Trainings & Events

This month the Equity in Data Community of Practice is bringing back their Unconference! Instead of an expert presenting to a room, the topics come from the community (this could be you!). There will be two 30-minute rounds with a few topics in each, so you can choose the conversations you want to be part of.

Equity in Data Community of Practice are a group of data users in Connecticut who are supporting one another as we work toward more equitable data practices. They focus on racial equity explicitly but not exclusively.
 

Join the Connecticut Green Bank as they provide updates 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. Everyone who registers will receive a follow-up email with a link to the recording and materials after the presentation.
 

Energy efficiency and electrification retrofits of rental housing replace older equipment with newer, more reliable systems that can lower energy costs and improve resident comfort. However, without careful planning, these projects risk disrupting residents, contributing to rent increases, interrupting essential services, or creating displacement risks.

Join the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for a webinar exploring how rental energy efficiency programs can protect renters from disruptions to their lives while remaining appealing to property owners and workable for program administrators. Attendees will hear about the benefits and potential risks of rental energy upgrades, the legal and programmatic considerations that can shape renter protections, and practical strategies for program design and implementation. The webinar will outline a new technical assistance opportunity for New England communities and organizations.
 

AgeWellFest is a two-part learning, networking, and celebration opportunity for every Connecticut community.

AgeWellFest: Celebration (5:00 - 6:30 pm) is an evening of connection, discovery, and inspiration. We'll present the 2026 Wellspring Awards, honoring communities, organizations and individuals that are fostering age-inclusivity in Connecticut. We'll also celebrate the culmination of the 2026 Community Leaders Fellowship.

Prior to the celebration, AgeWellFest: Connection (1:30 - 4:30 pm) is a more intimate networking and knowledge-sharing opportunity for current members of the Fellowship program, program alumni, and municipal leaders and residents interested in future participation. This portion of AgeWellFest is sponsored by AARP Connecticut as our Livable Communities Sponsor.
 

Join CT Sea Grant and the Long Island Sound Partnership for a field visit to Hammonasset Beach State Park, where partners are advancing one of Connecticut’s largest coastal resilience and salt marsh restoration initiatives! The day will begin at Meigs Point Nature Center with presentations from Audubon Connecticut, who will share the science behind the restoration effort, discuss the challenges facing Hammonasset’s tidal marshes, and provide updates on the design of marsh restoration, living shoreline, and culvert replacement projects. After lunch and group discussions, guests will take a guided walk to view the marsh and then drive to check out some of the culverts that will be replaced. Register by Monday, September 7 to secure your spot!

Please note, some sites are only accessible on foot and will require walking on uneven terrain. If you have any concerns regarding the walking portion of this field trip, please contact [email protected]. 

Important Details: 

• Lunch will be provided.


• Travel expense reimbursement of up to $150/person/field trip is available on a first-come, first-served basis (for those that do not have travel budgets through their employers). CT registered vehicles are exempt from the park entrance fee; out-of-state vehicles are subject to a $15 fee, which can be covered by travel expense reimbursement.


• The field trip is intended as a learning experience for adults 18 years of age or older.


• This field trip has a maximum capacity of 30 people (if exceeded, a waitlist will be available),


• Event is rain or shine!


• Please direct any questions to [email protected].

Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council (CEEJAC) is an advisory council to the Commissioner of DEEP on historical and current environmental injustices across the state. The Council holds public quarterly meetings to hear updates from CT DEEP about environmental justice programs, updates on council subcommittee work, and discuss challenges that environmental justice communities continue to face. We hope that you’ll join us in-person at DEEP for an afternoon of networking and learning.

Accessibility Needs: The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at (860) 418-5910 or [email protected] if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. Any person needing a hearing accommodation may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. Requests for accommodations must be made at least two weeks prior to any agency event.
 

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!).

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 are committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at [email protected] if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. Any person needing a hearing accommodation may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. Requests for accommodations must be made at least two weeks prior to any program or event.
 

The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) plans to distribute $1.2 million across Connecticut and New York in 2027. To learn more about LISCIF, program priorities, and eligibility, sign up for this webinar! (The webinar will be recorded and uploaded to the LISCIF website: https://estuaries.org/liscif/).
 

