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Sustainable CT Seeks State Funding
How you can help
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We testified at the Connecticut General Assembly Appropriations Committee public hearing on the Governor's proposed FY 2026-2027 budget for conservation and development state agencies on February 26 in support of HB 5722 - a bill introduced by Representative Kavros DeGraw to provide funding for Sustainable CT at $1 million over two years.
Board of Directors Co-chair Michael Purcaro and Board Treasurer Joshua Kelly testified on our behalf. They were followed by Executive Director Jessica LeClair. Additional written testimony was submitted by scores of partners and friends, and letters of support were provided by officials from 17 Connecticut municipalities and four Councils of Government.
Sustainable CT has helped communities across Connecticut achieve their sustainability goals, reduce costs, and improve quality of life—but to continue this vital work, we need your help! We’re calling on Connecticut citizens, municipal leaders, nonprofits, businesses, and community advocates to urge the Connecticut General Assembly to support Sustainable CT.
How You Can Help
On Facebook: @sustainablect
On Instagram: @sustainablect
On LinkedIn: @sustainable-ct
On YouTube: @sustainablect
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Use the hashtag: #SupportSustainableCT
Let’s make sure our legislators know that funding Sustainable CT is a smart investment in our shared future. And thank you!
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The Next Sustainable CT Coffee Hour:
THURSDAY, March 20 at 10 a.m.
Compost: the sweet smell of success!
Join us for our March Coffee Hour when we'll talk all about public school composting and food diversion programs. We'll learn more about how the Towns of Fairfield and Suffield have successfully implemented composting and food diversion programs in their school systems. It's a timely example of communities addressing school food scrap recycling, as K-12 schools were recently added to the Commercial Organics Recycling Law which goes into effect July 1.
REGISTER for MARCH 20>
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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March's IMPACT: Danielle Chesebrough, Stonington First Selectman
She knows a thing or two about responsible investments
Danielle Chesebrough is the First Selectman of Stonington. She's also a member of Sustainable CT's Board of Directors. And before holding these notable positions, Danielle spent eight years as a Senior Analyst of Investor Relations with the United Nations Global Compact. We ask her (among a host of other interesting and important questions) why she thinks a state investment in Sustainable CT is such a great idea. Please join us.
This month's episode of the IMPACT will be available on March 15 on the Sustainable CT website, and wherever you get your podcasts.
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The Community Match Fund
Vernon's Community Garden Bed Replacement
Vernon's Raised Bed Garden program offers not just space to grow plants, but also gardening education in the form of talks and personalized advice from a Master Gardener and other gardening mentors, as well as free seeds and fertilizers, and a sense of community amongst the gardeners. Let's grow together!
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LEARN MORE about the Sustainable CT Community Match Fund | | |
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Mayor Elicker Celebrates New Haven's First Cycling PE Class
New Haven Public Schools and Mayor Justin Elicker celebrated the completion of the first cycling PE class with 2nd graders at Wexler-Grant Community School. The six week pilot program teaches students how to bike (or to grow in their cycling skills) and about bike safety. The class will be rotating through a half-dozen elementary schools this spring with plans to expand to others next school year. The project was a collaboration with New Haven Public Schools, New Haven Coalition for Active Transportation, the Sustainable CT Community Match Fund, the New Haven Climate Emergency Taskforce, and the New Haven Office of Climate and Sustainability.
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Gov. Lamont Announces $12.8 Million Awarded to Eight Municipalities To Modernize and Rehabilitate Housing
Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno announced that the Connecticut Department of Housing is awarding $12.8 million in grants to eight municipalities for infrastructure upgrades that will modernize and rehabilitate housing for low and moderate-income residents. Among the grantees is Ashford's Pompey Hollow Senior Housing Authority which received bonus points on the application for a Community Match Fund Project!
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CT Mirror: New Haven Takes Big Hit as CT Climate Grants Remain in Limbo
Jan Ellen Spiegel reports in the CT Mirror that access to a $20 million Community Change grant is inaccessible since the Trump Administration took office in January. Two other New Haven grant programs which began operating again after an initial freeze, reverted to “suspended” as well.
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Connecticut Green Bank Launches 12th Green Liberty Notes Offering
CGB Green Liberty Notes LLC, a subsidiary of the Connecticut Green Bank, announced the launch of its award-winning 12th offering. Now in its fourth year, the crowdfunding campaign is made possible by Honeycomb Credit, an online marketplace for impact investing. The successful crowdfunding program continues supporting local businesses and economic growth.
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YPCCC's New Report: Climate Change in the American Mind - Public Perceptions of the Health Harms of Global Warming, Fall 2024
The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) released a new report, “Climate Change in the American Mind: Public Perceptions of the Health Harms of Global Warming, Fall 2024,” based on their latest national survey, conducted December 11 - 22, 2024. They find Americans have become increasingly aware of the health harms of global warming, and many understand that certain groups of Americans are more vulnerable to these harms than others.
