievements, and to inform the agribusiness community of the growing urban awareness of farmers' important and impact on the American economy. Find details and nomination instructions HERE.  
Federal News
Photo Credit: Tom Koener, USFWS
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Proposes National Wildlife Refuge with Two Focus Areas in CT -- Comments due March 4
From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The USFWS recently announced a proposal to establish the Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge  dedicated to managing shrubland habitat for wildlife and connecting existing conservation areas, with focus areas in southeastern New London and western Litchfield. Additionally, the agency identified nine areas in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. The agency invites feedback on the draft land protection plan and environmental assessment. The deadline to submit comments is March 4.  To read the full release, including links to additional information and instructions on submitting comments, click HERE.
Land Trust Resources
P ostcard Form 990-N e-File Required  
From Land Trust Alliance

The Internal Revenue Service announced that as of February 29, Form 990-N electronic submissions must be submitted via IRS.gov instead of the Urban Institute's website. A short, one-time registration will be required before an organization can begin submitting via the new system. Form 990-N only applies to charities with net annual receipts of less than $50,000. 
L isting Land Opportunities in NYFC Newsletter
From The National Young Farmers Coalition

The National Young Farmers Coalition is seeking land access opportunities from land trusts to include in their monthly newsletter. Listings should include: 1) A brief 1-2 line description of  the property (location, acreage, infrastructure, etc.); 2) Name of land trust listing the opportunity; 3) A link to the Request for Proposal or property description; 4) Deadline for proposals; and 5) Any other relevant information. Send listings to holly@youngfarmers.org at any time. 


Photo Credit: CT Dept. of Agriculture
Winter Trails Workshop
From Connecticut Forest & Park Association

When: Saturday, February 27, 2016; 8:30am - 1:30pm
Where: CFPA, 16 Meriden Road, Middlefield, CT 06481
Registration Fee: Free
Join us for CFPA's annu al winter trails workshop. Meet other trail enthusiasts, learn new skills and advance your own understanding of best practices in trail stewardship. 
Find more details and registration info HERE.
Request for Letters of Intent:  CT Wetland In-Lieu Fee Program for Land Conservation & Wetland Enhancement
From Audubon Connecticut

Letters of intent are now being accepted for funding of wetland acquisition, restoration or enhancement projects in Connecticut through the Connecticut In Lieu Fee (ILF) Program. Sponsored by The National Audubon Society, Inc., through its Connecticut program Audubon Connecticut, the CT ILF Program has accrued sufficient funds which are now available for the preservation, restoration and enhancement of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the state. Full details are available HERE.  
Land Trusts in the News
Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust & Partners Celebrate Conservation

On February 13, CLCC joined the Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust , a multitude of regional and statewide co-hosts , and a crowd of other conservationists, in a celebration of the recently enacted permanent conservation easement tax incentive as well as funding victories for LWCF and Highlands. (More HERE ) Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy , as well as Representative Elizabeth Esty were in attendance and shared their thoughts on these historic achievements as well as topics ranging from pollinators to the proposed Great Thicket NWR to brownfields to legislation to provide more support for land trusts (hooray!).

We are fortunate in Connecticut to have a Congressional Delegation that is so consistently supportive of land conservation and environmental protection.  Please be sure to thank them!  Click HERE for contact information.

Photo credit:  Mackenzie Demac, Community Liaison, Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty
L.to R.:  Sean Robertson (Land Trust Alliance), Bill Arnold (Kent Land Trust), Amy B. Paterson (CLCC), Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Chris Murphy.
Conservation Job and Volunteer Opportunities
Become a Plant Conservation Volunteer - New England Wild Flower Society
New England Wild Flower Society is seeking enthusiastic people interested in plan identification and exploring interesting natural habitats to participate in their Plan Conservation Volunteer (PCV) Program. PCVs put the skills of citizen science to work collecting information on rare plants and their habitats across all six New England states. For more information and to apply visit our website or contact Larry Widener at lwidener@newenglandwild.org or 508-877-7630 ext. 3204.
Dr. Marc J. Taylor Internship - Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition
The Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition is proudly accepting applications from highly motivated undergraduate students pursuing environmental careers for its Dr. Marc J. Taylor Internship position. If you are an undergraduate student pursuing an environmental career, you may consider applying for this 10-233k, full-time, paid internship position. Find more details and application instructions HERE. Application deadline is March 31, 2016.
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. 
We Count on Your Support!   Join Today and Receive a Member Discount on Conference Registration.

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); 
Sandy Breslin (Bethany Inland Wetlands Commission) 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 
Connecticut Land Conservation Council | 16 Meriden Road, Rockfall, CT  06481 | 860-685-0785
© 2015 Connecticut Land Conservation Council. All rights reserved.