Trainings & Events

Visti the McMahon Wintonbury Library to make some crafts to celebrate upcoming Earth Day! A variety of Earth friendly crafts will be available for you to create in the Library or for taking home to work on. Children under 12 will need to be accompanied by an adult. Come and get creative!
 

City and county governments have long been at the forefront of climate action, advancing bold policies and engaging communities despite inconsistent federal leadership. Yet, climate communication has not always been a priority for local staff stretched thin by tight budgets. That is starting to change. Increasingly, local government leaders recognize that climate communication is a vital climate strategy. How do they listen to their communities? How do they frame climate action to resonate across diverse communities? How can behavior change campaigns scale the impact? What strategies help them turn constituent feedback into tangible progress? Join the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and experts for a discussion on the critical role of local leadership in driving climate communication from the ground up.
 

The 3rd National disABILITY & agriCULTURE Conference, "Heal and Empower," is hosted by Healing By Growing Farms. This vital gathering, taking place on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 8:00am-4:00pm at Harkness Park in Waterford, CT. The conference will bring together farmers, food industry providers, health and human service professionals, community and faith-based groups, brain injury and trauma survivors, and (youth) our next generation of growers to share healing and empowering stories, learn new knowledge, resources, and best practices. This year's conference focuses on empowering attendees to "Heal and be Empowered" by addressing the mental health challenges and stress prevalent in the farming industry, including those stemming from trauma and brain injury.

Through an engaging keynote address delivery, workshop presentations, insightful panel discussions, interactive youth sessions, and valuable resource sharing, we will explore building coping mechanisms, discussing the benefits of creating accessible green spaces, and bridging food security gaps. There will be discussion opportunities for land access and creating edible, healing accessible foodscapes. Register today!
 

Join UConn TAB for our Spring Webinar series. Links to register for the webinars as well as more information will be updated continuously.

Register for the webinars:

January 29th (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM)  – Brownfield Redevelopment & TAB Services
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brownfield-redevelopment-tab-services-webinar-tickets-1109477149019?aff=oddtdtcreator 

February 19th (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM)  – Environmental Justice 101
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/environmental-justice-101-webinar-tickets-1109485473919?aff=oddtdtcreator

March 11th (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM)  – Community Engagement in Aging Communities
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-engagement-in-aging-communities-tickets-1109486858059?aff=oddtdtcreator 

April 16th (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM)  – Using Brownfield Funding for Local Planning (A Planner’s Perspective)
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/using-brownfield-funding-for-local-planning-webinar-tickets-1109487760759?aff=oddtdtcreator

May 1st (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM)  – Planning for a Successful Fall EPA Brownfield Grant Application: Don’t Wait Until September!
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/planning-for-a-successful-fall-epa-brownfield-grant-application-tickets-1109488673489?aff=oddtdtcreator
 

Join us for a virtual coffee hour to learn about the results of a three-year Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) pilot, funded by DEEP to address the state’s growing waste challenges. Municipalities that participated in the program achieved significant waste reduction and increased recycling. The pilots that led to permanent programs now lead the state in food scrap separation and composting. This session will feature speakers from these communities, sharing insights on what worked, how they engaged residents, and the impact of their efforts, as well as representatives from CT DEEP and Waste Zero. This is an opportunity to connect, ask questions, and hear real-world experiences and key takeaways from the pilot.

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.
 

Join the CT Beardsley Zoo on Saturday, April 19th, from 9:00am to 3:00pm for Party for the Planet, their annual Earth Day celebration! Experience a vibrant festival atmosphere with engaging interpretive talks on the Zoo’s conservation initiatives, discover how you can participate in Citizen Science programs, and take part in a community cleanup at Beardsley Park. 

Come celebrate our planet and learn how you can make a difference!
 

Join Access to Resources for Climate Change for a free Earth Day event filled with delicious food and valuable information! There will be a 30-min presentation on the impacts of climate change for people of color in Greater New Haven, followed by a 15-min discussion about disaster preparation for your household and community. We’ll finish with a free buffet-style lunch from CaribeSoul.
 

Part of the Thinking Globally in 2025 Series. Historically, oceans and waterways have both connected and divided human interaction. This pattern continues in the contemporary ways that oceans and waterways structure global relations. Consider current debates over the ownership of the Panama Canal or how the cutting of undersea cables is wreaking havoc on both international transmission of information and global supply chains. Ocean levels are also rising and warming, threatening ocean life and nearby human communities. Join experts from the International Studies Association and the University of Connecticut in our third public virtual panel discussion on Thinking Globally in 2025 to discuss insights and resources into these simultaneous processes offered by distinct fields of academic expertise including Environmental Studies, History, Law, Political Science, and Spanish.

