Connecticut
List of Sustainability-Focused Extension Programs
Program: Agricultural Water Use
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Water
Range: Connecticut statewide
Description: UConn Extension is helping agricultural producers enhance water security and prepare for drought. We are documenting water use in Connecticut agriculture, to establish baseline standards for water use for all types of agricultural operations in each of the state’s eight counties.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information
Program: Center for Land Use Education and Research
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Land
Range: Regional
Description: The mission of the Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) is to provide information and assistance to land use decision makers and other audiences in support of better land use decisions, healthier natural resources, and more resilient communities.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information, Certification
Program: Sustainable Food Systems
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Food
Range: Regional
Description: The UConn Extension Sustainable Food Systems is a multi-faceted program that addresses the needs of strengthening the food system in Connecticut and New England through cross-sector coordination. The program includes: network development for food system stakeholders, community food security, farm-to-institution development, farm to school programs, local food access, food justice, beginner farmer training, and farmland leasing assistance.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information, Certification
Program: Climate Adaptation Academy
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Air Quality/ Climate Change
Range: Regional
Description: The Climate Adaptation Academy provides information on current adaptation research, policy and practice, and serves to promote an exchange of information between municipal officials, researchers, and other professionals.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information, Certification
Program: CT NEMO Program
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Land, Water
Range: National
Description: NEMO (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials) provides information, education and assistance to local land use officials and other community groups on how they can accommodate growth while protecting their natural resources and community character. NEMO is a part of the Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) and the Department of Extension at the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information
Program: Land Use Academy
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Land
Range: Connecticut statewide
Description: The Land Use Academy provides practical education for local land use decision makers in Connecticut. Our program focuses on the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to serve effectively on a local land use commission.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information, Certification
Program: Connecticut Tree Wardens
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Land
Range: Connecticut statewide
Description: Since 1991, UConn Extension Tree Warden Outreach has provided tree wardens, deputy tree wardens, elected and appointed public officials, and community forestry volunteers with education and assistance on tree warden duties, roles and responsibilities and urban and community forestry. In 1992, the program formed the Tree Wardens’ Association of Connecticut, Inc., to provide a means for tree wardens and deputy tree wardens to come together through peer participation to increase and expand their knowledge and to motive them to perform their duties well.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information, Certification
Program: Connecticut’s Changing Landscape
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Land
Range: Connecticut statewide
Description: Changing Landscape is a remote sensing-based land cover study that charts landscape changes in Connecticut and portions of New York. It covers the 25-year period from 1985 to 2010 (with in-between dates of 1990, 1995, 2002 and 2006). It includes information on basic land cover, as well as subsidiary analyses of riparian corridor land cover, impervious cover and agricultural field and soil analysis.
The Connecticut’s Changing Landscape focuses on Connecticut towns. The Long Island Sound Watershed’s Changing Landscape focuses on watersheds in Connecticut and New York that drain into Long Island Sound.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information
Program: Stormwise
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Land, Air Quality/ Climate Change, Energy
Range: Connecticut statewide
Description: Stormwise is a forest vegetation management program with the goal of reducing the risk of tree-related storm damage to power lines. Implementing proper long-term management practices in woodlands along utility corridors will create healthy, storm resistant and aesthetically pleasing trees and forest stands. The development of Stormwise was initiated by recent catastrophic storm events in Connecticut.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information
Program: New Farms and Farmers
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Food
Range: Connecticut statewide
Description: UConn Extension’s project targets new and beginning farmers with less than 10 years of experience. We leverage the expertise of UConn Extension educators along with the training and networking expertise of eight organizations that have a commitment to supporting new farmers in Connecticut. These project collaborators host workshops, assist with unique learning events, and support beginning farmer networking.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information
Program: Connecticut Shellfish Initiative
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Land, Food, Water
Range: Connecticut statewide
Description: Shellfish interest groups are working together to develop Connecticut’s first vision plan to protect and grow the state’s shellfish sectors, and to increase public awareness about Connecticut’s shellfish heritage. The Initiative has three focus areas are:
- commercial harvest and aquaculture
- recreational harvest
- natural shellfish resources
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information
Program: Meat Systems
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Food
Range: Regional
Description: A professional development opportunity in grass-based meat systems for agricultural service providers and farmers provided by the Northeast SARE state programs in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information
Program: Local Foods
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Food
Range: Connecticut statewide
Description: Live Local Connecticut is an e-platform of information and tools to help people discover local agriculture and enjoy the rewards of gardening, cooking, hunting, and fishing for themselves, their families, and community.
Program Offerings: Website, Information
Program: Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Food, Land
Range: Connecticut statewide
Description: The Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory has three major objectives. First is to provide an inexpensive means for both agricultural producers and home owners to test their soil fertility and receive environmentally sound limestone and fertilizer recommendations. The second major focus of the Laboratory is education. Through our analyses as well as outreach efforts, clients and the public are being informed about wise soil management and fertility practices. The Laboratory also analyses research samples for University faculty and graduate students and serves as a teaching laboratory for several Department of Plant Science classes.
Program Offerings: Website, Information
Program: Geospatial Training Program
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Land
Range: Connecticut statewide
Description: GTP provides technical education and training outside the traditional academic environment. The program’s goal is to help municipal land use officials, staff and commission members understand and apply geospatial information technologies to help solve local land use problems and to develop environmentally sensitive land use plans. The program focuses on the use of geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing (RS) and global positioning system (GPS) technology and online mapping and introduces new users to these technologies through hands-on training courses.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information
Program: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Food
Range: Connecticut statewide
Description: The University of Connecticut IPM Program staff members work directly with and provide educational outreach to commercial growers, natural area managers, groundskeepers, educators and the general public in Connecticut. In addition, they conduct research and offer extension programs in these areas: Fruit, Greenhouse, Invasive Species, IPM Curriculum, Nursery, Turf & Landscape and Vegetables.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information
Program: Center for Land Use Education and Research
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Land
Range: Connecticut statewide
Description: Land use is a major determinant of both water quality and water quantity. CLEAR has several projects and programs focusing on the impact of urbanization on water resources. Our nationally known NEMO and National NEMO programs focus on the use of green infrastructure (GI) as a strategy to reduce pollution, flooding and erosion associated with urban runoff. We also have several applied research projects and specialized websites providing information and tools to help analyze your landscape with respect to common water resource problems. And don’t forget to check out our Land and Climate section, since GI has now become recognized as an important climate resilience strategy.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information
Program: Food Safety
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Food
Range: Connecticut statewide
Description: Have a question? Need some information about safe food handling? Growing safe fruits and vegetables? Writing a food safety plan for your food business? Finding out who regulates a food product? How to report a food borne illness?
Here you will find the food safety information and resources Connecticut consumers, producers, processors, retailers, and others need to help them produce and prepare safer food.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information, Certification
Program: Beach & Dune Hazard Guide
Institution: UConn Extension
Category: Land, Water, Air Quality/ Climate Change
Range: Connecticut statewide
Description: Storms and associated hazards such as flooding and erosion can damage coastal property and affect beaches and dunes that provide valuable habitat for uniquely adapted species of plants and animals. This website will help you evaluate threats and identify what you can do to protect your coastal property and the natural environment.
While beaches occupy only about 14 percent, or 87 miles, of Connecticut’s coastline, the shoreline is densely populated. Hazards of living near a beach or dune system include hurricanes and nor’easters, erosion, storm surge, and flooding. Learn more about Connecticut’s beaches and dunes and determine if your beach property is eroding.
Program Offerings: Website, Information
