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Sustainable CT Now Accepting Applications
for the 2026 Fellowship Program
Application deadline: February 9 at 5 p.m.
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BOZRAH, CT, November 17, 2025 — Sustainable CT is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Sustainable CT Fellowship Program, a highly regarded summer initiative that places student Fellows directly with Councils of Governments (COGs) across Connecticut to support communities advancing sustainability.
Sustainable CT is accepting applications for the 2026 Fellowship Program now through Monday, February 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST.
“Our Fellowship Program continues to be an invaluable opportunity for students to engage directly with local leaders and help move sustainability efforts forward across the state,” said Lilly Adamo, a Sustainable CT program assistant who is helping to organize the 2026 Fellowship Program. “We’re thrilled to welcome the next cohort of emerging professionals who are passionate about climate action, equity, and community-driven progress.”
Additional details about the Fellowship experience, including host placement locations, can be found on the Sustainable CT Fellowship Program page. Contact Lilly Adamo at LillyA@sustainablect.org with questions.
READ the FULL PRESS RELEASE>
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The Next Sustainable CT Coffee Hour: Thursday, December 18 at 10 a.m.
Updates to Connecticut's Wildlife Action Plan
Join our December Coffee Hour when we feature Brian Hess from CT DEEP Wildlife Division who will bring us all up to speed on Connecticut's Wildlife Action Plan for 2025. Learn about the new plan revision, how it can help you, and tools to help prioritize and track implementation. Conserving wildlife requires many diverse partners, so be a part of this webinar to learn about the statewide network of partners working together to help Connecticut's wildlife.
REGISTER for DECEMBER 18>
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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December's IMPACT: Brian Hess on the Connecticut Wildlife Action Plan
Wildlife: Nature's Action Movie
Brian Hess is a Wildlife Biologist with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), where he specializes in non-game wildlife, particularly large raptors, reptiles, amphibians, and various other herpetofauna (and, yes, we had to look that word up). He is a leading authority on Connecticut's growing bald eagle population and the public face for many related outreach efforts. He shares his public face - or at least his public voice - with us. Be sure to catch the action.
This month's episode of the IMPACT will be available on December 15 on the Sustainable CT website, and wherever you get your podcasts.
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The Community Match Fund
It's sort of new, it's very exciting, and it's totally environmental!
Several months ago, our Community Match Fund added a new funding pool: the Environmental Fund. This fund supports projects that relate to environmental sustainability and/or address climate change. This could include projects related to invasive species removal, pollinator pathways, tree plantings, reducing waste, addressing food waste diversion and composting, food access and community gardens, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing climate resiliency, and more. If you have a project idea for your community that aligns with this fund, don't wait: reach out to funding@sustainablect.org so we can help you make it happen.
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Sustainable CT/Nature Conservancy Community Resilience Building Workshops Now Open for 2026
The no-cost Community Resilience Building (CRB) Workshop process is ideally suited to constructively and collaboratively enable communities to locate, assess, and prioritize impacts and solutions to climate change and natural hazards for infrastructure, community, and the environment including creative options such as nature-based solutions.
By participating in a CRB Workshop, your city or town will satisfy the requirements for two Sustainable CT actions: Assess Climate Vulnerability (20 points for action 5.4.2) and Implement Your Own Sustainability Action (10 points for undertaking community resilience planning).
To find out more, and to be considered for this opportunity on a first come, first serve basis, visit the CRB info page at sustainablect.org.
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CT Insider: Gov. Lamont Signs Much-debated CT Affordable Housing Bill
Alex Putterman writes in CT Insider: It took nearly six months, hundreds of impassioned emails from all sides, a veto, extensive negotiations among lawmakers, a special legislative session and an extra week of delay due to an administrative quirk, but Gov. Ned Lamont has formally signed a much-debated bill aimed at creating more affordable housing in Connecticut.
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NCCF Provides $20K in Emergency Grants
Open Doors and Person to Person are each receiving $10,000 grants to support their efforts in providing food and basic needs to New Canaan Community Foundation's (NCCF) neighbors in Norwalk and Stamford.
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NECOG Seeks Senior Regional Planner
Northeastern CT Council of Governments (NECCOG) is seeking a Senior Regional Planner to lead and support complex regional planning projects in areas such as land use, transportation, environmental resource protection, hazard mitigation, economic development, stormwater, housing, and other specialized region wide planning work. Read the complete job description here, and email resume to neccogoffices@neccog.org.
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YPCCC: Gender, Development, and Recognition of Anthropogenic Climate Change
The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) has a new article, “Gender, Development, and Recognition of Anthropogenic Climate Change”. Climate change affects everyone – but not everyone understands it in the same way. Using survey data from a study of 103 countries and territories, this study investigates how gender, economic development, and democratic freedoms shape global understanding of the human causes of climate change.
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The Daily Campus: Mansfield Gets Gold Certification for Sustainability
Jenna Outcalt writes in The Daily Campus: Mansfield earned gold-level certification in Sustainable CT, a voluntary certification program to encourage inclusivity and resilience in Connecticut municipalities. “Recognition by Sustainable CT is a significant milestone in Mansfield’s longstanding commitment to sustainability,” says Town Manager Ryan Aylesworth. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and community members who have consistently championed sustainable practices and bold ideas.” Bravo, Mansfield!
