Resources for

Training

Training

In Spring 2025 the SRC Team hosted funding workshops on Long Island, NY and New Haven, CT.

2nd Annual SRC Funding Workshop – Connecticut

A group of seven people seated around a round table with papers, pens, and beverages. The room is a large hall and several other similar groups are in the background. There is also a screen with a projected presentation all the way in the back of the room.

The Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) team hosted the 2nd Annual Connecticut Regional Funding Workshop on Monday, March 31, 2025 to provide information on funding opportunities to support sustainability and resilience-focused projects. Attendees heard from program officers representing various local, state, and regional funding organizations and were able to engage in discussions with funders and assistance programs to explore project ideas and ways to improve funding applications. A panel of successful awardees shared their experiences and strategies. Attendees also worked through the guidance in the SRC Resilience Planning Guide. The workshop is intended for municipal officials and staff, nonprofits, community organizations, and other groups interested in planning and implementing projects that advance the sustainability and resilience of Long Island Sound communities.

Connecticut State
Planning
Funding/Grants
Long Island Sound Study logo Connecticut Sea Grant logo

Training

In Spring 2025 the SRC team hosted funding workshops on Long Island, NY and New Haven, CT.

2nd Annual SRC Funding Workshop – Long Island, NY

Attendees hear from panel of successful awardees at LI Funding Workshop.

The Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) team hosted the 2nd Annual Long Island Regional Funding Workshop on March 27, 2025 to provide information on funding opportunities to support sustainability and resilience-focused projects. Attendees heard from program officers representing 35 local, state, and Long Island Sound funding organizations and were able to engage in discussions with funders to explore project ideas and ways to improve funding applications and worked through guidance in the Resilience Planning Guide. Attendees also heard from a panel of successful awardees about their experiences and strategies.

New York State
Funding/Grants
Sea Grant NY Long Island Sound Study logo

Training

This field trip was part of a Community Resilience Project Showcase leading up to the 2024 Annual SRC Workshop.

Hamden Bioretention Project Tour & Workshop

A group of people dressed in warm coats and hats stand on a grassy hillside overlooking a small pond and field. There are trees in the distance.On December 5, 2024, the Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) team of the Long Island Sound Study hosted a field trip featuring the Town of Hamden’s Bioretention Project – the largest municipally owned rain garden in the state! Participants began with a guided tour of the rain garden and bioretention areas at Town Center Park, where they heard from project planners and managers about its history, partnerships, challenges, and maintenance. Following this, participants gathered at the Hamden Government Center for a working lunch and presentations on topics including UConn’s Stormwater Corps, native plants, project engineering, and using nature-based solutions to advance climate resilience goals. The day concluded with a lively group discussion. Special thanks to our partners with the Town of Hamden, Save the Sound, the Hamden Land Trust, and UConn Extension.

Photo credit: Judy Benson

Connecticut State
Flooding
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Green Infrastructure
Save the Sound Connecticut Sea Grant logo Long Island Sound Study logo

Training

Land Use Leadership Alliance (LULA)Training Program – Fall 2024

With funding from Long Island Sound Study and support from New York Sea Grant’s Sustainable and Resilient Communities Extension Professionals, Pace University’s Land Use Law Center brought its award-winning Land Use Leadership Alliance Training Program to Suffolk and Nassau municipalities within the Long Island Sound watershed. The training program consisted of three full-day workshops held in Hauppauge, NY that focused on the land use system, innovative approaches to sea level rise adaptation, hazard mitigation, and natural resource protection to strengthen community planning, regulation, and informed decision-making. 28 municipal staff and community leaders, representing 18 different Long Island Sound communities, completed the Program. Program graduates gained new networks of support, identified successful land use techniques, and developed implementation plans that will enable a more resilient future for their community and the Long Island Sound region.

The program comprised three full-day sessions on September 27, October 4, and October 18, 2024 at the Suffolk County Water Authority Education Center, 260 Motor Parkway in Hauppauge, NY.  

