Trainings & Events

SWAC membership is open to all. Meetings held in an open stakeholder forum.

For more information or agenda: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/waste-management-and-disposal/solid-waste-management-plan/state-solid-waste-advisory-committee-information-and-schedule
 

The Hixon Center is pleased to announce its Fall 2025 Speaker Series on Sustainable Transportation. Webinars will take place on Tuesdays from September 9 to November 11, from 12:00-1:00pm U.S. ET. Join us for a ten-part weekly lecture series on Sustainable Transportation, exploring forward-thinking solutions in response to climate change, rapid urbanization, and growing global mobility. Experts will share practical insights and real-world examples from across the globe, shedding light on policies and innovations for a more sustainable, connected world. Visit hixon.yale.edu/event-series/sustainable-transportation to see a full list of upcoming speakers. All lectures are free and open to the public. Recordings of each session will be available on the event page by the following Tuesday.
 

You're Invited!

Join us in making the big kicks and hitting the high notes! We'll be honoring all of our 2025 certified towns and a brand new cohort of Climate Leaders at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam on Tuesday, October 28, from 4-7 p.m.

The Goodspeed opened its doors as a professional musical theatre in 1963 in an historic building on the banks of the Connecticut River in East Haddam. This exceptional venue has hosted over 250 musicals, including over 70 world premieres, and has exported 21 productions to Broadway.

And we have a BIG SURPRISE in store, too, so REGISTER NOW because you do not want to miss this. See you on October 28th!

The 2025 Sustainable CT Awards Celebration is generously sponsored by Eversource, Reworld, Clean Transportation Communities of Southern Connecticut, Envest Asset Management, Casella Waste Systems, PowerOptions, Titan Energy New England, Energia, and Capital for Change.

Sponsorship Opportunities are Available!

Join us in working for a better Connecticut. By sponsoring our 2025 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.
 

Federal policy changes are creating real uncertainty for nonprofits and communities. Join Emerald Cities Collaborative, Resonant Energy, ACE, and several local leaders for a 3-part webinar series exploring what’s changing, how it affects local programs, and building resilience and equity on the ground.

You’ll learn:

• What recent federal shifts mean for funding, compliance, and program delivery
• Local examples of community strength and response to these shifts
• How to align funding, advocacy, and partnerships for equitable outcomes

Dates (12:00–1:15 PM ET):

• Tue, Oct 7 – Understanding the Landscape
• Mon, Oct 20 – Spotlight on Community Resilience
• Wed, Oct 29 – From Dialogue to Action

Accessibility: Email [email protected] at least two weeks prior.

Recording: All registrants receive the recording and resources.
 

Jump on UConn TAB's link to get help and support with your EPA MAC Grant!
 

As nonprofits face funding cuts and rising expenses, it is more crucial than ever to have access to accurate data that helps us manage our resources and meet the growing needs in our communities. As the availability and reliability of federal data becomes unpredictable, nonprofit and public sector professionals must think creatively about how to navigate this changing landscape and find partnerships that can help us maximize the resources available.

Join Norwalk ACTS and CTData for a 90-minute in-person event on navigating today’s changing data landscape. Hear from national and local experts, share solutions in small-group discussions, and connect with peers to strengthen our community’s use of reliable data.

During this event, you will hear from Meeta Anand, Senior Program Director for Census and Data Equity at The Leadership Conference Education Fund, on changes at the federal level and how they may affect data availability at the local level in the future. You will also hear about what changes you can expect at the state and local levels. You will have the chance in small group discussions to share challenges and brainstorm solutions for filling data gaps in your community.

The event will conclude with dedicated networking time to build relationships and strengthen the data community.

Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, data professional, or simply passionate about evidence-based social change, you’ll gain new insights, valuable resources, and stronger connections. Let’s create a more resilient, informed, and connected data ecosystem.
 

The deep dismantling underway in 2025 calls for an equally deep rebuilding—one that centers environmental justice, prioritizes historically marginalized communities, and ensures equitable access to clean air, water, land, and decision-making power. People yearn for and need a modernization of these crucial intersections, comprising new concepts and laws for an emerging era of integrated solutions.

That is why Yale Center for Environmental Justice is thrilled to invite you the to Environmental Joy 2025: Writing the Future.

By November 2025, the time will be ripe for a new phase. Almost a year into attacking domestic and global solidarity and mutualism while stripping down the foundations of justice and environmental protections, Environmental Joy will convene. It will convene in a form more akin to a congress than a conference to confront and overcome these challenges.

