ACTIONS

&IMPACT

Monday, December 4, 2023

Sustainable CT at CCM

Making connections, celebrating towns

Sustainable CT was among more than 150 exhibitors and over 1,000 attendees that gathered for informative workshops, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities at the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) annual convention held at Mohegan Sun on November 28th.

Towns that earned a Sustainable CT certification for the first time in 2023 were all invited on stage at the convention in recognition of their accomplishments. They included Branford, Clinton, Granby, Marlborough, Montville, and Winchester that achieved their first certification in Bronze, along with Hamden that jumped right to Silver for its first certification. The first municipality to achieve Gold certification, New Haven, was also honored on stage.

We're proud of all the towns and cities that achieved certification in 2023, and it was pleasure to connect with them and all our partners and friends at the CCM convention.

The Next Sustainable CT Coffee Hour:

January 19 at 10 a.m.

Simplifying and streamlining for the New Year

The Coffee Hour's cup runneth over with good cheer for the holidays, so it's taking December off to indulge in a little figgy pudding. It will return for a brand new year of conversation, collaboration and caffeination on January 19. Come join us to discuss how Sustainable CT has simplified and streamlined the application process for 2024, featuring Kate Richard, Program Manager for Sustainability Best Practices. Now that's starting the new year right!

Join Sustainable CT for virtual, informal, discussions most third Fridays 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.

December's IMPACT: Ted Shafer brings the holiday cheer

Winchester's Director of Economic Development is a man for all seasons

The former first selectman of Burlington and stalwart supporter of Sustainable CT joins us to discuss his many years of service to Connecticut municipal government and the biggest challenges we face in the New Year. One thing's certain: we're stronger facing them with Ted at our side.

This month's episode of the IMPACT will be available on December 15 at sustainablect.org and wherever you get your podcasts.

The Community Match Fund

We've surpassed $2 million in crowd funding!

Our Community Match Fund has recently passed the $2 million mark in crowd funding. Matched with more than $1.7 million from Sustainable CT, that means over $3.7 million has gone to work in 300+ projects all around the state of Connecticut. Discover how you could be a project leader in your community, or do your part to support a Community Match Fund project today.

LEARN MORE about the Sustainable CT Community Match Fund

Optimizing for Equity

Join us for a conversation about equity

Join Sustainable CT Equity Coaches for “Equity Connections” – regular opportunities to share your questions about equity actions, challenges, successes, or just listen to the conversation, and get ideas on how to approach or deepen your equity work. Municipal officials, staff, and Sustainability Team members are welcome to join the Sustainable CT team for these new bi-monthly virtual sharing sessions. Your registration covers both of the sessions we currently have scheduled:

December 5, 2023 at 2 p.m.
February 1, 2024 at 10 a.m.

LEARN MORE about Sustainable CT Equity Coaches

Sustainable CT is independently funded.

Discover how you can become a Sustainable CT sponsor.

YPCCC Releases its Latest Report on Climate Change in the American Mind

With the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP 28) taking place, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) released a new report, Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics & Policy, based on their latest national survey conducted in the Fall of 2023.

Waste Free Greenwich: Be Merry, Bright and Waste Free for the Holidays

Check out these tips and resources for greener entertaining, decorating and gifting compiled by Waste Free Greenwich and the Greenwich Conservation Commission.

Patronicity is Hiring!

Patronicity, the crowd-funding platform that hosts Sustainable CT's Community Match Fund project crowd-funding, is hiring a Crowdgranting Program Manager. They're seeking a self-starter who can manage their expanding crowdgranting programs by providing project coaching support and grant program management for incoming crowdfunding applicants. Be part of the solution and apply.

CT Coalition to End Homelessness: a Vital Source of Data, News and Training

As we head into the winter months, there are over 3,000 individuals experiencing homelessness in Connecticut, including nearly 500 children. Connect with the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH) for the latest data, news, and ways to address this growing crisis.

Governor Lamont Announces Launch of Microtransit Pilot Program

Governor Ned Lamont and Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto announced that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is awarding funding to nine transit districts and municipalities in Connecticut to develop and pilot an on-demand microtransit service. "Microtransit" is an accessible, on-demand mode of transportation that uses a smartphone app or phone number to request and schedule a ride within designated service areas.

READ the FULL PRESS RELEASE>

Connecticut Community Foundation is Hiring a President/CEO

CCF is seeking a visionary, collaborative, creative, and strategic President & CEO who will have the opportunity to further shape an organization that has undergone considerable introspection and change in recent years.

COMPLETE JOB DESCRIPTION>

Fairfield County's Community Foundation Launches New Website

FCCF introduced a new website that makes it easier to learn and get involved. Explore data, dig into focus areas, easily direct your giving, and discover more ways you can make a difference.

Eversource First Thursday's: Opportunities for Distressed Municipalities

For Eversource's final First Thursday webinar in 2023, experts will provide an overview of programs and incentives currently available to their residential and commercial customers located in Connecticut Department of Community and Economic Development defined Distressed Municipalities. Guests will be joined by select energy efficiency consultants who will take you through the available resources and how to access energy efficiency and electric vehicle (EV) charging offers. December 7, 12 - 1 p.m.

REGISTRATION>

Drawdown Ignite - State of the Climate: Looking Back at 2023 and Ahead to 2024

Project Drawdown executive director Jonathan Foley will reflect on climate solutions action over the past year and share exciting plans for advancing climate action in 2024. December 13, 12 p.m. ET

INFO and REGISTRATION>

T2 Center Hosts CT Green Snow Pro Virtual Training

T2 - Connecticut Training & Technical Assistance Center - will hold a CT Green Snow Pro training focusing on best practices for salt application on parking lots and sidewalks as well as maintenance of facilities and equipment. Successful completion of this class qualifies for Sustainable CT certification points under Action 3.14 - Implement Sustainable Snow Management. December 14, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

COST Publicizes Grant Opportunities

The Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) is publicizing the availability of numerous grant opportunities, including:

The state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has opened up the fourth round of the Community Investment Fund 2030. This program provides funding for a variety of capital improvement and small business support projects. Application Deadline: December 15 by 12 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION>

~AND~

Clean Diesel Project Funding under EPA’s Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) is available. A complete list of eligible projects and additional information regarding this program is available at epa.gov/cleandiesel. Application Deadline: December 15 by 4 p.m.

SUBMIT your PROPOSAL>

For more fun and informative December events,

check out the Sustainable CT Trainings & Events Calendar.

Marley's Ghost Goes to COP

It is poignant that the annual COP process falls “at this time of the rolling year,” to quote Jacob Marley’s ghost. In the midst of our giving thanks and waxing hopeful for the New Year to come, the holidays are also a time of reflection, of taking stock of where we’ve been in the past year, where we’ve succeeded, and where we may have fallen short.

And the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) has fallen short – not just this past year, but for many years prior. The intention, we wish to presume, is good, but the process has been mired in moneyed interests, broken promises and missed goals. We risk following in Marley’s lamentable footsteps, “through crowds of fellow beings with our eyes turned down,” until our ability to affect positive change is lost.

Let us hope – and more – let us work – to make this year as transformative for us in reality as it is in fiction for Marley's erstwhile friend and business partner, Ebenezer Scrooge.

With gratitude to our partners, sponsors, supporters and friends, we wish all of you the happiest of holidays and a joyful and prosperous New Year – but a sustainable one, too. So it might truly be said of us 200 years hence that ‘we knew how to keep the planet well.’