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Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) is thrilled to announce that it has awarded a total of $175,000 to eight land trusts through its Climate Smart Land Stewardship Grant Program. These projects demonstrate the proactive work of Connecticut’s land trusts in addressing climate change through practical, nature-based solutions. This cohort of Climate Smart projects impacts a total of 765 acres. Below, we provide detailed descriptions of each awarded project, showcasing their innovative approaches and expected climate benefits.
Forest Management Plans for Climate Resilience
Comprehensive forest management plans are essential tools for land stewards to understand their lands and have actionable items to work towards, especially when addressing the climate impacts on our forests.
Essex Land Trust: Essex Land Trust will update its management plan for the Johnson Farm Preserve in Ivoryton, focusing on woodlands, shrublands, and grasslands. The updated plan will identify and prioritize invasive species control, recommend climate-resilient plant species, and establish mowing regimes to protect nesting birds in areas of meadow and early successional habitat. By integrating climate resilience into management strategies, this plan will ensure the long-term health and adaptability of this preserve’s varied ecosystems.
Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust: Flanders Nature Center is having a forester develop a detailed forest management plan for the Leavenworth Preserve in Woodbury to address invasive species and ash canopy loss in a younger forest area. This plan will include specific recommendations for improving forest diversity and health, especially in areas of young forest. By fostering a more resilient ecosystem, the project will provide a trajectory for Flanders stewards to enhance wildlife habitat while mitigating the impacts of climate disturbances and invasive species.
Bent of the River Audubon Center: The center will update their forest stewardship plan for its Southbury property, focusing on climate resilience, especially in riparian areas along the Pomperaug River. Recent flooding has destabilized the riverbank, threatening water quality, habitat, forest health, and infrastructure. This plan will address these issues while incorporating natural climate solutions, and identifying interventions to aid the forest and riparian ecosystems.
Pollinator Meadows and Early Successional Habitats
Pollinator meadows and early successional habitats are increasingly threatened by climate change and have been steadily declining throughout the Northeast. These habitats are crucial as they support diverse pollinator populations, essential for the reproduction of many flowering plants and crops supporting ecosystem stability and agricultural productivity, as well providing crucial habitat for other wildlife. These habitats enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and can aid in carbon sequestration.
Granby Land Trust: The Granby Land Trust will transform Olof Stevenson Field within the Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve into a thriving pollinator meadow. Volunteers will plant native pollinator plugs, building on prior efforts to create habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators. The site, listed with Monarch Watch as a monarch butterfly way station, will also feature educational signage to inform visitors about the ecological importance of pollinator meadows. This project will improve biodiversity, enhance pollinator populations, and improve soil health in a previously underutilized field.
Kent Land Trust: The Kent Land Trust is embarking on a comprehensive three-year project to restore early successional habitat in the East Kent Hamlet Nature Preserve. The plan includes planting native seeds and plugs, and enhancing wildlife habitat, supported by invasive species removal. The project will integrate a public spur trail and educational signage to engage the community. By restoring this isolated meadow, surrounded by unfragmented forest, KLT aims to support the biodiversity this important habitat can provide.
Madison Land Conservation Trust: The Madison Land Conservation Trust’s initiative focuses on restoring a native pollinator meadow and establishing a young forest at a site near the Hammonasset River. This project will involve planting native grasses and flowering plants and managing the habitat to support wildlife and improve soil health. The restoration will also stabilize the meadow’s ecosystem, contributing to significant carbon storage and improved stormwater management in this sensitive watershed area.
Climate-Smart Forestry Demonstrations
Our forests are facing many threats today from increased exposure to new diseases and pests to extreme storms all while simultaneously providing crucial ecosystem services in mitigating the worst impacts of climate change. In Connecticut, where approximately 60% of the land is forested, these impacts can be felt and seen. Climate Smart Forestry can help maintain ecological balance and tackle challenges like reduced regeneration and invasive species while promoting increased carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
Great Mountain Forest: Great Mountain Forest’s (GMF) project will enhance the resilience and productivity of its forest by addressing several areas with stalled growth and low diversity. Techniques include planting climate-adapted native trees, and thinning overcrowded young trees to accelerate succession, supported by invasive species removal. This project will also be supported by funds from the New England Forestry Foundation’s Climate Smart Commodities program. By improving structural complexity and fostering a diverse, multi-aged forest, GMF’s efforts will significantly enhance carbon sequestration and serve as a model for climate-smart forestry.
Woodbridge Park Association: The association’s project at Alice Newton Street Memorial Park will implement experimental methods to manage diseased beech trees. The project includes a variety of silvicultural techniques to increase species diversity and structural complexity, enhancing carbon storage and habitat quality. Educational components like guided hikes and interpretive signage will help disseminate findings with other stewards and the public.
Find out more about Climate Smart Stewardships
These projects showcase the tangible steps Connecticut’s land trusts are taking to combat climate change and improve ecosystem resilience. If your land trust is interested in pursuing similar initiatives, we encourage you to reach out to Ricky Bentley, CLCC’s Climate Smart Stewardship Coordinator. Schedule a site visit to discuss your project and learn more about the application process. This visit will help ensure your proposal aligns with grant requirements and maximizes its impact on climate resilience and conservation.
Funding for this grant program was paid for by the Climate Smart Farming: Agriculture and Forestry Grant. Funding is awarded and administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.