Community Engagement

The Municipal Assistance Program (MAP) is now accepting applications for the Spring 2026 cycle. This opportunity is open to all New England communities, and selected applicants will receive free technical assistance from UConn’s Technical Assistance for Brownfields (TAB) program. Support is provided through graduate students and faculty in the UConn Brownfield Redevelopment course, giving communities access to high quality research, planning tools, and redevelopment guidance at no cost.

Connecticut’s Severe Weather Mitigation and Resiliency Advisory Council was created to help the state better prepare for the growing risks of hurricanes, flooding, and other severe weather events. According to the Council and the CT Insurance Department, many Connecticut homes especially older buildings or houses in coastal and urban areas are highly vulnerable to wind and flood damage. The Council’s final report explains that severe weather is becoming more expensive for families, and many residents lack the insurance or financial resources to recover after storms. To address this, the Council recommends strengthening partnerships with programs like Energize CT, Habitat for Humanity, and the CT Green Bank, and promoting upgrades such as IBHS Fortified™ roofs, which can reduce damage from high winds. They also emphasize the need for public education about flood risk, insurance awareness, and preparedness, along with long-term actions like statewide grant programs, tax credits, and expanded training for contractors and evaluators. Together, these efforts aim to help Connecticut residents protect their homes, reduce storm damage, and build a safer, more resilient future.

You can view the complete Final Report (2025) in PDF format

The “Funding and Financing Coastal Resilience” webinar series from the NOAA Office for Coastal Management offers a comprehensive foundation for understanding how coastal resilience projects are funded and financed. These 30- to 45-minute recorded sessions break down complex approaches into accessible lessons, featuring experts who share real world examples, emerging strategies like environmental impact bonds and tax-increment financing, and ways to overcome common obstacles to funding such work. As a resource, the series is ideal if you’re looking to generate ideas, explore different financing pathways, and build your capacity to access and manage funding for nature-based or infrastructure-driven resilience efforts.

The Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) provides funding, expertise, training, and other resources to help communities advance climate resilience plans and projects, with a focus on frontline and climate-vulnerable communities. Funding supports activities such as risk and vulnerability assessments, community engagement, project prioritization, and early implementation actions.

Applicants must apply as a partnership that includes a community-based organization, a local, regional, or Tribal government entity, and an adaptation practitioner. Communities without an established practitioner may access the Registry of Adaptation Practitioners to identify partners.

An informational webinar will be held on November 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET. Program details are available at climatesmartcommunity.org

Explore a range of tools and guidance to support climate adaptation planning through EPA New England’s Resilience and Adaptation in New England (RAINE) initiative, which supports users in exploring climate resilience planning across the New England. These resources include more than 1,200 climate adaptation plans. Practitioners can use the Featured Locations Interactive Map to view climate action examples or explore additional climate visualization platforms through the Mapping Climate Change Impacts Tools page. The database also highlights Tribal Climate Adaptation Resources, featuring plans from federally recognized tribes in New England. Users can view recorded webinars and trainings for technical guidance.

The GSI Impact Hub is an interactive platform that provides tools, research, and data to help communities plan and evaluate green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) projects. GSI uses natural systems like plants, soil, and stone to manage stormwater on-site reducing flooding, improving water quality, and creating healthier, more resilient neighborhoods. The Hub includes a benefits calculator, educational resources, and guidance to support city planners, advocates, and policymakers in designing projects that maximize environmental, social, and economic benefits.

Explore the GSI Impact Calculator, Detailed Resource Library, and Project Background to better understand how GSI can reduce flooding, improve water quality, and build climate-resilient neighborhoods.

LIS Resilience Planning Support Program: New Round Available & Showcase of Completed Projects

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities Team is excited to announce that for our 2025 Annual Workshop we are holding a series of three virtual sessions over two days focused on resources and tools available to help in taking advantage of state resilience funds, a panel discussion on why and how to incorporate nature-based solutions into resilience planning, and an overview of our available assistance programs.

Join us on Friday, December 5 from 10-11:30 AM to learn about the Long Island Sound Resilience Planning Support Program. This assistance opportunity has been available to communities on a yearly basis since Fall 2023, and the next round will open on December 1, 2025 – so this is your chance to get all the details! This session will also feature communities who received support through the first round, who will share about their experience and planned next steps.

