I took this photo of my grandson and dogs a couple of weeks ago. We were in our yard, about 50 feet from my house. The photo perfectly captured the joy I was feeling in that moment in the outdoors.
Within minutes, I received an email from a CLCC IG follower sharing their experience of being knocked down by a dog while hiking and saying in part:
“I am an avid hiker and spend many hours on different trails around Connecticut. I love dogs, too, but not off leash on shared paths. By putting this very bucolic photo on your Instagram, it suggests that you encourage dogs to hike with their owners off leash. I feel it should not be encouraged.”
I thanked the writer for contacting me directly, explained that the picture was taken on private property, and told them I’d immediately take down the photo for the reasons they stated.
Everyone should feel safe and welcome in the outdoors and we need to recognize how different backgrounds, experiences, and even cultures may influence a person’s comfort level in nature.
In CLCC Advancement Initiatives -- a series of dialogues around equitable land access, partnerships, and a shared vision for regional conservation -- we talk about differing perceptions of “acceptable uses of the land”. Facilitated by equity trainers Ashley Stewart and David Sutherland, we have engaged deeply with land trusts on the importance of inviting new people and different perspectives into their organizations.
We believe that creating a welcoming outdoor environment for as many people as possible will help to strengthen and further our collective mission to conserve more land and build healthier communities. Land trusts are essential partners in that effort and are proving time and again that they are up for the challenge.
Spring is in the air. I hope you get outside and enjoy it!
Sincerely,
Amy Blaymore Paterson
Executive Director
P.S. Is your land trust interested in participating in a CLCC Advancement Initiative program? We’d love to hear from you! Please contact Rebecca to learn more about equity training for land trusts in your region.
CLCC News
Save the Date!
2022 CT Land Conservation Conference
Gather on the Land: Conversations Among Generations
Join CLCC for our 38th annual CT Land Conservation Conference Gather on the Land: Conversations Among Generations. This hybrid event includes a series of virtual roundtables and features an in-person plenary session at Peoples State Forest on Saturday, May 14. Watch for updates and registration coming soon.
The Diana Atwood Johnson OSWA photo contest celebrates CT DEEP's Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) and Urban Green and Community Garden (UGCG) grant programs. CLCC is calling for amateur photographers to submit photos featuring properties supported by these important state funding programs.
In preparation for Earth Day 2022 on April 22, CLCC is putting together a compilation video featuring clips of community projects funded with Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) or Urban Green and Community Garden (UGCG) grant programs. This year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest in Our Planet” so we want to highlight the success of these two important state grant programs and all the benefits of conserving and investing in land for people, the environment, and the future. Please submit clips/video footage to Sylvie Boucher by April 15.
Spring Farmland Mixer – An event hosted by CT Farmland Trust, Land for Good, Solid Ground, and UConn to help people find land to farm or a farmer for their land. April 9. More info here
Celebrating Olmsted & Old-Growth Forests in Connecticut – An event including a field trip through the landscape of Olmsted’s childhood, lunch, and a documentary on old-growth forests in New England. April 9. More info here
Earthfest CT 2022 – All non-profits are welcome as long as they have an environmental message and can create an environmentally focused activity for kids. June 11. Contact Deb Moshier-Dunn for more info
Trails Day Event Registration Is Now Open
CT Forest & Park Association
Trails Day is June 4 and 5 this year and registration is now open at www.trailsday.org. Your land trust can show off that new preserve or trail your volunteers just restored. What a perfect way to get the word out to your community about all the great work you've been doing. Register your event by April 15th and get a cool "Follow The Leader" tee-shirt. We'll give you a Trails Day dashboard where you can welcome guests and collect their contact information.
Sponsor a Trails Day event. Let's get outside!
News from the Land Trust Alliance
Advocacy Days: Mark your calendar for May 9-12, in-person Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C. is happening! The Alliance has a limited number of travel stipends available. More info here
Rally 2022: Save September 15-17 for Rally 2022 in New Orleans. Registration opens in June. More info here
Land Trust Excellence Awards:April 8 is the deadline to submit nominations for the national land trust excellence awards. More info here
Funding Opportunities
State Grant Programs
Urban Forestry Equity through Capacity Building Grant Program
Environmental Professionals Organization of Connecticut (EPOC) Environmental Grant Program. Deadline: 4/15/22Info here
CT Beaver Initiative grants. Rolling deadline. Info here
~$10M in Long Island Sound Futures Fund
(LISFF) Dollars Available
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced ~$10M in Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) dollars available through its 2022 Request for Proposals to help Connecticut communities develop and implement nutrient reduction/prevention projects throughout the inland areas of the Long Island Sound watershed. More info here
The Connecticut Land Conservation Council is Connecticut's only statewide land trust service organization. Your annual membership support of CLCC ensures that you will be part of a coalition that supports and is responsive to the needs of all land trusts and their communities not only during these extraordinary times, but always. Your organization’s contribution – at any level – will make a difference.
Please renew your land trust's membership in CLCC today!
The Connecticut Land Conservation Council advocates for land conservation, stewardship and funding, and works to ensure the long term strength and viability of the land conservation community.
