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October 27, 2015
IN THIS ISSUE...
CLCC Events Calendar

OSWA Info Session
Regional Summit - Mansfield
Regional Summit - New Canaan
NRCS Program Info Session
Planning for Resilient Ecosystems - Salt Marsh Zone Assessments
Model CE workshop:  Monitoring and Encroachments 
September Photo Sampler
Connect With Us
Executive Director's Message
Atwood Farm - Honoring the History of Preserved Land

Last week, the CLCC Steering Committee got together for our Annual Retreat, focusing on CLCC's Strategic Planning. It was an exciting discussion.

Strategic planning by its very nature is forward thinking -- a process of envisioning a desired future and direction for your organization. It's also about reflection. At our Retreat, we looked back at the history of CLCC and all that we have accomplished.

We were fortunate to hold our meeting at the historic Atwood Farm - the headquarters of Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust. Bequeathed to Joshua's Trust in 2012, this 68-acre farm includes a 19th century home, a barn, blacksmith's shop, and other historic outbuildings. It is quintessential New England.

When I toured the property with Joshua's Executive Director Michael Hveem late in the summer, he described the rich history associated with the property, its current use as the land trust's headquarters, and the organization's vision to open the farm to the public as a living museum in the future. 
It was an inspiring visit.

Like organizational strategic planning, land preservation is as much about honoring the history of preserved land, as it is about planning for its use now and for the benefit of future generations.

And if you haven't visited Atwood Farm, give Mike a call - you are in for a treat.

Enjoy the beauty of the season.

With warmest regards,
Amy

Top photo credit:  Joshua's Trust
CLCC News -- 2016 CT Land Conservation Conference 
Call for Presentations -- Proposals due November 23

32nd Annual 
Connecticut Land Conservation Conference
Saturday, March 19, 2016
8:30am - 4:45pm (followed by post-event reception)
Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
 
CLCC invites you to submit a proposal for its 2016 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference, the state's largest annual full-day land conservation gathering, which continues to grow in popularity and size. CLCC seeks workshops on a variety of subjects relevant to the work of land trusts and other members of Connecticut's conservation community. 
  
For more information, please click HERE or contact CLCC Executive Director Amy B. Paterson.
 
SUBMIT A PRESENTATION APPLICATION  HERE 
 
CLCC Training & Education Programs
November Regional Land Trust Summits 
Networking - Socializing - Information Sharing
Monday, November 2
7-8:30pm
Atwood Farm, Mansfield Center
Co-hosted by Joshua's Trust
Details are HERE

Contact abpaterson@ctconservation.org for further information and to RSVP


Wednesday, November 4
7-8:30pm
New Canaan Nature Center
Co-hosted by New Canaan Land Trust
Details are HERE
Photo credit:  The Nature Conservancy
Planning for Resilient Ecosystems - Salt Marsh Advancement Along CT's Coasts

Wednesday,  November 11
7:00 - 9:00pm
West Haven, CT
 
A presentation and Q&A featuring Adam Whelchel, of The Nature Conservancy's Coastal Resilience Team
Details are HERE.

Ask an Attorney!
Model Conservation Easement Session #3 -  Encroachments, Monitoring & Lessons Learned from Lyme Land Conservation Trust v. Platner and other Decisions

Friday, November 13
9:30am - 12:30pm
Rockfall, CT
Details and Registration HERE

Drawing on a depth of professional experience, the presenters --  all Connecticut attorneys -- will use recent case examples and other real world stories to illustrate best practices, and potential pitfalls, in easement drafting and stewardship, monitoring, landowner relations and enforcement. 
CT Land Trusts in the News
Photo credit: Rachel Murray
Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust: Connecticut's Lar gest Land Trust and Loyal Ally for Farmers
By Rachel Murral for UCONN Extension

Written by Rachel Murray for UCONN Extension, Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust is featured in an article for supporting current and future farmers by working to make land "more affordable, accessible, and readily available." Read all about the land trust and the work they do in the full article available HERE. Earlier this year, Weantinoge was awarded accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission 
State News
DEEP Announces New Round of Open Space & Community Garden Grants
Applications Now Available  Deadline  is February 2, 2016 
 
This week!  OSWA Info Session - October 29 - Details HERE

The CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has announced the next round of 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 through the state's Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Program (OSWA).  For more information contact Dave Stygar at 860-424-3081 or Allyson Clarke at 860-424-3774.

Details and links to OSWA grant applications HERE 
Learn more about all of DEEP's Open Space Programs  HERE 
 
Photo courtesy of Kent Land Trust.  Credit:  Sallie Ketchum
Beeman Pond, part of the East Kent Hamlet Preserve, Kent Land Trust, funded in part by OSWA
Federal News
Photo Credit: NRCS
NRCS Announce s N ew Ranking Period for Conservation Program Applicati ons
Join us for Info Session - Nov. 10 - Details HERE

