Resources for

Green Infrastructure

Events

3rd Annual LISS Sustainable and Resilient Communities Workshop

Please save December 10th – 11th on your calendar for the 3rd Annual Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities Workshop!

A new format this year – we will hold virtual sessions on December 10th & 11th – and are planning for in-person field trips leading up to the Workshop as well.

More information will be shared via email and the LIS Resilience Resource Hub soon!

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

Events

3rd Annual LISS Sustainable and Resilient Communities Workshop

Please save December 10th – 11th on your calendar for the 3rd Annual Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities Workshop!

A new format this year – we will hold virtual sessions on December 10th & 11th – and are planning for in-person field trips leading up to the Workshop as well.

More information will be shared via email and the LIS Resilience Resource Hub soon!

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

Funding

: Aug 26 – Oct 23, 2024

Rooting Resilience: Funding and Technical Assistance for Urban and Community Forestry Projects

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.

New York State
Connecticut State
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Health Hazards
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Stormwater Management
Recreation & Access
Community Engagement
Green Infrastructure

Resource

Level of Effort:

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Workbook

This workbook made by Groundwork Bridgeport provides a thorough but accessible introduction to green stormwater infrastructure. The workbook explains the issues that green infrastructure can help solve, introduces several green infrastructure methods, and then provides definitions, explains why each is uses, and details how to build them.

New York State
Connecticut State
Nature-based Solutions
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Green Infrastructure

Events

Suffolk County Coastal Resilience Forum & Field Trip

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

Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2024 (rain or shine)

Time: 9:15 AM-3:30 PM

Location: Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp – Lodge (3186 Sound Ave, Riverhead, NY 11901)

Register by October 22nd. 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. You will hear presentations from state, regional, and local partners about planning for sea level rise, coastal monitoring, and resilience techniques and case studies. In the afternoon, we will head over to Iron Pier Beach/Maidstone Landing to view and learn about a community bluff restoration project. More detailed information will be provided closer to the date.

This event is 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. 

Included: A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. We will have a bus to transport participants to the field trip site. 

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

New York 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

Events

Nassau County Coastal Resilience Forum & Field Trip

Join us at the Nassau County Coastal Resilience Forum for an opportunity to connect, learn and be inspired! 

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.  

This forum will bring together state and local decision makers, municipal staff, and other interested parties working to address flooding, shoreline erosion and other coastal issues. The goal of these forums is to share information on best practices, discuss challenges, identify opportunities to increase resilience, and enhance coordination across communities. You will hear presentations from state, regional, and local partners about planning for sea level rise, coastal monitoring, and resilience techniques and case studies. In the afternoon, there will be a guided walking tour of the resilience projects at Sands Point Preserve! More detailed information will be provided closer to the date.

Date: Monday, October 28th, 2024 (rain or shine)

Time: 9:15 AM-3:30 PM

Location: Sands Point Preserve Conservancy – Castle Gould, Great Hall

127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, New York 11050

Register by October 23rd. Contact sarahschaefer-brown@cornell.edu for more information.

Included: Refreshments and lunch will be provided. The Preserve admission fee will be waived for participants.

We can also reimburse travel expenses up to $150/person (for those that do not have travel budgets through their employers) on a first come first serve basis

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

New York 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

Funding

: May 9 – Aug 16, 2024

Climate Change Risk Assessment Technical Assistance for Water Sector Utilities

EPA’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU) initiative is offering no-cost climate change risk assessment technical assistance to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities, as well as other water sector stakeholders. Through this technical assistance process, CRWU will assist approximately 75 water sector utilities / communities in identifying long-term climate change adaptation strategies, as well as potential funding options to implement adaptive measures.

New York State
Connecticut State
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Planning
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Jul 9 – Sep 30, 2024

up to $2M for Planning, $5-$100M for Capital Construction

Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Discretionary Grant Program

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.

New York State
Connecticut State
Nature-based Solutions
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Infrastructure
Planning
Recreation & Access
Community Engagement
Green Infrastructure

The New York Community Trust: Westchester Ongoing Competitive Grants

The New York Community Trust, which brings together the New York Community Trust, The Long Island Community Foundation, and Westchester Community Foundation offers competitive grants to nonprofits to support projects in a number of areas across New York City, Westchester, Long Island and beyond. For work on Westchester, proposals are accepted from nonprofits during the specified timeframes.

New York State
Habitat
Land Use
Environmental Health Hazards
Water Quality
Community Engagement
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

The New York Community Trust: Long Island Ongoing Competitive Grants

The New York Community Trust, which brings together the New York Community Trust, The Long Island Community Foundation, and Westchester Community Foundation offers competitive grants to nonprofits to support projects in a number of areas across New York City, Westchester, Long Island and beyond. For work on Long Island, proposals are accepted from nonprofits during the specified timeframes.

