News

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now accepting applications for the next round of two critical grant programs: the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA) and the Urban Green and Community Garden Grant Program (UGCG). Both programs are open for applications until December 2, 2024. Recent statute changes have introduced key modifications to enhance equity within these programs, making them even more impactful for land conservation and community enhancement.

• Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA): Municipalities, land trusts, and water companies are encouraged to apply for funding to aid in the purchase and protection of open spaces. This program is a significant opportunity to secure funding for projects that promote public access to natural resources, environmental justice, and equity. CLICK here for info on this program.
• Urban Green and Community Garden Program (UGCG): DEEP also welcomes applications from municipalities and nonprofits for funding through the UGCG program, which supports urban green spaces and community gardens. This initiative is particularly focused on serving distressed municipalities, targeted investment communities, and environmental justice communities. CLICK here for info on this program.

DEEP has been actively working to ensure these grant programs are distributed equitably, with a focus on making open spaces accessible to all residents.

Key Updates

• Projects within Environmental Justice Communities now qualify for funding through UGCG – This change allows 48 additional communities to qualify for this funding program. To understand if a particular area qualifies visit DEEP’s Environmental Justice Map and see if the project falls within one of the orange Environmental Justice Blocks listed in the map.
• Acquisition projects within an Environmental Justice Community now qualify for additional funding through OSWA – Acquisition projects within one of these additional 48 communities now qualify for a maximum grant award of 75% of the fair market value of the property.
• Non-profits can now apply directly to UGCG for projects in areas that qualify—non-profits can now be directly reimbursed for work on their own property or municipal properties that qualify for UGCG funding.
• Applicants with OSWA acquisition projects in Environmental Justice Communities, Distressed Municipalities, or Targeted Investment Communities can now be reimbursed for incidental costs associated with the OSWA application and closing process—for acquisition projects in these communities applicants can now be reimbursed for appraisals, legal work, surveys, etc.

Important Dates

• Info Session offered by CLCC with CT DEEP staff: September 17, 2024, at 1:00 PM Register here.
• Application Deadline: December 2, 2024
• Submission of Yellow Book Appraisals and Appraisal Reviews: No later than January 6, 2025

Questions? Need a Helping Hand?

If you have questions about these grants, require assistance with the grant process, or want to learn more about CLCC’s grant programs that support land trusts in pursuing and completing more projects, please contact Yaw Owusu Darko, Senior Project Specialist at CLCC. We are happy to provide guidance and support to land trusts as they work towards conserving important lands for future generations.