Resources for
open space
Guidance Tool
Level of Effort:
Climate Action Tool
The 2025 expansion of the Climate Action Tool (CAT) allows you to:
1) Access information on climate impacts and vulnerability of species and habitats; and
2) Explore adaptation strategies and actions, related to connectivity, conservation planning, and forestry, among other relevant areas.
This tool was developed by the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment.
Guidance Tool
Level of Effort:
Climate Action Tool
The 2025 expansion of the Climate Action Tool (CAT) allows you to:
1) Access information on climate impacts and vulnerability of species and habitats; and
2) Explore adaptation strategies and actions, related to connectivity, conservation planning, and forestry, among other relevant areas.
This tool was developed by the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment.
Funding
: Sep 1, 2026
up to $250,000
DEEP CERCLA 128(a) Brownfield Grant Program – Round 4
DEEP was awarded this funding from the EPA under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to administer to brownfield sites in Connecticut to perform environmental assessment and cleanup activities.
DEEP encourages applicants whose projects will enable the creation, preservation, or addition of park space, greenways or other recreational space, or other property used for nonprofit or municipal purposes, to apply for this pool of funding.
Funding
: Sep 1, 2026
up to $250,000
DEEP CERCLA 128(a) Brownfield Grant Program – Round 4
DEEP was awarded this funding from the EPA under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to administer to brownfield sites in Connecticut to perform environmental assessment and cleanup activities.
Funding
: Dec 31 – Dec 31, 2027
Connecticut Conservation Partnership Program (CCPP)
Administered by the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC), CCPP has established a coordinated process by which land trust applicants to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA) may apply for a federal grant as a source of match funds.
Easements can be held by USDA-NRCS (U.S. Held Easements) or an eligible entity (Entity Held Easements). Priorities are for conservation easements on nonindustrial private forest and watershed lands.
Funding
: Dec 31 – Dec 31, 2027
Connecticut Conservation Partnership Program (CCPP)
Administered by the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC), CCPP has established a coordinated process by which land trust applicants to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA) may apply for a federal grant as a source of match funds.
Funding
: Jun 30, 2026
Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program
The Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program provides funding assistance to develop or enhance urban green spaces for public enjoyment and/or environmental education. Promotion of open space in an urban setting may include, but may not be limited to, the development of a community garden or reclaiming and enhancing existing open space for the public’s use. Grants are awarded to projects that demonstrate the highest ability to benefit urban communities in close proximity to population centers.
Please review the Grant Program Eligibility Requirements. For questions on UGCG, contact Cameron Clegg: Cameron.clegg@ct.gov
Funding
: Jun 30, 2026
Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program
The Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program provides funding assistance to develop or enhance urban green spaces for public enjoyment and/or environmental education. Promotion of open space in an urban setting may include, but may not be limited to, the development of a community garden or reclaiming and enhancing existing open space for the public’s use. Grants are awarded to projects that demonstrate the highest ability to benefit urban communities in close proximity to population centers.
Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program
The Department’s Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program provides funding assistance to develop or enhance urban open spaces for public enjoyment and/or environmental education.
Promotion of open space in an urban setting may include, but may not be limited to, the development of a community garden or reclaiming and enhancing existing open space for the public's use. Grants are awarded to projects that demonstrate the highest ability to benefit urban communities in close proximity to population centers. The UGCG opportunity is available to distressed municipalities, targeted investment communities, registered non-profit organizations, and municipalities that are an environmental justice community. Grant Program Eligibility Requirements: - Applicants must be a municipality; - Projects must take place within the territorial limits of a “Distressed Municipality” (CGS Sec. 32-9p) or a “Targeted Investment Community” (CGS Sec. 32-70); - Projects must take place on publicly-owned land; - This is a match share reimbursement program. Applicants must have funds available or funding sources available for 50% of the anticipated total project cost; - Projects must create, enhance, or restore a public urban community garden or green space; - Applicants must clearly show how the public will access and enjoy the project. If public access is not clearly shown, the project will not be evaluated or awarded a grant; - Projects cannot be for commercial activities (i.e., use of property for sale of goods or productions of goods for sale that generate a profit) or for active recreation development (i.e., dog parks, turf athletic fields, washing facilities, bathrooms, indoor recreational facilities, swimming pools); and - Projects cannot take place on land that was acquired by eminent domain.
Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program
The Department’s Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program provides funding assistance to develop or enhance urban open spaces for public enjoyment and/or environmental education.