New York State
Habitat
Land Use
Environmental Health Hazards
Water Quality
Community Engagement
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Feb 28 – May 17, 2024

$500,000 min

2024 Transportation Alternatives Program

This program provides funding for a variety of transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities; construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas; community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management; environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity; recreational trails; safe routes to school projects; and vulnerable road user safety assessments.

Connecticut State
Stormwater Management
Infrastructure
Recreation & Access
Green Infrastructure

Resource

Level of Effort:

Conservation Commissions and Natural Resource Resilience

This fact sheet for Conservation Commissions in Connecticut reviews the role of these commissions for enhancing the climate resilience of their communities. The resource was developed by CIRCA and covers the authority and duties of conservation commissions as well as detailing specific strategies and approaches.

Connecticut State
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Water Quality
Planning
Recreation & Access
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

$75,000 - $350,000

The Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers Subgrants

Thriving Communities subgrants will be distributed by the Grantmakers to support capacity building in communities affected by environmental or public health issues to eligible applicants. The program aims to reduce the burden of the federal grants application process and distribute federal funds to potential applicants working to address environmental justice issues. Note that the Grantmakers will be different for CT (Region 1) and NY (Region 2).

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Planning
Extreme Weather & Storms
Community Engagement
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: May 1 – Aug 16, 2024

Green Resiliency Grants

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) is pleased to announce the availability of $60 million in grant funding through the inaugural round of the Green Resiliency Grant (GRG) program under the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 (Bond Act). The new program will prioritize grants to flood-prone communities and help them undertake innovative green infrastructure projects such as green roofs, green streets, and permeable pavement.

Flooding
Nature-based Solutions
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Nov 1, 2024

$500 - $1,000

Seed Grants Program

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.

Connecticut State
Water Quality
Green Infrastructure
Marine Debris
Waste Management
Wetlands
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Planning
Incentive Programs
Infrastructure
Erosion
Stormwater Management
Environmental Justice
Economic Impacts
Aquatic Resources
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Health Hazards
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding

Funding

: Mar 11 – Apr 14, 2024

FY25 Congressionally Directed Spending / Community Project Funding (Sen. Blumenthal & Sen. Murphy)

Congressionally Directed Spending requests, also known as Community Project Funding or Earmarks, are funding requests for high-impact, Connecticut-based projects that can be completed with assistance from the federal government. The project must meet the eligibility requirements for at least one of the accounts listed.

Connecticut State
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Infrastructure
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Events

NYS Clean Water Infrastructure Grant Workshop

New York State Assemblyman Steve Otis invites you to this NYS Clean Water Infrastructure Grant Workshop

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation & NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation

Special Presentation by NYS DEC Watershed Resiliency Study.

Topics Include:
Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) Grants
Intermunicipal Water Grant (IMG) Program
Water Quality Improvement Grants (WQIP)
Technical Assistance and Planning Grants
Community Assistance Teams

Since Hurricane Ida, NYS DEC targeted 6 Westchester Watersheds for state sponsored Watershed Resiliency Studies to assist communities in identifying flood mitigation projects and advance the process of securing funding for projects. The workshop will include a status report on these 6 watershed studies:

Blind Brook, Beaver Swamp Brook, Mamaroneck Sheldrake Rivers, Hutchinson River, Bronx River, and Saw Mill River

Networking opportunities with informational tables available from our co-sponsors.

New York State
Flooding
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Planning
Funding/Grants
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Oct 12 – Dec 15, 2023

$800M total available

FY23 Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program – New York

The Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program is a competitive program that provides funding to states, federally recognized Tribal governments, U.S. territories, and local governments. Since the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 was signed into law, funds are used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Infrastructure
Planning
Extreme Weather & Storms
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Oct 12 – Dec 15, 2023

$1B total available

FY23 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grants (BRIC) – New York

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program will support states, local communities, tribes and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. The BRIC program’s guiding principles are to support communities through capability and capacity building, encourage and enable innovation; promote partnerships, enable large projects, maintain flexibility, and provide consistency.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Health Hazards
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Infrastructure
Planning
Extreme Weather & Storms
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Nov 1, 2024

up to $9,950

Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program

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. 

