Dear Community,

Thank you for tuning into our September newsletter! There is a lot going on in the environmental justice (EJ) world and we are hoping to bring you the latest events and updates — all in one place. Please submit newsletter feedback and idea topics to DEEP.EJ@ct.gov or the linked form below.  

For this newsletter edition we are spotlighting the Equity and Environmental Justice Newsletter's newest section, Tribal News! This dedicated space will include Tribal related news, spotlights, events, and more. We invite you to join us to amplify and celebrate Tribal stories, and we look forward to sharing them with you.

Gratefully yours,

Office of Equity and Environmental Justice

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS 

• A recent report from the Container Recycling Institute shows that Connecticut’s beverage container redemption rate jumped by 21% in one year, from 44% in 2023 to 65% in 2024. This significant increase follows the state's improvements to the bottle bill. 

• Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) reported on how land trusts can play a key role in addressing the state's affordable housing crisis. The report highlights a growing trend of land trusts partnering with housing advocates to support new projects.

• The EPA has cut the red tape on the temporary-use of Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incinerators (CISWI) for natural disaster debris removal, providing state, local and Tribal governments with the ability to quickly and effectively clean up their communities. EPA is now authorizing temporary-use provisions for incinerators and Air Curtain Incinerators (ACI) subject to CISWI regulations that allow for the combustion of non-hazardous debris from a disaster or emergency for up to eight weeks without EPA approval.

• The EPA created an educational Air Cleaning Allies Activity Book for children ages 7+ to raise awareness of filtration and air cleaning strategies. A series of activities and short educational prompts show how air cleaning can safeguard occupants and indoor air quality. Learning objectives are tied to strategies for safeguarding indoor air quality, the use of air filters and air cleaners, and DIY-air cleaners.

CEEJAC NEWS

Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council (CEEJAC) within DEEP, established by Governor Lamont’s 21-3 Executive Order, advises the Commissioner of DEEP on current and historic environmental injustice, pollution reduction, energy equity, climate change mitigation and resiliency, health disparities, and racial inequity. All are welcome to attend and participate in CEEJAC meetings.

Please Join CEEJAC at Our Upcoming Meeting: 

CEEJAC Energy & Technology Meeting: Learn about Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative - RGGI (Virtual)
Wednesday, Sept 17, 2025 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Register for Zoom Meeting Link
Download Meeting Agenda

CEEJAC Quarterly Meeting (Virtual)
Monday, September 29, 2025 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Register for Zoom Meeting Link

CEEJAC Quarterly Meeting (Hybrid)
December 2025 | Time TBD
Location TBD

FEATURED EVENTS

ParkConneCT Program | Summer Events 2025 w/ Free round-trip bus transportation (ADA accessible and air-conditioned)

• Beach Day at Hammonasset Beach State Park (Meigs Point)
  • Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
  • Pickup Location: North Haven Park & Ride – 9:00 AM
  • Return: Approx. 2:40 PM
  • Register: Find Available Tours - Hammonasset Beach State Park park tour, CT - ReserveAmerica

The only cost is a $2 non-refundable transaction fee per reservation through ReserveAmerica.

How PURA's Decision Will Impact School Bus Electrification in Connecticut | September 18, 2025 

Connecticut Green Bank and Save The Sound, Clean Transportation Communities of Southern Connecticut (CTC) are hosting a seminar at 10AM to outline upcoming regulatory changes and support school district staff and transportation directors in Connecticut. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about electric school buses and new incentive rates that will be available to improve your district’s conversion timeline and total cost of ownership. To register, click here.

Other Events 

• 9/5/25 (Virtual): Environmental Protection Network is hosting a meeting in light of the recent Section 138 and GGRF rulings, focused on Section 138 Class Action Next Steps. To register, click here.   ​​​
• 9/10/25 (Virtual/Baltimore): Join the Center for Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health for the 11th Annual Environmental Justice and Health Disparities Symposium from Sep 10 - 13, 2025. For more information, click here. 
• 9/17/25 (New York): Northeast Sustainable Communities Workshop (NSCW) conference is a full circle approach to addressing Brownfield redevelopment, including a workshop on Brownfields and Public Parks. For more information, click here.
• 9/25/25 (CCSU): Third Act Connecticut is hosting Sun Day to bring together local organizers, partners, and leaders from across the climate, environmental justice, and clean energy movements, to show that organized people power can help advance progress to a clean energy future. For more information, click here. 
• 10/22/25 (Middletown): CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs is hosting a full-day Environmental Justice Convening designed to bring together grassroots organizers, nonprofits, funders, and community leaders working across housing, food and farming, clean energy, and environmental justice. For more information, click here.
• 11/6/25 (New Haven): Join the Yale Clean Energy Collaborative for the 2025 Yale Clean Energy Conference from Nov 6 - 8, 2025. For more information, click here. 

