Trainings & Events

Join the Southwest Conservation District on July 9th and 12th for Water Week for Urban Farmers in New Haven. Water Week is all about sustainable water practices that can support urban farmers. Please see below for additional information:

Wednesday, July 9th: Learn about the basics of integrating hydropnics and aquapoincs into our food systems. Participants will see exactly how hydroponics/aquaponics works with models at Sound School and making a 5-gallon bucket hydroponic system. Time to be determined. Please fill out this poll to inform the Southwest Conservation District when you are most available to join this workshop. 

Saturday, July 12th from 10am to 12pm: Learn about the basics of irrigation design, installation, maintenance, and overall water management. Participants will be invited to reinforce and arrange irrigation lines for hands-on learning to improve the water system at Armory. 

Saturday, July 12th from 1 to 4pm: Shortly after the workshop, please join the Southwest Conservation District at the West River Water Festival, organized by their partner CPEN. Celebrate water with free family fun, food, canoe rides, touch tank, watershed education, native plant workshops, and tours of West River Peace Garden.

Free cover crop seeds will be distributed to every registered attendee. Register here!
 

Taking Action...Fairfield County is a Workshop Series hosted by the Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments (MetroCOG) and the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG) as part of their EPA funded Comprehensive Climate Action Plan for Southwest Connecticut.

Taking Action... to Reduce Waste is an event focused on providing municipalities, organizations, and residents with the tools and guidance to implement actionable projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This workshop will revolve around innovative food waste diversion and waste management programs in Fairfield County. The workshop will consist of a collection of 15-minute presentations followed by a panel-style Q&A.

The event will be held at the East Theater on Sacred Heart University's West Campus in Fairfield, CT.
 

Taking Action...Fairfield County is a Workshop Series hosted by the Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments (MetroCOG) and the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG) as part of their EPA funded Comprehensive Climate Action Plan for Southwest Connecticut.

Taking Action... to Enable Clean Mobility is an event focused on providing municipalities, organizations, and residents with the tools and guidance to implement actionable projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This workshop will revolve around three main topic areas: Green Infrastructure, Mode Shift, and Clean Vehicle. Each topic area will consist of a collection of 15-minute presentations followed by a panel-style Q&A.

The event will be held at the East Theater on Sacred Heart University's West Campus in Fairfield, CT.
 

UConn CLEAR’s Land Use Academy is holding an in-person training for land use commisisoners on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at UConn's Middlesex County Extension Center located at 1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT, 06438.

Renata Bertotti, AICP, Assistant Extension Educator in LU Planning and Climate Resilience, UConn Extension will present "Fundamentals of Site Plan Reading and Interpretation." This training is most helpful to newly appointed or elected Land Use Commissioners and those with little or no experience in site plan reading and interpretation. This training may be eligible for two (2.0) commissioner training hours as per CGS Sec. 8-4c. (Fair and Affordable Housing hour will NOT be covered).

For more information, contact Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR at [email protected], (860) 345-5210.

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.

Price: $20.00
 

Taking Action...Fairfield County is a Workshop Series hosted by the Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments (MetroCOG) and the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG) as part of their EPA funded Comprehensive Climate Action Plan for Southwest Connecticut.

Taking Action... to Decarbonize Buildings is an event focused on providing municipalities, organizations, and residents with the tools and guidance to implement actionable projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The workshop will consist of a collection of 15-minute presentations followed by a panel-style Q&A.

The event will be held at the East Theater on Sacred Heart University's West Campus in Fairfield, CT.
 

Taking Action...Fairfield County is a Workshop Series hosted by the Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments (MetroCOG) and the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG) as part of their EPA funded Comprehensive Climate Action Plan for Southwest Connecticut.

Taking Action... Community Choice Aggregation 101 is an event focused on providing municipalities, organizations, and residents with the tools and guidance to implement actionable projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Peter Millman of PACE will present a comprehensive overview of Community Choice Aggregation, followed by a Q&A session.

This workshop will be entirely virtual.
 

Join the Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council’s Energy & Technology Subcommittee to learn about New England’s energy grid. ISO-NE is a nonprofit responsible for keeping the region’s electricity reliable and flowing. We’ll be learning from ISO-NE's staff about how they operate and the role they play in CT’s and the region’s energy system. So if you’ve ever heard of ISO-NE or FERC or maybe you’ve just wondered what a “grid” has to do with your utility bill...then come join us!

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.
 

For our July Coffee Hour, Geremy Schulick, Deputy Director at Clean Transportation Communities of Southern CT (formerly Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition), will be giving a presentation on Charging Smart, a program for municipal governments that offers free technical assistance and certifications on electric vehicle readiness. Charging Smart is run by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), which some may know from experience with their SolSmart program, and offers guided and vetted, yet flexible, pathways to advancing EVs and charging infrastructure at the local level.

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.
 

Battery safety is a topic of interest in many communities exploring the use of electric vehicles (EVs). This webinar will provide an overview of EV battery systems, common safety questions, and standard best practices for risk assessment, prevention, and response. We will also examine how misinformation and gaps in trust can influence public perception, particularly in rural and middle- to low-income communities. The discussion will highlight effective communication and education strategies that can support transparency, build local confidence, and empower residents to make informed decisions.
 

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.
 

Environmental law has brought about a marked change in how we manage hazardous substances and waste. This Summer School session will examine the events that led to the enactment of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as well as the statutes’ legal foundations. Faculty will explore the regulatory and liability efforts used to manage hazardous waste and sites, with an emphasis on:

• the definitions of hazardous substances and hazardous waste;
• the basic elements of RCRA;
• the basic elements of CERCLA; and
• recent hazardous substance designations and hazardous constituent listings.

Join The Nature Conservancy and their partners for an informational webinar about an exciting and newly launched project. With funding from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund, the Nature Conservancy is filling knowledge gaps and building capacity in the Connecticut road-stream crossing landscape. Participants will discuss:

• Project motivation, goals, and workplan
• Connections with Public Act 25-33
• Training opportunities
• How you can help

This webinar is for anyone interested in learning about or advancing crossing mapping, assessments, or upgrades to enhance resilient infrastructure, support conservation and connectivity goals, and improve data driven decision-making. Attendees may include but are not limited to representatives from:

• Municipal public works departments
• Local and regional planning departments
• Watershed or river groups
• Conservation organizations
• Community groups

Project partners:

• The Nature Conservancy
• Save the Sound
• CT National Estuarine Research Reserve (CT NERR)
• UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR)
• Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SECOG)
• CT DEEP Fisheries
• CT DOT
• North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC)

UConn CLEAR’s Land Use Academy is holding an in-person training for land use commisisoners on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at UConn's Middlesex County Extension Center located at 1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT, 06438.

Renata Bertotti, AICP, Assistant Extension Educator in LU Planning and Climate Resilience, UConn Extension will present "Fundamentals of Site Plan Reading and Interpretation," this training is most helpful to newly appointed or elected Land Use Commissioners and those with little or no experience in site plan reading and interpretation. This training may be eligible for two (2.0) commissioner training hours as per CGS Sec. 8-4c. (Fair and Affordable Housing hour will NOT be covered).

For more information, contact Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR at [email protected], (860) 345-5210.

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.

Price: $20.00
 

Join Connecticut Main Street Center and DEEP for updates on grant programs and opportunities to collaborate to improve downtown spaces, including the Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition, Urban Green and Community Garden, and Urban and Community Forestry Grant Programs, and the Sustainable Materials Management 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.
 

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.