Join the CT Land Conservation Council, Land Trust of West Haven, and Black and Brown Soul Cycle for a Bird and Bike event at West Haven beach.

Meet at Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary on Beach St, West Haven, CT 06516.

Route: Bike along the West Haven beach boardwalk/bike path to the new Eco Park (a shoreline restoration and outdoor education space), park our bikes and walk along the beach, then return to Sandy Point (1.5 miles out, 0.5 miles back)

Highlights:

• Enjoy a bike ride and a bird walk with people of color
• Meet birders of color who will introduce you to the diverse shorebirds that call our coastline home
• Discover the vital role native plants play in the ecosystem of West Haven beach
• Learn about the Land Trust of West Haven’s ongoing work to protect and steward West Haven beach for the lasting benefit of the public

What to Bring: Your own bike, helmet, and bike lock

What’s Provided: Binoculars, snacks, and water for all attendees

Bike Ride Info:

• Group ride at a slow pace with breaks as needed
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Ages 12+ may ride their own bike
• Under 12 must ride in a trailer/seat attached to an adult’s bike

Other Details:

• Parking: Start and end at Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary. If skipping the bike ride, meet at Eco Park (Old Grove Park parking lot)
• Restrooms: Available near Eco Park

Questions?

Contact Vanessa Daye, Community Conservation Coordinator, at [email protected]
 

Join Sierra Club Connecticut to kick off Climate Week for a day filled with live music, local food, art, interactive activities, inspiring speakers, family-friendly fun, and opportunities to take action alongside neighbors, organizations, and community leaders.
 

Join the Land Trust of West Haven for this inaugural Coastal Conversations series! The events take place on select Sundays at 10:00am from July through October and feature talks about coastal topics, wildlife, habitats, and ways to help.

• July 26, August 9, August 23, September 6, September 20, October 4

Location: Eco Park, Old Grove Park Building, 1 Palace Street, West Haven, CT
 

Join Integrity Acts and community partners for an engaging Climate Week gathering that brings together residents, organizers, advocates, students, and anyone passionate about building healthier, more equitable communities.

This is not your typical panel discussion. We'll begin with a conversation featuring local environmental justice leaders who are organizing for cleaner air, healthier neighborhoods, and more accountable environmental decision-making across Connecticut. Panelists will share their experiences building community power, navigating challenges, and creating lasting change from the ground up.

Then, participants will put those lessons into action through an interactive, murder mystery-style investigation inspired by real environmental justice issues.

Whether you're new to environmental justice or have been organizing for years, this event offers a creative and collaborative way to learn, connect, and strengthen your advocacy skills.
 

The Hixon Center is pleased to announce its Fall 2026 Speaker Series on "Urban Climate Adaptation." Webinars will take place on Mondays from September 14 to October 5, from 12:00-1:00pm U.S. ET.

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. Join us to hear where new possibilities for resilient and equitable urban futures are taking shape!

All lectures are free and open to the public. Recordings of each session will be available on the event page by the following Monday.
 

This training will help participants understand who drug endangered children are along with the risks and long-term impacts that are associated with parental and caregiver substance misuse and drug activity. Trainers will discuss the importance of and opportunities for early identification and intervention and the need for multidisciplinary collaborative efforts to identify and help these children. Trainers will provide examples that all disciplines can relate to and activities to assist in understanding this challenging topic. Trainers will help attendees understand that they have opportunities to change the trajectories of the lives of drug endangered children and break multigenerational cycles.
 

Join Joshua’s Trust for a field tour of their Two Sisters Tract in Chaplin ahead of a 25-acre prescribed burn planned for spring of 2027. 

Participants will explore the ecology and history of this unique natural community, discuss how the site has changed over time, and examine the role prescribed fire will play in its restoration and long-term management. The tour will also cover the planning, objectives, and operational considerations behind the burn. 

Before the field tour, those interested will have the option to meet at Joshua’s Trust’s office for a brief presentation on prescribed fire, including its use as a land management tool, the permitting and planning process, and a demonstration of commonly used tools and equipment.

