Trainings & Events

More often than not, point source pollution can be prevented or reduced without spending large amounts of money. At the same time, internal efforts to do so help refine project scoping, leading to clearer and more competitive funding applications. This webinar will cover the following:

• Pollution explained in a manner that redefines the value of prevention
• Examples of successful and innovative pollution prevention efforts
• Funding sources available to achieve organizational goals

Join the New Haven Housing Services for an important session on the growing risks of climate change for homeowners in Greater New Haven—and learn about three key programs that can support you in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

This class will introduce Access to Resources for Climate Change (A.R.C.C.), an initiative focused on raising awareness about climate and disaster risks and connecting communities with available support for disaster recovery.

Featured Speaker:

Vanessa Brown, Climate Change and Disaster Relief Consultant for A.R.C.C., and author of the CTLawHelp.org Disaster Assistance Guide—Connecticut’s first statewide resource for residents navigating climate impacts and disaster recovery.

This event can be attended via webinar or in-person.
 

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.
 

Get the latest scoop on what's happening at the Capitol! Join the CTLCV Team and Executive Director Lori Brown for key updates on priority legislation and how you can take action. Don't miss this opportunity to stay informed, get involved, and help drive real change for Connecticut's environment.

Advance registration for this event is required. Participants will be emailed a Zoom Invite before the event.
 

In coordination with NHCOG, the DECD Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development is hosting a brownfield networking event at Bad Dog Brewing Company, 117 Water St, Torrington, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Thursday, May 8. A great opportunity for municipal leaders, economic development/planning directors, brownfield owners, and developers to meet and network with brownfield remediation and redevelopment funders and experts to discuss funding programs and opportunities; environmental liability relief programs; and brownfield strategies and success stories. RSVP by 5/1/25 to [email protected].
 

Saturday, April 12th from 10:00-11:30AM:

Join Dr. Chris Conroy, Assistant Professor at the University of New Haven, as he shares insights into the diverse marine ecosystems of the Long Island Sound and discusses ongoing research to map the diverse underwater habitats that lie beneath the water's surface.

Saturday, May 10th from 10:00-11:30AM:

Travel through history with John Buell, Chair of the New Haven Harbor Foundation, as he unravels the evolving story of New Haven Harbor, from its bustling past to its modern transformation.

Saturday, June 14th from 10:00-11:30AM:

Discover the diverse world of macroalgae in New Haven Harbor with Ujjal Banik, a Master's student at the University of New Haven. Learn how macroalgae blooms impact water quality and ecosystem health, and what they reveal about the changing conditions of our coastal waters.
 

Speakers from Preservation Connecticut will be on our May Coffee Hour to discuss the intersection of sustainability and preservation, how to pursue historic preservation initiatives in your community, and resources to support completion of Action 5.5 Inventory and Assess Historic Resources.

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.

Presented by Min Huang, CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; Evan Carlson, Whiteout Solutions; and Emily Wilson, UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR)

CT DEEP and Whiteout Solutions used drones and low altitude helicopters to collect imagery and elevation data of tidal marshes across the Connecticut coast. The webinar will talk about the project, the final data products and what they show, how to view and download in the interactive viewer, and why it was all done in the first place. Join UConn CLEAR and DEEP for the overview and demo. Visit https://maps.cteco.uconn.edu/projects/highres_marsh/ for more information.
 

Coordinated with the UConn TAB program to provide networking and information dissemination on brownfield support for the Capitol Region COG. This is an in-person event taking place at Goodwin Univeristy (1 Riverside Drive, East Hartford, CT, 06118).
 

Massaro Community Farm envisions a world where everyone has access to fresh, healthy, affordable food, where communities feel connected to the land and each other, and where hands-on engagement helps individuals build a healthier future for themselves and for the planet.

The board and staff of the Massaro Community Farm invites you to participate in their annual meeting and pavilion ribbon cutting.

Date and Time: Saturday, May 17, at 12PM

Rain Date: Sunday, May 18th

Location: The Learning Garden Pavilion at Massaro Community Farm (41 Ford Rd, Woodbridge, CT 06525)
 

Coordinated with the UConn TAB program to provide networking and information dissemination on brownfield support for the SCRCOG. This is an in-person event taking place at 127 Washington Ave, North Haven, CT 06473.
 

This meeting is geared towards those living along the Yantic River, as well as those who operate businesses in the area. This event will be an open environment to discuss flood experiences, learn about the Yantic's complex flooding issues, and ultimately come together to determine the best actions for reducing flood damages in the future. This event is hosted by the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SECOG) in partnership with the City of Norwich, UCONN's Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaption, and GZA Geoenvironmental.
 

Join CLCC and the Xerces Society for an engaging lunchtime webinar exploring the fascinating world of fireflies and how land trusts can play a role in their conservation. Fireflies are more than just a magical summer sight—they are essential indicators of ecosystem health, yet many species are facing challenges from habitat loss, light pollution, and other threats.

Candace Fallon, Senior Conservation Biologist with the Xerces Society, will introduce firefly ecology, conservation concerns, and the growing movement to establish firefly sanctuaries. Learn how land trusts and conservation organizations can identify and protect important firefly habitats, implement firefly-friendly management practices, and engage communities in the stewardship of these beloved beetles. Whether you’re looking for ways to enhance biodiversity on your protected lands or simply want to learn more about fireflies, this webinar will provide valuable insights and practical steps to get involved.
 

Come join CT DEEP at Kellogg Environmental Center for a fun day of celebrating and learning about turtles. From 10:00-11:00 am learn all about turtles from Turtle Haven who will also have turtle ambassadors as part of the program! There will be plenty of fun and activities for all ages throughout the day.
 

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

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 PosiGen, Energia, Clean Transportation Communities of Southern Connecticut, Orsted, WasteZero and All American Waste.

Coordinated with the UConn TAB program to provide networking and information dissemination on brownfield support for the RiverCOG Region. This is an in-person event taking place at CT State Community College Middlesex (100 Training Hill Road Middletown, CT 06457).
 

Coordinated with the UConn TAB program to provide networking and information dissemination on brownfield support for the MetroCOG Region. This is an in-person event taking place at the Univeristy of Bridgeport (126 Park Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604).
 

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 the Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council for a public quarterly meeting. This meeting will be hybrid; in-person at 295 Meridian St Groton, CT (Groton City Council Chambers) or on Zoom. The council will hear reports from subcommittees (Waste, Water, Land, Energy, and Air) as well as engage in a discussion on an environmental justice topic. Comments from the public are welcome at the beginning of the meeting. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions.
 

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.