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City of Norwalk Achieves Sustainable CT Gold Certification
Mayor Rilling announced that the City of Norwalk has been recognized for achieving Sustainable CT's Gold certification, the highest level of recognition for sustainability on the municipal level. The City of Norwalk met high standards in a broad range of sustainability accomplishments to qualify for the prestigious Gold-level certification. Bravo, Norwalk!
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DEEP: Events and Funding Galore!
Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) funding opportunities for municipalities, upcoming webinars and events, public comment opportunities, announcements, tools, and jobs - it's all here.
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Green Liberty Bonds $19 Million Third Issuance Sells Out
The Connecticut Green Bank announced that it recently issued its third Green Liberty Bonds to retail and institutional investors and sold out nearly $19 million in bonds over two days. This builds upon successful, award-winning issuances in 2020 and 2021 which sold more than $36 million in bonds.
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Join Kate at Long Island Sound Partnership's 4th Annual SRC Workshop
Our own Kate Richard, Sustainable CT's Director for Sustainability Best Practices, will be presenting at the 4th Annual Sustainable & Resilient Communities (SRC) Workshop, 2025.
The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities Team is holding a series of virtual sessions over two days focused on resources and tools available to help in taking advantage of state resilience funds, a panel discussion on why and how to incorporate nature-based solutions into resilience planning, and an overview of our available assistance programs.
Kate will be presenting in Session 1 – Resilience 101: Helpful Tools & Strategies for Building Community Resilience (CT Breakout Room) on the topic Sustainable CT, Climate Resilience, and Resources for Your
Community. She's part of a great group of knowledgeable and dynamic speakers at this event, so don't miss it! It all begins December 4 at 10 a.m.
REGISTER TODAY>
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Eversource First Thursday Webinar: Community-powered Energy Efficiency
This webinar will share an overview of Eversource energy efficiency community engagement efforts. Presenters will review various opportunities to promote energy efficiency in your community and share details about how to participate. December 4, 12 - 1 p.m.
DETAILS and REGISTRATION>
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Intro to Taxes for Artists
This workshop will cover the basics of taxes for artists, including separating personal and artistic finances, Schedule C filing, self-employment versus employment, and tracking deductions. This workshop will have a particular eye toward artists’ current financial challenges and helping artists navigate updates to tax law. December 8, 6 p.m.
REGISTER>
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Connecticut Age Well Collaborative: "Daring Dialogues" Continue
Daring Dialogues bring together municipal and nonprofit leaders to explore how ageism and ableism impact our lives and communities. Through facilitated discussion, the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative identifies biases that are hindering growth, and build relationships to increase impact. An in-person event: December 9, 10 - 11:30 a.m., at the Bristol Public Library, 5 High Street, Bristol.
REGISTER TODAY>
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UConn TAB Fall Webinar Series: Rural Communities and Grant Support
Join Nylab Noori, from New England Rural Health Association, to discuss how rural communities are impacted by brownfields. December 10, 12 - 12:30 p.m.
REGISTER>
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CT DEEP Climate Action Plan Stakeholder Convening (Virtual)
The purpose of this workshop is to bring together climate and environmental stakeholders from across the state of Connecticut to learn about Connecticut’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) and to actively engage in a collaborative dialogue on the different implementation strategies outlined in the plan. This session will focus on three key sectors: transportation, buildings, and natural and working lands. December 11, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
LEARN MORE and REGISTER>
~AND~
DEEP Announces New Long Island Sound Ecosystems Grant Program
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced the new Long Island Sound Ecosystems Grant Program. This funding is intended to support the planning/engineering/design and construction of projects focused on coastal habitat restoration and green stormwater infrastructure across Connecticut. There is approximately $7 million available; no match is required. The deadline for applications is December 16, 11:59 p.m.
DETAILS>
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CFECT 2026 Grants Now Open
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut (CFECT) is now accepting applications for its 2026 grants that empower youth, promote basic needs and rights, expand arts and cultural experiences, preserve the environment, and support advocacy. Application deadline is January 16, 2026.
LEARN MORE and APPLY>
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December 2
'Tis the Season to Give the Gift of Sustainability
For the people in your life who appreciate a truly meaningful gift, consider making a donation in their names to the Campaign for a Sustainable CT. You can make a gift on behalf of anyone you like - a friend, a family member, a co-worker, even a pet!
Since our launch in 2017, Sustainable CT has grown to include 139 participating towns – over 90% of the state’s population – 67 certified municipalities, and 20 Climate Leaders. We’ve sponsored 99 Fellowships for Connecticut college students, creating an employment pipeline to regional and local governments, environmental organizations, and more. Our Community Match Fund has supported 394 local projects across the state, and has invested almost $5 million in local communities.
And there's so much more to do.
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Please support Sustainable CT in fostering a connected, inclusive and sustainable Connecticut with a donation TODAY. Just follow this link to contribute, or visit the Sustainable CT website and click on the “SUPPORT US” button at the top of the page.
And, just in case you needed more incentive, this year you'll have a chance to win either a Half Dome 2 tent courtesy of REI Norwalk (a $350 value) ~OR~ an Electra Ponto Go! ebike courtesy of Mystic Cycle Centre (a $2700 value). A donation is not required to enter the drawing!
We wish you and yours a joyous, fulfilling and sustainable holiday season, and a grand Giving Tuesday!
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