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CL
CC Event Calendar
Regional Summit
North Stonington
Save the Date!
Annual CT Land Conservation Conference
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October & November Photo Sampler
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October 15 -- Attendees at the OSWA Info Session give it a thumbs up!
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Executive Director's Message
It's all about the land
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Late last month, on a picture perfect day, I had the pleasure of joining the
Clinton Land Conservation Trust (CLCT) and a crowd of town residents as they celebrated the dedication of The Elliot Preserve. The 18 acres bordering the Indian River had been in the Elliot Family since the 1640's.
After 375 years, Lucy Elliot honored both her family and the land by donating it to the land trust.
And the best part? We all had a chance to meet Lucy Elliot and thank her for her generosity and foresight in protecting the land she loves.
CLCT President Mike Houde summed it up best when he said, "Land trusts ... all over the country are working to protect land. The Elliot Family has preserved and protected this beautiful land for generations, and with Lucy Elliot's gift the land will continue to be preserved. After all the tax forms, insurance bills and seemingly endless paperwork involved in operating a land conservation organization, in the end it is all about the land."
For the CLCT, like land trusts everywhere, this celebration validates the hard work that they put in every day, all year round, to ensure that special places are conserved forever.
In this season of gratitude, we give thanks to each and every one of you, for all you do now to conserve lands so rich in history for the benefit of future generations.
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at CLCC.
With warmest regards,
Amy
PS: More about The Elliot Preserve dedication
HERE
.
At right: With CLCC Steering Committee member Margot Burns at The Elliot Preserve.
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2016 CT Land Conservation Conference
Sponsorship Program Underway
32nd Annual
Connecticut Land Conservation Conference
Saturday, March 19, 2016
8:30am - 4:45pm (followed by post-event reception)
Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
 Position your business or organization before a sophisticated and engaged audience of conservation volunteers and professionals, while helping CLCC to keep the Annual Conference accessible and affordable for all who wish to attend! We offer a range of sponsorship categories, including advertising opportunities for
Conservation Service Providers. Sponsors will receive various benefits and recognition to acknowledge their leadership and support of CLCC.
More information is HERE.
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CLCC Model Conservation Easement -- Important Updates!
The CLCC Model Conservation Easement and associated Commentary have been revised as of November 18, 2015 and are now posted on our website. Some of the changes are in response to IRS rulings, including its recently confirmed controversial position regarding amendment clauses in conservation easements. Please contact Amy B. Paterson with any questions.
More detailed information and copies of the revised documents are available HERE.
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CLCC Training & Education Programs
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Regional Land Trust Summit
The final Summit of 2015
December 2
7:00 - 8:30pm
North Stonington
Co-hosted by Avalonia Land Conservancy and the North Stonington Citizens Land Alliance.
This Summit always fills up! RSVP Today!
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CT Deep Forest Inventory and Analysis
From CT DEEP
 Using Tableau Business Analytics software, the USFS Northern Research Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) has created Dashboards that allow users to more easily access, explore, and visualize FIA data and findings. The visual (a picture is worth a thousand words) and interactive nature of Dashboards provides a depth of delivery that cannot be matched by current hard copy or pdf publications. Access the webinar recording discussion of the Dashboard HERE.
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Permanent Conservation Incentive Earns Bipartisan Support
From Land Trust Alliance
The Conservation Easement Incentive Act (S. 330)
welcomes its 51st sponsor, bringing the grant total to 25 Democrats, 24 Republicans and 2 Independents. "Senators across the political spectrum - from Democrat Bernie Sanders to Republican Lindsey Graham - support making this conservation tax incentive permanent, announced Alliance President Rand Wentworth. "It's good policy. It's a proven success. And it's time to make this happen." Read the full press release HERE.
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Land and Water Conservation Fund Future Still Uncertain
From Land Trust Alliance
The House of Representatives continues to discuss the status of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which expired in October. House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) drafted a bill to reauthorize LWCF, which includes changes such as limits to federal land acquisition to no more than 3.5% of funds. The bill was the subject of a hearing where Democrats in Rep. Bishop's committee called for no structural changes while Republicans called for an evaluation and overhaul of the program. Visit the LWCF Coalition website for more information.
