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CLCC Events Calendar
September 25
Save the dates/Info coming:
October 15 & 29
OSWA Info Sessions
October 21
Regional Summit - Granby
October 22
Regional Summit - Mansfield
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August Photo Sampler
Congress on your Hike
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Executive Director's Message
Pretend you are in 4th grade
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Early this past month, I happily accepted an invitation by Norwalk Land Trust President John Moeling to tour NLT's 16 acre Farm Creek Preserve. In preparation of our walk, John told me to wear comfortable shoes, long pants and sleeves and, most importantly, to pretend I was in 4th grade.
A diversity of habitats exist within the preserve, including wooded glens, open meadows, and a tidal estuary teeming with plant and animal life - making it an ideal outdoor classroom. Since 2010 several thousand 4th graders from Norwalk public schools have visited the preserve, with NLT providing an experiential component to the schools' science curriculum.
 According to John, environmental responsibility is the core message delivered to the students experiencing the preserve's multiple habitats.
After exploring the historic stone barn that serves as an indoor classroom, we wandered the trails, with John quietly guiding me through various aspects of the curriculum as if I was one of his students.
The walk was fun, interesting and exciting - it's no wonder NLT's education program is so successful.
The biggest thrill for me? Watching the sand undulate from the hundreds of crabs exposed by the low tide. 
At that moment, I might as well have been back in the 4th grade!
Enjoy the wonders of nature this fall and always --
With warmest regards,
Amy
Photo of students at the Farm Creek Preserve courtesy of the Norwalk Land Trust.
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CLCC News
Save the Date! 2016 CT Land Conservation Conference
Saturday, March 19, 2016
8:30am - 4:45pm (followed by post-event reception)
Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
a full day of educational workshops and peer-to-peer networking for those interested in land conservation, followed by an informal reception with friends and colleagues from across the state.
Coming soon:
Request for Proposals for workshops/seminars; Excellence in Conservation Award nominations; sponsorship opportunities; & more!
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CLCC Training & Education
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This Friday! Space is limited!
Focus Group: FUNdraising Events & Community Programming
September 25, 2015
9:30am - 1:3opm
Connecticut Forest & Park Assn.
16 Meriden Rd., Rockfall, CT 06481
What are some of the creative programs that land trusts are using to enhance fundraising and community support? Are these events successful? Join us at our final Focus Group of 2015 for a frank and lively conservation with your peers about Land Trust FUNdraising Events and Community Programming. More information and registration is available HERE.
Photo courtesy of Connecticut Farmland Trust
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Coming in October: Regional Summits, OSWA Info Sessions & More
Updated 2015 Calendar of CLCC programs
HERE
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CT Land Trusts in the News
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| Photo Courtesy of Rachel Murray |
The Nature Conservancy and Sunny Valley Preserve: A Leading Advocate and Supporter of Local Farms
From UConn Extension
Connecticut's conservation community is at the forefront of reshaping the agricultural landscape throughout the region and increasing farmers' access to prime farmland. Through their Sunny Valley Preserve, The Nature Conservancy is also playing a vital role in helping a number of Litchfield County farmers gain critical access to farmland. Read the full article HERE.
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DEEP Announces New Round of Open Space & Community Garden Grants
From CT DEEP
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
October 15 and 29 - Details coming soon!
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
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CT DEEP Duck Stamp Program & Art Competition
Purchase a CT Duck Stamp and Protect Our Cherished Wildlife Habitat
From CT DEEP
DEEP holds an annual art competition to determine the winning image for the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program. Starting in the early 1990s, Duck Stamp funds have protected over 3,145 acres of critical wetlands; they may be purchased wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. More about the Program
HERE.
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CT Junior Duck Stamp Competition
From CT DEEP
Young CT artists have the opportunity to submit their artwork of a waterfowl species in the
CT Junior Duck Stamp
competition sponsored by the
CT Waterfowlers Association
(CWA). Questions and artwork should be submitted to CWA, c/o Chris Samor, 29 Bower Hill Rd., Oxford, CT 06487.
Deadline is March 15, 2016.
More about the national program
HERE
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Silvio O.Conte Comprehensive Conservation Plan Draft Available for Public Comment
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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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Farmlink Interactive Database Matches Farmland Owners/Seekers
From CT Department of Agriculture (DoAg)
 DoAg has recently enhanced CT FarmLink, a farmland database website for farmers seeking farmland and farmland owners looking to sell or lease acreage to farmers.The website includes a detailed property listing, interactive property map and resource center. Farm owners and seekers must register by completing an application, available on the website.
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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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Meeting Space Available for Rent
From CT Audubon Society
The CT Audubon Society's Center in Glastonbury is seeking expressions of interest for the use of its space for events or classes that are in alignment with its mission. Partners wishing space for education uses, community meetings, or conservation efforts would be ideal. The site contains two classroom-sized spaces, parking for 40, and is centrally located. If interested, please contact Cindy Bartholomew at 860-633-8402 x 205, or email at [email protected]. Rental fee negotiable.
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Other Funding Opportunities
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Grants Available to Municipalities for the Control of Aquatic Invasive Species
From CT DEEP
The CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce the availability of funding through the CT General Assembly 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.
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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.
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Conservation Job Opportunities
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Multiple Positions Available - Connecticut Forest & Park Association
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Executive Director - CT Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc.
The CT RC&D Council is now hiring a full-time Executive Director to lead their organization. The Council is looking for an energetic, visionary leader who is able to work creatively and forge partnerships to work across municipal and regional boundaries and someone to help bring stability and direction to the organization. The full job description and application instructions are available HERE. Interviews are expected to begin in late October 2015.
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Nominations Open for 2015
Farmland Preservati
on Pathfinder Awards
From Working Lands Alliance
Do you know of an individual or organization who goes above and beyond to protect our farmland in Connecticut? Now is the time to get them recognized for their great work! The Working Lands Alliance is pleased to announce that nominations are open for our 2015 Farmland Preservation Pathfinder Awards. Nomination forms can be downloaded HERE. Nominations are open now through October 16, 2015. Find more information about the awards 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);
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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