Connecticut Land Conservation Conference

March 25, 2023, Wesleyan University, Middletown

Usdan Center, 45 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown.

Rick Newton

Schedule At-A-Glance

See the workshops below for this year's conference schedule. With 57 workshops, the 2023 conference will cover a variety of topics and discussions for the land conservation community.

Be sure to sign up for our eNews to stay up-to-date on our latest happenings. If you have any questions about the conference, contact Cristina Hayden at chayden@ctconservation.org.

Download PDF Conference Schedule

Download the Conference Program

2023 Conference Schedule

Click on each workshop for full descriptions.

Session A: 10:30am - 12pm	Session B: 1:15 - 2:30pm	Session C: 2:45 - 4:00pm	Session D: 4:15 - 5:00pm
TRACK 1 CONSERVATION POLICY and ADVOCACY
A.1 Leading the Way: Environmental Activists Speak Out	B.1 Environmental Courage: The Emerging New Intelligence Imperative to our Survival	C.1 Culturally-Relevant Youth Mentorship for Inclusive Environmental Action	D.1 Yes! Your Land Trust Can Lobby
A.2 Smart Solar in Connecticut: Engaging Land Trusts to Advance Farm Viability and Climate Solution	B.2 ConnectIcut General Assembly 2023 Update	—	—
TRACK 2 LAND PROTECTION: PROJECT PLANNING, DUE DILIGENCE and MODEL DOCUMENTS
A.3 Nuts and Bolts of Land Transactions (101 Series)	B.3 Anatomy of a Conservation Easement – Using the Updated CT Model	C.2 Best Practices in Due Diligence	D.2 Advanced Topics: Land Transactions Q&A
A.4 Land Trust Law School - 5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Easements, Land Use and Tree Law	—	C.3 How Stewardship and Enforcement Inform Transactions	—
TRACK 3 STEWARDSHIP I: MANAGING LAND TO MITIGATE and RESPOND TO CLIMATE CHANGE
A.5 Everyday Creativity: Applying the Principles of Creative Thinking in Conservation Work	B.4 What is Climate-Smart Forestry and How Can It Help the Planet?	C.4 Why Wild?	D.3 Stewardship Services for Private and Municipal Woodland Owners
A.6 Primer on Climate Resilience and Nature-Based Solutions	B.5 Using Remote Technologies to Understand and Monitor Climate Change Impacts	C.5 Intro to Forest Carbon – The Essential Information about the Science of Forest Carbon and Carbon Markets (101 Series)	—
TRACK 4 STEWARDSHIP II: HABITAT MANAGEMENT and RESTORATION
A.7 Building Strategic Bird Conservation Partnerships with Private Land Networks	B.6 Battling Invasive Plants on Public Properties – Nix the Knotweed and Other Organic Approaches	C.6 How We Can Allow Beavers to Build Climate Resilience	D.4 Sharing Management Strategies for Controlling Woody Invasives in Fields and Edges
—	B.7 How Can Land Trusts Protect the Unique Environments in Utility Rights-of-Way	C.7 Pollinators in my Backyard	D.5 Developing a Method to Manage Invasive Understory Plant Species Using Drones and Robots
—	—	—	D.6 Mapping of Invasive Understory Plants in Connecticut Forests Using Multitemporal Satellite Imagery
TRACK 5 STEWARDSHIP III: MANAGING LAND FOR PUBLIC ACCESS and COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
A.8 Cooperation & Trust: How Towns and Land Trusts Can Partner for Mutual Conservation Benefit	B.8 Getting Volunteers Involved with Wildlife Conservation	C.8 Conservation that Addresses Social and Environmental Needs: Expanding our Community Reach	D.7 CT FarmLink Introduction for Land Trusts
A.9 The Green Corridor and Follow the Forest Present, Community-Centered Corridor Initiatives in CT	B.9 Landscape Planning and Mental Health	C.9 A Partnership Approach to Conserving the New England National Scenic Trail	D.8 Light Pollution and Its Effect on Health and the Environment
A.10 3D Printed Terrain Models	B.10 Looking at Conservation More Broadly	C.10 Introduction to Property Features Mapping with the Avenza App	D.9 Maps & Map Reading (101 Series)
TRACK 6 ORGANIZATIONAL STRENGTH and SUSTAINABILITY
A.11 Succession Planning and Collaboration: You Don't Have To Go Alone	B.11 Strategic and Succession Planning – Making Time for these Key, Interrelated Governance Functions	CANCELED - C.11 Is it Hot in Here?: Why Workplace Mental Health issues are Rising and How to Address Them	D.10 Financial Reports to the Board and Other Best Practices for Financial Management
A.12 Land Trust Accreditation: Preparing for the Journey	B.12 Building a Stronger Board (101 Series)	C.12 Advancing Inclusion	D.11 Technology Needs for Small Nonprofits: Planning for Today and Tomorrow
—	B.13 Intro to Recordkeeping (101 Series)	C.13 Stewardship Best Practices (101 Series)	—
TRACK 7 FUNDRAISING, GRANTS and COMMUNICATIONS
A.13 Intro to Fundraising (101 Series)	B.14 Primer on State Funding Sources	C.14 Raising Money for Now and for Later – Legacy Match Campaigns	D.12 Fundraising Q&A
A.14 Farmland Preservation: Funding Sources and Other Considerations for Protecting Agricultural Land	B.15 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Funding Opportunities for CT Land Trusts	C.15 CLCC Funding Programs	D.13 Effective Communications, Messaging and Storytelling

“More than any other, this event galvanizes and strengthens our conservation efforts in Connecticut. We’ve been looking forward to a return to CLCC’s in-person conference for three years. That day is finally here!.”

- Stuart Winquist, President, Middlesex Land Trust