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced another round of funding for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)  and Agricultural Management Assistance Program.  For more details and application information, check out the Getting Started section.
Applications are due by Friday, November 20, 2015.
Silvio O.Conte Comprehensive Conservation Plan Draft Available for Public Comment  From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge draft conservation plan and environmental impact statement is now available for public review and comment.  The final plan will guide management of the refuge for the next 15 years. Public comment will be accepted through November 16, 2015. Instructions for submitting comments can be found HERE. Access the meeting schedule HERE
New England Cottontail Not Listed as Federal Endangered Species - Conservation Efforts Successful
From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has announced that due to the work and commitment of many conservation partners in New England and New York, the New England Cottontail (NEC) is on the path to recovery and will not be listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. Read more HERE. 
Land Trust Resources
Legal Defense Reserves Calculator Now Available From Land Trust Alliance

The newly developed Legal Defense Reserves Calculator is now available in the Allliance's Learning Center. The new calculator enables land trusts to calculate reserves tailored to its specific situation. In 2017, the Accreditation Commission will use the calculator exclusively. Free webinars to see the calculator in action are being held on November 5, January 12, and January 26. If you have any questions contact Leslie Ratley-Beach or Lori Barrett
Photo Credit: The Stewardship Network
New England
Tips for Working with Steward ship Volunteers
From the Stewardship Network: New England and UNH Cooperative Extension

Produced by the Stewardship Network: New England and UNH Cooperative Extension,this 2-page fact sheet provides condensed tips for managers and leaders working with volunteers to perform stewardship and environmental projects. It offers insight into what motivates conservation volunteers and what keeps people coming back to help.Click HERE to download a copy. 
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.
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.
Funding Opportunities
Bridge Financing Program
From The Conservation Fund

Mark your calendars if you need some bridge financing for a year-end project. Dates of final Loan Committee meetings of the year are: Thursday, November 12 (materials due by November 5) and Thursday, December 3 (materials due by November 25). If you have a project that will need more than $3M of bridge financing between now and April 2016, let me know. Contact Reggie Hall at 703-525-6300 to discuss your project and get it on the schedule. Find more info HERE
Seed Grants and Grow Grants
From New England Grassroots Environmental Fund

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); have an annual operating budget up to $100,000. Seed Grants are for quick project-focused grants dedicated to helping volunteer groups launch and build their project(s). Apply Anytime. Grow Grants are competitive group development grants dedicated to helping established groups increase capacity, collaborate, and leverage impact. 
Grants Available to Municipalities for the Control of Aquatic Invasive Species
From CT DEEP
DEEP has funding available for aquatic invasive species abatement diagnostic feasibility studies and for aquatic invasive species control and management projects on inland waters of CT. Proposal deadline is Monday, November 9 at 4:00 p.m. For more information and instructions to submit a proposal, click HERE.  
Community Forest Program
From U.S. Department of Agriculture
A USDA Forest Service 
grant program, the Community Forest Program (CFP), 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. Click HERE for additional information. 
Conservation Job Opportunities
Executive Director - Steep Rock Association
Steep Rock Association is seeking an Executive Director with a passion for land conservation, a collaborative leadership style and strong communication and management skills to lead the organization in implementing its ambitious new strategic plan. The ideal candidate will have a natural passion for conserving land. In addition, he or she will have a commitment to promoting the biodiversity of the preserves through best management practices as laid out in the strategic plan. For more information and application instructions, click HERE.
Senior Conservationist - Conservation Finance Specialist - Highstead
Highstead is now accepting applications for a senior conservationist - conservation finance specialist. This position will bring strong expertise in conservation finance to the collaborative efforts of staff and senior fellows at Highstead and partners in the Wildlands and Woodlands Initiative as they seek to advance the goal of greatly increasing the pace of forest and farmland conservation in New England. Read the full job description, requirements and application information HERE.
Upcoming Events
Farm Succession Planning Workshop

When: November 13th from 12:30 pm to 4 pm
Where: New Milford Railroad Station, 11 Railroad Street, New Milford, CT
A light lunch will be provided.

A free, interactive workshop designed for Connecticut farmers seeking to better understand the options, resources, and steps to transferring their farm business and/or farmland. More info HERE. Register HERE.
Forest Management Educational Workshop Series at Wilcox Preserve #2: Chain Saw Safety and Operation

When: Saturday, November 14; 9:00am - 1:00pm
Where: Wilcox Preserve off Footit Drive in Middletown
Instructors: Tom Worthley, Associate Extension Professor - UCONN and UCONN Extension Forestry Staff
Cost: Free

Wear sturdy shoes, bring drinking water and lunch. Space is limited for each event so please RSVP to Michelle Ford at michelle.ford@middletownct.gov or by phone at 860-638-4837 to ensure availability. 

Photo credit:  UCONN Extension
2015 Regional Conservation Partnership Network Gathering

When: Wednesday, November 18; 8am-4pm
Where: The Crowne Plaza Hotel,  Nashua, NH
Cost: Free (lunch provided)

The 2015 Regional Conservation Partnership (RCP) Network Gathering will bring together more than 150 conservation professionals from seven states and feature 12 workshops with topics ranging from engaging landowners to advancing conservation finance. This year's keynote speaker is David Foster, Director of the Harvard Forest, and Wildlands and Woodlands co-author. View the agenda HERE and register HERE. For more info, email jcologgi@histead.net or visit the RCP Networking Gathering page.  
 
Photo credit:  Wildlands and Woodlands
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!
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.