More information, including panelist bios, will be provided to all registrants closer to the Workshop.

Using Nature-Based Solutions for Resilience: A Panel Discussion on Common Challenges & Strategies for Success

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities Team is excited to announce that for our 2025 Annual Workshop we are holding a series of three virtual sessions over two days focused on resources and tools available to help in taking advantage of state resilience funds, a panel discussion on why and how to incorporate nature-based solutions into resilience planning, and an overview of our available assistance programs.

Join us on Thursday, December 4 from 1-3 PM to learn why and how to incorporate nature-based solutions into resilience planning and projects. This interactive session will feature communities and practitioners who have encountered challenges and found success using nature-based solutions in the Long Island Sound region.

More information, including panelist bios, will be provided to all registrants closer to the Workshop.

Resilience 101: Helpful Tools & Strategies for Building Community Resilience

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities Team is excited to announce that for our 2025 Annual Workshop we are holding a series of three virtual sessions over two days focused on resources and tools available to help in taking advantage of state resilience funds, a panel discussion on why and how to incorporate nature-based solutions into resilience planning, and an overview of our available assistance programs.

Join us on Thursday, December 4 from 10 AM-12 PM to learn more about resilience planning basics, including local climate impacts and projections, state climate certification programs, and available tools & resources.

More information, including panelist bios, will be provided to all registrants closer to the Workshop.

The Long Island Watershed Action Agenda is a clear-cut blueprint for water quality improvements, aquatic habitat conservation, groundwater protection, and the public engagement necessary to ensure success for the surface, coastal, and ground waters of Nassau and Suffolk counties. The Long Island Watershed Action Agenda is an evolution of the success of the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP) and will expand the scope of its work beyond nitrogen reduction.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is accepting applications for the next round of the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund (DCRF). DEEP is making available up to $44 million in state and federal funds to support planning, project advancement, and construction to help Connecticut’s communities build resilience to extreme weather. The current Notice of Funding Opportunity opens the next application period for Planning (resilience planning) and Advancement (project design) and introduces a Deployment (project implementation) category that includes an expanded matching funds program and a Request for Proposals for the construction of energy resilience infrastructure.

This year, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s Recreational Trails Program will make up to $1 million available for trail projects. All projects utilizing CT Recreational Trails Grant funds must be accessible to the public. Grant amounts vary and will depend upon the availability of currently uncommitted state funds.

Shoreline erosion problems had been noted at Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye, NY in the early 2000s, and after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and subsequent storms, it was clear there was a need for restoration. Westchester County decided to create a 900 foot living shoreline in order to restore the shoreline, reduce erosion, and support aquatic life in Long Island Sound. The project, designed by SLR, used two types of structures – boulder sills and reef balls – to slow wave action and provide aquatic habitat. A total of 43 reef balls were installed along with 40 types of native grasses, shrubs, and trees to further stabilize the shoreline. Additional native ecotype-specific plantings will be added periodically throughout the next five years of monitoring (2025-2030).

The South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) has created an interactive data dashboard. This dashboard allows users to explore, visualize, and download regional data to support informed decision-making. Scroll down on the page and use the left/right arrows to access the information and visualizations.

CT DEEP recently released a new tool allowing users to search for DEEP financial assistance programs based on a variety of parameters such as eligibility requirements, grant cycle status, project types, and more. This resource and offers “one-stop shopping” for many DEEP funding opportunities.

The Funders Network (TFN) has launched a new pilot funding opportunity that will leverage infrastructure funds to train and expand career pathways for local workers in critical industries. The Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative is aimed at supporting communities with investments and technical expertise to effectively implement equitable infrastructure projects. This funding is not for the physical infrastructure itself, but for the human infrastructure needed to create meaningful collaborations and center community engagement.

National Geographic Society is seeking to fund impactful projects driving science-based solutions to the growing threat of extreme weather events and natural hazards such as wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, droughts, floods, heatwaves and severe storms. Projects should aim to increase adaptability and resilience to these events and demonstrate tangible positive impacts on people and nature. Successful projects will demonstrate sufficient engagement with relevant stakeholders to ensure that project development and implementation are carried out for at-risk human communities and natural systems. Proposals for both new and ongoing projects will be considered. We encourage projects in regions most vulnerable to extreme weather events and natural hazards, as well as regions that currently have limited capacity for research and implementation.

