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. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Press Releases

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09/21/2021

MEDIA ADVISORY - DEEP To Announce Urban Forestry Grant Program Sept 22

(HARTFORD)— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will announce a new urban forestry grant program Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 1 p.m. in Hartford.

The program will fund projects to address tree cover disparities and reduce effects from climate change. According to a recent study by researchers at the Nature Conservancy, 92 percent of low-income blocks in the U.S. have less tree cover and hotter average temperatures than high-income blocks. Five of the ten worst discrepancies in the U.S. were found in Connecticut, and low income and communities of color with low urban tree cover are among the most vulnerable populations to climate change and its impacts.

Who: DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes; Hartford City Forester Heather Dionne; DEEP Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Conservation Mason Trumble; DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources Chief Rick Jacobson; Herb Virgo, Keney Park Sustainability Project; Patrick Doyle, Knox; Chris Goodwin, Knox.

What: Announcement of Urban Forest Equity and Resilience Grant Program

When: Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m.

Where: 1205 Albany Ave., Hartford, CT

Other information: A briefing and tour for invited guests, organized by the City of Hartford and highlighting urban forestry accomplishments and opportunities in Hartford and throughout the state, will begin at 12 p.m. at 400 Tower Ave. in Keney Park (park entrance is on the south side of Tower Ave.). After learning about the Keney Park Sustainability Project and Hartford’s Tree Canopy Action Plan, the group will head to 1205 Albany Ave. for an introduction to Knox and a tree planting demonstration at a site with low existing canopy cover with Knox’s workforce training program. Press conference will immediately follow onsite at 1 p.m. Media are welcome to attend any part of the briefing in addition to the press conference.

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Contact

DEEP Communications  
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110