News
The Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) proudly hosted its 41st annual Connecticut Land Conservation Conference on March 22 at Wesleyan University. The landmark event, Connecticut’s premier land conservation gathering, attracted more than 600 attendees from a broad spectrum of the state’s land conservation community, including representatives from land trusts, conservation groups, municipal commissions, state and federal agencies, students, and allies passionate about conserving Connecticut’s natural landscapes.
View our Conference Photo Album on Facebook
Video by @ajsfreelancemedia
Starting the Day with Connection and Gratitude
The conference commenced with a compelling address from Amy Blaymore Paterson, Executive Director of CLCC. Paterson’s opening remarks established a tone of unity and purpose, emphasizing the importance of community and mutual support in the face of challenges impacting land conservation.
Paterson’s address included a significant land acknowledgment, recognizing that Wesleyan University, the conference venue, is situated on the traditional lands of the Wangunk people. She honored their long relationship with the land, explaining that “Wangunk” means “the people at the bend of the river,” and acknowledged the history of their displacement. Paterson challenged us to turn land acknowledgments into action. She encouraged attendees to learn about the history of the original stewards of the properties their land trusts protect and to build relationships with their descendants, promoting a more inclusive and historically conscious approach to conservation.
Now More Than Ever
During her opening remarks, Paterson called on attendees to recognize the urgency of the moment as the land conservation movement faces existential threats from antipathy and funding cuts at the federal level:
Through our land conservation work, there’s a phrase we’ve all heard so often—one that appears in all forms of communications. “Now more than ever.” At one point, we may have thought that phrase had reached its peak meaning. That the challenges we faced then were as urgent as they could get. But who would have imagined that today, in this moment, “Now more than ever” would carry even greater weight?
Now more than ever, we need to stay steady and seize the opportunities within our control—within our reach—and do what it takes to make them happen. Now more than ever, we must protect what’s left to save our environment in our communities and across the state. Now more than ever, we must speak up—loudly and courageously—in support of nature and the environment.
She continued with a timely call to action:
We are in the throes of the legislative session, and critical conservation funding programs, like the Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program, are the subject of intense scrutiny. I have been spending a lot of time in Hartford, promoting and defending those programs. We need your help. This week, please reach out to your legislators, share the stories of your conservation endeavors and how they have impacted your community, and advocate for OSWA, other funding programs, and the nature-based policies critical to preserving our environment for our kids, grandkids, and future generations.
No one is better equipped to lead this charge and harness the power of nature than all of you here today. Now more than ever, we must engage and include more people in this work—connecting them to nature and each other. The work we do is not easy. But it is essential. And only through collective action— will we make a lasting impact. This conference is not just about learning from one another; it’s about reaffirming our commitment to the land and to a moral imperative that everyone everywhere has access to the benefits of nature now, and always.
Left to Right: David Sargent (at far right), Lynn Werner, and GOSA
Announcing the 2025 Excellence in Conservation Awards
After Paterson’s opening remarks, she announced the recipients of CLCC’s 2025 Excellence in Conservation Awards.
The Katchen Coley Award for Excellence in Conservation was presented to David Sargent, President of the North Branford Conservation Land Trust. Paterson highlighted his leadership in expanding protected lands and engaging the community, even within a region with numerous conservation partners. His hands-on work in preserving habitats, improving access, and connecting trails was also celebrated.
The Excellence in Community Engagement Award was given to the Groton Open Space Association (GOSA) and Groton Public Schools, with special recognition for Dan and Lynn O’Connell. Paterson praised their innovative community conservation programs, particularly the hiking program that has connected many students with local open spaces. The “GO [Get Outdoors] Groton” partnership was also recognized for strengthening community connections.
The Conservation Hero Award was awarded to Lynn Werner, Executive Director of the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA). Paterson acknowledged Werner’s over 40 years of leadership in land and water conservation, noting HVA’s growth under her guidance and her role in numerous important initiatives, including co-founding the Litchfield Hills Greenprint Collaborative and securing the Wild & Scenic designation for the Housatonic River. Her influence in shaping public policy and her collaborative spirit were also celebrated.
CLCC will host award celebrations throughout the state later this spring and summer.
Dudley delivering his keynote address by Gekk-Tekk Media LLC
Welcoming Dudley Edmondson, Keynote Speaker
Paterson then introduced the keynote speaker, Dudley Edmondson, a photographer, filmmaker, writer, and activist. Drawing from his compelling book, People the Planet Needs Now, Dudley shared powerful stories from Black and Brown scientists and activists whose lived experiences and groundbreaking work offer new perspectives on addressing the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges. His powerful words during his address, The Browning of America and its Impact on Conservation and Outdoor Recreation, continue to echo:
“Wherever I choose to be, I belong.”
Dudley reminded the conservation community that nature is for everyone. Whether in a park in Hartford or a preserve in Northwest Connecticut, every outdoor space can spark a lifelong love for the natural world. The future of conservation depends on the community’s ability to foster these connections—ensuring all people and communities have access to nature’s benefits and care about protecting them for generations to come.