Tribal News

• Public Act 25-59 establishes May 5 as Red Dress Day in Connecticut, to commemorate missing and murdered indigenous women and children. This act brings awareness and hope to the to the ongoing crisis, honoring their memory and supporting their families and communities.

Cooking Through Time Cookbook Club | September 11 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Gunn Museum, Washington, CT

• Special Guest Speaker, Darlene Kascak, Educational Outreach Ambassador for the Institute of American Indian Studies (IAIS) will present on traditional indigenous foods. Please bake your pies and be ready to share your baking experiences (if you wish). Cooking Through Time combines history and food as we discuss the history behind the recipes and food fads while sharing our experiences and creations with fellow members.

Metichawan (Lovers Leap): Indigenous Communities of the Lower Housatonic | September 13, 2025

• Join archaeologist, Dr. Lucianne Lavin, Traditional Storyteller Darlene Kascak (Schaghticoke Tribal Nation), and Education Department staff from the Institute for American Indian Studies at “Indian Valley Farm” in Bridgewater, below “Lovers Leap”. They will apply “Two-Eyed Seeing” for a better understanding of the Indigenous history of this location. For more information, click here. 

We hope to include more Tribal related news, funding opportunities, and resources to include in the EJ newsletter. Please reach out to Danielle Russell (danielle.russell@ct.gov) with any resources you'd like featured. 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

For funding for environmental justice projects around New England, explore the new EJ Funding and Financing Navigator. The tool is available in both sheet and gallery formats, with funder profiles, deadline calendars, and a user guide to help you find the best-fit opportunities for your needs.

• 9/9/25 deadline: Hartford Foundation 2025 Community Organizing Grant seeks proposals from groups conducting community organizing efforts led by people of color and/or people representing communities traditionally marginalized as they engage and activate residents locally for the purpose of more inclusive civic participation often with the potential for policy change. 
  • Eligible entities: Nonprofits or community groups
  • Funding amount: Grant awards will range from $5,000 - $40,000.
  • Contact: To discuss a project’s potential fit, eligibility, or the content of the application, including assistance with identifying outcomes, contact Tiana Starks, Senior Community Impact Associate, at tstarks@hfpg.org. DEEP.MMCAPlanning@ct.gov. For more information, click here.
• 9/16/25 deadline: Grants for Grassroots Groups in New England is specialized in funding groups without 501c3 status or fiscal sponsors, with priority for those with annual budgets under $100,000. They will be hosing bi-weekly office hours to answer questions about applications ahead of the upcoming Grow grant fall deadline. For questions, please contact Mary Jones at mary@grassrootsfund.org 
  • Seed Grants (up to $1,000, rolling deadline) – testing new ideas
  • Grow Grants (up to $4,000, UPCOMING deadline Sept 16) – flexible funding for ongoing work
• 11/3/25 deadline: Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program provides financial assistance to municipalities and nonprofit land conservation organizations to acquire land for open space, and to water companies to acquire land to be classified as Class I or Class II water supply property. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: Municipalities, non-profit land conservation organizations (e.g., land trust), or water companies
  • Funding amount: See Guidelines and FAQ PDF
  • Contact: Allyson Clarke at Allyson.Clarke@ct.gov or (860) 424-3774
• 11/3/25 deadline: 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. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: Municipalities or non-profit organizations with a project site within a Distressed Municipality, Targeted Investment Community, or an EJ Community.
  • Funding amount: Applicants must have funds available or funding sources available for 50% of the anticipated total project cost. See Guidelines and FAQ PDF for more information.
  • Contact: Steven Perry at Steven.Perry@ct.gov or (860) 424-3603
• Rolling deadline: New England Grassroots Environment Fund provides funding for groups launching new projects or starting to significantly change the direction of an existing project.  
  • Eligible entities: Groups doing local, grassroots work in CT, ME, MA, NH, RI or VT. 501c3 status is not required. 
  • Funding Amount: $500 - $1,000.  
  • Contact: Tess Beem, tess@grassrootsfund.org. For more information, click here. 
• Rolling deadline: Ben & Jerry's Foundation Grassroots Organizing National Grant Program provides support to community-based, grassroots organizations confronting social and environmental injustice.
  • Eligible entities: 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organizations 
  • Funding: Two-year unrestricted, general operating support grants of up to $30,000 per year, with an average grant size of $20,000 per year, to small (budgets under $350,000), constituent-led grassroots organizations throughout the U.S. and its territories.
  • Contact: Dana Jeffery at info@benandjerrysfoundation.org 802-495-1378. For more information, click here.

FEATURED JOBS

• 9/9/2025: Environmental Analyst 3; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• 9/4/2025: Fiscal/Administrative Supervisor; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• 9/19/2025: Environmental Protection Supervising Fisheries Biologist; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Click here to read past DEEP Equity & EJ Newsletters

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at (860) 418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. Any person needing a hearing accommodation may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. In order to facilitate efforts to provide an accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program or event. 

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