A Celebration of History and Progress | | |
The Sustainable CT 2026 Spring into Summer Celebration will be held at the Hill-Stead Museum, 35 Mountain Road, Farmington, on June 11 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Join us for a landmark evening as we celebrate the communities and leaders shaping a more resilient future for Connecticut. As our nation prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary, we gather to reflect on our state's past, celebrate our shared progress, and honor the visionary work making history today.
Hill-Stead is a National Historic Landmark. The Colonial Revival estate was designed by Theodate Pope Riddle, one of America's first female architects. The museum’s impressive collection includes original furnishings and decorative arts, paintings by Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet, James M. Whistler and Mary Cassatt, as well as numerous works on paper and Japanese woodblock prints, sculpture, and more. Its sunken gardens and historic grounds provide the perfect backdrop for a celebration of heritage and innovation. Come early to visit the Hill-Stead Museum's first floor including Impressionist paintings, displayed within the original, in-situ domestic interiors of the 1901 historic house - open for a self-guided tour from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
We'll be honoring our spring certified communities, our friends and partners will be tabling, and we'll introduce our newest cohort of Sustainable CT Fellows. We'll have music and light fare, of course, and all of your Sustainable CT friends will be there.
Together, we aren't just reflecting on history - we're creating it. So, please do save the date to celebrate with us. Better yet, REGISTER EARLY because space is limited. Your hard work and continuing support are of vital importance to us, so we hope to see you on June 11!
| | Our 2026 Spring into Summer Celebration is generously sponsored by | | | | |
The Next Sustainable CT Coffee Hour:
Thursday, May 21, at 10 a.m.
Approaching equity in your Sustainable CT application
Join us for an engaging and insightful Coffee Hour featuring Ace Riker, Equity Coach for Sustainable CT. Ace will provide guidance on how to approach Sustainable CT Actions 1.1 Optimize for Equity and 1.3 Develop a Statement on Equity. Whether you’re just beginning your equity journey or looking to deepen your impact, this conversation will provide valuable guidance and space for meaningful dialogue.
REGISTER for MAY 21>
You can join Sustainable CT for virtual, informal discussions most third THURSDAYS of each month. We share program updates and resources, explore your questions, and strengthen the network of Sustainable CT champions. These sessions are free and open to all.
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May's IMPACT: Jayson Velazquez,
the Connecticut Green Bank
We catch up with 'the nation's first green bank' to hear how they're supporting Connecticut towns and cities
A green bank accelerates the green economy using limited public dollars to attract multiples of private capital investment, making clean energy more affordable and accessible to consumers. Established by the Connecticut General Assembly in July 2011, the Connecticut Green Bank supports the Governor’s and Legislature’s energy strategy to achieve cleaner, less expensive, and more reliable sources of energy while creating jobs and supporting local economic development. In 2021, the Green Bank’s model was expanded to include new areas of environmental infrastructure related to climate adaptation and resiliency, land conservation, parks and recreation, agriculture, water, waste and recycling, and environmental markets, including carbon offsets and ecosystem services. Join us to hear how Connecticut Green Bank is supporting towns and cities work towards "a planet protected by the love of humanity."
This month's episode of The IMPACT will be available on May 15 on the Sustainable CT website, and wherever you get your podcasts.
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The Community Match Fund
Center Streets 2026 - an open streets celebration
Center Streets is a community-driven fun event where everyone comes together, enjoys the streets of West Hartford, and connects with neighbors and friends. Bike West Hartford created this car-free festival to encourage health, connection, and fun. With local businesses, volunteers, and partners, they aim to make this event even bigger and more inclusive in 2026. Fun is good - support the fun!
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Optimizing for Equity
The Summer Equity Training Series begins on Wednesday (May 6)
Our summer Equity Training Series begins this week. It's a free, practical, action-focused learning experience designed to help municipal leaders move from equity concepts to confident application in real time.