In addition to his provocative address, Dudley participated in a facilitated conversation about Outdoor Role Models, facilitated by CLCC Board Member Akiebia Hicks, and took part in a CLCC Bird & Hike on Sunday hosted by our friends at Great Meadows Conservation Trust.
Land Justice Workshop featuring Kristin from the Yale Center for Environmental Justice, Jovan from CLCC, Rahiem from the Alliance for Mystic River Watershed and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, Bill from the Aspetuck Land Trust, and Jonathon from Gather New Haven. Photo by Bill Baue
Getting Down to Business: Workshops
The conference featured 49 workshops, organized into seven topical tracks, providing attendees with a wealth of knowledge and skills:
- Land Protection & Conservation Funding
- Stewardship & Natural Climate Solutions
- Protecting Biodiversity & Wildlife
- Land Use Planning, Tools, & Technology
- Community-Centered Conservation
- Policy & Advocacy
- Organizational Capacity & Fundraising
A quick run-down of the conference workshop content follows:
Workshop Session A (11:00 AM): The first workshop session occurred after the Plenary at 11:00 am. Presenters covered topics including where to find funding for land projects from CT DEEP, how to help city forests, how to safeguard wildlife habitat, and even how to use less light at night to help birds and other wildlife. Other workshops talked about mapping invasive plants, using a tool called LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging, a remote sensing technology that uses laser light pulses to measure distances and create 3D models of the Earth’s surface or objects), ensuring land trusts think about fairness for everyone, and conservation law.
Workshop Session B (1:30 PM): Workshops covered topics including helping farmers find land, checking out land for environmental issues, taking care of forests in a way that helps them stay healthy, protecting old forests, using nature to solve environmental challenges, keeping track of all the open spaces in an area, making roads better for streams and wildlife, and even working with community land trusts to create housing and save land. There was also a chance to hear more from Dudley Edmondson and other young people about being role models in conservation, and an update on what’s happening with land conservation at the federal level.
Workshop Session C (3:00 PM): After a break with coffee and snacks, learning continued with workshops covering how land conservation deals work, how land trusts and water companies can team up, a farming method called agroforestry, planning for forests in a changing climate, getting rid of invasive plants and helping native wildlife, working together to follow Connecticut’s Wildlife Action Plan, using drones for conservation, and how affordable housing and conservation work together in Northwest Connecticut. There were also workshops on dams, partnering with Indigenous communities, and writing effective fundraising letters.
Workshop Session D (4:30 PM): The final workshop session included a session about land deals, whether land trusts should take on debt to save land, what’s working (and what’s not!) in getting rid of knotweed, how to become a forest steward, helping pollinators in your backyard, a tool called CT Trail Finder, keeping an eye on ash trees and the emerald ash borer, making sure conservation info is easy for everyone to understand, and a chance for young people to share their ideas about land conservation.
Please note that the conservation community can access resources shared by presenters on our website.
Conference attendees and sponsors connect in the Frank Center for Public Affairs
A Huge Thank You to the Conservation Community!
The conference’s success was made possible by the contributions of many individuals and groups. CLCC expresses its sincere gratitude to everyone for their support and dedication to land conservation in Connecticut:
- Attendees: The conservation community’s passion and engagement are the heart of this event.
- Workshop Presenters: Thanks to all who shared their expertise and insights.
- Dudley Edmondson: His keynote address was inspiring and thought-provoking.
- Volunteers: Their assistance ensured the smooth operation of the event.
- Event Sponsors: Their generous support is crucial to the conference’s accessibility and quality: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA┃Danosky & Associates ┃The Nature Conservancy ┃The NonProfit Group┃Swamp Yankee Earthcare┃Trust for Public Land┃The Adventure Park at Storrs┃All Habitat Services, LLC┃Audubon Connecticut┃Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)┃Forestry Division, CTDEEP┃Connecticut League of Conservation Voters┃CT NOFA┃Connecticut Resource Conservation & Development┃Connecticut River Gateway Commission┃ DocuprintNow┃EKI Environment & Water┃Estuary Magazine┃Green Goat Maps┃Harvard Forest┃Kerin Fazio┃Land Trust Alliance┃ LandTech┃Little Green Light┃Regional Water Authority┃Wildlands Woodlands Farmlands & Communities
- Reception Sponsors: Cato Corner Farm┃ Edwards Vineyard┃Urban Lodge Brewing Company
Participant Feedback Matters!
Feedback from conference participants is appreciated and important for improving the conference each year. Attendees are encouraged to take a moment to share feedback through CLCC’s general evaluation and workshop evaluations. Feedback helps enhance future conferences and ensure they meet the conservation community’s needs and expectations.
General Conference Evaluation >>
Looking Forward
CLCC hopes all who attended the 2025 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference left feeling inspired, connected, and ready to continue the vital work of land conservation in their communities. CLCC’s team looks forward to continuing to work together to protect the beautiful and important lands of Connecticut.