Conserving Connecticut for over 128 Years (since 1895). Wow! www.ctwoodlands.org

Dear Friend of Forests, Parks, and Trails, Right now, negotiations are taking place between the Governor and leaders in the CT General Assembly to determine what will be in the next 2-year budget for Connecticut. We are calling on the Governor to support critical increases proposed in the Legislature’s version of the budget, namely: 15 new Park Maintainers and 1 district park supervisor supported by the Passport to the Parks; Increased grants to municipalities and nonprofits to improve and extend recreational trails; and Increased investment in repairs and accessibility improvements to State Park facilities.

You can help by making contact with the Governor and your state legislators before Friday, May 19th!

Here’s how to make contact: Send an email before Friday, May 19th, to Governor Lamont via Governor.Lamont@ct.gov and copy (CC:) your House and Senate state legislators (all members of the state legislature in both chambers receive emails sent using the following format: firstname.lastname@cga.ct.gov); Please blind copy (BCC:) me on your email via ehammerling@ctwoodlands.org or let me know separately that your email has been sent; and Following is a sample email message that you can send (please note that “form letters” can be given less weight by elected officials, so feel free to add details to make this your own).

SAMPLE EMAIL MESSAGE Subject: Please Support Parks, Forests, and Trails in the Final Budget Dear Governor Lamont,  Some of Connecticut’s greatest assets are the beautiful places that are widely enjoyed and heavily visited by the public in state parks, forests, wildlife management areas, and other public recreation lands. These special places [FEEL FREE TO OFFER AN EXAMPLE OF A SPECIAL PLACE THAT YOU ENJOY] have received record attendance over the past few years, and need investment by our state to ensure they both are safe and well-maintained today and are sustained for future generations to enjoy. The following investments are critical to me, and I hope you will strongly support the following items in the final budget adopted for fiscal years 2024 and 2025: 15 new Park Maintainers and 1 district park supervisor supported by the Passport to the Parks; Increased grants to municipalities and nonprofits to improve and extend recreational trails; and Increased investment in repairs and accessibility improvements to State Park facilities. Thank you for your consideration of this urgent request. Sincerely, Your Name Town of Residence

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE for taking action on behalf of your state parks, forests, and trails before May 19th. Your support and follow-through makes a difference! All the best,

Eric Hammerling Executive Director, CFPA P.S. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me anytime via ehammerling@ctwoodlands.org

CFPA is a private nonprofit that relies on support from people like you. Donate to create a lifetime of fun outdoors for everyone.

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