Trainings & Events

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 the Partnership for Strong Communities to learn about the far-reaching impacts of supportive housing!

The conditions people need to thrive begin with a safe, stable home. For individuals and families facing complex challenges, supportive housing combines affordable housing with individualized services that improve health, strengthen families, foster independence, and create lasting stability. Its impact extends far beyond housing policy, with benefits for healthcare systems, child welfare, education, behavioral health, veterans, the elderly, and communities across Connecticut.

Join the Partnership for Homes That Heal: The Impact of Supportive Housing, an iForum exploring how supportive housing improves outcomes for people and communities across Connecticut.

The event will include the release and presentation of the Partnership's new report, Homes That Heal: The State of Supportive Housing in Connecticut. Drawing on research, stakeholder interviews, and an examination of Connecticut's supportive housing landscape, the report explores how supportive housing has evolved, where challenges remain, and what policy opportunities exist to strengthen this critical resource.

The event will feature a presentation of the report's findings followed by two panel discussions with leaders from government, supportive housing providers, community organizations and more. Together, they'll explore Connecticut's history of supportive housing, the current policy landscape, and the ways supportive housing improves outcomes for children, families, and other populations.

As Connecticut faces rising homelessness and growing uncertainty around federal housing investments, this conversation will explore why supportive housing remains one of the state's most effective tools for improving lives, strengthening communities, and making better use of public resources.
 

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 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.
 

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

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
 

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!