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The Alliance: Survey on Federal Funding
As we all navigate a critical moment in Washington, D.C., The Alliance needs your input to understand the devastating impact that proposed Medicaid and other federal funding cuts could have on your organization and the communities you serve. Please take a few minutes to complete their survey.
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League of Conservation Voters 2024 National Environmental Scorecard Released
The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) released the Connecticut delegation’s scores for the League of Conservation Voters’ 2024 National Environmental Scorecard, highlighting our state’s leaders and their work to protect our environment despite the extremism and chaos from anti-environmental members of Congress. Read the complete press release.
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DEEP Equity & Environmental Justice Monthly Newsletter
The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) and DEEP-EJ have a wealth of resources to share, including many funding opportunities and featured job listings - far too numerous to list here. Check out DEEP's Equity & Environmental Justice Newsletter for March.
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CCM's Free Training Teaches Communities of Color the Fundamentals to Run for Public Office
The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM), in partnership with The Campaign School at Yale University, is holding its fifth annual Representation Matters training - an inclusive and empowering virtual discourse that encourages racially diverse candidates to run for public office or serve on boards and commissions. You can still register for the second day of this free training to take place on March 8, starting at 10 a.m.
REGISTER and LEARN MORE>
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Energy Star's March Live Online Trainings
Improve your skills by registering for an upcoming no-cost webinar! From "Portfolio Manager 101" to "Verifying the ENERGY STAR NextGen Certification Application", Energy Star will help you learn more and do more. Eleven different webinars are scheduled this month, along with how-to guides, demo videos and recorded webinars.
INFO and REGISTRATION LINKS>
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Fairfield County's Community Foundation Welcomes Kwame Owusu-Kesse, CEO of Harlem Children’s Zone
Join FCCF on March 13 at 6:30 p.m. for a conversation with Kwame Owusu-Kesse, CEO of Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ). Discover how HCZ is breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty in Harlem and in communities like Harlem across the country through its groundbreaking model that supports scholars from cradle to career. A free, in-person event: Darien Community Association, 274 Middlesex Road, Darien.
REGISTRATION and INFORMATION>
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FCCF Hosts a Lunch & Learn with Local Elected Officials: Engaging Women in Public Leadership
Join FCCF for an intimate Lunch & Learn with a panel of local women holding public office - at the state or municipal level - who will share their pathways to elected office and discuss the opportunities that the current climate presents for women to lead. The panel will be moderated by Patti Russo, Executive Director of The Campaign School at Yale. A free, in-person event: March 17, 12 p.m., at HMTX Industries, 29 Oakwood Ave., Norwalk.
REGISTER and LEARN MORE>
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CFMC Special Webinar: The World is Changing Daily - How Can Nonprofits Navigate Through a Time of Uncertainty?
The Community Foundation of Middlesex County (CFMC) will host Sara Taylor, Senior Staff Attorney, Pro Bono Partnership Connecticut Program, and Jen Fournier, Owner and Principal Consultant for Racebrook Consulting, to share their insights and expertise on topics including board roles and responsibilities, governance, and human resources. Wednesday, March 19, 12-1 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY>
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Connecticut Land Conservation Conference: March 22
The Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) is hosting the state’s largest land conservation gathering and CLCC’s premier annual event, featuring a full day of educational workshops, as well as peer-to-peer networking followed by an informal reception with friends and colleagues from across the state. March 22, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Frank Center for Public Affairs, Wesleyan University, 238 Church Street, Middletown.
INFORMATION and REGISTRATION>
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2025 Long Island Sound Summit
This year’s Long Island Sound Summit will be an opportunity to explore the power of collaboration in advancing clean water solutions. The Summit will focus on building strong partnerships, sharing knowledge, and exploring communication approaches. Registration Closes March 13. There is a $25 registration fee; a limited number of scholarships to waive registration fees are available. An in-person event: March 27, 11 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Housatonic Community College, 900 Lafayette Boulevard, Bridgeport.
REGISTRATION and DETAILS>
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Repair Cafe Hosted by Sustainable Suffield
Sustainable Suffield will host a Repair Cafe where visitors can drop in with their household items and get help repairing them, free of charge. The event is open to the public (not just Suffield residents). All of the experienced "fixers" are volunteers from the Suffield community. The Suffield Repair Cafe is part of an international network of cafes and one of the first in Connecticut. An in-person event: March 29 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., at the Suffield Senior Center, 145 Bridge Street, Suffield.
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Spring is in the air
Or at least Spring Certification is!
Believe it or not, our Spring certification deadline is just around the icy corner: April 8. We always encourage municipalities to submit their applications before the deadline. And, remember, we are here to help. If you have questions, problems, concerns, or you're just looking for a little guidance on your way to achieving certification or Climate Leader designation, please reach out to us at info@sustainablect.org. We succeed when you succeed, so let's bloom together this Spring!
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