New York State
Connecticut State
Water Quality
Green Infrastructure
Marine Debris
Waste Management
Wetlands
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Planning
Incentive Programs
Infrastructure
Erosion
Stormwater Management
Environmental Justice
Economic Impacts
Aquatic Resources
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Health Hazards
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding

Funding

: Nov 28 – Feb 24, 2024

up to $50,000

New York Climate Resilience Grant Program

The Climate Resilience Grant Program (CRGP) offers grants for projects that contribute to a world where people and nature can thrive. The goal of the program is to support partners in protecting the lands and waters critical for adapting to climate change. As climate change drives ecosystem instability, plants and animals are shifting their ranges northward. TNC has resources to support the conservation of climate resilient lands.

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Planning
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Nov 21 – Nov 21, 2024

$10-20M (Track 1), $1-3M (Track 2)

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change

EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis for $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding available to support community-driven projects that build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen their climate resilience, and advance clean energy.

New York State
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

NYSDEC Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) Program

The Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program is a competitive, reimbursement grant program that funds projects that directly improve water quality or aquatic habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protect a drinking water source. Eligible project types includes: Wastewater Treatment Improvement, Nonagricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control, Vacuum Trucks in Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Areas, Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection, Salt Storage, Dam Safety Repair/Rehabilitation, Aquatic Connectivity Restoration, and Marine Habitat Restoration.

New York State
Flooding
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Wetlands
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Apr 1 – Jun 7, 2024

$50,000-$250,000

Suffolk County Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program and Land Stewardship Initiative (WQPRP)

The Suffolk County Water Quality Improvement Division works to protect and improve Suffolk County’s ground and surface waters. The WQPRP provides funding to protect and restore surface and groundwater resources throughout the County. Funding is available for both planning/ engineering and construction expenses.

New York State
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Nov 1 – Jun 16, 2023

N/A

NYS Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)

The NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) Clean Water State Revolving Fund provides interest-free or low-interest rate financing for wastewater and sewer infrastructure projects to municipalities throughout New York State. A variety of projects are eligible for financing, including construction or restoration of sewers and wastewater treatment facilities, stormwater management, landfill closures, as well as habitat restoration and protection projects. There are several different types of financing available to clean water project applicants. EFC provides both short and long-term financing, interest-free or low interest to accommodate municipalities of all population sizes with varying financial needs. When communities repay their financings, it allows EFC to finance new projects and the funds “revolve” over time.

New York State
Habitat
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Nov 1 – Jul 28, 2023

Up to $3M

Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP)

The Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP) supports projects across New York State that utilize unique EPA-designated green stormwater infrastructure design and create cutting-edge green technologies. Competitive grants are awarded annually to projects that improve water quality and mitigate the effects of climate change through the implementation of one or more of the following green practices: Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency and Environmental Innovation.

New York State
Flooding
Nature-based Solutions
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: May 14 – Jul 31, 2024

$50K-$3M

NYSDOS Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

Local Waterfront Revitalization Program provides grants to municipalities along New York’s coasts or designated inland waterways to advance the preparation or implementation of strategies for community and waterfront revitalization through the following grant categories: 1) Preparing or Updating a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), 2) Updating an LWRP to be more Resilient to Climate Risk,s 3) Preparing an LWRP Component, including a Watershed Management Plan, and 4) Implementing a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program or a completed LWRP Component.

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Economic Impacts
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Planning
Recreation & Access
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

$50K-$2M for implementation grants, $10K-200K for certification grants

NYS Climate Smart Communities

The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant program was established in 2016 to provide 50/50 matching grants to cities, towns, villages, and counties of the State of New York for eligible climate change mitigation, adaptation, and planning and assessment projects. Funds are available for two broad project categories – implementation and certification. The first project category supports implementation projects related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change adaptation. The second supports planning and assessment projects aligned with NYS Climate Smart Communities certification actions.

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Health Hazards
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Infrastructure
Incentive Programs
Planning
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Max award of $50-75K

Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Mapping Grant (NPG)

The Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant (NPG) is a competitive, reimbursement grant program that funds planning reports for nonpoint source water quality improvement projects and mapping of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s). The program aims to prepare nonpoint source projects for implementation funding, and to encourage and support cooperation among regulated MS4s to complete mapping of their stormwater system.

New York State
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Planning
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Jan 31, 2025

$2,000-$10,000

Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District – Part C Funding

Projects must meet one or more of the follow criteria in Nassau County:
a. Conserve or improve soils
b. Improve water quality of our groundwater and/or surface water
c. Control and prevent soil erosion and/or prevent floodwater and sediment damages
d. Conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water
e. Preserve, increase, or improve natural resources including trees and plants
f. Control or eliminate invasive plants or wildlife
g. Control and abate NPS water pollution
h. Preserve wildlife

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Water Quality
Green Infrastructure

The New York Community Trust: New York City Ongoing Competitive Grants

The New York Community Trust, which brings together the New York Community Trust, The Long Island Community Foundation, and Westchester Community Foundation offers competitive grants to nonprofits to support projects in a number of areas across New York City, Westchester, Long Island and beyond. For work in New York City, proposals are accepted from nonprofits anytime through the ongoing competitive grants proposal process.

