Monthly Review | November 2024

Hi Amy,

On November 19, AmeriCorps released its latest Volunteering and Civic Life in America report, a comprehensive look at how we as a nation engage with and support our communities. Based on a survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, the findings show that Connecticut ranks among the top 10 states nationwide for formal volunteering. 37.4% of our residents volunteered in 2023, placing us at an impressive #7. Nice!



I’m not at all surprised by this statistic. Connecticut’s land trusts have long been the heart and soul of local environmental efforts, driven by an army of dedicated volunteers. Whether negotiating transactions, building trails, leading hikes, stuffing envelopes, or writing grants, volunteers play an essential role in land trusts' work. 

With this volunteer support (and some exceptional staff, too!), land trusts are community service organizations at their core, ensuring that our forests, wetlands, farmland, and open spaces remain protected and accessible for generations. They provide opportunities for individuals to engage with others and give back to their towns and cities in meaningful ways.

Amy Blaymore Paterson

Executive Director

abpaterson@ctconservation.org

As the only statewide land trust service organization in Connecticut, the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) is uniquely positioned to bring together conservation leaders from across the state. This month, we continued an annual tradition of hosting a summit for land trust Presidents and Treasurers—gatherings that have become essential for fostering collaboration, sharing resources, and strengthening the land conservation community in Connecticut...

November brought exciting updates from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), highlighting progress in conservation efforts and funding opportunities. From a new communication platform for land trusts to enhanced hiring and program initiatives, these developments align with CLCC’s advocacy priorities to strengthen nature-based solutions, state land conservation capacity, and leverage federal support for community climate resilience projects. Updates include:

New Conservation Partners List for Land Trusts

DEEP is creating a new email list to send direct communications to land trusts and conservation partners. Adding your contact information will allow DEEP to send info on grants, program updates, project accomplishments, and more.

Sign up here >>

Land Acquisition and Management Office is Hiring

Environmental Analyst 1 will provide critical support for handling DEEP property management matters and administrating grants (like OSWA) for enhancing and protecting open space across Connecticut.

Apply here >>

We invite you to become a sponsor of Connecticut's largest land conservation gathering!

Sponsoring the Connecticut Land Conservation Conference is your chance to shine! Connect with a passionate crowd of conservationists, land trusts, board members, volunteers, and professionals eager to learn about your business or organization. Your support will ensure the Conference remains accessible and affordable for everyone.

With CLCC, choose from an array of sponsorship levels, each packed with perks like advertising spots in our Conference program. We’re excited to chat about how you can sponsor the 2025 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference and make a meaningful contribution to land conservation.

The mission of the Connecticut Land Conservation Council is to elevate and strengthen land conservation in Connecticut. We envision is a future where every Connecticut community is supported and sustained by a diverse mix of conserved land, and land conservation is embraced as an essential community value.

ctconservation.org

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