News

As we all know, the upcoming change in the federal administration will undoubtedly usher in a new era of policies and priorities that will impact us all in various ways. While the future holds many uncertainties, I want to acknowledge the concerns many of you have expressed to CLCC over the last week regarding what these changes might mean for land trusts, nonprofits, and the environmental sector.

In response to some of your questions, we have sought insights from our national partners—many courtesy of the Land Trust Alliance—to shed light on what we may see in the coming months. Acknowledging the obvious that we are in a wait-and-see mode, here is what we have heard so far:

• Existing Funding Through the IRA: The funding already allocated through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is expected to remain secure. However, the new administration might slow down the deployment of these funds by implementing additional reviews or reducing staffing levels within federal agencies.
• Future Federal Funds for Conservation: Due to the finite nature of the IRA’s funding, we were already anticipating a reduction in federal funds for conservation and stewardship. The pressing question now is the level of funding moving forward. The Land Trust Alliance is actively advocating for the passage of the Farm Bill this year, as it provides most of the funding for USDA-NRCS programs. Passing it now would prevent the need for the year-by-year extensions Congress has employed over the past few years.
• Regulatory Rollbacks: We can expect regulatory changes affecting various facets of environmental work, particularly around energy siting. Public lands management will also likely change. Tax incentives for initiatives like electric vehicles and clean energy projects may also be rolled back.
• Policy Shifts on Key Environmental Terms: New policies will likely modify or eliminate references to climate change, the 30×30 initiative, and environmental equity. This shift may affect how environmental programs are framed and funded at the federal level.

It is essential to stay informed and engaged with federal policy changes in all respects. CLCC will keep in close contact with the Land Trust Alliance and our other national partners and pass on updates and action alerts for your consideration.

With these anticipated changes and others likely to come, our work here at home has taken on an even greater meaning. The 2025 legislative session starts in January, and your participation and collective dedication will be critical in continuing our efforts to work with legislators, agency partners, and the Governor’s office to strategically prioritize land conservation at the state level and in communities across the state.

Your land trust is already a steady community presence that will continue to make a significant difference in Connecticut—conserving natural and working lands, combating the worsening impacts of the changing climate and biodiversity loss, connecting people with nature, and protecting the special places that define our communities and keep them healthy.

At CLCC, we are right there with them—ensuring they have the resources and support to ramp up land conservation work in your community even more, regardless of shifts in federal policy.

Our collective voice and action are powerful. We are confident that together, we will navigate changes in federal policy, advance our conservation mission, and continue to make a positive impact all across Connecticut. It’s what we have always done and will continue to do.

Please stay engaged with CLCC and get further involved in our advocacy work. We appreciate all you do and look forward to working with you in the coming months.