If you are interested in learning more and participating in a future LULA training, please email lisresilience@gmail.com.

New York State
Land Use
Sea Level Rise
Planning
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement

Training

3rd Annual SRC Workshop: Session 3 – Planning for Inundation

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team held our 2024 Annual Workshop virtually as three sessions over two days. Session topics focused on our assistance programs, new regional resilience resources and tools, and a discussion on planning for inundation and different considerations communities may face.

Session 3 – Planning for Inundation was held on Wednesday, December 11th from 10 AM-12 PM. Participants heard from communities and regional entities that are using or considering different aspects of planning for inundation, including buyout programs, land use policies, and community perspectives on retreat/relocation.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Economic Impacts
Incentive Programs
Planning
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Long Island Sound Study logo Connecticut Sea Grant logo Sea Grant NY

Training

3rd Annual SRC Workshop: Session 2 – Resilience Tools

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team held our 2024 Annual Workshop virtually as three sessions over two days. Session topics focused on our assistance programs, new regional resilience resources and tools, and a discussion on planning for inundation and different considerations communities may face.

Session 2 – Resilience Tools was held on Tuesday, December 10th from 1:30-3:30 PM. Participants learned about new Resilience Tools being developed and used throughout coastal Long Island Sound.

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Planning
Recreation & Access
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Green Infrastructure
Long Island Sound Study logo Sea Grant NY Connecticut Sea Grant logo

Training

3rd Annual SRC Workshop: Session 1 – SRC Resilience Assistance Programs

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team held our 2024 Annual Workshop virtually as three sessions over two days. Session topics focused on our assistance programs, new regional resilience resources and tools, and a discussion on planning for inundation and different considerations communities may face.

Session 1 – SRC Resilience Assistance Programs was held on Tuesday, December 10th from 10-11:30 AM. Participants learned about our Sustainable and Resilient Communities resilience assistance programs and heard from communities who have successfully utilized them to advance resilience project plans, build capacity, and secure competitive grant funding!

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Planning
Recreation & Access
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Green Infrastructure
Long Island Sound Study logo Sea Grant NY Connecticut Sea Grant logo

Training

Nassau County Coastal Resilience Forum & Field Trip

On October 28, 2024, state and local decision makers, municipal staff, and other interested parties working to address coastal issues gathered at the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy in Sands Point, NY to identify opportunities to increase resilience, learn about best practices, and enhance coordination across communities. There were presentations on the Long Island Sound Resilience Resource Hub & Assistance Programs, NYSDEC Office of Climate Change updates, marsh conservation planning, bluff management and restoration, and nature-based solutions to increase shoreline resilience. There was also a guided walking tour of the resilience projects at Sands Point Preserve.

The event is hosted by Long Island Sound Study and New York Sea Grant, in partnership with the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy and Nassau and Suffolk Soil and Water Conservation Districts.   

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Planning
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands
Long Island Sound Study logo Sea Grant NY Nassau Coastal Erosion Forum

Training

Suffolk County Coastal Resilience Forum & Field Trip

On October 29, 2024, state and local decision makers, municipal staff, and other interested parties working to address coastal issues gathered at the Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp in Riverhead, NY to identify opportunities to increase resilience, learn about best practices, and enhance coordination across communities. There were presentations on the Long Island Sound Resilience Resource Hub, NYSDEC Climate Office updates, marsh conservation planning, bluff management and restoration, and nature-based solutions to increase shoreline resilience. There was also a field trip to Iron Pier Beach/Maidstone Landing to view and learn about a community bluff restoration project.

This event was hosted by Long Island Sound Study and New York Sea Grant, in partnership with Nassau and Suffolk Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Nassau CCE, and Maidstone Landing. 

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Planning
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands
Long Island Sound Study logo Sea Grant NY Suffolk SWCD Cornell Cooperative Extension

Training

In Spring 2024 the SRC team hosted funding workshops in eastern CT, western CT, Westchester NY, and Long Island NY.

