Calendar
August Lunch-and-Learn Series: Appraisals for your OSWA Grant Application
August 10, 2023 | 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
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Grab your lunch, find a comfy spot, put on your thinking cap, and join the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) for a series of one-hour, lunchtime Zoom discussions on state land conservation planning and open space grant funding programs.
Every Thursday in August from 12:15 – 1:15pm via Zoom
CT Comprehensive Open Space Acquisition Strategy (Green Plan) Series
The Connecticut Comprehensive Open Space Acquisition Strategy (Green Plan) guides the efforts by DEEP and its land conservation partners to meet a goal of conserving 21% of Connecticut’s land base as open space by year 2023, as set by section 23-8 of the general statutes. With the most recent plan expired, the agency is establishing a process to develop the next Green Plan including a series of public information sessions to gather your input on what and how land conservation strategies should be included and prioritized.
August 10 – Appraisals for your OSWA Grant Application
In this session, appraiser Rich McDermott will provide you with a primer on open land valuations, with a specific focus on the appraisal requirements for OSWA and federal grant programs. Bring you appraisal questions!
Additional workshops in this series include:
August 3 – An Introduction to the CT Green Plan and Review of Proposed Definition of Open Space
Join DEEP and CLCC for a kickoff discussion on the next iteration of the Connecticut Comprehensive Open Space Acquisition Strategy (Green Plan). In this first of a series of public input sessions, we will discuss a proposed definition of open space, a timeline for next steps, and ideas for overlapping plans/data that might be worthwhile for inclusion. Bring your ideas and creativity and help us jumpstart the next Green Plan.
OSWA and UGCG Grant Program Series
DEEP is accepting applications from municipalities, land trusts, and water companies for the next round of the competitive Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA) and from targeted and distressed communities for the Urban Green and Community Garden Grant Program (UGCG). The application deadline for both programs is October 2, 2023.
As you prepare your application, or consider submitting one for future projects, this series of lunch-and-learn sessions is an opportunity to ask questions about the grant programs and other state and federal funding to support your land conservation and community greenspace projects, including the items needed to submit a complete and successful application. Each session provides ample opportunities for Q&A.
August 17 – Overview of Federal Match Dollars for your OSWA Grant Application
Planning for your OSWA project includes knowing where to find the match dollars needed to close your deal. In this session, representatives from CLCC and DEEP will provide you with an overview of some of the federal match programs currently available to combine with your OSWA grant.
August 24 – OSWA Grant Program – Open Q&A
As the deadline approaches for submitting your OSWA application, this lunch-and-learn session is an open opportunity to ask DEEP and CLCC questions about the program, including your current application, match requirements, and how to prepare for future grant rounds to support your fee acquisition or conservation easement project.
August 31 – UGCG Grant Program – Open Q&A
DEEP’s UGCG is available to distressed and/or targeted municipalities and provides funding assistance to develop or enhance community gardens and other urban green spaces for public enjoyment and/or environmental education. In this final lunch-and-learn session, DEEP and CLCC will help you sort through program eligibility, application criteria, and more.
To prepare for these information sessions and assist you in formulating your questions, we encourage you to review the presentation from CLCC and DEEP’s June 1 Information Session.
