News
This month, I’d like to reflect on my first full day at the Capitol doing advocacy work for CLCC! Last Friday, February 20th, I woke up bright and early so that I could be at the Legislative Office Building (LOB) by 8:30am. This wasn’t my first visit to the Capitol, but walking into the bright and sunny atrium, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of legislators, staff, lobbyists, tour groups, and advocates like myself, I was reminded of the importance of the work being done in that grand building. What was most exciting is that this time, I would be helping with that important work!
Agenda for Friday, February 20, 2026
Environment Committee
- Testimony on An Act Concerning Minor Revisions To Department Of Energy And Environmental Protection Related Statutes HB 5153
- Testimony on An Act Concerning Pesticide Reporting Modernization HB 5155
- Testimony on An Act Concerning A Climate Change Superfund HB 5156
Appropriations Committee
After a quick meeting to talk about the day’s agenda with CLCC’s Executive Director and in-house lobbyist, Amy Paterson, we made our way to our first event of the day: observing a press conference for the Sierra Club’s Climate Superfund Bill, which aims to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for their contributions to greenhouse gas emissions by ensuring resources are available to address the rising costs of climate impacts on our state.
Moving onto our next agenda item, Amy and I sat in on an Environment Committee meeting, where we watched as the committee members voted to raise a number of “concept bills,” which don’t yet have specific text but give a general idea of the intended legislation. From there, these “raised bills” will have public hearings where anyone, like Amy and myself (or even you!), can testify either in support of or opposition to the bill, providing crucial context and information to legislators that will help them decide whether to vote the bill out of committee or modify its language. So, this meeting gave Amy and I a preview of bills we may want to start drafting testimony for or just to keep an eye on.
Speaking of public hearings, Amy and I next attended an Environment Committee public hearing. Getting to see the passion of advocates when they talk about issues that are important to them, like climate change and pesticide use, was truly inspiring and has me looking forward to getting the opportunity to provide testimony of my own some day! Amy testified on behalf of both CLCC and the State Natural Heritage, Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) Review Board, of which she is the Chair, in support of a bill making some minor changes to the OSWA statute that would increase efficiency and access.
Later on, Amy and I ran into some of our partners from Audubon Connecticut and the Working Lands Alliance (WLA). We all sat together while the State’s Conservation and Development Agencies presented their budget requests to the Appropriations Committee. It was great for me to get the perspectives of these experienced advocates on what needs to be done this legislative session, and especially how CLCC can support the initiatives of our partner organizations.
Although I left the Capitol before Amy testified before the Appropriations Committee on one of our main policy priorities – securing funding for additional staff positions at CT DEEP to support the rapidly rising demand for OSWA and the Urban Green and Community Garden (UGCG) grant programs – I think I was able to get the full experience of a day amongst the hustle and bustle of the Capitol. I may not be a seasoned advocate yet, but I’d say that this day has definitely gotten me one step closer to being a champion for land conservation at the Capitol!
If you want to help CLCC champion land conservation, be sure to check out these opportunities for engagement:
- February 26: Join us! Advocates for Land Preservation and Stewardship (ALPS) Program Kickoff (Land Trust members only)
- March 21: Join us at the 2026 CT Land Conservation Conference and meet legislators and attend advocacy workshops (and more, too!).
- April 13-16: Join us in Washington, D.C. for the Land Trust Alliance’s annual Advocacy Days event. This year, I’ll be attending with Amy.
- April 22: Save the Date! Land Conservation Day at the State Capitol on Earth Day