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Every year, the Connecticut Land Conservation Council sets a Conservation Agenda identifying key legislative policy and funding priorities critical to land conservation at every level.

The 2025 Connecticut General Assembly convenes on January 8 and adjourns on June 4.

Below are CLCC’s top recommendations on State priorities for 2025. You can also download CLCC’s 2025 Conservation Policy and Funding Priorities.

Support Funding and Staff for Land Conservation, Farmland Preservation, and Stewardship Programs

• CHAMPION consistent bond funding for CT DEEP land conservation, trails, and parks programs, including Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA), Urban Green and Community Garden (UGCG), Recreation and Natural Heritage Trust Program, and Recreational Trails Program, to protect wildlife and their habitat, ensure clean water, mitigate against climate change, provide equitable access for public recreation, allow for local food production, and more.
• CHAMPION increase in funding for the Community Investment Act and ENSURE the funds stay intact and dedicated to supporting state programs for open space, agriculture, historic properties, and affordable housing.
• STRENGTHEN CT DEEP’s capacity to promptly fill vacancies and create new positions, streamline grant administration, and engage in public-private partnerships that help the agency meet its mission, maintain service levels, and leverage federal funds for land conservation.
• SUPPORT authorization for the CT Department of Agriculture to administer a farmland access program, including financial assistance to land trusts, new, beginning, and historically marginalized farmers, and other tools to increase farmland access opportunities for farmers seeking land.

Protect and Incentivize Nature-Based Solutions and Resilience

• CHAMPION nature-based solutions as a priority and preferred alternative in state policies, goals, and legislation to allow Connecticut’s ecosystems to naturally sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase biodiversity, and protect against climate change impacts that negatively affect the state’s public health and infrastructure.
• ENSURE public lands (State Parks, Forests, Wildlife Management Areas, and other natural and working lands of high conservation value) are protected.