Fellow's Projects
Sustainable CT Fellows are stationed at the state’s Councils of Governments, giving them a unique regional perspective. Each year, Fellows come together throughout the summer to bring their regional expertise to a project that looks statewide. Over time, the Fellows have completed a variety of statewide projects that have supported ongoing sustainability initiatives. Descriptions of the projects are below:
2026 - Tree Ordinance Project
The 2026 Fellows created the first of its kind tree zoning and ordinance database in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection and the Nature Conservancy. They inventoried and analyzed zoning codes from all 169 municipalities in Connecticut. Additionally, the Fellows surveyed tree wardens and other relevant stakeholders to understand how municipalities across Connecticut implement their tree policies, and to identify what barriers they face in updating old policies or implementing new policies. The Fellows contributions will shape urban and community forestry programs and initiatives across the state even after the 2026 Fellowship concluded. If you would like to learn more, check out the August 2026 podcast episode!
2025 - Noise Ordinance Project
In 2025, the Fellows inventoried and analyzed municipal noise ordinances across the state using a robust rubric. They reviewed and analyzed nearly 80 municipal ordinances, creating the first-ever inventory which served as an important tool that the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG) further developed and published a white paper. If you want to learn more about noise pollution check out the August 2025 episode of the Impact.
2024 - Organic Waste Project
In 2024, the Fellows cohort conducted a statewide organics diversion program inventory. The Fellows did extensive outreach and research to identified 72 organics diversion programs that were piloted or planned, and collected information on successes, challenges, funding source, and how the resulting organics material was used. This research informed eight factsheets that highlight model initiatives which are available as a resource under Action 9.4 Compost Organic Waste. The Fellows hosted a webinar which is can be found on our YouTube channel.
2023 - Outreach Project for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG)
In 2023 the Fellowship cohort helped create educational outreach materials for CT Councils of Governments to use in preparation for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. Fellows developed a public survey, social media posts, and informative presentations designed to support Climate Action Planning efforts across the state. The Fellows collaborated extensively with the COGs to devise accessible materials that aimed to explain the purpose of the series of federal grants being distributed by the EPA and the immediacy of climate action in Connecticut.
2022 - Affordable Housing Project
In 2022, with input from Sustainable CT and COG staff across the state of Connecticut, SCT Fellows created a series of tools to assist Sustainable CT with the development of programming to support municipalities as they implemented strategies to support affordable housing. In this project, Fellows created a searchable database cataloging municipal Affordable Housing Plan content, including functionality that allows the user to search by strategy, region, or specific demographic data point. The searchable database can be used to identify opportunities for collaboration among communities. Additionally, an interactive Affordable Housing Story Map was created by the SCT Fellows, which includes their recommendations and includes a map overlayed with published Affordable Housing Plans and Plans of Conservation and Development for all of Connecticut's 169 towns.
2021 - Envisoning Gold Certifcation
In 2021, the Fellows looked across the country and within the existing Sustainable CT program to make extensive recommendations that would inform Sustainable CT’s creation of the Gold Certification level. The Fellows did extensive research and leveraged their experience throughout the summer to devise informed recommendations shaping the future of the Sustainable CT program.
2020 - Sustainable Visioning Project
In 2020, the Fellows prepared a detailed webinar for state agencies, public officials, and the Sustainable CT network at large documenting young people’s vision for a sustainable state. Using the Sustainable CT action categories, Fellows outlined what characteristics they would like to see in their future communities.