Restore America’s Estuaries is excited to announce the third round of funding for the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund. Up to $1,200,000 in competitive funding will be awarded to support projects in New York and Connecticut in 2026. The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) is a partnership among Restore America’s Estuaries, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Long Island Sound Partnership. The purpose of LISCIF is to provide technical and financial assistance to communities for addressing environmental issues and to improve the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound.

Join us at the Long Island Sound Suffolk County Coastal Resilience Forum for an opportunity to connect, learn and be inspired! 

Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (rain or shine)

Time: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Location: Port Jefferson Village Center (101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson , NY 11777)

Register by September 30. Contact elizabeth.hornstein@cornell.edu for more information. 

This forum will bring together state and local decision makers, municipal staff, and other interested parties working to address coastal issues to share information on best practices, identify opportunities to increase resilience, and enhance coordination across communities. Participants will hear from NY state, regional, and local partners about resilience initiatives and learn about new tools and resources. We will end the forum with a walking tour of Port Jefferson Village to hear about the Village’s resilience initiatives, successes, and challenges.

View the DRAFT AGENDA.

The event is free. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. 

Please note, most parking lots in the Village have metered parking. We can reimburse travel expenses and parking fees, up to $150/person (for those that do not have travel budgets through their employers) on a first come first serve basis. 

This event is hosted by Long Island Sound Partnership and New York Sea Grant, in partnership with Nassau & Suffolk Soil and Water Conservation District.  

*The event is intended as a learning experience for adults 18 years of age or older. 

Click here to register for the Nassau County Coastal Resilience Forum (October 9, 2025) or other events happening during Long Island Sound Coastal Resilience Month! 

Join the Long Island Sound Partnership for a special event celebrating 40 years of conservation! The day will feature free boat trips with Project Oceanology, games, touch tanks, art workshops, hands-on science, and more. This event is free and open to the public, but spots are limited for certain activities. Please register at the link provided.

Cost: Free. Lunch and refreshments provided. Free parking.

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.

Offered through the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF), the Management Center (TMC) will host an online “Managing Projects” training for the region. This training will focus on approaches, practices, and tools to manage complex projects equitably and toward excellent results. The concepts are grounded in the challenges of managing projects on a team in a non-profit context. Participants are encouraged to come with a project you are currently managing to workshop during the sessions. Note that this is a two-day workshop, running from 12:00pm – 3:00pm on August 18th and 19th.

Offered through the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF), the Management Center (TMC) will host an online “Managing Projects” training for the region. This training will focus on approaches, practices, and tools to manage complex projects equitably and toward excellent results. The concepts are grounded in the challenges of managing projects on a team in a non-profit context. Participants are encouraged to come with a project you are currently managing to workshop during the sessions. Note that this is a two-day workshop, running from 12:00pm – 3:00pm on August 18th and 19th.

The CO2 Foundation funds innovative smaller-scale projects that can accomplish a lot in a short timeframe, which might otherwise fall through the cracks. They seek proposals to support timely interventions for extreme weather and/or prepare communities for the impacts of a rapidly changing climate system.

The Connecticut Town Profiles is a project of CTData Collaborative in partnership with AdvanceCT (formerly the Connecticut Economic Resource Center). The Connecticut Town Profiles are two-page reports of demographic and economic information for Connecticut’s municipalities, regions, and the state as a whole. They contain information about population, major employers, education, fiscal information, labor force, housing and quality of life.

The Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) will foster economic development in historically underserved communities across Connecticut. CIF will provide a total of up to $875 million to eligible municipalities as well as not-for-profit organizations and community development corporations that operate within them.

The Trees for Communities Grant Program supports urban forestry projects that will increase tree cover or contribute to other urban forestry objectives such as improvement of forest health or utilization of urban wood in communities of need. Recent awardee projects can be found here: Urban and Community Forestry Grant Accomplishments.

The Long Island Coastal Bioblitz will take place August 10-16. Start your week off logging plants and animals with experts and friends at Blydenburgh County Park.