New York State
Habitat
Land Use
Environmental Health Hazards
Water Quality
Community Engagement
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Nov 1, 2024

$500

Long Island Garden Rewards Program

This program provides financial rewards for homeowners on Long Island who add green alternatives to their properties that reduce stormwater and nitrogen pollution entering Long Island Sound. Homeowners can be reimbursed for installing rain barrels, rain gardens, or native plantings on their properties. Funds are limited and available on a first come, first serve basis.

New York State
Nature-based Solutions
Incentive Programs
Green Infrastructure

Source Water Buffer Program

The Source Water Buffer Program is administered by the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, in coordination with the Department. The goal of the program is to protect public drinking water and to enhance water quality of New York State’s watersheds, reservoirs, lakes, rivers, and streams. The Source Water Buffer Program funds the purchase of conservation easements and projects that establish riparian buffers on farmland that borders critical water sources.

New York State
Erosion
Land Use
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Jan 1 – Apr 15, 2023

~$1,500

EPOC 2022 Environmental Grant Program

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.

Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Health Hazards
Aquatic Resources
Environmental Justice
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Community Engagement
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Apr 14 – May 19, 2023

varies by grant type

Clean Water Fund

Through the Clean Water Fund, CT DEEP is able to provide grants and low-interest loans for infrastructure projects to meet clean water needs such as addressing combined sewer overflows, nutrient pollution, wastewater collection infrastructure needs, and projects using green infrastructure and addressing resiliency.

Connecticut State
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Jul 8 – Nov 1, 2024

$40,000

Healthy Communities Grant Program for New England

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.

Connecticut State
Flooding
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Extreme Weather & Storms
Community Engagement
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Dec 3 – Mar 4, 2025

$2,500-$65,000

Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant

The Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant Program offers funding for municipalities and non-profit organizations to pursue planning projects such as tree inventories, management plans, or other monitoring programs that will help communities to make informed management decisions.

Connecticut State
Habitat
Land Use
Environmental Justice
Planning
Recreation & Access
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Mar 20 – Sep 17, 2024

$1,000 - $4,000

Grow Grants Program

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.

Connecticut State
Water Quality
Green Infrastructure
Marine Debris
Waste Management
Wetlands
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Planning
Incentive Programs
Infrastructure
Erosion
Stormwater Management
Environmental Justice
Economic Impacts
Aquatic Resources
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Health Hazards
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding

Funding

: Mar 1 – May 13, 2024

$50K - $1.5M

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Long Island Sound Futures Fund

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) will be seeking proposals to restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound (Sound) with approximately $12 million in funding in 2024. The program is managed by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS). Major funding is from EPA through the LISS with additional funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Avangrid Foundation.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Aquatic Resources
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Recreation & Access
Community Engagement
Wetlands
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Case Study

Rain Gardens on Western Waterfront

Friends of the Bay installed two raingardens at the Western Waterfront, which was done in October 2021 with the help of volunteers.

New York State
Nature-based Solutions
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Green Infrastructure

Case Study

Huntington, NY

Crab Meadow Watershed Hydrology Study and Stewardship Plan

This comprehensive study and plan, funded through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Long Island Sound Futures Fund, identifies initial strategies to maintain and enhance the local watershed resources of Crab Meadow. It is meant to be a land management tool to guide the implementation of best practices. The plan was developed in consultation with many partners and stakeholders.

New York State
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Aquatic Resources
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Recreation & Access
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Case Study

Sea Cliff, NY

Scudders Pond Subwatershed Improvements

The Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee and Village of Sea Cliff completed subwatershed improvements at Scudders Pond to address stormwater drainage problems impacting the water quality of the pond and Hempstead Harbor, highlighted as a priority in the 1998 Hempstead Harbor Water Quality Improvement Plan. The improvements included dredging the pond, installing a hydrodynamic separator to intercept sediment, removing invasive Phragmites australis and replacing with native plants, realigning the stream to reduce erosion, redirecting the stormwater from residences to the bioswale, creation of a biofilter wetland area, replacement of the weir between the upper and lower ponds and weir at Shore Road.

