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August marks the end of my time with the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, and as such I wanted to offer my own reflections on the experience: what I have learned, the relationships I’ve built, and what the Sandy Breslin Conservation Fellowship role has meant for me. The reality is this fellowship and my work here has felt like much more than a professional stepping-stone or mere learning experience, it has given me sage guidance on how I can positively affect change through purpose-driven work. 

I want to thank CLCC’s Executive Director, Amy Paterson, for having the confidence to fully immerse me into the policy world and slowly incorporate me into CLCC’s legislative and policy process. At the beginning of the session this past January, I remember writing how new the experience felt. I thought I knew about the legislative and policy-making process from my courses, but the reality is they are only able to just scratch the surface. Through my work with CLCC I have had the opportunity to write testimony on bills, far ranging in both their variety and scope. I’ve had the opportunity to learn by doing, meeting with Amy as well as our lobbyists to see them formulate our legislative strategy. I’ve had the opportunity to organize, coordinating a Community Investment Act Lobby Day with advocates from farming, affordable housing, historic preservation, and dairy. Finally, and I believe most importantly, I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many new faces in the conservation and land trust community, either through collaboration on community events or just engaging during local meetings. I truly appreciate all of the great things that come with being a Sandy Breslin Fellow.

Colin, at far right, at the Legislative Office Building for a Community Investment Act Lobby Day

Drawing upon my experience, I also feel an overwhelming sense of hope, providing lessons for far beyond the conclusion of this fellowship. The 2025 legislative session was one of the most successful and productive sessions for land conservation and the environment in a number of years. We were able to pass comprehensive climate legislation, enshrining nature-based solutions into statute. We were able to expand funding for the Community Investment Act, ensuring millions more dollars for future land conservation and funding for working lands. We were able to pass a bill creating a new farmland access program for new farmers, as well as numerous other legislative victories. I especially appreciated the opportunity to take initiative on one of these bills and see it go from a single idea at the beginning of the session to being passed into statute, promoting robust community investment for generations. During this time, I also got to collaborate with so many wonderful and committed individuals working to effect real change. Whether it be with land trust directors who worked to get involved in the policy process through our ALPS program, or advocates from other organizations working together to understand complex and emerging challenges, all gave me new insights into how best to advocate for our shared natural world.

Colin with Shelley Harms of Norfolk Land Trust, Sharon Lynch of Avalonia Land Conservancy, and Aaron Lefland of CLCC at the Land Trust Alliance’s Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C.

As I close out this fellowship and look towards the last year of my graduate program, I look forward to continuing to digest and reflect upon all that I have learned and experienced in this role. I have a deepened appreciation for our legislative process, and how our environmental policy can be shaped to support the lands that we love. This role has challenged me to think more strategically, to communicate more clearly, and to stay grounded in the values that brought me to this work in the first place. I believe I go forth with new skills, lasting connections, and a renewed sense of purpose as I prepare for the next chapter of my academic and professional journey.

Finally, I want to conclude with a short note. The fellowship itself is named after Sandy Breslin, someone that I had heard much about from other advocates and members of the land trust community for the duration of my time in the role. She was a tireless advocate for our natural world and a master of policy, and having a title named after someone of that stature was truly an honor of my life. The stories I heard served as a well of inspiration and motivation for me, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to continue that legacy for the short amount of time I was able.