Community Science LI (CSLI) is an annual educational webinar series that highlights various community science opportunities around Long Island, and the importance of those projects in supporting local wildlife conservation efforts. CSLI is hosted by Seatuck together with partners in the Long Island Sound Study, NY Sea Grant, Peconic Estuary Partnership, South Shore Estuary Reserve, and the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area.

Join us for a nature walk at beautiful Coindre Hall Park and help us look out for invasive species! The event will kick off with a walk led by expert naturalists who will share information about the park, some of the invasive species found there, and how everyone can help manage invasives to protect these habitats just while going out for a stroll. During the walk, we’ll point out some species along the way, so we recommend having the apps iMap Invasives and Seek on your phone! After the walk, we will conduct an invasive species pull where attendees are invited to help us remove invasive plants from the park. 

Community Science LI (CSLI) is an annual educational webinar series that highlights various community science opportunities around Long Island, and the importance of those projects in supporting local wildlife conservation efforts. CSLI is hosted by Seatuck together with partners in the Long Island Sound Study, NY Sea Grant, Peconic Estuary Partnership, South Shore Estuary Reserve, and the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area.

Learn how to identify and document local species, spot invasives, and support conservation efforts!

Community Science LI (CSLI) is an annual educational webinar series that highlights various community science opportunities around Long Island, and the importance of those projects in supporting local wildlife conservation efforts. CSLI is hosted by Seatuck together with partners in the Long Island Sound Study, NY Sea Grant, Peconic Estuary Partnership, South Shore Estuary Reserve, and the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area.

Emerging invasive plants are spreading across Long Island, threatening native ecosystems. Discover key species and how to report them.

Community Science LI (CSLI) is an annual educational webinar series that highlights various community science opportunities around Long Island, and the importance of those projects in supporting local wildlife conservation efforts. CSLI is hosted by Seatuck together with partners in the Long Island Sound Study, NY Sea Grant, Peconic Estuary Partnership, South Shore Estuary Reserve, and the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area.

Water Chestnut is an invasive aquatic plant that spreads rapidly, choking waterways, and harming native species. Join this webinar to learn about management efforts.

Community Science LI (CSLI) is an annual educational webinar series that highlights various community science opportunities around Long Island, and the importance of those projects in supporting local wildlife conservation efforts. CSLI is hosted by Seatuck together with partners in the Long Island Sound Study, NY Sea Grant, Peconic Estuary Partnership, South Shore Estuary Reserve, and the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area.

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 Westchester municipalities within the Long Island Sound watershed. The training consisted of three full-day workshops held April 1, 8, and 22, 2025 in White Plains, NY to train local leaders on developing balanced strategies for effectively accomplishing policy objectives, particularly focused on land use, flood resilience, and natural resource protection to strengthen community planning and informed decision-making.

22 municipal staff and community leaders, representing 7 different Long Island Sound communities received resilience gap analyses that reviewed their municipality’s current zoning and comprehensive plan language, discussed common issues with their neighbors and built new networks of support, and graduated from the program empowered to plan for a more resilient future for their community and the Long Island Sound region.

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

With support from the Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance (GWA) Program, in December 2024 the Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed was awarded $419,900 from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund to support the project: Developing a Mystic River Watershed Resilience Action Plan Using Equitable Community Engagement, CT.

The project will launch a robust engagement effort and planning process throughout four municipalities and two Tribal Nations within Mystic, Connecticut, in order to initiate efforts to improve the watershed health along the 30.6-square-mile Mystic River Watershed. The project will develop a community- and stakeholder-supported EPA Nine Element watershed-based plan, which will strive to address water quality impairments, community inequities and resilience challenges in the watershed.

LIS Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program Details:

Grant Writing Consultant: Resilient Land and Water, LLC.
Grant Writing Assistance Award: $9,950

With support from the Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance (GWA) Program, in 2024 the Mill River Wetland Committee (MRWC) was awarded $26,987 from the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund to support MRWC to lead the 5th Grade classes (2) at Barnum School in Bridgeport, CT through the Groundwater Study Trip in the fall of 2024 and Water Monitoring training in the spring of 2025.