New York State
Erosion
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Aquatic Resources
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Planning
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Case Study

Norwalk, CT

Webster Street Parking Lot Green Infrastructure Project

In 2019, the City of Norwalk secured a LIS Future Fund grant to install green infrastructure in the Webster Street Parking to reduce the impacts of stormwater on the Norwalk River and Harbor and mitigate local flooding of surrounding businesses through the installation of four different types of infiltration and bio-retention structures:
1) Underground infiltration systems.
2) Retention basins and curb inlet planters in eight different areas.
3) Porous pavement with storage in two areas.
4) Infiltration gutters and tree filters in two other areas.

Connecticut State
Flooding
Stormwater Management
Infrastructure
Green Infrastructure

Case Study

New Haven, CT

New Haven Bioswales

The City of New Haven has installed 286 right-of-way bioswales throughout the city as part of a multifaceted approach to reducing flooding in the downtown area. Right-of-way bioswales are engineered planted areas that are located on sidewalks. They are designed to capture and infiltrate stormwater into the ground that would otherwise directly enter a storm drain. These bioswales were installed as the result of various partnerships and funding opportunities related to flood prevention, localized drainage solutions, combined sewer overflow mitigation, research, and traffic calming projects.

Project Lead

City of New Haven, Dept of Engineering

Project Partners

Urban Resources Initiative, EMERGE Inc., Save the Sound, Yale School of the Environment, and Quinnipiac University, among others.

Connecticut State
Flooding
Nature-based Solutions
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Green Infrastructure

Website

Level of Effort:

CLEAR: Rain Garden App

A website and a downloadable app for your mobile device. The resource has information about rain gardens, designing, selecting plants, and installing a garden on your property.

New York State
Connecticut State
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Green Infrastructure

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

Promoting Nature-Based Hazard Mitigation Through FEMA Mitigation Grants

This guidance document is intended for stakeholders pursuing FEMA HMA grants for nature-based solutions to mitigate risks associated with flooding (riverine and coastal) and wildfire.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Nature-based Solutions
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Green Infrastructure

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

NYSDEC/NYSDOS Model Local Laws to Increase Resilience

The New York State Department of State worked with the Department of Environmental Conservation and other partners to create model local laws to help local governments be more resilient to sea-level rise, storm surge, and flooding. Cities, towns, and villages are invited to adapt model local laws to meet the resilience needs of the community with the assistance of their municipal attorneys.

New York State
Flooding
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Incentive Program

Long Island Garden Rewards Program

This program provides financial rewards for homeowners on Long Island who add green alternatives to their properties that benefit the environment. It also provides guidance on how to install green alternatives on your property.

New York State
Nature-based Solutions
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Incentive Programs
Green Infrastructure

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

FEMA BUILDING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE WITH NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS: Strategies for Success

This guide gives community leaders five main strategies to carry out Nature-Based Solution projects: 1) Building Strong Partnerships, 2) Engaging the Whole Community, 3) Matching Project Size With Desired Goals and Benefits, 4) Maximizing Benefits, and 5) Designing for the Future. This is not a technical guide for planning, constructing or funding NBS. It covers the value of each strategy and suggests how to move forward with NBS projects.

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Stormwater Management
Extreme Weather & Storms
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

FEMA BUILDING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE WITH NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS: A Guide for Local Communities

The primary goal of this guide is to help communities identify and engage the staff and resources that can be used to implement nature-based solutions to build resilience to natural hazards, which may be exacerbated by climate change.

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Nature-based Solutions
Green Infrastructure

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

EPA Green Infrastructure

Includes information about preparing for, and implementing green infrastructure with helpful links to other fact sheets and resources.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Nature-based Solutions
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Planning
Green Infrastructure

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

Adapt CT (CTSG & CLEAR) – A Planting Guide for Riparian Sites Along the Connecticut Coast

lists native trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses, sedges, reeds and herbaceous plants suitable for planting along the banks of a river, stream or other body of water.

Connecticut State
Nature-based Solutions
Green Infrastructure

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

Adapt CT (CTSG & CLEAR) – Native Plants for Riparian Corridors in Connecticut

A guide listing the trees, shrubs, grasses, sedges, reeds and herbaceous plants best for the banks of rivers, streams or other bodies of water (a companion to: A Planting Guide for Riparian Sites Along the Connecticut Coast)

Connecticut State
Erosion
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Green Infrastructure

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
Environmental Justice
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Incentive Programs
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Green Infrastructure
Long Island Sound Study Sea Grant CT Sea Grant NY

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
Environmental Justice
Stormwater Management
Incentive Programs
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure
Long Island Sound Study Sea Grant NY Sea Grant CT The Sustainability Institute Sustainable CT Cameron Engineering

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
Environmental Justice
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure
Long Island Sound Study Sea Grant CT Sea Grant NY

Resilience Steps

Connect

LISS
EPA Sea Grant New York Sea Grant Connecticut