Connecticut Land Conservation Council

Connecticut Land Conservation Council CLCC's mission is to elevate and strengthen land conservation in Connecticut. CLCC makes sure that happens. Learn more at www.ctconservation.org

We envision a future where every CT community is supported and sustained by a diverse mix of conserved land, and land conservation is embraced as an essential community value. CLCC works with land trusts and other conservation and advocacy organizations, The Connecticut Land Conservation Council’s overarching vision is to effect a verifiable and quantitative change in the social, political, and ec

onomic processes that conserve land. We believe in a future where land conservation is embraced as a community value seen as providing essential and daily benefits to the quality of life for current and future generations. CLCC works with land trusts across the state to strengthen conservation efforts and provide equitable access to open space, and advocates for policies that support land conservation as a vital resource. What distinguishes land trusts from other non-profits is the fact that they are created for the purpose of upholding their mission in perpetuity. CLCC is committed to staying engaged and involved in taking action to assist our own organization and those that we serve in better understanding and taking action to address and promote diversity, equity, inclusion and environmental justice.

We're lookin' forward to celebrating by hosting a Bird & Hike with Latino Outdoors and Flanders Nature Center & Land T...
09/03/2026

We're lookin' forward to celebrating by hosting a Bird & Hike with Latino Outdoors and Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust on Saturday, September 12, from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM at the Center's Whittemore Sanctuary in Woodbury. All are welcome.

The 2-mile trail has rocky, uneven terrain, with some uphill portions. We’ll hike at a slow pace and enjoy good conversation as we look for birds. Expect to spot woodpeckers, ducks, and perhaps even an eagle!

Learn more and register: https://ctconservation.org/event/latino-conservation-week-bird-and-hike-with-flanders-nature-center/

⚠️⚠️ Event Update ⚠️⚠️ Tomorrow's Conservation Conversation at Bent of the River Audubon Center has been rescheduled to ...
09/02/2026

⚠️⚠️ Event Update ⚠️⚠️ Tomorrow's Conservation Conversation at Bent of the River Audubon Center has been rescheduled to Friday, September 25.

This walk-and-talk event will highlight the power of state and local partnerships to empower local, science-based stewardship that protects Connecticut’s ecosystems and ensures our natural canopies remain resilient to a changing climate.

For more information and to register, visit our site: https://ctconservation.org/event/conservation-conversation-at-bent-of-the-river-audubon-center/

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U.S. Forest Service Accepting Applications for Community Forests!The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Progra...
09/02/2026

U.S. Forest Service Accepting Applications for Community Forests!

The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to Tribal entities, local governments and qualified conservation non-profit organizations to acquire and establish community forests that provide community benefits.

Applications are due October 13. The full NOFO and supporting materials (including scoring guidance and FAQs) are available on Grants.gov (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-FS-2026-CFP), and can be downloaded from the ‘related documents’ tab: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/363348

Woohoo!
09/02/2026

Woohoo!

This message is for birders and conservationists in Fairfield and Litchfield Counties:The Northeast Bird Habitat Conserv...
08/29/2026

This message is for birders and conservationists in Fairfield and Litchfield Counties:

The Northeast Bird Habitat Conservation Initiative is puttin' on an "eBird Train-the-Trainers Workshop" at Bent of the River Audubon Center in Southbury on Thursday, September 24.

The workshop is all about hosting eBird workshops for landowners, homeowners, and community members in your area so that you maximize the power of birds - and eBird - to help you in your conservation efforts.

Details and registration here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3vHDO4GEoAlMTp80R9TR_ZJ0ZCHjOGFr_PRcqihtXrbK5Cg/viewform

Pictured: Hooded Merganser by Lindsay Pettinicchi

What's going on in these pics?1) We're keen on pelagic bird and boat adventures (that's a Great Shearwater, we think it'...
08/28/2026

What's going on in these pics?

1) We're keen on pelagic bird and boat adventures (that's a Great Shearwater, we think it's looking for whales, too)
2) Our team outing focused on reviewing binoculars, granola bars, sun protection, and other outdoor gear
3A) We're plugging our office directly into the Revolution Wind project
3B) We're looking for new offshore lands to conserve
4) Whales! Oh, no, wait, dolphins. Maybe next time!

What do these images have in common?- An aerial view of Johnson Farm of Steep Rock Association by Woody Campbell- Double...
08/24/2026

What do these images have in common?