SRC Regional Funding Workshop – Long Island, NY

The Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) team hosted a regional workshop on March 28, 2024, on Long Island, NY to provide information on funding opportunities to support sustainability and resilience projects. Attendees heard from program officers representing various local, state, and Long Island Sound funding organizations and were able to engage in discussions with funders to explore project ideas and ways to improve funding applications. Attendees also heard from a panel of successful awardees about their experiences and strategies.

New York State
Funding/Grants
Sea Grant NY Long Island Sound Study logo

Training

In Spring 2024 the SRC team hosted funding workshops in eastern CT, western CT, Westchester NY, and Long Island NY.

SRC Regional Funding Workshop – Western CT

The Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) team held this Regional Funding Workshop for Western Connecticut at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, CT. Attendees learned about resilience planning steps and resources, heard from state and local funding organizations, learned about environmental justice considerations, discussed questions with a panel of recent awardees, and had the opportunity to participate in roundtables to strategize improving their applications. 

Connecticut State
Funding/Grants
Connecticut Sea Grant logo Long Island Sound Study logo

Training

In Spring 2024 the SRC team hosted funding workshops in eastern CT, western CT, Westchester NY, and Long Island NY.

SRC Regional Funding Workshop – Eastern CT

The Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) team held this Regional Funding

Workshop for Eastern Connecticut at UConn Avery Point in Groton, CT. Attendees learned about resilience planning steps and resources, heard from state and local funding organizations, learned about environmental justice considerations, discussed questions with a panel of recent awardees, and had the opportunity to participate in roundtables to strategize improving their applications. 

Connecticut State
Funding/Grants
Connecticut Sea Grant logo Long Island Sound Study logo

Training

SRC Annual Bi-State Workshop 2023

The second annual Long Island Sound Bi-State Sustainable and Resilient Communities Workshop brought together nearly 200 people virtually on Dec. 7, 2023 to learn about a new Long Island Sound Resilience Resource Hub (launching in early 2024), hear from communities and groups around the Sound working on resilience planning, and consider pathways for updating codes and ordinances. Videos of the workshop’s six sessions are available on YouTube. They can be accessed below along with supporting documents.

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Sea Level Rise
Economic Impacts
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Incentive Programs
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Green Infrastructure
Long Island Sound Study logo Connecticut Sea Grant logo Sea Grant NY

Training

LIS Resilience Planning Support Program & Updated Grant Writing Assistance Program Webinar – 2023

The programs covered in this webinar were developed by the Sustainable and Resilient Communities Extension Professional team to assist with the development of sustainability and resilience focused projects that will impact a community or communities within or partially within the Long Island Sound coastal boundary. On Oct. 16, 2023 a new LIS Resilience Planning Support Program in addition to a second round of the Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program were made available for municipalities and community organizations. These separate programs (Track 1 and Track 2) are supported by funding from the U.S. EPA through the Long Island Sound Study and administered through New York Sea Grant and Connecticut Sea Grant.

New York State
Connecticut State
Planning
Funding/Grants
Long Island Sound Study logo Connecticut Sea Grant logo Sea Grant NY

Training

Long Island Sound Coastal Erosion Forum- Nassau County

Held at Locust Valley Library in Nassau County on May 4, 2023, this forum brought together state and local decision makers and other stakeholders, working to address coastal erosion along the Long Island Sound shoreline. Panelists highlighted strategies and options to address coastal erosion, discussed the Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas Program, local codes, updated New York State sea level rise projections and more. During small group discussions, attendees discussed challenges and identified opportunities to increase resilience, all in an effort to enhance coordination across communities. This forum was hosted by New York Sea Grant and Long Island Sound Study, in partnership with Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District.

New York State
Erosion
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations
Long Island Sound Study logo Sea Grant NY Nassau Coastal Erosion Forum

Training

Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund Trainings

The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) is a partnership between Restore America’s Estuaries, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS). The purpose of LISCIF is to build capacity for organizations located in communities affected by disproportionate environmental and human health risks. The purpose of the LISCIF is to provide technical and financial assistance to communities and improve the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound. The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund seeks to increase organizational capacity through training that supports day-to-day operations, project implementation, and future funding opportunities.

