Trainings & Events

On July 27, join PACE, Sunrise, and CT Energy Network for a Refreshing and Recharging Meet-up. All youth (high school age and up) and seasoned climate and clean energy advocates are welcome to attend for an afternoon of relaxation and networking. Some highlights include a yoga session, interactive discussions, lunch, and more.

Have questions? Email [email protected] for more information.
 

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is delighted to announce an Open House & Poster Session with the Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse. At this event you’ll get the opportunity to meet analysts, managers, and inspectors from Remediation, Water Planning & Management, and Land and Water Resources Divisions. This event is July 30^th from 10am to noon in the Gina McCarthy Auditorium at DEEP Headquarters in Hartford. Parking is available for registered attendees in the garage located at 120 Capital Avenue.

Posters and information on the topics of Brownfields, the Release based Cleanup Program, the Strong Pond Dam, Municipal Wastewater, CSO/SSO, and Road Salt will be available. Staff from the Bureau will be available to answer questions about these topics, or just stop by to say hello and chat!
 

Join the CT Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) virtually on July 31st 1 - 3 PM, for their annual summer symposium on environmental injustice in CT. Hosted by the CHRO executive interns, this event will feature insightful discussions and expert speakers. Don't miss this opportunity to engage and learn about critical environmental issues affecting our community.

The talk will be held on Microsoft Teams, which is accessible on a phone, tablet, or computer. 

If you need an accommodation pursuant to a disability to attend the talk, please contact [email protected] for assistance. 

To stay up to date with announced panelists and keynote speakers, follow CHRO on Instagram @chro_summer_symposium.
 

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 13, July 11, and August 1. Content will be geared to help Sustainability Teams integrate equity considerations into their Sustainable CT initiatives. Who should attend? Sustainability Team members (elected officials, municipal staff, commissioners, volunteers) in registered Sustainable CT communities. Attendance is capped at 35. This will be a live training and will not be recorded. Please only sign up if you intend to participate for the duration of each session.

Attendees will participate in three different workshops:

Be READI© Leadership: Championing Equity at the Forefront (June 13): This workshop is tailored for those who are ready to lead by example in the realm of equity and inclusion. Building upon the principles and strategies discussed in previous equity training series, this workshop aims to cultivate leaders who not only understand the Be READI© framework but can also effectively champion these values within their municipalities. Participants will explore advanced leadership techniques, including how to influence organizational culture, inspire teams, and lead equitable change initiatives that yield measurable results.

Measuring What Matters: Assessing DEI Impact in Municipalities (July 11): This workshop focuses on the importance of tracking progress and evaluating the impact of DEI initiatives. This hands-on workshop guides participants through the creation of effective assessment tools and indicators that align with the Be READI© framework. Municipal leaders will learn how to collect and analyze data, report on findings, and use insights to drive continuous improvement and accountability in DEI efforts.

Sustainable Change: Institutionalizing Be READI© Practices (August 1): This workshop is designed to ensure the longevity and resilience of DEI efforts. This session will help participants identify and implement policies and practices that embed the principles of Belonging, relevant equity, access, accountability diversity, and inclusion into the DNA of municipal operations. Leaders will be equipped with strategies for policy development, stakeholder engagement, and the creation of a municipal infrastructure that supports lasting DEI integration.
 

Join Eversource on the first Thursday of most months to learn about our energy efficiency programs and offerings in Connecticut. These lunchtime webinars are an opportunity to learn directly from your desk.

For Eversource's next First Thursday webinar of 2024, Jesus Pernia, Energy Efficiency Consultant with Eversource, will share an overview of heat pump water heaters including how the equipment works and available rebates for residential and commercial customers.

Why should you attend?

• Learn about the technology behind heat pump water heaters
• Find out about available rebates for your residential and commercial water heating needs
• Understand how heat pump water heaters can reduce your carbon footprint

The Partnership for Strong Communities is featuring advocates, policy experts and leaders in other sectors across Connecticut who aim to promote intersectional solutions to help address the critical need for diverse, accessible and affordable housing in our state. This session will focus on the intersection of Affordable Housing and Criminal Justice.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from LaResse Harvey with Once Incarcerated Anonymous, Jacquie Purcell with Evolution Reentry Services Inc. and Christina Outlaw with Connex Credit Union as they explore the relationship between affordable housing for people who have left the carceral system.
 

Connecticut is facing a waste crisis. Cities and towns are responding to these challenges by implementing organics diversion programs such as composting – reimagining what “waste” is. During this webinar, you will hear from several municipalities as they tell their organics diversion stories. Learn from community leaders about the successes and challenges they’ve faced in implementing their programs, as well as common funding sources and program impact. This webinar will highlight the accomplishments at several scales, including small and large municipalities, as well as regional authorities, so there is something for everyone! There will be time for questions and you may find these projects can be implemented in your communities too.

This webinar is the culmination of an organics diversion inventory completed by the 2024 Sustainable CT Fellows. Fellows looked across the state at municipal organics diversion projects and identified trends. During this webinar, you will learn about common themes, funding sources, and program impacts to get a sense of what is happening in cities and towns across Connecticut to address this issue.

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.
 

Authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Clean School Bus Program provides $5 billion over five years to replace school buses with low- and zero-emission school buses. Additionally, NREL’s $5 million Clean Bus Planning Awards Program provides free technical assistance to create comprehensive and customized bus electrification plans for fleets. This webinar series co-hosted with the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation will cover the following technical assistance topics related to clean school buses: 

• June 18 @ 1 PM ET – Differences Between ESBs and ICE Buses, ESB Maintenance, and Bus RFP Best Practices
• July 24 @ 1 PM ET – Battery Overview, Recycling/End-of-Life Options, and Warranties
• August 28 @ 1 PM ET – Building a Case For ESBs in your Fleet including Benefits, Total Cost Of Ownership (TCO), and Emissions Calculators
• September 25 @ 1 PM ET – Electrification Process including a Step-by-Step Guide for New Adopters

For more information on the EPA Clean School Bus Program, please visit: epa.gov/cleanschoolbus

For more information on the NREL Clean School Bus Planning Awards Program, please visit: driveelectric.gov/clean-bus-planning-awards

If you have any programmatic questions or feedback, please email: [email protected]

If you have any technical assistance programs, please email: [email protected]
 

AgeWellFest is a first-of-its-kind, in-person experiential learning opportunity for every Connecticut community.

A festival of the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative, we’re celebrating every ability and every age. For the vibe, think First Night (but in the daytime) meets conference (but without the slide decks). Municipal leaders, staff, commission members, community stakeholders, policymakers, nonprofits, and anyone else interested in fostering more aging, dementia, and disability-inclusive communities are invited to a day of connection, engaging education, and fun.

WHEN IS IT?

Thursday, September 12, 9:30am – 3:00pm
Rain date to be announced. In the event of extreme weather on both dates, AgeWellFest will be rescheduled for a date in the spring.

WHERE IS IT?

The Meriden Green
Plus surrounding downtown locations!

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

• Interactive learning sessions (many eligible for continuing education credits)
• Choose-your-own food truck lunch and entertainment
• Presentation of our annual Wellspring Awards
• Modeling best practices for inclusive, accessible events

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.
 

As data people, our role is often one of making connections across organizations or across geographies to better understand progress or challenges in the social sector. During the conference, participants will learn about the pivotal role data has played in making connections, improving systems, and measuring outcomes through data integration, data infrastructure development, data strategy building, and more.

The conference will take place at the beautiful Heritage Hotel in Southbury, CT. With many beautiful indoor-outdoor gathering spaces, you will have many opportunities to develop new connections, share ideas, and start new partnerships.
 

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.