Conservation Policy Priorities
Every year, the Connecticut Land Conservation Council sets a Conservation Agenda identifying key legislative policy and funding priorities critical to land conservation across the state.
The 2026 Connecticut General Assembly convenes on February 4 and adjourns on May 6.
Below are CLCC’s top recommendations on State priorities for 2026; you can also download a one-page summary.
Support Funding and Staff for Land Conservation and Farmland Preservation Programs
- ENSURE 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.
- EXPAND CT DEEP’s capacity to promptly fill vacancies and create new positions in Land Acquisition and Management to implement OSWA and UGCG in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes.
- PROTECT the integrity of the Community Investment Act and ENSURE the funds stay intact and dedicated to supporting state programs for open space, farmland/dairy, historic properties, and affordable housing.
- SUPPORT CT Department of Agriculture’s capacity 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.
Prioritize Nature-Based Solutions and Resilience
- LEAD implementation of 2025 legislation (PA 25-125 and PA 25-33) related to nature-based solutions as a priority and preferred alternative in state policies (including the State Comprehensive Open Space Acquisition Strategy aka Green Plan), goals, and legislation to allow Connecticut’s ecosystems to naturally sequester and store carbon, increase biodiversity, and protect against climate change impacts that negatively affect the state’s environment, public health, and economy. Nature-based solutions include land conservation and restoration, wetlands, marshes, and riparian buffer protection, wildlife habitat, invasive species control, etc.
- ENSURE public lands (State Parks, Forests, Wildlife Management Areas, and other natural and working lands of high conservation value) are protected, including land protected by state conservation easements.