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Our 2026 Sustainable CT Fellows have finished their work and are moving on to new adventures.
We would like to thank Brenny Alcantara, Natalia Altimari, Maya Avilés, Natalie Crowley, Grace DiTunno, Adam Hagens, Anna Hilary, Nathaniel Hill, Brianna Jackson, Charlotte Minnick, and Lyah Muktavaram for their excellent work throughout the summer in supporting municipalities as they advance sustainability across Connecticut. Your passion, dedication, and hard work have made a lasting impact on the communities you worked with. We look forward to seeing what you accomplish next!
We would also like to thank the following Councils of Governments for their partnership in hosting Sustainable CT Fellows: Capitol Region (CRCOG), Metropolitan (MetroCOG), Northeastern Connecticut (NECCOG), Northwest Hills (NHCOG), Naugatuck Valley (NVCOG), Lower Connecticut River Valley (RiverCOG), South Central Regional (SCRCOG), Southeastern Connecticut (SECOG), and Western Connecticut (WestCOG).
Finally, we would like to thank the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Connecticut Green Bank, Fairfield County's Community Foundation, Hampshire Foundation, Northwest CT Community Foundation, The Lenny and JoAnn Goldberg Fund at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, and Valley Community Foundation for their generous support of the 2026 Sustainable CT Fellowship Program.
More information about the Sustainable CT Fellowship Program is available here.
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The Next Sustainable CT Coffee Hour:
Thursday, September 17, at 10 a.m.
Community Resilience Building
Adam Whelchel of the Nature Conservancy joins us to discuss Community Resilience Building (CRB) workshops. These high-impact workshops are 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. Join us to learn how you can host a CRB workshop in your community to complete Action 5.4 Assess Climate Vulnerability (worth 20 certification points!).
REGISTER for SEPTEMBER 17>
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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September's IMPACT: Bridgeport
A certification success story
We're joined by Bridgeport's dynamic duo, Sustainability Manager Chadwick Schroeder and City Planner Dianalys Bonilla, to talk about how the coastal city is meeting the challenges of climate change and making sustainability a central part of municipal action. Listen to find out how they came to be knocking on certification's golden door.
This month's episode of the IMPACT will be available on September 15 at sustainablect.org, and wherever you get your podcasts.
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The Community Match Fund
Hartford's 2026 Día de Muertos Celebración
The Annual Día de Muertos Celebración returns Sunday, November 1, 2026! Now in its fourth year, this beloved community tradition continues to bring people together through art, music, food, storytelling, and remembrance while honoring the rich traditions of Día de Muertos. This year, they're collaborating with The Wadsworth for one shared community gathering and season finale. Every donation directly supports the artists, materials, and experiences that bring this event to life. C'mon, ¡estar viva!
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Thank you, Katie!
Our Sustainable Communities Fellow and good friend, Katie Meder, is beginning a new chapter. She was a tremendous asset to the Sustainable CT team as her work with towns ranged from those going through their first certification cycle all the way through Gold and Climate Leader Designation. She also connected numerous towns with no-cost assistance, working closely with the Connecticut Green Bank to organize C-PACE and Smart-E workshops. Katie accomplished all of this with incredible attention to detail, a comprehensive understanding of each town's circumstances, and a fearless optimism. She is off to Massachusetts where she'll be working in sustainable landscaping, and we want to thank her for sharing her time and talent with us.
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ClimateACTually: a Podcast to Help Navigate Climate Action
When it comes to stopping climate change, your actions matter more than you might think. If you want to hear why individual climate action is so important, which actions make the biggest difference, and stories from people just like you, check out Climate ACTually (Spotify, Apple), a brand new podcast from SHIFT, with co-creator Dr. Kimberly Nicholas.
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Ayana Elizabeth Johnson: Urgent Action Needed After New UN Report on Climate
A United Nations report has found that the world will warm to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. On NPR's Weekend All Things Considered, Climate solutions advocate Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson urged a quicker implementation of known strategies - and determination rather than despair.
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Our friend, Bill McKibben, is joining Dr. Johnson as a co-host for the next season of her podcast, "What If We Get It Right?" beginning in September. Great stuff.
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SCRCOG Has a New Seasonal Newsletter
The South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) published its summer seasonal newsletter in August - full of regional info, program spotlights, plans and initiatives, and a great piece on Maya Avilés, their Sustainable CT Fellow. Check it out.
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CT Green Bank and Solar United Neighbors Promote "Switch Together" Program
The Connecticut Green Bank and Solar United Neighbors (SUN) are encouraging municipalities to collaborate with them to access Switch Together's affordable, group buying power for residential solar and battery storage. A free, trusted, turnkey solar and storage program for residents, Switch Together combines group-buying power, a solar help desk, educational content, digital and mail promotion, outreach support and installer vetting. Find more information on the Green Bank’s website or reach out to Jayson Velazquez at CT Green Bank.
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Patron in the City: Megan Allen
The West Hartford Public Schools Deaf Services team launched a campaign to raise funds to celebrate the deaf and hard of hearing community: the Voices in Color mural. Led by Megan Allen, a local nurse practitioner and mother within the Deaf community, the campaign met its goal in just one week, securing a match of $6,000 from Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund program. Patronicity spoke with Megan to learn more about creating intentional inclusivity that honors and respects underrepresented communities.
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Project Drawdown: Battery Storage is Booming
According to a recent report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, utility-scale battery storage capacity grew at an average annual rate of 70% over the last three years. Given the essential role batteries can play in energy storage, this boom could be a big deal for addressing climate change. But as Project Drawdown scientist Amanda Smith, Ph.D., mentions in this Insights post, only if those batteries are paired with renewable power generation.
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Our 2026 Annual Awards Celebration is On!