Next year, participants will be invited back for a post-burn tour to examine fire effects, discuss how the burn was carried out, and observe the site’s initial response to fire.

Agenda:

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Joshua’s Trust Office (optional), 624 Wormwood Hill Road, Mansfield Center
Prescribed fire presentation and equipment demonstration

10:15 AM –  12:15 PM: Two Sisters Tract, Chaplin (41.75752, -72.14629)
Pre-burn field tour. Parking is on the shoulder on Route 6, just north of Chaplin Inn and Suites.

Questions? If you have any questions regarding the logistics or content of this event please reach out to Alex D’Amico, Stewardship Manager at Joshua’s Trust, [email protected]. If you are no longer able to attend please reach out to Ricky Bentley, Program Manager at CLCC, [email protected].
 

How we talk about climate change is arguably the world’s most important story, yet many readers and viewers tune out. They may see climate change as complicated, confusing or depressing. But that doesn’t mean they are not interested. How climate change is talked about, whether in news stories or in conversations with neighbors, can make a huge difference in getting people interested and even engaged in helping confront the problem. Yale Program on Climate Change (YPCCC) Communication Director Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz will join leaders from Project Drawdown, the Potential Energy Coalition, the Talking Climate Collaborative, and the Associated Press for a discussion on how journalists and communicators can shape public engagement with climate change.

The panel will be available to the public via livestream on the AP’s YouTube channel.

Using a placed-based approach to training, participants will learn about terrestrial invasives plants. Participants will: 1) identify invasive plants, 2) use EpiCollect App & forms to collect and manage data, 3) discuss ways that methods can be transferred to other sites, and 4) learn management & removal techniques for a couple selected invasive plants.  See detailed agenda below.

Participants will use a free smartphone GPS application for iPhones and Android devices called Epicollect5 to collect field data during the workshop. Please download Epicollect5 prior to arrival from the Apple App Store or on Google Play (Android). More information about the app can be found on the Epicollect website. Paper forms organized in Epicollect format will be provided as an option during the training event.

NOTE: UConn CLEAR and the CTNERR training team presented a related June 26, 2024 webinar, “Mapping Invasive Plants in a Coastal Forest”.  If you were unable to attend (or want to watch it again!) a recording and slides are available HERE.
 

The National Governors Association, on behalf of the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, is pleased to invite you to the 2026 New England Regional Nuclear Policy Summit. The Policy Summit will be held in person on September 30 in Lowell, MA, with a Zoom option provided for remote attendees.

In March 2026, the Governors of the six New England states issued a joint statement committing to explore advanced nuclear energy as a region. In their statement, New England governors committed to host this upcoming regional nuclear summit, which will provide an opportunity for the New England public to learn more about advanced nuclear energy. The New England Regional Nuclear Policy Summit will feature speakers on a range of topics, including Safety, Community Engagement, State Actions, Regional Benefits, and Advanced Nuclear Use Cases.

In-Person Registration has reached capacity. Please JOIN THE WAITLIST by selecting In-Person Attendee below. You will be notified if a spot becomes available.
 

Join the Long Island Sound Partnership on a tour to learn first-hand how the City of West Haven is enhancing its coastal resilience on several fronts. The day will start with presentations from the City Engineer, Land Trust of West Haven, and engineering firms that will highlight the history, funding strategy, and progression of each project. Participants will then hop on a shuttle bus to tour project sites that are completed, in progress, or planned for the future, including the West Haven Eco Park, Beach Street Elevation, Cove River Tidal Marsh Restoration, Resilient Cove River Project, and additional stops along the way! Guests will have the opportunity to hear about challenges and discuss lessons learned directly with other practitioners.

Register by Tuesday, September 29th to secure your spot!

Long Island Sound Coastal Resilience Month

This event is part of a series offered by the Sustainable & Resilient Communities team throughout September and October to showcase resilience initiatives across the region, foster knowledge exchange, and encourage collaboration.

Important Details:

• Lunch will be provided.
• Travel expense reimbursement of up to $150/person/field trip is available on a first-come first-served basis (for those that do not have travel budgets through their employers).
• The field trip is intended as a learning experience for adults 18 years of age or older.
• This field trip has a maximum capacity of 30 people (if exceeded a waitlist will be available).

