Connecticut Land Conservation Conference

March 25, 2023, Wesleyan University, Middletown

Usdan Center, 45 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown.

Rick Newton

Workshops

Smart Solar in Connecticut: Engaging Land Trusts to Advance Farm Viability and Climate Solution

10:30am - 12:00pm

Room: Usdan 110

Intermediate Level

As Connecticut and other New England states embark on the transition to a low-carbon energy future, thousands of megawatts of PV solar generation will need to be installed. Research suggests that 80% of the solar will be ground mounted systems, with the rest on rooftops, parking lots and other structures.

This will be an interactive 90-minute session incorporating presentations, small group discussion and panel Q&A. Greater land trust involvement will be essential to advancing the goals of the Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3) and Executive Order 3, which are to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve a carbon free grid by 2040. Land trusts have an important role in advocating and planning for accelerated solar development with strategies to minimize impacts to productive farmland, protect soil health, and keep family owned farms viable.

Presenter(s)

Judy Anderson, Principal/Founder, Community Consultants LLC

Amanda Johnson, Agricultural Programs Director, CT Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)

Ethan Winter, National Smart Solar Director, American Farmland Trust

Resources and Handouts

Smart Solar on Farmland and Ranchland – American Farmland Trust

The State of the States – Farms Under Threat

2040 Future Scenarios – Farms Under Threat

Return to Workshop Table

“More than any other, this event galvanizes and strengthens our conservation efforts in Connecticut. We’ve been looking forward to a return to CLCC’s in-person conference for three years. That day is finally here!”

- Stuart Winquist, President, Middlesex Land Trust

Gordon Paterson