Resources for
protection
Funding
: Apr 8 – May 8, 2026
Over $2.3M available, divided by region
Connecticut Wetland In-Lieu Fee Program Grant
Audubon Connecticut’s 2026 Request for Letters of Intent is now open. Local organizations including land trusts, universities, environmental nonprofits, and state agencies are invited to submit a short letter of intent for grant funding to protect and enhance wetlands. The Connecticut Wetland In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Program has accrued funds that are now available for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the State of Connecticut. The National Audubon Society, Inc., through its state office, Audubon Connecticut, is the “sponsor” of Connecticut’s ILF program. The program allows permittees to pay a fee in lieu of taking on mitigation themselves. Instead, local organizations like land trusts, and other environmental nonprofits, are given the opportunity to apply for and receive grant funding for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the State of Connecticut.
Restoration and enhancement projects are strongly encouraged and will likely score and rank higher than preservation-only projects. For restoration and enhancement projects, consultation with qualified professionals is recommended. See the Request for Letters of Intent at the link for details.
Funding
: Apr 8 – May 8, 2026
Over $2.3M available, divided by region
Connecticut Wetland In-Lieu Fee Program Grant
Audubon Connecticut’s 2026 Request for Letters of Intent is now open. Local organizations including land trusts, universities, environmental nonprofits, and state agencies are invited to submit a short letter of intent for grant funding to protect and enhance wetlands. The Connecticut Wetland In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Program has accrued funds that are now available for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the State of Connecticut. The National Audubon Society, Inc., through its state office, Audubon Connecticut, is the “sponsor” of Connecticut’s ILF program. The program allows permittees to pay a fee in lieu of taking on mitigation themselves. Instead, local organizations like land trusts, and other environmental nonprofits, are given the opportunity to apply for and receive grant funding for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the State of Connecticut.
Funding
: May 16, 2026
min $50K
The Land & Easement Acquisition Program (LEAP)
The Land & Easement Acquisition Program (LEAP) is designed to bridge funding gaps and accelerate the protection of valuable conservation lands. CLCC will prioritize projects that:
- Have a closing time frame of 12 months or less.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation.
- Align with statewide land conservation goals.
- Have leveraged and/or exhausted other public and private funding sources.
Applications are accepted by invitation only. Potential applicants are required to contact Yaw Darko, CLCC’s Director of Grants and Programs, to discuss their project and determine eligibility.
Funding
: May 16, 2026
min $50K
The Land & Easement Acquisition Program (LEAP)
The Land & Easement Acquisition Program (LEAP) is designed to bridge funding gaps and accelerate the protection of valuable conservation lands. CLCC will prioritize projects that:
- Have a closing time frame of 12 months or less.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation.
- Align with statewide land conservation goals.
- Have leveraged and/or exhausted other public and private funding sources.
Funding
: Feb 2 – Mar 13, 2026
training & technical assistance
Living Shoreline Planning Series
The Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) invite coastal communities, Tribes, and non-profit organizations from across New England to apply for the Living Shoreline Planning Series, which will offer free training and technical assistance to help guide you and your team through the process of identifying and developing a conceptual design for a living shoreline. These projects will be designed to reduce erosion and coastal flooding and increase resilience with co-benefits like improving habitat and public access to coastal resources. The training and technical assistance are intended to build capacity towards designing, permitting, and implementing living shoreline projects in New England and ensure your community or organization is well positioned to secure funding to advance the project beyond the conceptual design phase.
Up to 10 applicants from across New England will be selected to participate in the Living Shoreline Planning Series, which will consist of five online learning-facilitation sessions and one in-person site visit. The Living Shoreline Planning Series is open for applications from any coastal municipality, Tribe, or non-profit organization located within New England.
Funding
: Feb 2 – Mar 13, 2026
training & technical assistance
Living Shoreline Planning Series
The Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) invite coastal communities, Tribes, and non-profit organizations from across New England to apply for the Living Shoreline Planning Series, which will offer free training and technical assistance to help guide you and your team through the process of identifying and developing a conceptual design for a living shoreline. These projects will be designed to reduce erosion and coastal flooding and increase resilience with co-benefits like improving habitat and public access to coastal resources. The training and technical assistance are intended to build capacity towards designing, permitting, and implementing living shoreline projects in New England and ensure your community or organization is well positioned to secure funding to advance the project beyond the conceptual design phase.
Data
Level of Effort:
NYC Hazard Mitigation Plan
This website contains New York City’s Federal Emergency Management Agency–mandated Hazard Mitigation Plan, which identifies natural hazard risks and vulnerabilities that are common to New York City (NYC) and long-term strategies for reducing them. It also features a Mitigation Actions Database and Map that tracks and records actions that are taken to mitigate risk from the hazards profiled in the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Data
Level of Effort:
NYC Hazard Mitigation Plan
This website contains New York City’s Federal Emergency Management Agency–mandated Hazard Mitigation Plan, which identifies natural hazard risks and vulnerabilities that are common to New York City (NYC) and long-term strategies for reducing them. It also features a Mitigation Actions Database and Map that tracks and records actions that are taken to mitigate risk from the hazards profiled in the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Funding
: Jun 16 – Jul 25, 2025
Over $2.3M available, divided by region
Connecticut Wetland In-Lieu Fee Program Grant
The Connecticut Wetland In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Program has accrued sufficient funds that are now available for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the State of Connecticut. The National Audubon Society, Inc., through its state office, Audubon Connecticut, is the “sponsor” of Connecticut’s ILF program. The program allows permittees to pay a fee in lieu of taking on mitigation themselves. Instead, local organizations like land trusts, and other environmental nonprofits, are given the opportunity to apply for and receive grant funding for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the State of Connecticut.