Please join us on November 10, 4-7 p.m., at The Wadsworth in Hartford. We'll be honoring all of our 2026 certified towns and a brand new cohort of Climate Leaders.
Formerly known as the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, The Wadsworth honors the past and inspires the future through the power of human creativity. Guided by its founding belief that art can uplift society and ignite progress, The Wadsworth inspires reflection, dialogue, and cultural transformation through its outstanding collection, programs, and partnerships.
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Register to celebrate with us at this free event. Please register any guests you would like to bring with you as well. If you have questions, don't hesitate to contact us at info@sustainablect.org. We're always happy to connect with you.
Your hard work and continuing support are of vital importance to us, so we look forward to celebrating you on November 10th!
| | | | | | Our 2026 Annual Awards Celebration is generously sponsored by: | | |
Sponsorship Opportunities Are Available!
Join us in working for a better Connecticut. By sponsoring our 2026 Annual Awards Celebration, you'll be aligned with our reputation as a trusted and valuable support program for municipal leaders and an innovative thought-leader in building thriving, sustainable communities. Don't wait: contact Jessica LeClair, 860-259-4767, to discuss options and details.
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Hixon Center for Urban Sustainability Events
Join the Hixon Center for a screening of the documentary 9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero, which tells the story of one of the largest town halls in American history. A panel discussion will follow, exploring urban change and deep democracy through insights from New Haven and the U.S. Forest Service Living Memorials Project. An in-person event, September 11, 5:30-7 p.m., Hastings Hall, Yale School of Architecture, New Haven.
INFO and REGISTRATION>
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Fall 2026 Speaker Series: Urban Climate Adaptation
Cities are on the front lines of climate change, facing intensifying threats including extreme heat, flooding, and drought. What does it take to prepare for these hazards while making communities more livable and inclusive? This series brings together leaders exploring how adaptation strategies can work with nature, respond to interconnected local systems, and reflect the diverse needs and experiences of all residents. Drawing on a range of experience across research and practice, speakers will share lessons cities can put to work as they navigate a changing climate. Mondays from September 14 to October 5, 12:00-1:00pm, on Zoom.
REGISTER for the SERIES>
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DEEP is Hiring: State Environmental Conservation Police, Environmental Protection Dispatchers
The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) is hiring two (2) Environmental Protection Dispatchers within the Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) Division of the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (BOR) in Hartford. The Emergency Dispatch Center operates 24/7 and provides a vital communication link between DEEP operations, public safety agencies, and the public. Application closing date is September 14.
LEARN MORE and APPLY>
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The Neighborhood Seeks Catalyst Award Nominations
The Neighborhood supports Connecticut's most active volunteers and civic leaders by building a statewide peer community that makes problems more solvable, solutions more scalable, and civic impact more sustainable. They are looking for nominations of the volunteer or civic leader in your community who reliably makes a difference and mobilizes others into service. Nominations are due by September 15.
LEARN MORE>
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CFECT Hosts Nonprofit Governance Workshop
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut (CFECT) will host a workshop on good governance for nonprofits. This interactive workshop will provide an overview of corporate governance and nonprofit boards, and will explore how good corporate housekeeping practices can be a means of supporting and documenting good governance and promoting engaged boards. An in-person event, September 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Community Room of the New London Public Library, 63 Huntington Street, New London.
REGISTER>
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CT Green Bank Fall 2026 Update Webinar
Join Connecticut Green Bank for an update on their programs and solutions for homes, buildings, communities, and investments. Topics will include important updates regarding Energy Storage Solutions, Solar MAP+, Green Liberty Notes, Fleet Electrification Accelerator, Smart-E, Environmental Infrastructure, and more. September 15, 12-1 p.m.
REGISTER NOW>
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"The Story of Plastic" Screening in Bloomfield
The Bloomfield Conservation, Energy, and Environment Committee is co-sponsoring a film screening of "The Story of Plastic" - a powerful film revealing the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and the false solution of plastic recycling. A panel discussion will follow the screening. An in-person event, September 15 at 6 p.m., Prosser Library, 1 Tunxis Avenue, Bloomfield.
SIGN UP TODAY>
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Alliance MRW to Hold Waterfest 2026
The Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed (MRW) is holding Waterfest 2026. Free food, a dance party, and prize drawings. Water inspires life, collaboration, learning, creativity, and motion. All of this and more will be on display at Waterfest. An in-person event, September 19, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 79 Homestead Rd, Ledyard.
RSVP TODAY>
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CFGNH to Host Racial Equity Workshop
As part of its ongoing work to advance racial equity throughout the region, the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven (CFGNH) is offering free community access to The Groundwater Approach, a racial equity virtual workshop that builds an understanding of systemic racism and racial disparities through data and historical analysis. September 23, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
REGISTER NOW>
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Deep River Pocket Park Ribbon Cutting and Family Day
Art has been selected for the Pocket Park and the votes have been tallied for bench sayings. Ribbon cutting and unveiling: an in-person event, September 19, 11:45 a.m., Deep River Library, 150 Main Street, Deep River. No registration required.
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Just in time for the holidays!
Launching in October, our digital marketplace will offer a diverse range of branded, eco-friendly clothing and accessories designed to blend sustainability, style, and fun.
The Store will expand Sustainable CT's mission by providing supporters with a tangible way to showcase their commitment to sustainability. Every purchase will help fund our ongoing programs.
"We wanted to create a space where looking good and doing good go hand in hand," said Jessica LeClair, executive director at Sustainable CT. "The Store gives our community a fun, stylish way to support a sustainable future. Every purchase supports our work. We hope people will wear or carry our products with pride: their purchases help to build a more sustainable Connecticut for everyone."
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