Discussants:

• Henry Carey (Political Science, Georgia State University)
• Eduardo Urios-Aparisi (Department of Literatures, Cultures and Languages, UConn)

Panelists:

• Neil Oculi (Environmental Studies, University of Portland)
• Matthew McKenzie (Department of History, UConn)
• James O’Donnel (Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation, Department of Marine Sciences, UConn)
• Carmel Kristy K.J. (Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute, UConn)

The Long Island Sound Study will host a series of public meetings to discuss and finalize the Stewardship Strategy. The Strategy aims to provide a framework in support of the 33 Stewardship Areas of the Initiative. The draft of the Strategy will be shared for public comment March 10 – May 9. 

Please use the registration links below to attend the meetings:

Meeting 1: March 18, 2025 from 11:00AM –1:00PM

• Introduce Strategy and Discussion
• Presentation 1 – Restoration Strategy at Bluff Point State Park by Larissa Graham and Jason Krumholz of the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve 
• Presentation 2 – Partnership at Sunken Meadow State Park by Vicky O’Neill of National Audubon Society
• Next Steps and Close Out

Meeting 2: April 24, 2025 from 11:00AM –1:00PM

• Briefly Recap/Discuss Strategy Comments
• Presentation 1 – Revitilization of Veterans Park in Norwalk by Sarah Crosby of the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
• Presentation 2 – River Restoration Network at the Stewardship Areas by Anthony Allen of Save the Sound
• Next Steps and Close Out

Meeting 3: June 4, 2025 from 11:00AM –1:00PM

• Summarize input and ideas for advancing the Stewardship Strategy
• Next Steps and Close Out

Join us for a walking tour of Mystic to discuss the Connecticut Institute for Resilience & Climate Adaption (CIRCA) Resilient Mystic project. The Resilient Mystic project identifies different ways that Mystic can adapt to rising water, including physical interventions, planning efforts, policy changes, and zoning modifications in the near-, mid- and long-term. This project will establish a resilient corridor; an area prioritized for safe egress, co-location of emergency services, redundant power, water supply, and the co-location of other resilience services.
 

The Norfolk Earth Forum 2025 is coming April 25-27, bringing together conservation leaders, nature lovers, and community members for three days of inspiring talks, nature walks, film screenings, and more—all FREE! Save the dates and get ready to explore biodiversity, climate action, and the beauty of our local environment.
 

Date: April 26, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Registration and breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m.)
Location: UConn Middlesex County Extension Center, 1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT 06438
Cost: $45.00 (includes complimentary breakfast)
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 20, 2025

UConn CLEAR’s Land Use Academy is holding an in-person training for land use commisisoners on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at UConn's Middlesex County Extension Center located at 1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT, 06438.

Renata Bertotti, AICP, Assistant Extension Educator in LU Planning and Climate Resilience, UConn Extension will present "Basic Training for New Commissioners." This training is most helpful to newly appointed or elected Land Use Commissioners.  It will cover three (3) hours of the required CGS Sec. 8-4c training as required by State Statute (Fair and Affordable Housing hour will NOT be covered).

Topics covered:

• Legal Basis for Land Use Regulation
• Types of Power for Land Use Commissions
• Types of Application:  Zone Change and Regulation Amendments v. Special Permit v. Site Plan v. Variances
• Meeting Decorum and Responsibilities/Fundamental Fairness

For more information, contact Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR at [email protected], (860) 345-5210.

UConn CLEAR is a partnership of the Departments of Extension and Natural Resources in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources and the CT Sea Grant Program.
 

On Saturday, April 26, 2025 - join the Town of Ellington as they celebrate Earth Day by coming together to build and maintain a healthy environment for all. There are two parts to this year's event: Trashapalooza and the Earth Day Fair.

Trashapalooza

Check-in on the lawn at the Municipal Center at 10 am to get your cleanup route, trash bags, and other supplies.

Use this link to see available cleanup routes: https://docs.google.com/.../1QbSs0idQnRfKVxX8HiAs.../edit...

Email [email protected] to pre-register or come the morning off to sign up for a route. Trashapalooza rain date is Sunday, April 27th, 2025.

Earth Day Fair

This will be on the lawn at the Municipal Center from 11 am to 2 pm.​

There will be local vendors, non-profit organizations, community groups, artists, and others who are dedicated to environmental awareness and preserving our planet. Throughout the day there will be live music performed by local musicians and groups, a kid’s activity station, and other fun games. Earth Day Fair is rain or shine.

Bethel Community Earth Day will be a day for fun, learning, growth, volunteering, and community-building for people of all ages.
 

Join the CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) for their Earth Day Stamford Event happening on Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10:00 - 11:30 AM at 102 Liberty Street, Stamford, CT.

Please click the registration link above and submit the form to secure a spot for the event. CT DEEP will have food, drinks, and activities for children.

If you have any questions, please email Lindsay Suhr at [email protected].
 