Restoration and enhancement projects are strongly encouraged and will likely score and rank higher than preservation projects. For restoration and enhancement projects, consultation with qualified professionals is recommended. See the Request for Letters of Intent at the link for details.
Funding
: Jun 16 – Jul 25, 2025
Over $2.3M available, divided by region
Connecticut Wetland In-Lieu Fee Program Grant
The Connecticut Wetland In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Program has accrued sufficient funds that are now available for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the State of Connecticut. The National Audubon Society, Inc., through its state office, Audubon Connecticut, is the “sponsor” of Connecticut’s ILF program. The program allows permittees to pay a fee in lieu of taking on mitigation themselves. Instead, local organizations like land trusts, and other environmental nonprofits, are given the opportunity to apply for and receive grant funding for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the State of Connecticut.
Events
Living Shoreline Learning Session
Northeast Regional Ocean Council, The Nature Conservancy, and Consensus Building Institute invite you to join us for a lunch-and-learn Living Shorelines Webinar. We look forward to sharing key insights from our recent living shorelines training workshops in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts, where we explored how site suitability, design, regulatory considerations, community outreach, and adaptation all contribute to the success of living shorelines in New England. This webinar is geared towards planners, engineers, consultants, and coastal practitioners.
Events
Living Shoreline Learning Session
Northeast Regional Ocean Council, The Nature Conservancy, and Consensus Building Institute invite you to join us for a lunch-and-learn Living Shorelines Webinar. We look forward to sharing key insights from our recent living shorelines training workshops in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts, where we explored how site suitability, design, regulatory considerations, community outreach, and adaptation all contribute to the success of living shorelines in New England. This webinar is geared towards planners, engineers, consultants, and coastal practitioners.
Funding
: Apr 2 – Oct 1, 2025
$4,000 - $40,000
The Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund
This fund of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority aims to protect water quality by acquiring watershed land and promoting environmental education. The fund partners with local land trusts, municipalities, state agencies and others to protect threatened watershed lands and protect water quality while adding value to a community’s quality of life by protecting open spaces. There are grants available for land acquisition and environmental education programs.
Projects must benefit or have a meaningful relation to the residents of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District. The District is comprised of: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby. East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Killingworth, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Prospect, Seymour, West Haven and Woodbridge. Land Acquisition Grants: for the acquisition of title, conservation easements, and/or development rights to watershed land for the purpose of protecting, preserving, and enhancing water quality now and for future generations throughout the region. Environmental Education Program Grants: for organizations providing education in the appreciation of and preservation of our environment, with particular emphasis on the understanding of our water resources, the negative impacts of development and other activities on water quality, and the benefits to water quality and the environment of preserving watershed land as open space.
Funding
: Apr 2 – Oct 1, 2025
$4,000 - $40,000
The Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund
This fund of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority aims to protect water quality by acquiring watershed land and promoting environmental education. The fund partners with local land trusts, municipalities, state agencies and others to protect threatened watershed lands and protect water quality while adding value to a community’s quality of life by protecting open spaces. There are grants available for land acquisition and environmental education programs.
Funding
: Oct 2 – Apr 1, 2025
$4,000 - $40,000
The Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund
This fund of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority aims to protect water quality by acquiring watershed land and promoting environmental education. The fund partners with local land trusts, municipalities, state agencies and others to protect threatened watershed lands and protect water quality while adding value to a community’s quality of life by protecting open spaces. There are grants available for land acquisition and environmental education programs.
Projects must benefit or have a meaningful relation to the residents of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District. The District is comprised of: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby. East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Killingworth, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Prospect, Seymour, West Haven and Woodbridge. Land Acquisition Grants: for the acquisition of title, conservation easements, and/or development rights to watershed land for the purpose of protecting, preserving, and enhancing water quality now and for future generations throughout the region. Environmental Education Program Grants: for organizations providing education in the appreciation of and preservation of our environment, with particular emphasis on the understanding of our water resources, the negative impacts of development and other activities on water quality, and the benefits to water quality and the environment of preserving watershed land as open space.
Funding
: Oct 2 – Apr 1, 2025
$4,000 - $40,000
The Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund
This fund of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority aims to protect water quality by acquiring watershed land and promoting environmental education. The fund partners with local land trusts, municipalities, state agencies and others to protect threatened watershed lands and protect water quality while adding value to a community’s quality of life by protecting open spaces. There are grants available for land acquisition and environmental education programs.