Conference features:

• Networking opportunities: Connect with environmental and climate justice leaders, innovators, and influencers across the world
• Keynote and plenary speakers: Hear from prominent EJ figures such as the co-leaders of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council and more
• Interactive breakout sessions: Participate in three hands-on sessions to co-create roadmaps that will detail EJ pathways for the next 3-5 years
• Art & Joy Showcases: Build environmental joy with one another through participatory art engagements throughout the conference and more!

Who should attend?

Everybody is welcome to attend this conference, though typical attendees include:

• Environmental and climate justice communities and members
• Policy makers
• Academics and researchers
• Thought leaders in faith and culture

Registration

• $20 for virtual attendees
• $25 for students
• $50 for grassroots individuals
• $50 for Yale affiliates (faculty, staff, etc.)
• $150 for professionals
• $250 for grassroots organizations
• $500 for Sponsoring Individuals (Includes registration for yourself and funds scholarships for one other participants)
• $5000 for Sponsoring Organizations (Includes registration for your organization, conference branding, and funds scholarships for 10 participants)
• For donations greater than $5000, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
• Donations help cover travel, food, and accomodations for the roughly 60 grassoots activists recieiving scholarships!

If your town is pursuing Sustainable CT certification, The Partnership for Strong Communities (The Partnership) Housing Data Profiles is a crucial resource. Developed with local leaders, planners, and advocates in mind, the The Partnership Housing Data Profiles tool delivers essential county and town-level metrics on housing stock, affordability, demographics, and other economic indicators for your municipal growth and business development. Each of these indicators are provided for every Connecticut town as well as the state and planning regions.

Join Sustainable CT, The Partnership and CTData for a webinar on how to use these Housing Data Profiles as you work on your Sustainable CT certification actions.

In this interactive session, you will:

• See a live demonstration of the Housing Data Profiles, with real-world examples tailored for economic development and Sustainable CT action points.
• Learn about the breadth of data readily available in this easy-to-use tool.
• Discuss how this tool can be used to support Sustainable CT certification requirements.

A leading global forum for energy access, finance, technology, policy, and careers. Join hundreds of attendees from countless sectors, organizations, universities, and industries for this flagship event in New Haven, Connecticut. Get your ticket to the Conference and experience the keynotes, workshops, pitches, network building activities, and lively discussions for yourself!
 

For Eversource's next First Thursday webinar, experts will share an overview of Energy Storage Solutions, a battery energy storage demand response program. Participants will be joined by Jennifer Runyon, Energy Efficiency Consultant with Eversource. Jennifer will provide an overview of Energy Storage Solutions and share details on the benefits of battery storage and incentives available for qualifying customers.  

Why should you attend? 

• Learn how batteries can be paired with solar PV to provide energy backup to your home or business in case of a power disruption 
• Explore how to earn incentives by sending power from your battery to the grid during times of peak demand 
• Find out how upfront and performance-based incentives can significantly reduce the cost of installing batteries 
• Understand how batteries can reduce your business’s monthly demand charges

At the UConn Student Union Ballroom (Room 330), 2100 Hillside Road, Storrs, CT. An exciting day of presentations featuring current science-based research and information on supporting pollinators in managed landscapes. Learn how native plants support pollinator health throughout the year! Early Registration (by October 15): $70; Regular Registration (after October 15): $80; College/University Matriculated Students with valid school ID: $25.

Registration and more information ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu/nppc2025
 

The Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation is hosting a one-day conference at the Branford House at UConn Avery Point in Groton. Please join to work toward a more Resilient Connecticut! Register for the event HERE, registration closes November 3. Agenda to follow.
 

CT DEEP's new Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences launched a standing request for ideas of potential partnerships to provide new or expanded outdoor recreation experiences, services or amenities in Connecticut State Parks. Potential partners may include municipalities, businesses, non-profits, individuals and other stakeholders interested in promoting outdoor recreation opportunities in their community. Attendees will learn about new Request for Proposals (RFPs), a standing Request for Information (RFI), current partnerships in state parks, state park survey results and examples of how outdoor recreation is driving economic development and tourism and supporting local businesses and healthy communities.
 

In this final installment of a three-part webinar series on mapping water in CT, CLEAR will talk about WestCOG's experience providing mapping support to towns working to meet their obligations under the MS4 permit. They'll cover the logistics of mapping stormwater infrastructure, data structure, outputs, lessons learned, and how these efforts can carry forward into the culvert mapping requirements of Public Act 25-33. They'll also touch on ongoing MS4 coordination work being carried out by the regional Councils of Governments.
 