LIS Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program Details:

Grant Writing Consultant: CT Grant Writers
Grant Writing Assistance Award: $1,912.50

With support from the Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance (GWA) Program, in December 2023 ReWild Long Island was awarded $230,300 from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund to fund the project – ReWild Gardens for Long Island Sound: Implementation of an expanded community garden program Long Island within the LISS watershed.

The Community Gardens Program installs native plant gardens with community partners who plant & maintain them. The Summer Program to Fight Hunger and Climate Change supports high school students to plant & tend gardens with local nonprofit partners.

LIS Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program Details:

Grant Writing Consultant: Elizabeth Skolnick
Grant Writing Assistance Award: $7,500

With support from the Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance (GWA) Program, in December 2023 Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County was awarded $250,000 from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund to fund the project – Building Volunteer-Driven Oyster Restoration on Long Island Sound: Implementation and development of a framework for a community Oyster Gardening Program.

The program aims to develop a volunteer training program to engage people to cultivate oyster gardens for reef restoration; source and procure spat-on-shell oysters for gardening; conduct a pilot project in Manhasset Bay; and deliver an education campaign to teach 500 residents at 15 events about shellfish restoration in Manhasset Bay, Town of North Hempstead, New York. Project will provide a framework to contribute to restoration of oyster reefs an Important Coastal Habitat of Long Island Sound.

LIS Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program Details:

Grant Writing Consultant: Ken Schlather Consulting; Grant Writing Assistance Award: $3,000

Grant Writing Consultant: Richard Eisendorf; Grant Writing Assistance Award: $6,800

The Long Island Sound Study will host a series of public meetings to discuss and finalize the Stewardship Strategy. The Strategy aims to provide a framework in support of the 33 Stewardship Areas of the Initiative. The draft of the Strategy will be shared for public comment March 10 – May 9. View the Draft Strategy here. Comments can be submitted to Cayla Sullivan at Sullivan.Cayla@epa.gov.

The last meeting in the series will be held on June 4th 11 am – 1 pm and will summarize the input and ideas for advancing the Stewardship Strategy!

The Quinnipiac River Fund, a component fund of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, makes grants for projects designed to benefit the environmental quality of the Quinnipiac River, the New Haven Harbor, and surrounding watersheds.

EPA WaterTA aims to assist communities with applications for federal funding, quality infrastructure, and reliable water services in partnership with drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities and local government. If your community is facing drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater challenges, you can submit a request for no-cost, direct assistance using the WaterTA Request Form. Please note that WaterTA is not a grant program, nor does it provide direct monetary assistance. 

The 2^nd Annual Learning Exchange will bring together current and new grant recipients to highlight completed projects benefiting the Long Island Sound estuary. Organizations will share their work, challenges, and successes via breakout sessions. Attendees will also have opportunities to participate in workshops, network, strengthen ties, and build community. This annual event aims to be a knowledge and tech share of projects within a collaborative framework.

The Target Audience includes:

• 2024 and 2025 Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund Subawardees

• Tribal Groups, Organizations, Institutions, and Municipalities located in Connecticut and New York focused on environmental projects in the Long Island Sound estuary
• Coastal conservation, restoration professionals, students, and early career professionals working in environmentally distressed communities

The National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) is a national program focused on reducing risks to coastal communities. The NCRF is now soliciting pre-proposals for projects that will create and/or restore natural systems in order to increase protection for communities from coastal hazards, such as storms, sea- and lake-level changes, inundation, and coastal erosion, while improving habitats for fish and wildlife species.

The Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) will foster economic development in historically underserved communities across Connecticut. CIF will provide a total of up to $875 million to eligible municipalities as well as not-for-profit organizations and community development corporations that operate within them.

Municipalities are encouraged to use the Sound Ideas for Clean Water brochure in their outreach efforts. The website and brochure outline steps that residents can take to reduce stormwater runoff that can cause pollution and flooding. For more information about this campaign, contact the outreach coordinator for your area (listed here). 

$20 million in funding is available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for projects that will advance the coastal habitat restoration and climate resilience priorities of tribes and underserved communities. Through this funding, NOAA will help support community-driven habitat restoration and build the capacity of tribes and underserved communities to more fully participate in restoration activities.

