Dear Community,

Thank you for tuning into our August 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.  

In this edition, we are excited to highlight the Reducing Flood Risk in our Communities Fact Sheet, from UConn Extension. Severe rain events and flooding in our municipalities and communities is becoming more common. Flood risk reduction involves adapting infrastructure and land use to increasing flood frequency and intensity along with mitigating human impacts. While strategies must be place specific, this fact sheet provides starting point guidance on how different stakeholders in Connecticut’s land and infrastructure can contribute to reducing floods. 

Gratefully yours,

Office of Equity and Environmental Justice

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS 

DEEP announced the launch of Laptop ConneCT. This program, in partnership with the Connecticut State Library, will put laptops and related accessories in the hands of the state residents who need them most. After two introductory webinars, over 100 principal public libraries have already signed up to participate in this long-term lending system, and DEEP is continuing to accept applications from libraries. The program aims to expand digital opportunity and connect more people to education, employment, healthcare, and essential resources. For more information, click here.

Submission deadline to August 17 for comments on the Responsible Use of AI and Other Technology to Modernize Permitting Processes. DEEP’s AI RFI is intended to gather input from technology vendors, permit applicants, regulated entities, environmental advocates, academic institutions, and members of the public on how AI-enabled tools and other modern technologies may support DEEP’s permitting programs. For more information, click here.

A Cleanup Comprehensive Viewer map has been made publicly available through CT DEEP REACT. It provides the environmental and demographic setting and context for properties undergoing cleanups. This comprehensive map viewer is based in ArcGIS and therefore can accommodate many layers and has filtering and radius capabilities. There are multiple groups of layers such as geology, soils, water, demographic, federally available info, land use, and wildlife. To learn more, click here.

CEEJAC and the State's Open Space Watershed Review Board are seeking Environmental Justice Community Representatives to join. Both of these councils and boards help shape the state's progress on environmental justice. If you have questions, please reach out to Sarah.Huang@ct.gov or Lindsay.Suhr@ct.gov. To apply, click here. 

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 Meetings: 

CEEJAC Quarterly Meeting (In-Person)
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 1:00 - 4:00 PM
DEEP HQ - 79 Elm St Hartford, CT
5th Floor, Gina McCarthy Auditorium
Register to attend on Zoom 
Register to attend In-Person 

CEEJAC Quarterly Meeting (Virtual)
Wednesday, December 16, 2026 | 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Register for December 16, 2026

FEATURED EVENTS

Indoor Air Quality and Affordable Housing Webinar | August 11 | Virtual
Join the Environmental Law Institute and the International WELL Building Institute for a discussion on how health and indoor air quality (IAQ) can be elevated within the national conversation around affordable housing. Expert panelists will explore opportunities to integrate IAQ into housing policy and financing decisions, including through the use of third-party certification programs. For more information, click here.

Fish with CARE Events | Multiple August Options | Statewide
The CARE program offers a variety of “Learn to Fish” classes and events year-round. Fishing events are designed for adults ages 16 and up, as well as families with children 6 years old and above. The CARE program will provide loaner fishing equipment, bait, and expert instruction. A fishing license is required; free licenses for youth 15 and under are available here. For more information, click here.

Connect & Catalyze: Environmental Justice Resource Exchange | Oct 14 | Hartford
This one-day statewide convening aims to brings together community leaders, nonprofit organizations, advocates, funders, researchers, government partners, and technical assistance providers working to advance environmental justice across Connecticut. This gathering is designed to strengthen relationships, spark new partnerships, and connect participants with the funding, resources, and practical strategies needed to move community-driven solutions forward. For more information, click here.

Other Events 

• 8/17/26: Forum on Black Bear Safety and Awareness. This public forum provides an opportunity to ask questions and get first-hand knowledge from State bear biologists about being “Bear Wise”. For more information, click here.

Tribal News

The Mohegan Tribe and the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History joined together for a ceremonial homecoming recognizing the return of culturally significant artifacts and historical documents. Included in the items returned are historical documents connected to Samson Occom, an 18th century Mohegan scholar and minister, and other artifact that reflect the enduring history, identity, and resilience of the Mohegan people. For more information, click here.

