Weekly eNews | August 1, 2024

Governor Announces Open Space & Community Garden/Urban Green Grant Awards

Dear Amy,

Governor Ned Lamont has announced that his administration is awarding approximately $14.5 million in state funding to aid in the purchase and protection of more than 2,626 acres of open space in 18 Connecticut communities through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's (DEEP) Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA).

Additionally, $343,015 will aid in the creation of two new urban community green spaces in Stratford and Thomaston through the agency's Urban Green and Community Gardens Program (UGCG).

View Governor's Press Release >>

Congratulations to all successful applicants, with special recognition to the 11 land trusts collectively protecting over 2400 acres of open space across the state! We are particularly proud to support awardees, Salisbury Association, Litchfield Land Trust, and Aton Forest, with transaction expenses through our Transaction Assistance Grant Program. 

Advocating for the OSWA and UGCG grant programs is an annual top priority for CLCC. With the availability of state funds and CLCC's funding programs, there has never been a better time to pursue an OSWA grant. Please let us know how we may assist.

Sincerely,

Yaw O. Darko

Senior Project Specialist

yodarko@ctconservation.org

• Connecticut Conservation Partnership Program (CCPP) - a coordinated process by which land trust applicants to OSWA may apply for a federal grant as a source of match funds.
• Transaction Assistance Grant Program (TAG) - provides financial assistance to support land trusts’ transaction-related project costs (e.g., appraisals, surveys, etc.). 
• Climate Smart Land Stewardship Grants - supports the planning and implementation of climate smart practices.

Thursday, August 22, 12-1:30pm:

CLCC Funding Programs Info Session - Learn about available funding for project due diligence, acquisitions, and land stewardship. There will be breakout sessions for Q&As related to each of CLCC's three funding programs. Registration coming soon.

Date TBD:

State Funding Programs Info Session - Hear from CT DEEP about land conservation planning and open space acquisition programs including OSWA and UGCG.

Please contact Yaw in the interim with questions and comments.

• Submit a Story to #LoveYourCTLandTrust - Share your stories and photos from your land trust and community to be featured in CLCC's monthly #LoveYourCTLandTrust eNews. Learn more >>
• Host a Conservation Conversation with your Legislators - Our planning for these annual summer/early fall events is underway. Showcase your land trust's work while enjoying a fun, informal walk, and talk with State legislators, other elected officials, land trust representatives, and community leaders. Interested? Contact Amy >>

Photo Credit:

Lindsey Suhr

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.

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