Trainings & Events

Join the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) for the first Pathways to Nature Black History Hike with Wyndham Land Trust.

In the 1940’s, Mary Webster, a woman of African and Native American descent, told Susan Jewett Griggs that she was descended from the enslaved Randalls who are buried in the Randall/Higginbotham Burial Ground. Griggs recorded Mary’s story in her book of oral histories, Folklore and Firesides.

Mary’s great-great grandfather, Reuben Randall, was born enslaved on the Randall estate in 1777, and likely helped the Higginbothams with building the dam for the mills on Nightingale Brook in the early 1800’s.

Learn more about Mary’s people as experts dig into the understory of Nightingale Woods owned by Wyndham Land Trust in Pomfret.

Historian Donna Dufresne from the Pomfret Historical Society will share the research that links generations of people of color going back to the enslaved Africans buried in the Randall/Higginbotham Burial Ground on the property. The moderate hike will begin at the Darius Higginbotham homestead on Taft Pond Rd. in Pomfret and end at the burial ground where we will reflect upon the memorial stone for the enslaved Africans buried there.

Location: Pomfret, CT Register to receive a confirmation email with meeting location and driving directions

Hiking Conditions: The total hike is 3 miles. This is an intermediate-level hike with some uphill portions and muddy conditions. Sturdy footwear is a must and walking sticks are suggested.

What to Bring: Bring water, bug spray, and sun protection (hat, sunblock, sunglasses). CLCC will provide water, snacks, and binoculars in case people would also like to spot birds during the hike

Restrooms: No restroom or portable toilets

Event Capacity: Space is limited to just 30 participants! Once you register, you’ll receive information about the meeting location and parking instructions. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with history and nature—sign up now!

Register and provide an email address to receive weather updates. If light rain is forecasted, the event will go on but if heavy rain is forecasted then the event will be rescheduled to the following day, Sunday June 28th 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
 

Indonesia is at a pivotal point in shaping its climate and energy future, and a recent report from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC), "Climate Change and Energy in the Indonesian Mind", offers a detailed look at how the public views these issues. Drawing on a nationally representative, face-to-face survey of 2,000 Indonesian adults, the survey finds widespread public concern about climate change, broad support for the renewable energy transition and climate policies, and important gaps in climate knowledge and media exposure.

Please join the YPCCC for a discussion moderated by Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz, Director and lead investigator of the study, with key findings presented by Dr. Lia Zakiyyah, a co-author on the study and a communication scholar and consultant specializing in climate and health communication and evidence-based public engagement. They will be joined by Fabby Tumiwa, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), and Hayu Prabowo, an environmental and Islamic philanthropy advocate, for a cross-sector conversation on what these findings mean in practice — from strong public backing for a renewable energy transition to the role of faith-based approaches in supporting climate action — and how they can inform more effective communication, policy, and collaboration across Indonesia.
 

Homeless diversion is a proactive, housing-focused strategy that helps individuals and families resolve housing crises quickly, safely, and with the least disruption possible. This interactive training is designed for frontline staff, housing professionals, and community partners who support households experiencing housing instability.

Participants will learn how to use person-centered, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approaches to help households identify safe alternatives to shelter, strengthen natural supports, and connect to community resources that promote long-term housing stability.

Training Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Define diversion and understand its role within Connecticut's Homeless Response System.
• Apply the core principles of effective diversion, including housing-focused, person-centered, and trauma-informed practices.
• Utilize the 6 Steps to Housing Problem-Solving Conversations to support households in crisis.
• Strengthen communication skills through active listening, motivational interviewing, and empathy-based engagement.
• Identify household strengths, natural supports, and community resources that can help resolve housing crises.
• Develop practical diversion plans that support housing stability, income growth, and connection to services.
• Improve documentation practices and understand key CAN appointment outcomes.