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Here's a Tip!
How to Craft a Killer Thank You Letter
You wrote a dynamite year-end appeal. Now it's time to create a drop-dead thank you letter. A good thank you letter is the first step toward retaining your donor.
Think about how your thank you letter makes your donor feel. Read more
HERE
.
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Legal Defense Reserves Calculator Now Available
From Land Trust Alliance
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CT Land Trust Listserv - Join the conversation!
Have you subscribed to the CT Land Trust ListServ? If not, you are missing out on some great conversations among members of the state's land trust community.
Visit the ListServ page HERE for more details on how to subscribe along with guidelines and general information.
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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.
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USDA -NRCS Funding Available to Protect and Restore Grasslands, Wetlands, and Working Lands
From USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
 The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits. The Agricultural Land Easements component protects working agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the land. The Wetlands Reserve Easements component, allow landowners to successfully restore, enhance, and protect habitat for wildlife on their lands, reduce damage from flooding, recharge groundwater, and provide outdoor recreational and educational opportunities. To apply, entities should submit applications for funding by January 15. To find out more about the application process, visit the
Connecticut ACEP-ALE page
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Photo courtesy of USDA-NRCS
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DEEP Open Space & Community Garden Grants
The next round of DEEP Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition Program competitive grant funding to assist municipalities, land conservation organizations and water companies with the purchase and preservation of open space lands, urban green space and community gardens Is due February 2.
Details and links to OSWA grant applications
HERE
Photo courtesy of the Trust for Public Land
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Seed Grants and Grow Grants
New England Grassroots Environmental Fund grants are designed for groups that are doing community-based environmental work; are volunteer-driven or have up to 2 full-time paid staff (or equivalents); and have an annual operating budget up to $100,000. Seed Grants are quick project-focused grants dedicated to helping volunteer groups launch and build their project(s). Apply Anytime.
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Community Forest Program
 A USDA Forest Service
Community Forest Program
, provides funds to local governments, tribal governments, and qualified nonprofit entities to establish community forests that demonstrate continuing and accessible community benefits. Federal funds are available to pay up to 50% of the full fee acquisition of forested land for community benefits. Applications due January 15. Click
HERE
for additional information.
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Conservation Job Opportunities
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Greenhouse Coordinator - Creative Living Community of Connecticut
Creative Living Community of Connecticut is seeking a Greenhouse Coordinator to grow micro greens and work among special needs clients at their greenhouse in Vernon. Part-time, 20 hours per week. Pay commensurate with experience and education. Access the full job description document HERE. Please send your resume to resumes@creativelc.org.
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Contractor, Rhode Island Record Keeping Project - Land Trust Alliance
The Rhode Island Record Keeping Project is a partnership between the Rhode Island Land Trust Council and the Land Trust Alliance. This project aims to address the backlog of land trust's records management needs and teach sound records management policies and procedures.
Find complete job details and qualifications along with application instructions HERE.
Applications are due by December 1, 2015.
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New England Director - American Farmland Trust
American Farmland Trust seeks a dynamic and collaborative self-starter to advance its mission of protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land in the six New England states. Position is based out of AFT's New England Office in Northampton, MA. Read the full job description HERE. Applications are due by December 1, 2015.
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Applications Open for Kinship Conservation Fellowship Program
Applications are open for the 2016 cohort of Kinship Conservation Fellows. Program dates are June 26 - July 27, 2016
on the campus of Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA.
More information and online application can be found
HERE
.
Application deadline is January 18, 2016.
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15th Annual Environmental Summit
From Connecticut League of Conservation Voters
 When: Wednesday, December 9; 8am-3pm
Where: Riverfront Boathouse, Hartford, CT
Cost: $25 includes breakfast and lunch
Register today for the Connecticut League of Environmental Voters Environmental Summit. This event provides an opportunity for environmental leaders, state legislators, business leaders and Administration officials to share information and discuss environmental priorities for the upcoming 2016 legislative session. Find more information HERE. Register HERE.
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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.
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We count on your support!
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Connecticut Land Conservation Council
Steering Committee and Staff
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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
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