Join the Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions (CACIWC) for a full day of educational workshops, informative displays, and special keynote presentations.

Featuring a dozen multi-track workshops, including:

• Implementation of Connecticut’s Wildlife Action Plan
• Updates on Approaches to Protection of Riparian Areas
• The Why and the How of Land Conservation for Municipalities
• 2025 Wetlands Law & Regulations Update with Q&A Session
• Stream Dynamics: How Beaver Management Policies & Culverts Impact Climate Resilience
• New Online GIS Tool for Evaluating Renewable Energy Siting
• Inland Wetlands Law; CT DEEP Online Training Course Q&A
• Riparian Tree Canopy Density as a Key Indicator of Water Quality
• How CT RC&D’s Environmental Review Team Can Help Your Town
• CT DEEP Volunteer Water Monitoring Program & Cold-Water Stream Habitat Mapping

Plus:

• Find helpful information at exhibitor displays of environmental consultants, green industry suppliers, and nonprofit organizations.
• Network with 250 other local wetland / conservation commission members, town staff, state and federal officials, land management consultants, academics, and environmental advocates. See old friends and make new ones!

Date: November 15, 2025
Time:  8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Registration and complimentary breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m.) 
Location: UConn Middlesex County Extension Center, 1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT 06438

Cost: $55.00 (includes complimentary breakfast and lunch)

Registration Deadline: Monday, November 10, 2025 (Please note the training may fill before this date, so early registration is encouraged.)

The UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) will be running an all-day Land Use Academy – Advanced Training. Attendees may be eligible for the full four (4) credits of the required CGS Sec. 8-4c training. Advanced Training topics of Bias, Predisposition, and Conflicts will be presented by Richard P. Roberts, Halloran & Sage, Advanced Training topics on Running a Meeting and Making a Decision will be presented by Kenneth Slater, Jr., of Halloran & Sage, and Mark Branse, of Halloran & Sage, will present a session on Fair and Affordable Housing Policies which will cover one (1) credit on Fair and Affordable Housing Policies as required by the State Statute.

Topics covered:
General Commissioner training hours: 3
Fair & Affordable Housing training hours: 1

Copies of the 8th Edition of “What’s Legally Required: A Guide to Legal Rules for Making Land Use Decisions in the State of Connecticut” by Mike Zizka can be purchased in advance and can be picked up at the training. Visit: secure.touchnet.com/C21646_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp order the book and choose "Walk-In" for shipping. Tax-exempt organizations can submit a tax-exempt certificate to [email protected] to receive the link for tax-exempt ordering of the book. Please note this book is NOT required for this training.

If you would like a gluten-free or vegetarian meal, please notify Donna at [email protected] by November 10th.

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.
 

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.
 

Connecticut’s data community faces new challenges and opportunities as access to critical information grows more complex and essential to our work. This year’s sudden loss of federal datasets (which were ultimately restored) underscored the urgent need for a strong and connected data ecosystem in Connecticut.

For this year's conference, CTData will focus on the theme of Data for Democracy. Bringing together more than 250 nonprofit and public sector leaders, data professionals, and advocates, we will strengthen our collective ability to use data for good.

Join CTData on December 3rd at the Hartford Marriott Downtown for a day of expert insights, hands-on learning, and networking with peers who share your commitment to ethical, transparent, and impactful data use.

This year’s event comes at a pivotal moment for our state and features keynote speaker Dr. Ismar Volić, Director of the Institute for Mathematics and Democracy, and author of “Making Democracy Count: How Mathematics Improves Voting, Electoral Maps, and Representation.” As an attendee you will:

• Gain practical skills through sessions such as Data Tools 101 and 202.

• Explore participatory strategies to authentically engage people with lived experience.

• Learn actionable frameworks like “before action reviews” and “in action reviews.”

• Connect with a vibrant professional community committed to advancing ethical data practices.

• Share solutions and advocate for the data that drives our missions and supports strong communities.

This is a paid in-person event.
 

Join Katie Malgioglio, UConn TAB Community Engagement Manager, for a conversation about UConn TAB's Municipal Assistance Program.
 

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.
 

This informative day will include keynote speakers, breakout sessions, networking, a catered lunch, and exhibitors. Attendees will benefit from a variety of themed breakout sessions, providing education on composting related to the basics, home, farm, municipal, schools, and medium to large scale operations. The event will highlight how composting can benefit local communities, businesses, the environment, and improve climate resiliency.