Home > News > Blog > Amy Blaymore Paterson > Speak up for Open Space & Trails Funding!

News

Connecticut State Capitol

Your Testimony is Needed by Sunday (4/2) at 3pm

On Monday (4/3), the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee is holding a public hearing on SB 980 – a bill to implement the Governor’s FY 2024-2025 Budget, which includes bond authorizations for open space, trails, and more.

Please take action!

Send Testimony by 3pm on Sunday (4/2) asking the Committee to:

Support the Bond Package with Funding for Open Space & Trails

See sample testimony below

Submit written testimony via on-line form »

Find your legislators, send them a copy of your testimony and bcc me.

Sample Testimony (best to use your own words)

Dear Members of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee,

Thank you for this opportunity to submit testimony in support of funding for the following important land conservation programs in the Governor’s FY 2024 – 2025 Budget (SB 980):

Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA), providing matching grants for land trusts, municipalities, and water companies to acquire land for open space and watershed protection. OSWA includes the Urban Green and Community Garden Program for targeted and distressed communities. Please support the Governor’s Budget recommendation for $10 Million per year for OSWA.

CT Recreational Trails Program (RTP), providing matching grants to non-profits, municipalities, and others for trail-related projects including construction and maintenance, acquisition of easements, and trail access for people with disabilities. Please support the Governor’s Budget recommendation for $5 Million per year for RTP.

[If applicable, you may want to describe projects in your own community that, for example: (1) were funded through OSWA; and/or RTP (2) are awaiting an OSWA and/or RTP grant award; and/or (3) are in the works for which you plan to seek OSWA and/or RTP funds.]

[Please add something about the importance of land conservation to mitigating the impacts of climate change, keeping air and water clean, meeting state conservation goals, and improving the quality of life and strength of the economy in every community.]

Thank you for this opportunity to testify.

Sincerely,

Your name/organization/town

Thanks for taking action!

Now more than ever we need to invest in funding to support the land conservation work of land trusts, municipalities, and the state to ensure equitable public access to land, water, and other natural resources, and the environmental, economic, and public health benefits that they provide.

types]
Sincerely,
Amy
Amy Blaymore Paterson
Executive Director
Email Me »
Read Amy's other posts »

P.S. If you have any questions about this action alert, please contact me anytime.

Tags: