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

Landscape Stewardship
Tools for Towns and Cities

Sketch of tool box with hammer and wrench.

Education and Training

The Municipal Primer - Your Guide to Creating a "Green and Growing" Community
The Municipal Primer – Your Guide to Creating a “Green and Growing” Community (also called “The Municipal Primer”) provides basic information and guidance to municipal officials on a wide variety of topics related to environmental protection so that local decision-makers are informed about key environmental topics. 

Permitting and Compliance for Municipal Officials
In conjunction with the release of The Municipal Primer, on October 3, 2008, DEEP held a workshop on permitting and compliance for local chief elected officials and public works officials.  This is the combined power point presentations from that workshop.

Presentations from DEEP's "Partnering for a Green and Growing Connecticut" Workshop
On December 3, 2008, DEEP held a second workshop in conjunction with the release of The Municipal Primer.  This workshop was for local chief elected officials and their land use staff.  This is the combined power point presentations from that workshop.

DEEP's Municipal Inland Wetlands Commissioners Training Program
Annual comprehensive training program for inland wetlands agency members.

University of Connecticut: Center for and Use Education and Research (CLEAR)
Provides information, education and assistance to land use decision makers, in support of balancing growth and natural resource protection. CLEAR conducts remote sensing research, develops landscape analysis tools and training, and conducts outreach education programs.  Of particular use to land use managers are: 

Land Use Leadership Alliance
Land Use Leadership Alliance (LULA) is a training program designed to put needed technical, planning, and process tools into the hands of local leaders to help create the land use patterns that will determine the quality of life, economy, and environment of communities in Connecticut.

Content last updated March 30, 2009 <