Monthly Review ⏐ February, 2025

Hi Amy,

To say that February has been a month of uncertainty, confusion, and concern is an understatement. From federal actions on funding (it's frozen, it's not, it might be…) to massive layoffs, the elimination of DEI and environmental justice initiatives, the removal of references to climate change, and rollbacks of environmental protections—the challenges from DC are mounting.

At CLCC, we’ve been reflecting on what these changes mean for our land conservation work, land trusts and their communities, and the future of land conservation in Connecticut. It brought to mind a message I first heard at the National Land Trust Alliance Rally in 2018—one that feels more relevant now than ever.

During his opening remarks, then Land Trust Alliance President Andrew Bowman highlighted the Columbia Land Trust’s Fearless Conservation Campaign, a bold initiative for science-based, community-driven stewardship across Washington and Oregon. As the Columbia Land Trust put it:

“To succeed in protecting nature, amidst the daunting challenges of our time, we need more people to band together.”

When I first reflected on this message in 2018, it was in the context of our advocacy to pass the Constitutional Amendment (Question 2), ensuring a transparent process for protecting public land. That campaign succeeded by an overwhelming majority, reinforcing what we at CLCC have always known: Connecticut residents, like you, care deeply about our natural environment. 

When given the opportunity to speak up and take action, YOU did. 

Now, in these urgent times for our natural environment, we must be even stronger and more vocal in keeping land conservation front and center—at the local, state, and federal levels and in the hearts and minds of people across Connecticut, including our elected officials.

I know YOU will.

As we face new threats and opportunities, CLCC is firmly resolved and committed to strengthening land trusts, advocating for conservation funding, and championing equity and nature-based solutions as essential to addressing environmental and societal challenges.

We are at an inflection point. We must band together to protect what is left and ensure a healthy environment for everyone everywhere, today and for generations to come.

PS: Here is an immediate way to make a difference in Connecticut!

There are many important bills on Monday’s Environment Committee public hearing agenda that you and your land trusts should weigh in on, including HB 5004 (Impacting Nature-Based Solutions and the Open Space Grant Program [OSWA]) (See our Action Alert).

Community First: Building an Inclusive Conservation Movement

By Jovan Bryan, Community Conservation Coordinator

In a time of unsettling shifts in national priorities, marked by attacks on established civil rights protections, the vilification of foreign identities, and a general erosion of inclusivity, it is imperative to reaffirm CLCC's unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and access. These are not merely buzzwords; they are pillars of our organization and our vision for a thriving Connecticut.

When I sought a career path that aligned with my values, it was CLCC that stood out to me for its clear, public, and active dedication to amplifying community voices—all voices...

Photo Credits:



The "Fearless Conservation" banner is a photo Amy took of a slide from Andrew Bowman's presentation. A big thanks to the Columbia Land Trust for inspiring us with their campaign.

Birdwatcher by Ashley Stewart

The mission of the Connecticut Land Conservation Council is to elevate and strengthen land conservation in Connecticut. We envision a future where every Connecticut community is supported and sustained by a diverse mix of conserved land, and land conservation is embraced as an essential community value.

ctconservation.org

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