Participants will work with scenario-based coaching and peer learning, using real challenges from their communities such as budgeting tradeoffs, policy revisions, resident engagement tension, and team dynamics.
Anyone is welcome to register and participate!
Session One runs from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on May 6. Sessions Two and Three run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 20 and June 3. Attendance at all three sessions is required. Please only sign up if you intend to participate for the duration of each session.
MORE INFO and REGISTRATION>
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No Cost Assistance Partner of the Month
UConn Technical Assistance to Brownfields Program
The UConn Technical Assistance to Brownfields Program (UConn TAB) offers no-cost technical assistance to New England municipalities on an ongoing basis. UConn TAB, supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, helps municipalities to advance investigation, cleanup and redevelopment of sites, protect public health, and promote environmental justice. The UConn TAB team provides a wide range of services, including document and grant proposal review, guidance with regulatory, technical and economic issues, planning and organization of community engagement actions, and continuing education on diverse topics related to brownfields.
Join UConn TAB for their Spring & Summer Webinar series. Links to register for the webinars, as well as more information, will be updated continuously. The next webinar takes place May 13, 12 to 12:30 p.m.
MORE INFO and REGISTRATION>
For more information, visit https://tab.program.uconn.edu/.
Action Targeted: 2.1 Support Redevelopment of Brownfield Sites
Participating Partner: UConn Technical Assistance to Brownfields
| Learn about all of the no-cost assistance programs we're making available to communities working on Sustainable CT actions. | |
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NPR: Countries Make Plans to Ditch Oil, Gas and Coal
The first Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels took place in Santa Marta, Colombia, from April 24 to April 29. Co-hosted by the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands, the conference brought together representatives from more than 50 countries to create a roadmap for ending global reliance on oil, coal, and gas. Many viewed it as a necessary alternative to a COP process that remains heavily influenced by the oil and gas industry. With the exception of NPR, there has been very little US press coverage of the event; the United States was not invited, given the Trump administration's refusal to engage in climate talks to move beyond fossil fuels.
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New Resource for Environmental Justice and Indigenous Groups: Collaborative Clinic for Non-Profit Viability
The Collaborative Clinic for Non-Profit Viability (CCNV) is a new, no-cost resource for environmental justice and Indigenous nonprofit organizations facing growing legal, political, and funding threats to their ability to operate. CCNV brings together partner law schools (currently Yale and Howard Universities), legal service organizations, and environmental justice and Indigenous partners to help safeguard organizational viability. Attorney-supervised law students work with organizations to identify governance, compliance, and legal vulnerabilities using its “Health Check” process. Requests to meet with CCNV for a Health Check may be sent to ccnv@yale.edu.
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New Tool for Visualizing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
A million metric tons of carbon dioxide sounds like a lot. But is it? A new free tool from Project Drawdown can help you find a fast and accurate answer. Carbon in Context, developed under the direction of Senior Communications Manager Skylar Knight, provides easy-to-understand conversions between specified quantities of various greenhouse gases and familiar reference points, such as annual emissions of Brazil or round-trip flights between Los Angeles and New York.
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CFECT Women & Girls Luncheon Raises $33K
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut (CFECT) held a Women & Girls Luncheon in April which brought together community members, partners, and advocates for an inspiring conversation on leadership and resilience. CFECT raised approximately $33,000 toward their $50,000 goal. All funds will support the Women & Girls Funds, which provide critical resources to nonprofits serving women and girls across Eastern Connecticut. You can support the Women & Girls Funds here.
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CIRCA Releases New Findings on Heat Variability Across CT Neighborhoods
The Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) has released a new StoryMap presenting research on how environmental and socio demographic factors shape both intra city and inter city differences in Connecticut’s urban heat index.
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New England Environmental Finance Center's Environmental Funding Navigator
The Environmental Funding Navigator is a dynamic, evolving resource designed to help communities across New England access funding for environmental work. The Navigator features an expanding list of grants, loans, tax credits, and other financing options to support your organization’s mission and project goals.
