Landscape Stewardship

Helpful Links

In addition to the links found on other pages under Tools for Towns and Cities, the following links may be useful in exploring and implementing elements of landscape stewardship.

State of Connecticut

Connecticut's Green and Growing Tool Box
Connecticut's Green and Growing Tool Box is a web site that contains a comprehensive inventory of state policies, plans an dprograms that relate to or support Responsible Growth.

Connecticut Conservation and Development Policies Plan 2005-2010
(Plan of C&D)
The Plan of C&D, developed pursuant to CGS Sections 16a-24 through 16a-33, serves as a statement of the development, resource management and public investment policies for the State. The Plan is used as a framework for evaluating plans and proposals submitted to OPM for review through mandated review processes.

Connecticut Scenic Roads Designation Program
Connecticut has over the past several years designated several sections of its rural two-lane highways as Scenic Roads. This designation not only encourages sightseeing along the road but helps preserve it from modifications that would detract from its appearance, such as rerouting or widening.

Department of Public Health Subsurface Sewage Program
Approximately 30% of Connecticut's population reside in buildings that dispose of their domestic sewage with on-site sewage disposal systems which are typically conventional septic systems. Jurisdiction of on-site sewage disposal for design flows of 5,000 gallons per day (GPD) and less lies with State and Local Health Departments, and is regulated by the Public Health Code (PHC) Section 19-13-B103 and the associated Technical Standards.

Open Space
This DEEP page includes information on open space, greenways and trails, and land acquisition.

Transportation: Plans and Projects  
Information on studies, Connecticut's statewide transportation-improvement program, ConnDOT's Long-Range Transportation Plan and links to major project web sites.

University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension Forestry
University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension Forestry provides information on forest stewardship and urban forestry.

Other Connecticut

Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions (CACIWC)
CACIWC is a non-profit organization providing education and information on wetlands and watercourses and other natural resources to Connecticut's conservation and inland wetlands commissions.

Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association (CCAPA)
CCAPA is dedicated to advancing the practice of good planning in Connecticut by providing members with up-to-date information about current planning issues and techniques, by building public and political awareness of the importance and benefits of good planning and by bringing the Chapter's diverse membership together from throughout the state to share experiences with colleagues.

Connecticut Environmental Review Team (ERT)
The ERT assists towns in meeting the challenge by performing environmental reviews of sites proposed for major land use activities or to provide natural resource inventories to be used for land acquisition, master planning, or anticipation of future development pressures.

Connecticut Envirothon
Connecticut Envirothon is a natural resource based education program that was started in 1992 by the state's Soil and Water Conservation Districts. It is a hands-on outdoor competition for high school aged youth that test's student's knowledge and understanding of soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife and a current issue that varies from year to year.

Connecticut Main Street Center
Connecticut Main Street Center helps communities analyze core issues and set attainable objectives for comprehensively revitalizing downtowns. The Center provides education and training, resources and tools, and advocacy.

Conservation Districts of Connecticut
Connecticut's Conservation District are local non-profit organizations that serve municipalities and residents by providing technical services, including GIS capabilities, and education on conservation issues.  Areas of expertise include erosion and sediment control and stormwater management. 

Farm Viability Project
The Capitol Region Council of Governments worked with farm business owners and municipal officials to identify opportunities to improve agricultural regulations and offer recommendations for achieving greater regulatory consistency across municipalities. 

Green Valley Institute (GVI)
The Green Valley Institute is a non-regulatory organization focusing on the Quinebaug-Shetucket National Heritage Corridor in northeastern Connecticut and dedicated to 1) improving the knowledge base from which land use and natural resource decisions are made, and 2) building local capacity to protect and manage natural resources as the region grows.

Planning for Agriculture
The Planning for Agriculture guide outlines a broad range of tools available to help local governments plan for the future of agriculture in Connecticut.  It is a joint project of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and American Farmland Trust.

Regional Planning Organizations
There are fifteen planning regions in Connecticut, which provide a variety of services to their member municipalities.  They are designated by the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) in accordance with Section 16a-4a of the Connecticut General Statutes. 

Long Island Sound Study (CT and NY)
The Long Island Sound Study (LISS) is a cooperative effort involving researchers, regulators, user groups and other concerned organizations and individuals working together to protect and improve the health of the Sound by implementing the Sound's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan completed in 1994.

Federal

Natural Resources Conservation Service
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, works cooperatively with landowners, conservation districts, federal, state, and local governments, and citizens from urban and rural communities to restore and enhance the landscape. The Connecticut NRCS programs promote landscape stewardship by providing a variety of programs that offer environmental, societal, financial, and technical benefits.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Smart Growth
U.S. EPA's Smart Growth Program provides research, tools, partnerships, case studies, grants, and technical assistance to help America's communities grow in ways that expand economic opportunity, protect public health and the environment, and create and enhance the places that people love.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Southern New England Office
The USDA's Rural Development program offers a variety of services and programs to rural communities including providing equity, liquidity, and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure.

Other Links

A Student's Guide to Conservation and Environmental Science

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
ICLEI is an international association of local governments as well as national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development.

Local Government Assistance Network (LGEAN)
The Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN) is a nation-wide "first-stop shop" providing environmental management, planning, funding, and regulatory information for local government elected and appointed officials, managers and staff. 

U.S. Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization committed to expanding sustainable building practices.

Virtual Tour of a New Urbanism Community
Interactive on-line tour illustrates best management practices for "New Urbanism" development, a form of responsible growth.

Content Last Updated June 2020