New York State
Connecticut State
Environmental Health Hazards
Recreation & Access
Funding/Grants
Community Engagement
Restore America's Estuaries Long Island Sound Study logo

Training

Long Island Sound Coastal Erosion Forum- Suffolk County

Held at Port Jefferson Village Center in Suffolk County on May 10, 2023, this forum brought together state and local decision makers and other stakeholders, working to address coastal erosion along the Long Island Sound shoreline. Panelists highlighted strategies and options to address coastal erosion, discussed the Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas Program, local codes, updated New York State sea level rise projections and more. During small group discussions, attendees discussed challenges and identified opportunities to increase resilience, all in an effort to enhance coordination across communities. This forum was hosted by New York Sea Grant and Long Island Sound Study, in partnership with Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District and Suffolk County Legislators Sarah Anker, Stephanie Bontempi, Kara Hahn, and Al Krupski.

New York State
Erosion
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations
Suffolk SWCD Suffolk County Long Island Sound Study logo Sea Grant NY

Training

Developing Conservation Plans for New York’s Long Island Sound Marsh Complexes

These webinars were presented by NEIWPCC, Long Island Sound Study, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The webinars introduced the Marsh Interactive Fate Viewer, discussed the process of creating marsh conservation plans for Westchester County and Mattituck Creek (Suffolk County) in 2021, and laid the groundwork for developing additional marsh conservation plans over the course of 2023.

New York State
Habitat
Sea Level Rise
Wetlands
NEIW PCC Long Island Sound Study logo NYSDEC

Training

Steps to Resilience

This online information session held Sept. 19, and repeated Sept. 21, provides an introduction to resilience planning in the Long Island Sound region. It includes discussions on local climate impacts and projections, resilience planning strategies, and climate certification programs for both New York and Connecticut municipalities. In addition to the main presentation, videos of the Connecticut and New York breakout sessions can be accessed below. The presentations and other resource materials are available here.

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Incentive Programs
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure
Long Island Sound Study logo Sea Grant NY Connecticut Sea Grant logo The Sustainability Institute Sustainable CT Cameron Engineering

Training

Reimagining Long Island Lawns: Eco-Friendly Practices

On July 18th, 2023 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and NY Sea Grant hosted a free public webinar to share more about what steps homeowners can take in their own yards to protect and improve Long Island waters! Featured experts from New York Sea Grant, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection, Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk County, and Rewild Long Island discussed smart fertilizer practices, water conservation, and native plantings.

New York State
Habitat
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Long Island Sound Study logo Sea Grant NY NYSDEC

Training

Expanding the Benefit-Cost Analysis for Nature-Based Solutions

On Thursday, June 15, Save the Sound, Connecticut Sea Grant, New York Sea Grant, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and Earth Economics hosted an invite-only workshop, “Expanding the Benefit-Cost Analysis for Nature-Based Solutions,” which was attended by more than 50 professionals from federal and state agencies, municipalities, environmental NGOs, and engineering firms.
The workshop reviewed the results of an effort by Save the Sound and Earth Economics to identify opportunities for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal agencies and funders to improve the ability of benefit-cost analysis tools to account for ecosystem-based benefits. See here for the associated report, Expanding FEMA’s Benefit Cost Analysis: Chittenden Living Shoreline Case Study (published June 2023).