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.

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.

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program was established in 2014 and is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. ORLP is a nationally competitive, dollar-for-dollar matching grant program. It was created to aid disadvantaged, urban communities that lack access to close-by outdoor recreation. Funds can be used for the acquisition and/or development of, or substantial renovation of, public parks and other outdoor recreation spaces.

Entities interested in seeking funding under the ORLP program should contact their State’s Lead Agency (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for Connecticut; Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation for New York) to get details about their state’s process for selecting and submitting projects to the NPS’ national competition.

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.

The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) recently released a comprehensive report on understanding and addressing the occurrence of local flooding. Developed in collaboration with leading engineering firm Fuss & O’Neill, the study was motivated by the need to address the growing concerns surrounding flood risks across Connecticut. The report evaluates current flood management practices and outlines a series of strategic interventions actionable recommendations to enhance community resilience.

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.

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.

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!

The Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) provides funding, expertise, training, and other resources to help communities advance their climate resilience plans and projects while also developing the strategies and capacities that communities nationwide will need as climate impacts intensify.

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team is excited to announce that for our 2024 Annual Workshop we are holding a series of virtual sessions over two days 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 

Join us on Wednesday, December 11th from 10 AM-12 PM to hear from communities and regional entities that are considering different aspects of planning for inundation, including buyout programs, land use policies, and community perspectives on retreat/relocation.

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team is excited to announce that for our 2024 Annual Workshop we are holding a series of virtual sessions over two days 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

Join us on Tuesday, December 10th from 1:30-3:30 PM to learn about new Resilience Tools being developed and used throughout coastal Long Island Sound!

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team is excited to announce that for our 2024 Annual Workshop we are holding a series of virtual sessions over two days 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

Join us on Tuesday, December 10th from 10-11:30 AM to learn about our Sustainable and Resilient Communities resilience assistance programs and hear from communities who have successfully utilized them to advance resilience project plans, build capacity, and/or secure competitive grant funding!

The Rooting Resilience Program will provide funding and technical assistance to community-based projects that build resilience and enhance communities’ abilities to plan and carry out forestry projects. This opportunity is available for projects located in federally designated disadvantaged communities, including urban, suburban, and rural communities in the United States and its territories. Special priority will be given to community-led groups that are seeking federal funding for the first time.

FEMA’s National Resilience Guidance document is intended to help all individuals, communities, and organizations understand our nation’s vision for resilience, the key principles that must be applied to strengthen resilience, and the players and systems that contribute to resilience. It also outlines how to strengthen resilience by organizing and engaging people, incorporating resilience concepts into planning efforts, creating change through policies, prioritizing projects and programs, financing resilience efforts, and measuring and evaluating resilience. Finally, the NRG includes a Resilience Maturity Model that illustrates stages in the evolution of a community’s approach to resilience.

The second round of grantmaking for the Environmental Justice Data Fund (EJDF) will be supported by a $4 million fund. The EJDF aims to help frontline communities historically underserved and disproportionately impacted by climate change and environmental injustice in the United States use data to address environmental hazards, with special attention to matters regarding air and water quality. The EJDF will support eligible organizations to unlock resources, increase their access to federal infrastructure funding, and advocate for new policies that empower communities to address past environmental harm and pave the way to a more sustainable, climate-resilient future.

In collaboration with CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) requests grant proposals for projects that increase the capacity of vulnerable communities to mitigate, plan for, and respond to climate change impacts. This funding supports the recommendations of the Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3).

The Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, available through the Office of the Secretary of Transportation and US DOT, makes awards on a competitive basis for projects that reconnect communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access, or economic development.

EPA has selected Fordham University to serve as pass-through entity for the Thriving Communities Grants for New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Thriving Communities subgrants will be distributed to support capacity building in communities affected by environmental or public health issues to eligible applicants. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until March 31, 2025.

Awards small grants in support of grassroots efforts and community-based environmental work in New England. The Grassroots Fund utilizes participatory grantmaking to move resources to New England grassroots groups working at the intersections of Environmental Justice. The program is geared toward groups who have some experience implementing a project in their community. Grants support groups to deepen their work by further developing a community vision, lowering barriers to participation, identifying new stakeholders, and working to bring more voices and lived experiences into core decision-making processes.

