Press Releases
06/25/2026
DEEP Launches Initiative to Strengthen Resilience of State Parks to Climate-Related Impacts
Resilience Initiative Focuses on Infrastructure Assessment and Response Planning
(HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is launching a comprehensive initiative to strengthen the resilience of State Parks infrastructure to climate-related impacts and develop plans to prepare the agency to respond to extreme weather events that may affect park operations, infrastructure, and public safety.
The initiative comes as Connecticut continues to experience the impacts of climate change. According to the Long Island Sound Study and the University of Connecticut, the state has seen approximately 8 to 9 inches of sea level rise since 1880, accelerating coastal erosion, warming temperatures in Long Island Sound, warmer annual temperature extremes, increasing rainfall, decreasing snowfall, and more intense rainstorms. These changes impact every part of our state, including our State Parks.
In 2024, Connecticut experienced two major climate-related events that impacted state parks, forests and public lands. In August, more than nine inches of rain fell within a few hours across western Connecticut, washing out bridges and trails and stranding 48 campers and DEEP staff at Kettletown State Park. Just a few months later, unusually warm and dry conditions led to extreme wildfire danger statewide during October and November, resulting in one of the most severe wildfire seasons on record. The state experienced more than triple the typical number of wildfire starts, including fires on state-owned lands.
As stewards of Connecticut’s State Parks, DEEP is launching this proactive initiative to invest in resilient park infrastructure and long-term response planning, to ensure the park system is prepared to withstand severe weather conditions. To address these challenges, DEEP will engage consultants to support the development of a Connecticut State Parks Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and an internal-use emergency response plan for park operations.
“Connecticut’s State Parks are treasured public resources, and DEEP is taking proactive steps to ensure they remain resilient and accessible for future generations,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “This is just one more way that DEEP is making sure our parks are in great shape for visitors to enjoy, now and into the future.”
The effort will include the following two planning projects which will be executed across the state over the next two years:
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
Working closely with DEEP staff, consultants will develop a high-level screening assessment to look at the climate vulnerability and risk to State Parks and identify the properties, operations and infrastructure, such as bridges, that are at risk of being impacted. The team will look at climate risks including sea level rise, flooding from rivers and heavy rain, extreme temperatures, and wildfires. The consultant team also will make recommendations for how DEEP can make changes to parks over the short, medium, and long-term and identify cost estimates for implementing these recommendations.
Emergency Response Planning
Consultants will also work with DEEP and stakeholders to develop an internal emergency response plan that will guide decision-making before, during, and after high-impact weather events. The plan will help state park and emergency operations staff protect visitors, employees, and critical natural, cultural, institutional, and recreational assets while maintaining continuity of operations during emergencies.
By proactively assessing risks and strengthening preparedness, DEEP aims to improve the resilience of Connecticut’s State Parks and ensure they can continue to provide safe recreational opportunities while protecting the natural and cultural resources that define the state’s outdoor heritage.
For more information about Connecticut State Parks, visit https://ctparks.com/- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110