- An aerial view of Johnson Farm of Steep Rock Association by Woody Campbell
- Double footprints at Powers Beach Tract of the Waterford Land Trust, Inc by Lindsay Pettinicchi
- Johnston Preserve of the Land Trust by Wendolyn Hill

A) They're all taken at conservation lands protected through Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grants from Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)
B) They're all taken by amateur-yet-fabulous photographers
C) They have each been selected as Winners of CLCC's Diana Atwood Johnson Photo Contest
D) All of the Above

You too can join their ranks and become legendary. Just submit your best photos of OSWA preserves and UGCG gardens to this year's contest. For more info and to see a list of eligible preserves and community gardens, visit our website: https://ctconservation.org/photo-contest/

Thank you in advance for sharing your photos!

🌲 Good news for Connecticut forests! 🌲We are thrilled to announce $488,195 in grant funding awarded to six land trusts a...
08/21/2026

🌲 Good news for Connecticut forests! 🌲

We are thrilled to announce $488,195 in grant funding awarded to six land trusts across the state through CLCC’s new Climate-Smart Forest Stewardship Grant Program! 🍃

Conserved forests are one of Connecticut’s greatest natural climate solutions. Funded by the U.S. Forest Service (under the Inflation Reduction Act) and administered in CT by Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) , these grants support a the implementation of forest management plans on nearly 250 acres of protected woodlands. Congratulations to our inaugural grant recipients:

🌳 Avon Land Trust - Avon, CT (Lasbury Park Stand Improvement)
🌳 Bent of the River Audubon Center (Pomperaug River & Riparian Restoration)
🌳 Burlington Land Trust (Seven Steps Falls & Conifer Restoration)
🌳 Shelton Land Conservation Trust, Inc. (Nicholdale Farm Riparian Restoration)
🌳 Southbury Land Trust (Phillips-Lovdal Farm Preserve Management)
🌳 Steep Rock Association (Hidden Valley Preserve Resilient Forestry)

Together with matching funds, this collaborative investment totals ~$762,000 to fight invasive species, restore vital waterways, build habitat resilience, and boost carbon storage across our state’s woodlands. 💚

Read the full project spotlights and learn more: https://ctconservation.org/clcc-awards-488195-to-accelerate-climate-smart-forestry-across-connecticut/



📸 #1 by Southbury Land Trust; #2 by Shelton Land Conservation Trust; #3 by Bent of the River Audubon Center; #4 by Steep Rock Association; #5 by Burlington Land Trust

Yesterday we participated in Office of Governor Ned Lamont's press event along with Connecticut Department of Energy & E...
08/19/2026

Yesterday we participated in Office of Governor Ned Lamont's press event along with Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the North Branford Land Conservation Trust Inc. to celebrate an Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) project in North Branford along with State Senator Christine Cohen, Senator Paul Cicarella, State Representative Joe Gresko, and State Representative Vincent Candelora. Thanks to all who joined the celebration!

CLCC contributed funding to the project through our Transaction Assistance Grants and Climate-Smart Land Stewardship grant program. The Governor chipped in on the stewardship front by removing an invasive plant, a priority in the land trust's forest management plan for the Beech Street Demonstration Forest. The land trust's stewardship plan will allow for access to the public while enhancing wildlife habitat and demonstrating carbon smart-forest management principles.



📸 #1-6 by Mollie Lewis - CT Senate Democrats

📢📢📢 Attention CT farmers, forest owners, and land trusts! 🚜🌾The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Connectic...
08/17/2026

📢📢📢 Attention CT farmers, forest owners, and land trusts! 🚜🌾

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Connecticut is accepting applications for federal technical and financial assistance to help keep working lands productive, resilient, and protected for future generations.

Whether you are looking to protect working farmland from development or implement climate-smart conservation practices, apply by September 30 to be considered for Fiscal Year 2027 funding!

Featured Programs:

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP): Protect working farms from development via Agricultural Land Easements or restore degraded wetlands via Wetland Reserve Easements.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): Technical and financial resources to address soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): Build on existing stewardship efforts to strengthen your whole operation.

AMA & Regenerative Pilot Program (RPP): Manage financial risk and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through streamlined funding.

Take Action: Contact your local CT NRCS service center or visit nrcs.usda.gov to submit your application by September 30.

Address

Middletown, CT

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(860) 852-5512

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