Supports the development of urban agriculture and innovative production activities by funding Planning Projects and Implementation Projects led by nonprofit organizations, local or Tribal governments, and schools.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 provides EPA with $3 billion to fund zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure as well as climate and air quality planning at U.S. ports. This new funding program will build on EPA’s Ports Initiative that helps our nation’s ports, a critical part of our infrastructure and supply chain, address public health and environmental impacts on surrounding communities. EPA has announced two separate Notices of Funding Opportunities to disburse the allocated $3 billion – the Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition AND the Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition.

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program was established in 2014 and is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. ORLP is a nationally competitive, dollar-for-dollar matching grant program. It was created to aid disadvantaged, urban communities that lack access to close-by outdoor recreation. Funds can be used for the acquisition and/or development of, or substantial renovation of, public parks and other outdoor recreation spaces.

Projects may include any or all manner of outdoor recreation activities such as hiking, camping, unstructured play, picnicking, cycling, field and court sports, fishing, bird watching, swimming pools, paddling, and skating, as well as for outdoor recreation facilities and some supporting facilities and infrastructure like restrooms/bathhouses, or parking areas, when part of an overall recreation project.

The NCRF is a national program with the goal of enhancing protection for coastal communities from the impacts of storms, floods, and other natural coastal hazards and to improve habitats for fish and wildlife. This year, NFWF will award approximately $140 million in grants for the planning, design, and implementation of natural and nature-based solutions.

The Working Lands Climate Corps will provide technical training and career pathway opportunities for young people, helping them deliver economic benefits through climate-smart agriculture solutions for farmers and ranchers across the country, now and in the future. The Working Lands Climate Corps is part of the American Climate Corps, a workforce training and service initiative that is working to ensure more young people have access to the skills-based training needed for good paying careers in the clean energy and climate resilience economy.

New York Sea Grant and Connecticut Sea Grant are providing grant preparation and writing capacity to New York and Connecticut communities that are pursuing funding for sustainability and resilience-focused projects. This technical assistance program helps municipalities and community organizations develop successful grant proposals and develop capacity for navigating the funding landscape. 

The Equitable Resilience Builder (ERB) is an application that supports communities in resilience planning with a focus on equity. It engages users in a guided process to inclusively assess local hazards, equity, and the resilience of built, natural, and social environment systems. Results can be used to collaboratively prioritize actions to build community resilience in an equitable way.

For more than 30 years, our Long Island Unitarian Universalist Fund (LIUUF), a field-of-interest advised fund at The New York Community Trust, has worked to address education and racial equity, environmental justice, and immigrant rights. The fund also focuses on LGBTQ+ advocacy, women’s rights, leadership development, legal and legislative advocacy, and community organizing. The fund was established by the Veatch Program at Shelter Rock.

LIUUF grantmaking reflects Unitarian Universalist principles and the Fund’s overarching mission is to build and energize a community of progressive social change activists, and to support prophetic voices in vulnerable communities who speak out against injustices—often in unsafe environments and at personal risk and sacrifice.

Guided by an advisory committee that represents Unitarian Universalist congregations throughout Long Island, the LIUUF has awarded millions of dollars to nonprofits in Nassau and Suffolk counties to advance grassroots progressive social change.

TREE CITY USA Reward Grants
The intent of this grant is to encourage municipalities to sustain their community forestry program and maintain their status as a Tree City USA through a celebratory tree planting in which large specimen trees or a grove of trees are planted in a prominent location within the community. The grants are made possible by a combination of U.S. Forest Service grant funds and unrestricted NYSUFC funds; applicants are sought in spring and/or fall and must have been a Tree City USA for at least the past five years.

Quick Start Grants
Through U.S. Forest Service funding, the NYSUFC offers Quick Start competitive grants of up to $1,000 each to small communities who want to pursue Tree City USA status, starting with an inaugural Arbor Day tree planting celebration in spring or fall.

The NYS Department of State (NYSDOS) is soliciting applications from eligible municipalities, community-based not-for-profit organizations, and NYC Community Boards for Brownfield Opportunity Area Program funding. Funds are available for projects that establish or implement strategies for community redevelopment of areas affected by historical disinvestment, vacant and blighted properties, and the presence or potential presence of brownfields.