This training invites participants to think differently about homelessness response, shifting from program placement to housing problem-solving, and equips staff with practical tools to help households achieve safe, immediate, and sustainable housing solutions.
 

This workshop, hosted by Joshua’s Trust, is designed for land trusts interested in using prescribed fire as a land management tool. This session will cover the fundamentals of why land trusts burn, including the ecological benefits for habitat restoration, invasive species control, and biodiversity.

Participants will walk through the regulatory landscape, including permitting requirements, planning considerations, and safety protocols necessary to conduct burns responsibly and legally. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how prescribed fire fits into long-term stewardship goals, along with practical insights from real-world applications.

The workshop will also include a hands-on equipment demonstration, giving participants a chance to see the tools used in prescribed fire operations. Participants will then visit a nearby site that is being prepared for a future burn to observe firebreaks and other key elements of site preparation in the field. This site recently received a Climate-Smart Land Stewardship grant through the Connecticut Land Conservation Council to help restore a fire-adapted habitat and to support ongoing prescribed fire implementation.
 

Join the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) for a dive into the legal, financial, and governance realities of land trust collaboration models. This webinar will cover a spectrum of collaboration models, focusing on joint ventures and corporate affiliations, and explore local and regional success stories. Whether you are an all-volunteer land trust looking to share the administrative burden or a staffed regional trust aiming to scale your climate resilience programming, this session will help you frame the right governance and operational questions before heading to legal counsel.

Collaboration does not have to mean giving up your local identity. With the right structure, your land trust can stay deeply rooted in your community while building the capacity to do more—together.
 

For Eversource's July webinar, they will explore two key community energy efficiency resources: the new Community Energy Boost Grant application details and a live demonstration of the recently relaunched Connecticut Energy Efficiency Dashboard. Discover how these tools can drive energy efficiency engagement in your local communities.

Why Should You Attend? 

• Secure New Funding: Learn if your organization qualifies for the Community Energy Boost Grant and how to apply 
• Master the Dashboard: Get a live, guided demonstration on how to navigate and interpret the newly updated Connecticut Energy Efficiency Dashboard 
• Leverage Localized Data: Discover the wealth of available data and learn how to dive into specific programs, town and census block levels, and more

Offering support to all Sustainable CT registered communities with Brownfields, the UConn Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) program offers no-cost technical assistance to New England municipalities on an ongoing basis. Join UConn TAB for their Spring & Summer Webinar series. Links to register for the webinars, as well as more information, will be updated continuously.
 

Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready! Join the South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) and the CT Green Bank on Wednesday, July 15th at 11 am virtually to learn about resiliency initiatives including Resiliency Improvement Districts. Please note: this topic was previously subject to change but is now confirmed.
 

Join our July coffee hour to learn how and why your community should electrify lawn care and landscaping equipment. Activities on this topic may earn points for your next Sustainable CT certification submission under action 3.11.5. Guest speakers include Vincent Giordano, Ridgefield Action Committee for the Environment, and Stamford Director of Operations for Stamford, Matt Quinones.

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.
 

Shrinking federal funding and rising competition for grants are forcing land trusts to rethink how they fund their work—and many are turning to entrepreneurial strategies to stay resilient. In this session, Ole Amundsen explores real-world examples of land trusts of different capacities and their successful generation of new revenue streams while strengthening community connections. Join the webinar on July 22rd at noon to gain practical ideas. Board members are encouraged to attend the training as broadening the financial support for the organization is a key responsibility. Participants attending this session are invited to attend a follow-up session on Wednesday Sept 30th at noon to collectively brainstorm on new revenue strategies, consider what changes are needed to bring in this new revenue and how to reflect these goals in their strategic plan.
 

This session will be an open office hour format for those interested in learning more about CT Green Bank's programs and brainstorming potential opportunities for funding proposed projects.
 

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 workshop will focus on CT Green Bank's programs to support municipalities and schools to improve resilience and energy use.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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 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.
 

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 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.