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Virginia Tech Conducting Research on Public Valuation of Renewable Energy and Energy Transition in New England
A Virginia Tech survey asks about renewable energy transition tradeoffs in New England, seeking grounded, place-based input. After verification of eligibility, eligible respondents will be emailed the full survey link. Participants who complete the full survey will be entered into a randomized raffle.
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Yale School of the Environment Hosts 2026 New Horizons in Conservation Convening
Sustainable CT's Katie Meder and Lilly Adamo will be tabling at the 2026 New Horizons in Conservation Convening at the Yale School of the Environment. With a focus on the environment, inequalities, and vulnerabilities, the convening invites professionals, practitioners, students, recruiters, and vendors to explore urgent issues in the environmental field in domestic and international contexts. There will be talks from experts of diverse backgrounds and professions, workshops, and opportunities to meet local leaders and network. This is an in-person, paid event (with a limited number of free and scholarship-supported tickets): May 7-9, the Yale School of the Environment, 195 & 205 Prospect Street, New Haven, beginning at 12 p.m.
INFO and REGISTRATION>
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Connecticut Land Conservation Council: Keeping the Promise - Core Skills for Effective Land Stewardship
Every conservation easement and fee property represents a lasting promise to protect the land’s conservation values forever. Keeping the Promise: Core Skills for Effective Land Stewardship is an essential webinar series from the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) and the Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy designed to equip land trusts with the practical skills, tools, and insights needed to uphold that commitment with confidence. This is a six-part webinar series, the first two sessions of which took place in April. The remaining four sessions will all take place from 12-1:30 p.m. on May 5, 12, 19 and 26.
REGISTER for REMAINING SESSIONS>
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2026 Healing By Growing Farms 4th Annual National Conference
Join Healing by Growing Farms for their 6th annual National Conference, an event that brings together the heartbeat of our food system: farmers, food industry providers, health and human service professionals, community and faith-based groups, brain injury and trauma survivors, and youth ambassadors—the next generation of growers. An in-person event: May 6, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Camp Harkness, 301 Great Neck Road, Waterford.
REGISTER TODAY>
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Urban and Community Forestry Peer Learning Exchange
The Nature Conservancy, along with NVCOG, DEEP, the CT Urban Forest Council, and Sustainable CT, will host the next Urban and Community Forestry Peer Learning Exchange in the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments region on May 6. Through a series of presentations, lightning talks, and discussions, local leaders will share challenges and solutions to urban forestry initiatives, with the overarching goal of creating sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities for all. An in-person event: May 6, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 96 Bank Street, Waterbury.
REGISTER for MAY 6>
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CT Green Bank and SCRCOG Offer C-PACE Workshop
The Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program enables all types of commercial properties to make green upgrades to new and existing buildings through an experienced contractor network and access to financing with repayment options. Attend the virtual workshop offered by Connecticut Green Bank and the South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) on May 6, 10 to 11 a.m.
REGISTER TODAY>
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Eversource First Thursdays: Heat Pump Water Heaters 101
For Eversource's first webinar of 2026, Danielle Crocker, Senior Energy Efficiency Consultant at Eversource, will walk attendees through how heat pump water heaters work and the available rebates for both residential and commercial customers. Learn how heat pump water heaters work and where they perform best; find out about available rebates for homes and businesses; understand how heat pump water heaters help lower energy use and reduce your carbon footprint. May 7, 12 to 1 p.m.
REGISTER>
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Southbury Green Expo 2026 Invites Community to Explore Sustainable Living
The Southbury Green Expo 2026 is a free, family-friendly event focused on sustainability, community engagement, and practical solutions for greener living. The Expo will bring together local businesses, organizations, and artisans dedicated to building a more sustainable future. Designed for both beginners and those already embracing eco-conscious lifestyles, the event offers accessible ideas, valuable resources, and inspiration for making everyday life more sustainable. An in-person event: May 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pomperaug Elementary School, 607 Main Street South, Southbury.