Funding
: Mar 1 – Apr 1, 2026
$50K - $500K (or 30% of appraised value)
The Land & Easement Acquisition Program (LEAP) March-April
The Land & Easement Acquisition Program (LEAP) is designed to bridge funding gaps and accelerate the protection of valuable conservation lands. CLCC will prioritize projects that:
- Have a closing time frame of 12 months or less.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation.
- Align with statewide land conservation goals.
- Have leveraged and/or exhausted other public and private funding sources.
Applications are accepted by invitation only. Potential applicants are required to contact Yaw Darko, CLCC’s Director of Grants and Programs, to discuss their project and determine eligibility.
Funding
: Mar 1 – Apr 1, 2026
$50K - $500K (or 30% of appraised value)
The Land & Easement Acquisition Program (LEAP) March-April
The Land & Easement Acquisition Program (LEAP) is designed to bridge funding gaps and accelerate the protection of valuable conservation lands. CLCC will prioritize projects that:
- Have a closing time frame of 12 months or less.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation.
- Align with statewide land conservation goals.
- Have leveraged and/or exhausted other public and private funding sources.
Funding
: Jul 1 – Sep 1, 2025
$50K - $500K (or 30% of appraised value)
The Land Capital Grant Program – Round 4
The Land Capital Grant Program (LCG) is designed to bridge funding gaps and accelerate the protection of valuable conservation lands. CLCC will prioritize projects that:
- Have a closing time frame of 12 months or less.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation.
- Align with statewide land conservation goals.
- Have leveraged and/or exhausted other public and private funding sources.
Applications are accepted by invitation only. Potential applicants are required to contact Yaw Darko, CLCC’s Director of Grants and Programs, to discuss their project and determine eligibility.
Funding
: Jul 1 – Sep 1, 2025
$50K - $500K (or 30% of appraised value)
The Land Capital Grant Program – Round 4
The Land Capital Grant Program (LCG) is designed to bridge funding gaps and accelerate the protection of valuable conservation lands. CLCC will prioritize projects that:
- Have a closing time frame of 12 months or less.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation.
- Align with statewide land conservation goals.
- Have leveraged and/or exhausted other public and private funding sources.
Funding
: May 1 – Jul 1, 2025
$50K - $500K (or 30% of appraised value)
The Land Capital Grant Program – Round 3
The Land Capital Grant Program (LCG) is designed to bridge funding gaps and accelerate the protection of valuable conservation lands. CLCC will prioritize projects that:
- Have a closing time frame of 12 months or less.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation.
- Align with statewide land conservation goals.
- Have leveraged and/or exhausted other public and private funding sources.
Applications are accepted by invitation only. Potential applicants are required to contact Yaw Darko, CLCC’s Director of Grants and Programs, to discuss their project and determine eligibility.
Funding
: May 1 – Jul 1, 2025
$50K - $500K (or 30% of appraised value)
The Land Capital Grant Program – Round 3
The Land Capital Grant Program (LCG) is designed to bridge funding gaps and accelerate the protection of valuable conservation lands. CLCC will prioritize projects that:
- Have a closing time frame of 12 months or less.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation.
- Align with statewide land conservation goals.
- Have leveraged and/or exhausted other public and private funding sources.
Funding
: Mar 1 – May 1, 2025
$50K - $500K (or 30% of appraised value)
The Land Capital Grant Program – Round 2
The Land Capital Grant Program (LCG) is designed to bridge funding gaps and accelerate the protection of valuable conservation lands. CLCC will prioritize projects that:
- Have a closing time frame of 12 months or less.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation.
- Align with statewide land conservation goals.
- Have leveraged and/or exhausted other public and private funding sources.
Applications are accepted by invitation only. Potential applicants are required to contact Yaw Darko, CLCC’s Director of Grants and Programs, to discuss their project and determine eligibility.
Funding
: Mar 1 – May 1, 2025
$50K - $500K (or 30% of appraised value)
The Land Capital Grant Program – Round 2
The Land Capital Grant Program (LCG) is designed to bridge funding gaps and accelerate the protection of valuable conservation lands. CLCC will prioritize projects that:
- Have a closing time frame of 12 months or less.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation.
- Align with statewide land conservation goals.
- Have leveraged and/or exhausted other public and private funding sources.
Funding
: Jan 1 – Mar 1, 2025
$50K - $500K (or 30% of appraised value)
The Land Capital Grant Program – Round 1
The Land Capital Grant Program (LCG) is designed to bridge funding gaps and accelerate the protection of valuable conservation lands. CLCC will prioritize projects that:
- Have a closing time frame of 12 months or less.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation.
- Align with statewide land conservation goals.
- Have leveraged and/or exhausted other public and private funding sources.
Applications are accepted by invitation only. Potential applicants are required to contact Yaw Darko, CLCC’s Director of Grants and Programs, to discuss their project and determine eligibility.
Funding
: Jan 1 – Mar 1, 2025
$50K - $500K (or 30% of appraised value)
The Land Capital Grant Program – Round 1
The Land Capital Grant Program (LCG) is designed to bridge funding gaps and accelerate the protection of valuable conservation lands. CLCC will prioritize projects that:
- Have a closing time frame of 12 months or less.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation.
- Align with statewide land conservation goals.
- Have leveraged and/or exhausted other public and private funding sources.