Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Urban Forested Natural Areas and Riparian Corridor Restoration Grant Program

Through financial support provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is requesting proposals for the Urban Forested Natural Area and Riparian Corridor Restoration Grant Program. Awards are for $2,500-$20,000. Local government entities and non-profit 501(c)3 organization are eligible to apply. There is no financial match required.

Urban forested natural areas and riparian corridors are important forms of green infrastructure and forest cover in our communities. The Urban Forested Natural Area and Riparian Corridor Restoration Grant Program was created to support local land managers in their efforts to address forest health issues. It does this by providing funding to support management interventions that promote the health and resilience of urban natural forested areas and riparian corridors.

Projects may include, but are not limited to, chemical or mechanical removal of invasive plant species, vine removal, tree planting, and other site treatments intended to slow the spread of invasive plants and promote regeneration of native tree species. The Connecticut Invasive Plants Council has developed a list of non-native plants that cause (or have the potential to cause) environmental harm.

If you are unsure what a qualifying project might look like in your city, look at the featured projects below:

Vine removal in New Haven

Invasive plant mapping and removal in Stamford

Invasive removal and erosion-control plantings in New Haven

This program is now open. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2024, at 5:00 PM. Questions will be accepted through November 22, 2024, and an FAQ will be published to this page by December 6, 2024. Recipients will be notified of their awards via email by May 31, 2025.

See the Request for Proposals and Grant Application. Grant Applications are hosted through Survey123. If you need special accommodations for your submission, reach out to DEEP.UCF.Grants@ct.gov. The grant application will ask for detailed budget and timeline information; we strongly recommend using the following Timeline and Budget templates to submit this information. 

Reach out to DEEP.UCF.Grants@ct.gov for more information. 

Additional Invasive Species Removal Resource: This listing provides vendors for invasive species removal. Note that this list does not express or imply endorsement by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. This list may be incomplete; last updated December 2022.

Content last updated October 2024.