MORE INFO>
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CEEJAC Land Resource Hour about Resilient Forestry, Open Space, and Community Gardens
Join the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council (DEEP/CEEJAC) Land Subcommittee's "Resource Hour" to learn about funding opportunities that are open to Environmental Justice communities. During this hour, guests will hear about Resilient Forestry Practices Grant, Urban Green and Community Garden (UGCG), and Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) programs. You'll get to hear flash talks from program managers about eligibility and application requirements. If you have questions, please contact DEEP.CEEJAC@ct.gov. May 14, 3 to 4 p.m.
REGISTER>
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UConn CLEAR Offers Training on Map Reading and Mapping Resources
UConn CLEAR is offering a training session on Map Reading and Mapping Resources for Land Use Commissioners. Participants will earn three or more hours of general commissioner training, along with one hour dedicated to Fair and Affordable Housing Practices, as required under CGS 8‑4c. A paid, in-person event: May 16, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., UConn Middlesex County Extension Center, 1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam.
REGISTER TODAY>
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EV Club of CT: No Cost Smart Load Manager Program for CT EV Owners
Join the Electric Vehicle Club of CT for a Zoom presentation from Stepwise Electric. Jane Chen, CEO, and Holly Lichtenfeld, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, who will speak about their Stepwise Tap Smart Load Management System that has been selected for a pilot project administered through Eversource and United Illuminating. May 19, 7 to 8 p.m.
INFO and REGISTRATION>
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LI Sound River Restoration Network: Stream Smart Training (Westport)
The Stream Smart program is a training and partnership initiative led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that helps communities design and install road–stream crossings that restore fish and wildlife passage while improving infrastructure resilience, reducing flooding, and enhancing public safety. This training will cover the essentials and values of Stream Smart design and implementation. Participation capacity is limited so please register as soon as possible. An in-person event: May 27, 9 to 4 p.m., Earthplace, 10 Woodside Lane, Westport.
REGISTER TODAY>
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Eastern CT Watershed Summit: Connecting Through Water
The Eastern Connecticut Watershed Summit brings together watershed groups, municipalities, nonprofits, local organizations, and community members to connect, collaborate, and build partnerships while exploring tools, strategies, and solutions that support watershed health and local action. An in-person event: May 30, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Project Oceanology, 1084 Shennecossett Road #1, Groton.
REGISTER>
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Ocean Conservancy Large Marine Debris Removal Project
Ocean Conservancy, with support provided by a 2024 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, requests applications for their Large Marine Debris Removal Project for the removal of large marine debris, including derelict fishing gear, from remote and hard-to-reach marine environments. Successful projects will remove, prevent, and monitor large marine debris and derelict fishing gear that is too difficult to remove by hand due to its size, volume, or location. Applications are due on May 31 by 5 p.m. ET.
INFO and APPLICATION>
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Sustainable CT Goes to the Capitol
Our reception for state legislators was fun and informative
Sustainable CT's special "Day at the Capitol" — a reception for Connecticut legislators on April 16 — was a great success thanks to all the towns and legislators that participated.
We were joined by our friends from Bloomfield, Branford, Bridgeport, Durham, Fairfield, Groton, Guilford, Litchfield, Manchester, Mansfield, Middletown, Norwalk, Old Saybrook, Ridgefield, Vernon, and West Hartford. They showcased successful sustainability initiatives including advancing energy efficiency and climate resilience, expanding affordable housing, strengthening local economies, and promoting equity. Key legislators, including (pictured L-R with our own Jessica LeClair) Kevin Brown, Joe Gresko, Antonio Felipe, Aundre Bumgardner, and Kate Farrar, along with staff from many legislative offices, had the opportunity to learn firsthand of the innovative, community-driven projects happening in their districts.
It was exciting to meet with our lawmakers, strengthen their connections with municipal leaders, and raise awareness about the impactful work being done to promote a sustainable Connecticut. Thanks to all!
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