$5.9 million is now available for community-based organizations for projects that address exposure of communities to multiple environmental harms and risks. Eligible applicants are Tribal Organizations and not-for-profit community-based organizations having 501(c)(3) status, or a community-based organization may partner with a NFP that will serve as their fiscal sponsor. Eligible projects must address a community’s exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks and include a new research component that will be used to expand the knowledge of the affected community.

The Healthy Communities Grant Program is EPA New England’s main competitive grant program to work directly with communities to reduce environmental risks to protect and improve human health and the quality of life. he Healthy Communities Grant Program will achieve this through identifying and funding projects that:
– Target resources to benefit communities at risk.
– Assess, understand, and reduce environmental and human health risks.
– Increase collaboration through partnerships and community-based projects.
– Build institutional and community capacity to understand and solve environmental and human health problems.
– Achieve measurable environmental and human health benefits.

The EPOC Grant Program provides non-profit and not-for-profit environmental advocacy groups, community based groups and environmental education organizations funding for local projects that benefit the environment.

Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund is an innovative program that provides fast, flexible funding and support for engaging your community on wide-ranging sustainability projects. Eligible projects receive dollar-for-dollar matching funds from Sustainable CT.

The Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) will foster economic development in historically underserved communities across Connecticut. CIF will provide a total of up to $875 million to eligible municipalities as well as not-for-profit organizations and community development corporations that operate within them.

Awards small grants in support of grassroots efforts and community-based environmental work in New England. The Grassroots Fund utilizes participatory grantmaking to move resources to New England grassroots groups working at the intersections of Environmental Justice. The program is geared toward groups who have some experience implementing a project in their community. Grants support groups to deepen their work by further developing a community vision, lowering barriers to participation, identifying new stakeholders, and working to bring more voices and lived experiences into core decision-making processes.

This year, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s Recreational Trails Program will make $10 million available to improve Connecticut’s trail infrastructure, which has seen significant usage increases since the onset of the pandemic. This grant program aims to help support communities managing the trail usage increases that have endured as more residents and visitors become familiar with the more than 2,500 miles of multi-use trails and greenways that crisscross the state.

The Connecticut Society for Women Environmental Professionals Grant Program provides funding for local projects in Connecticut that benefit the environment. Grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded. Any application meeting the grant guidelines that is not successful in one cycle may reapply during any following cycle. The applications will be judged based on the environmental benefits of each project, in comparison to others. “Environmental benefits” can vary widely and successful applications have ranged from property clean-ups to environmental education.

NOAA’s Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program is an environmental education program that promotes place-based experiential learning for K–12 students and related professional development for teachers.This funding opportunity focuses on projects combining long-term, classroom-integrated “Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences” and capacity building for K-12 Environmental Literacy at the state and local level.

Intended to streamline grant funding opportunities for new conservation and restoration projects around the U.S., the America the Beautiful Challenge consolidates funding from multiple federal agencies and the private sector to enable applicants to conceive and develop large-scale projects that address shared funder priorities and span public and private lands.

NFWF will award up to $140 million in grants to create and restore natural systems in order to increase protection for communities from coastal hazards, such as storms, sea- and lake-level changes, inundation, and coastal erosion, while improving habitats for fish and wildlife species. NFWF prioritizes projects that are community led or incorporate direct community engagement and benefit underserved communities facing disproportionate harm from climate impacts.

The Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund (LISSF) is a competitive grant program seeking proposals to restore and protect the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. LISSF is interested in empowering communities of all kinds (including communities typically underrepresented in environmental programs and projects) to access, improve, and benefit from Long Island Sound, its waterways, and surrounding lands. Up to $400,000 is expected to be available for grants in 2025. The most competitive proposals will incorporate multiple values including sustainability, resilience, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Cultural and Community Resilience program supports community-based efforts to mitigate climate change and COVID-19 pandemic impacts, safeguard cultural resources, and foster cultural resilience through identifying, documenting, and/or collecting cultural heritage and community experience. The program prioritizes projects from disadvantaged communities in the United States or its jurisdictions, and NEH encourages applications that employ inclusive methodologies.