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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07/11/2023

Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition and Urban Green and Community Garden Grant Rounds Open Through Oct. 2

(HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is encouraging municipalities, land trusts, and water companies to apply for funding to aid in the purchase and protection of open space through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) Grant Program. This round of grants represents the 26th funding round of grants awarded under the program. Additionally, DEEP welcomes municipalities considered distressed or target investments communities to apply for funding through the Urban Green and Community Garden Program (UGCG). Both programs are accepting applications through October 2, 2023.

“Our open space preservation efforts are critical,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. We’ve seen a sustained increase in outdoor recreation since the pandemic. This grant round will add to the outdoor recreational opportunities throughout our beautiful state, and also add to our Open Space goals. Open space preservation is critical in our mitigation efforts to fight against climate change, protect our natural resources and wildlife, and maintain healthy air and clean water for our residents.”

OSWA

OSWA grants can fund 65%-75% of permanent open space protection projects. High ranking projects focus on environmental justice and equity, protect important natural resources, enhance state climate change goals, and provide public access for outdoor recreation. Since the OSWA program began in 1998, more than $157 million in state funding has been awarded to municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations, and water companies to assist in the purchase of more than 42,000 acres of publicly accessible land.

UGCG

UGCG grants can fund 50% of projects focused on creating, enhancing, or restoring an urban green space or community garden. Funding can be used to purchase gardening supplies, tools, plants, and minimal associated structures. Since 2007, $2.5 million has been provided to eligible cities and towns to reinvigorate urban open spaces.

Section 23-8 of the Connecticut General Statutes establishes a goal of protecting 673,210 acres (21%) of the state’s land base as open space. The goal calls for 320,576 acres (10%) to be held by DEEP as part of the state’s system of parks, forests, fisheries, and natural resource management areas, and 352,634 acres (11%) to be acquired by DEEP’s partners, which include municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations, and water companies.

Winners from the previous round of grants were announced earlier this year. For more information about these grant programs and to view grant application and instruction forms, visit DEEP’s Open Space webpage.
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Contact

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