Tribal Events

Annual Green Corn Festival | August 9 | 12:00PM-4:00PM | Woodbury
Welcome the first corn of the season with a lively lineup including drumming, dancing, children’s activities, flute music by Allan Madahbee (Ojibwe), vendors, stories and more! Also joining is the Native Nations Dance Troupe led by Erin Lamb Meeches (Schaghticoke)! For more information, click here.

Mohegan Wigwam Festival 2026 | August 15th - 16th | Fort Shantok
Everyone is invited to join Native Americans from across the country in a family-friendly day of traditional Native American crafts, foods, and dance competitions. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, click here.

Schemitzun: Feast of Green Corn and Dance | August 28-30 | Mashantucket
Schemitzun features traditional and contemporary tribal dance exhibitions, drum and live music, and plenty of authentic Native American-made crafts to usher in the 2026 harvest season. 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. 

For DEEP grant programs, explore DEEP's Grants and Financial Assistance page. 

For opportunities available for Tribal communities, explore Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy Funding Opportunities.

• 8/14/2026 deadline: EPA’s Rural, Small, and Tribal Wastewater Technical Assistance (RST TA) provides grant funding for technical assistance providers that support small, rural, and Tribal communities in addressing wastewater infrastructure challenges. For more information, click here. 
  • Eligible entities: small, rural, and Tribal communities
  • Funding amount: $25.5 million

• 8/14/2026 deadline: DEEP's New England Heat Pump Accelerator (NEHPA) Community Grants provide funding to test locally driven solutions to help expand heat pump access in low- and moderate-income communities. We’re excited to hear your ideas to help more households access efficient, affordable HVAC and water heating. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: local governments, community-based organizations, housing and real estate organizations, Tribal governments and organization, workforce organizations, community development financial institutions, and private sector entities.
  • Funding amount: $100,00 to $500,000
• 8/31/2026 deadline: DEEP's Resilient Forestry Practices Grant seeks to support rural municipalities and federally recognized Tribes in implementing resilient forestry practices that will improve forest health and resilience. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: Federally recognized tribes or rural municipalities with a population less than 50,000
  • Funding amount: up to $150,000
  • Contact: Erin Alvey, Erin.Alvey@ct.gov
• 9/1/2026 deadline: World Wildlife Fund launched a grant opportunity to prevent household wasted food. This effort is part of the National Household Wasted Food Prevention Project (NHWFPP) which aims to reduce wasted food by 10% to 20% per capita. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: nonprofits, Tribal and local governments, U.S. territories and states, and higher education institutions
  • Funding amount: $75,000–$750,000
• 9/1/2026 deadline: DEEP's Outdoor Recreation and Legacy Partnership Program is a nationally competitive program, administered by the National Park Service and by DEEP in Connecticut, offers reimbursement funds for land acquisition or development projects for the purposes of public outdoor recreation or support thereof. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: Municipal governments, Native American Tribes and Tribal Governments, Regional Planning Groups applying for a project within a city or town that meets project eligibility requirements
  • Funding: 1:1 reimbursement awards, up to 50% of total eligible project cost.
  • Funding Range: $300,000 - $15,000,000 grant award ($600,000 - $30,000,000 total project cost)
• 10/1/2026 deadline: EnergizeCT's Community Energy Boost Grant Program will fund community outreach groups to help local residents and businesses better understand available energy efficiency programs and offers, including Home Energy Solutions^SM – Income Eligible, heat pump adoption, Small Business Energy Advantage and the Multifamily Initiative. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: Incorporated nonprofit organizations, community groups, chambers of commerce and councils of governments
• 11/6/2026 deadline: DEEP's 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, and water companies
  • Funding: based upon the fair market value 
• 12/4/2026 deadline: DEEP's Urban Green and Community Garden Grant Program provides funding assistance to develop or enhance urban green spaces for public enjoyment and/or environmental education. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: distressed municipalities, targeted investment communities, registered non-profit organizations, and municipalities that are an environmental justice community.
  • Funding: UCGC is a reimbursement matching program; grant funds can cover up to 50% of the total project cost.
• Rolling deadline: Solar Moonshot Program Grant is helping 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations across the United States make the switch to clean energy. Grant priority is given to solar projects that have additional funding sources and community support. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
  • Funding amount: up to $25,000
• 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. 

FEATURED JOBS

• 8/13/26: Environmental Protection Dispatcher; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• 8/17/26: Research Analyst; 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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