Join the Town of Ellington for their Annual Earth Day Celebration, a family-friendly event focused on sustainability, community, and environmental awareness! Enjoy a day of fun, education, and action as we come together to make Ellington a greener place to live.
 

Vernon Go Green is a town event that celebrates and focuses on community, environment, and sustainability. This family-friendly event provides opportunities to clean our streets and trails, and learn about our history and future and the Live Here, Love Trees grant. We will have live music provided by Kitchen Ceili, a historical tour with the Vernon Historical Society, a poetry workshop, Touch-a-Truck with a Vernon Recycle truck, Paint a pot and flower seed activity, Farm to School small-scale produce market, a Swap Shop, and so much more! This FREE event will be held at Rockville Public Library, with a few offsite activities, 10 am – 2 pm on April 26th (rain date May 3rd). Below is the detailed schedule of all the events.
 

Featured Events

Hamden’s Clothing Drive and Swap

The Hamden Clothing Drive and Swap is a first-time collaboration between the annual Hamden Middle School Clothing Drive and the Town of Hamden’s first community-wide Textile Swap. It will be held on Earth Day 2025 from 10:00 till 1:30. Go to the Solid Waste and Recycling Commission tables, Miller Memorial Library parking lot, in front of the Rectory Barn ( next to the playground and community garden). Please see details under the ACTIVITIES tab on left.

Trashion Making Workshop run by Rebekah, artist and creator of Trash to Fashion http://trashtofashion.substack.com Workshop With Artist Rebekah Fraser

Register to have a three hour workshop where you will be instructed and then make garments from found objects and up-cycled materials. 10:00-1:00 , at the large tent on Earth Day April 26th. Open to adults and children. E-mail or call the recycling coordinator for more information and to pre-register 203-287-7021 or [email protected].

Blue Moon Birds of Prey

Large tent, 1:00 - 2:00 PM.
 

Mark your calendars for the Old Saybrook Environmental Fair, taking place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Old Saybrook Middle School Gym, located at 60 Sheffield Street. This exciting community event will showcase a variety of presenters, interactive exhibits, and hands-on activities aimed at raising awareness and promoting action on key environmental issues.

Visitors will have the chance to hear from experts on crucial topics such as energy conservation, water protection, waste reduction, land preservation, and wildlife conservation. Engaging demonstrations and educational displays will offer attendees practical ways to make a positive environmental impact.

Some of the exceptional exhibitors featured at this year’s fair include:

• Bushy Hill Nature Center
• Common Good Garden
• Connecticut River Gateway Commission
• DEEP Master Wildlife Conservationist Program
• Lights Out
• Old Saybrook Land Trust
• Save Our Shade
• Wild Ones
• Schleidt Works LLC
• Solar Solutions

In addition to presentations and exhibits, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in raffles throughout the event.

The fair will provide an enjoyable and informative experience for all ages, making it an ideal event for families, students, and environmental enthusiasts. Whether you're looking to support local conservation efforts or discover new ways to live sustainably, the Old Saybrook Environmental Fair is an event not to be missed.

Admission is free, and all are welcome!

The Old Saybrook Environmental Fair is proudly sponsored by The Old Saybrook Conservation Commission.

For more information, please contact Lynette Wacker at 860-395-3131.
 

On Earth Hartford is a vibrant celebration of the Earth and a reward for all the civic engagement and volunteerism around Earth Day. It is comprised of a mini festival featuring workshops, music, local foods, vendors and so, so much more. We only have one planet. Let’s protect & celebrate it!
 

Welcome to Woodbury Earth Day 2025, where residents come together as a community to honor our planet, promote sustainability, and inspire positive change.  Hosted by Woodbury Parks & Recreation and powered by a passionate team of volunteers, this event continues a decades-long rich tradition of celebrating Earth Day with engaging family-friendly activities, environmental education, and local partnerships.

Join the Town of Woodbury, on April 27, for a day filled with interactive exhibits, Eco-friendly vendors, live music, hands-on workshops, children's activities, and so much more!
 

Join the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, along with Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy, the Town of Bloomfield, and special guests, for a conversation about the outstanding resources conserved at Hawk Hill Farm in Bloomfield.

There will be a short Arbor Day ceremony featuring several speakers and concluding with a ribbon cutting for an exciting new tree trail open to the public. The trail features nine trees; five are “Notable” trees, meaning they are among the largest of their species in CT.

Light refreshments will be served and guided walks of the tree trail will be available.
 

Join us for our final Earth Month Tour of UConn’s low impact development project. Guests will learn more about stormwater pollution, green stormwater infrastructure, and overall best practices for targeting water quality and flooding within municipalities.