New York State
Connecticut State
Nature-based Solutions
Economic Impacts
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Save the Sound Connecticut Sea Grant logo Sea Grant NY

Training

SRC Annual Bi-State Workshop 2022

The first annual Long Island Sound Bi-State Sustainable and Resilient Communities Workshop brought together more than 260 people virtually on Dec. 1, 2022 to learn about opportunities to increase the resilience of the Sound’s communities to climate change and other environmental threats. Interactive sessions included opportunities to learn more about the SRC Extension Professionals’ needs assessment findings and recommendations, the newly released Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program, and tips for success with Long Island Sound funding opportunities. Concurrent breakout sessions highlighted the work of partners related to shoreline planning and implementation, using green infrastructure for stormwater management, sustainable climate planning for relocation, and new sustainability/resilience tools available in both New York and Connecticut. Videos of the workshop’s six sessions are available on YouTube. They can be accessed below along with supporting documents.

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure
Long Island Sound Study logo Connecticut Sea Grant logo Sea Grant NY

Training

Navigating Grant Funding: Municipal Success Stories

In this webinar hosted by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, participants learned about successful strategies to access and manage NYS grant funding from their peers. Municipalities shared information such as; how they access grant funds, what barriers they’ve had to overcome, lessons learned, the skill sets needed, and who are the key players necessary to access grant funding. View the recording to see how you can access grant funding.

New York State
Funding/Grants
NYSDEC

Training

MyCoast New York

In this Coastal Resiliency Network webinar, Jess Kuonen from NY Sea Grant presents on MyCoast New York, a portal used to collect and analyze photos of changing water levels, shorelines, and hazardous weather impacts across New York’s varied coasts and water bodies. Additionally, Nelson Vaz from the National Weather Service – NY shared the National Weather Service Coastal Flood Webpage resources and the benefits of collecting local impact information from sources such as MyCoast NY. The Coastal Resilience Network, led by the New York State Association of Conservation Commissions (NYSACC) with assistance from NY Sea Grant, is a collaborative open forum for communities in coastal Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties to discuss and learn about opportunities to increase their resilience to sea level rise, flooding, and extreme events.

New York State
Flooding
Sea Level Rise
Extreme Weather & Storms
Coastal Resiliency Network Coastal Resiliency Network Sea Grant NY

Training

Living Shorelines

In this Coastal Resiliency Network webinar Suzette Lopane with Westchester County and Marian Russo with the Village of Patchogue spoke about two exciting living shoreline projects. The Coastal Resilience Network, led by the New York State Association of Conservation Commissions (NYSACC) with assistance from NY Sea Grant, is a collaborative open forum for communities in coastal Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties to discuss and learn about opportunities to increase their resilience to sea level rise, flooding, and extreme events.

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Extreme Weather & Storms
Coastal Resiliency Network Coastal Resiliency Network Sea Grant NY

Training

Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs: Challenges and Opportunities

In this Coastal Resiliency Network webinar, Barbara Kendall from the NYS Department of State provides an overview of Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs (LWRP) and then representatives from four NYS coastal communities discuss their experiences developing and implementing their LWRPs. The Coastal Resilience Network, led by the New York State Association of Conservation Commissions (NYSACC) with assistance from NY Sea Grant, is a collaborative open forum for communities in coastal Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties to discuss and learn about opportunities to increase their resilience to sea level rise, flooding, and extreme events.

New York State
Flooding
Land Use
Sea Level Rise
Recreation & Access
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations
Coastal Resiliency Network Coastal Resiliency Network Sea Grant NY

Training

Developing a Coastal Assessment Resiliency Plan

In this Coastal Resiliency Network webinar, Samantha Klein, Environmental Analyst for the Town of East Hampton, discusses her experience in paving the way to a more resilient East Hampton with the development of their CARP (Coastal Assessment Resiliency Plan). She focuses on lessons learned, funding, and providing guidance on how to get started creating your own CARP. The Coastal Resilience Network, led by the New York State Association of Conservation Commissions (NYSACC) with assistance from NY Sea Grant, is a collaborative open forum for communities in coastal Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties to discuss and learn about opportunities to increase their resilience to sea level rise, flooding, and extreme events.

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Land Use
Sea Level Rise
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations
Coastal Resiliency Network Coastal Resiliency Network Sea Grant NY

Resilience Steps

Connect

LISS
EPA Sea Grant New York Sea Grant Connecticut