This event is rain or shine! Please direct any questions to [email protected].
 

Prospective applicants will learn about the program priorities for the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF). Case studies of each program priority will be reviewed to gain insight into future proposal ideas. Applicants will have the opportunity to ask questions and get guidance on proposals. Learn about building partnerships and collaborating with regional partners.
 

Energy Storage Solutions is an incentive program overseen by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) administered by the CT Green Bank and utilities. Learn more about upfront and yearly performance incentives available for batteries paired with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and standalone batteries.
 

Learn how to create a federal budget for your Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) proposal. This virtual training is also an opportunity to bring any budget related questions you have regarding federal restrictions and allowability. In addition, become more confident in submitting your LoI through the application portal as we will be doing a walkthrough in the Euna grants portal.
 

Connect & Catalyze: Environmental Justice Resource Exchange is a one-day statewide convening designed to connect community leaders, nonprofit organizations, advocates, funders, researchers, government partners, and technical assistance providers who are working to advance environmental justice across Connecticut.

Rather than focusing on individual organizations or isolated projects, this gathering centers on a simple idea: stronger relationships create stronger outcomes. Participants will explore new funding opportunities, build cross-sector partnerships, exchange practical strategies, and leave with the connections and resources needed to move community-driven solutions forward.

Throughout the day, attendees will engage in keynote conversations, rapid-fire panels, interactive workshops, networking activities, and a resource fair featuring organizations that provide funding, technical assistance, research support, communications expertise, and capacity-building services.

EVENT INCLUDES

• A keynote conversation on coalition building, community power, and building an abundant environmental justice ecosystem

• Lightning discussions on community-centered fundraising, nonprofit mutual aid, resource sharing, and bridging energy and environmental justice

• Interactive workshops focused on:

  • Alternative funding and financing strategies beyond grants

  • Organizational capacity building

  • Public-private partnerships

  • Research, data, storytelling, and compelling grant narratives

• A funding and technical assistance showcase featuring organizations supporting environmental justice work across Connecticut

• Facilitated networking designed to spark new partnerships and collaboration

• A resource and technical assistance fair connecting participants directly with funding programs and support organizations

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This event is designed for:

• Environmental justice organizations

• Community-based nonprofits

• Grassroots organizers

• Tribal and Indigenous leaders

• Municipal and state agency staff

• Researchers and academic partners

• Philanthropic organizations and funders

• Technical assistance providers

• Climate, energy, conservation, housing, transportation, food justice, and public health advocates

• Anyone interested in strengthening Connecticut's environmental justice ecosystem

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 are committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at [email protected] if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. Any person needing a hearing accommodation may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. Requests for accommodations must be made at least two weeks prior to any program or event.
 

This free, interactive workshop, presented by the EV Club of CT, People’s Action for Clean Energy, Clean Transportation Coalition of Western Connecticut, Clean Transportation Communities of Southern Connecticut and Capitol Clean Cities, will make it easy for municipalities to learn about how to electrify transportation. It will cover electrifying a municipal fleet, including light, medium and heavy duty vehicles, schoolhouses; charging infrastructure; zoning; planning and coordinating with Eversource and United Illuminating.

There will also be a showcase of Municipally owned EVs.
 

Join the Equity in Data Community of Practice for a virtual discussion where you will have a chance to learn how to apply equitable data practices to your work.

More people in the community are hearing about data walks and wondering if they could use one in their own work. A data walk brings people together to look at data, react to it, and help make sense of what it shows. But what does that actually look like, and what do you learn from doing one?

In this session, community members who have facilitated data walks will talk about how they set them up, what surprised them, and what they would do differently. Participants will look at how the format works in practice, from choosing what data to share to how you guide the conversation.

You'll leave with a clearer picture of what a data walk involves, ideas for whether one fits your work, and practical starting points for planning your own.
 

Invasive Plant Symposium, Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, UConn Student Union, Storrs, CT

The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) 2026 symposium will be a full day in-person program on October 28, with some sessions directed to all attendees and other sessions in concurrent breakouts. This year's theme is From Awareness to Action - Strengthening Our Response to Invasive Plants.