Registration is capped at 30. Parking will be available at the North Campus Garage. There is a small parking fee of $2 per hour for one to three hours of parking. For more information on North Campus parking instructions please visit the link below:

https://park.uconn.edu/visitors/storrs/
 

Join the Connecticut Green Bank as they provide an update on their programs and solutions for homes, buildings, and investments. Topics will include updates on Energy Storage Solutions, C-PACE, Smart-E, Environmental Infrastructure, and more.
 

Through the Resilient Connecticut project, CIRCA is partnering with municipalities, COGs, state agencies, technical planning teams, and community stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to local and regional climate challenges. With funding from CT DEEP, we invite you to join us for a workshop to:

• Understand the concept and importance of resilience hubs
• Learn from experts and case studies on starting and operating resilience hubs
• Foster networking and partnership-building among participants
• Collaboratively design resilience hub strategies adapted to local needs

Join us at the Sustainability Fair at the Simsbury Public Library on Saturday, May 4, 2024. This event will be held from 10AM to 2PM and is co-sponsored by the Simsbury Sustainability Committee and the Simsbury Public Library.

There will also be a Repair Cafe conducted in the Weatogue Room during this event. Bring your bicycle, small appliances, garments, chairs, etc. and there will be people on site who can help you repair and mend them.
 

Join CT DEEP to learn how other schools have set up sharing tables, donated surplus food from the school kitchen or cafeteria and collected food scraps for composting! Note, this event was originally scheduled for April 14, 2025 and was rescheduled for May 5, 2025.
 

This free, three-part, virtual equity workshop series provides a comprehensive framework of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Attendance at all three sessions is required.

Sessions run 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on: April 10, May 8, and June 12. Content will be geared to help Sustainability Teams integrate equity considerations into their Sustainable CT initiatives. Anyone is welcome to register and participate.

Attendance is capped at 35. This will be a live, interactive training and will NOT be recorded. Please only sign up if you intend to participate for the duration of each session.

Attendees will actively participate in three different workshops:

April 10: From Unconscious Bias to Systemic Change - This workshop goes beyond recognizing unconscious bias to crafting strategies for systemic change. The session offers theoretical insights and practical tools to reshape the municipal landscape for equity and justice.

May 8: Race & Community - Deepening Engagement and Solidarity - This workshop is designed to deepen community engagement around issues of race and racism. This interactive session will focus on building partnerships, coalitions, and networks that can amplify efforts to challenge racism and build equitable communities.

June 12: Persuasion for Progress - Influencing Change in Community Attitudes - Aiming to create progressive shifts in community attitudes, this workshop provides participants with nuanced approaches to community conversation, listening, resistance, and persuasion. Understanding that change often meets resistance, this session equips leaders with psychological insights and advanced communication strategies to transform skepticism into support for the Be READI© principles.

This webinar is eligible for Certified Connecticut Municipal Official (CCMO) professional development credit from the CT Conference of Municipalities.
 

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.
 

We'll be having our 2025 Spring into Summer Celebration at the Mark Twain House and Museum, 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, on Wednesday, June 4, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Some of our favorite partners will be tabling, we'll honor our spring certified communities, we'll introduce our newest cohort of Sustainable CT Fellows, and tours of the Twain House will be available, too. There will be music, light fare, and all of your Sustainable CT friends. "To get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with," Twain said. We hope you will come divide it with us.

This event is generously sponsored by WasteZero and Energia.
 

This free, three-part, virtual equity workshop series provides a comprehensive framework of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Attendance at all three sessions is required.

Sessions run 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on: June 17, July 22, and August 26. Content will be geared to help Sustainability Teams integrate equity considerations into their Sustainable CT initiatives. Anyone is welcome to register and participate.

Attendance is capped at 35. This will be a live, interactive training and will NOT be recorded. Please only sign up if you intend to participate for the duration of each session.

Attendees will actively participate in three different workshops:

June 17: Be READI© Leadership - Championing Equity at the Forefront - "Be READI© Leadership: Championing Equity at the Forefront" is a workshop for those ready to lead by example in equity and inclusion. Participants will explore leadership techniques, including influencing organizational culture, inspiring teams, and leading equitable change initiatives that yield measurable results.

July 22: Measuring What Matters - Assessing DEI Impact in Municipalities -  "Measuring What Matters: Assessing DEI Impact in Municipalities" focuses on tracking progress and evaluating the impact of DEI initiatives. Municipal leaders will learn to collect and analyze data, report on findings, and use insights to drive continuous improvement and accountability in DEI efforts.

August 26: Sustainable Change - Institutionalizing Be READI© Practices - "Sustainable Change: Institutionalizing Be READI© Practices" is designed to ensure the longevity and resilience of DEI efforts. Leaders will be equipped with strategies for policy development, stakeholder engagement, and creating a municipal infrastructure that supports lasting DEI integration.

This webinar is eligible for Certified Connecticut Municipal Official (CCMO) professional development credit from the CT Conference of Municipalities.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.