The morning session will include a keynote presentation by Tom Zetterstrom, Housatonic Valley Association: “Land Trust Decision Model for Invasive Control in Severe Impact Areas” and a Panel Discussion: “Myths of Invasive Plant Management.”

The afternoon breakout sessions are:

Group A (Concurrent):

1) Identification and Management of Invasive Vines: Dr. Bryan Connolly, ECSU; Pete Picone, CT DEEP

2) Rugged Native Plants for Restoration of Managed Areas: Frederick (Erik) C. Sechler, Jr., Native Plant Trust

3) Invasive Aquatics: Updates on Hydrilla and Water Chestnut: John Hall, Jonah Center for Earth and Art; Greg Bugbee, CAES

Group B (Concurrent):

4) Special Topics in Invasive Plant Management: Christian Allyn, Invasive Plant Solutions; Joshua Tracy, Regional Water Authority; Tim Mack, Hamden Land Conservation Trust

5) Building Layers for Biodiversity with Native Plants: Anna Fialkoff and Maggie Redfern, Connecticut College Arboretum

6) Herbicide Management of Invasives: Law and How to Apply it: Zach Donais, CT DEEP

CEU's for organizations and Pesticide Recertification Credits are available.

$90 General Registration (in person attendance). $80 Recording Only; Student Registration Available.

More info: cipwg.uconn.edu/2026-symposium
 

Applicants will learn strategies in writing a strong narrative for the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund. In conjunction with the RFA webinars, get a clear understanding of what is required in a narrative statement. Learn to effectively communicate your organization’s mission and project proposal.
 

This workshop will focus on the Smart-E Loans program offering low-interest financing for residential home energy improvements through a network of contractors and lenders.
 

We can only collect meaningful survey data if the people we are asking questions to can understand them. For most, this means we need translation. But, knowing you SHOULD translate your survey and knowing HOW to are different things. Which languages do you choose? What are your options for translation? And once responses come back in a language you don’t speak, how do you analyze them?

In this session, guests will hear from someone who has worked to translate surveys, along with community members who will share what worked. By the end of the conversation, you will have a way to decide which languages make sense for you to translate your survey into, steps for getting them translated, and ideas for handling the data once it comes in.
 

Please save November 18 on your calendar for the 5th Annual Long Island Sound SRC Workshop! All workshop sessions will be in person this year.

More information will be shared via email and the LIS Resilience Resource Hub soon!
 

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 are committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at [email protected] if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. Any person needing a hearing accommodation may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. Requests for accommodations must be made at least two weeks prior to any program or event.
 

UConn's Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) is holding a one-day conference at UConn School of Law in Hartford on Friday, November 20, 2026, to learn about CIRCA's programs.

Agenda

• 8:45 – 9:15: Registration and Coffee
• 9:15 – 9:30: Welcome Remarks
• 9:30 – 9:50: CIRCA Update Presentation
• 9:50 – 10:35: Legislative Implementation Presentations
• 9:50 – 10:00: Resilience Improvement Districts
• 10:00 – 10:10: Stormwater Authorities
• 10:10 – 10:20: Climate Change and Coastal Resilience Reserve Funds –
• 10:20 – 10:35: Question and Answers
• 10:35 – 10:45 Break
• 10:45 – 11:00: Keynote Address
• 11:00 – 12:00: Legislative Panel
• 12:00 – 1:00: Lunch
• 1:00 – 2:10: On the ground and in the Water Panel
• 2:10 – 2:30 – Networking

Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council (CEEJAC) was established in Executive Order 21-3 to provide guidance to the Commissioner of CT's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) on issues related to the state's historic and current environmental injustice and inequities across the state.

The Council convenes quarterly to hear updates from subcommittees and discuss key projects. All Quarterly Meetings are open to the public. If you have questions, please contact [email protected].

Accessibility Needs: The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at (860) 418-5910 or [email protected] if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. Any person needing a hearing accommodation may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. Requests for accommodations must be made at least two weeks prior to any agency hearing, program or event.
 

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 are committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at [email protected] if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. Any person needing a hearing accommodation may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. Requests for accommodations must be made at least two weeks prior to any program or event.