If you see something, say something. The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) seriously threatens Connecticut agriculture and other plants we enjoy. Help the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station control the SLF by reporting and eliminating this invasive pest. Learn more at s.uconn.edu/lanternfly
Sustainable Landscapes
Designing sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces
CT IWR Newsletter
Both our water supply and quality are important and the Connecticut Institute of Water Resources works across the state to promote research related to water resources and provide information. Read the latest newsletter issue at https://ctiwr.uconn.edu/resident-resources/newsletters/
Stewarding Connecticut’s Coastline with Maggie Cozens
Maggie Cozens joined Connecticut Sea Grant and UConn Extension as the Long Island Sound Study outreach coordinator this summer. Her role focuses on encouraging people to care about Long Island Sound and help steward it. The Environmental Protection Agency funds the Long Island Sound Study. It is a partnership with New York Sea Grant, and NEIWPCC, an interstate commission focused on water quality.
“I’m hoping that people will learn they can be empowered participants in stewarding their landscapes, and that they can work with their communities to ensure the integrity of local ecosystems. We can all be active agents stewarding the coastline and watershed,” Maggie reflects on the new role.
She grew up in Newtown, Connecticut, and earned her bachelor of science degree from Appalachian State University in North Carolina and a master of science in environmental science from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
“I try to involve lots of different voices in environmental conversations. People often want to be active champions of the natural world but don’t always know how. There is a strong sense of place in coastal Connecticut, and I’m excited to tap into it.”
During her undergraduate program, Maggie had the opportunity to participate in a semester with the Sea Education Association She sailed from Cape Cod to Ireland, and it was her first time sailing. The tall ship world is connected, and that experience was the catalyst for additional marine science opportunities.
Maggie’s interests always focus on watershed health and marine science. She spent a year as an AmeriCorps volunteer at New England Science and Sailing in southeastern Connecticut. After graduate school, she lived on board a schooner and taught marine science and whale biology to middle school students. She then went on to coordinate environmental education and direct a summer ecology camp at Great Hollow Nature Preserve in New Fairfield, CT.
“These experiences stoked a love of field science, environmental education, and outreach. I have been fortunate to participate in a lot of different opportunities within environmental science, conservation, and education,” she says.
She worked for Maine Coastal Heritage Trust before joining UConn and is glad to be back in Connecticut. “Connecticut contains some of my favorite places to hike; the Connecticut landscape has such an interesting legacy, and you can see it every time you’re outside. There is a wonderful diversity of flora, fauna, and communities. Of the states I’ve had the pleasure of living in, Connecticut never fails to surprise me with its often-overlooked natural beauty and nuance. It is interesting to be outside in this state.
Visit seagrant.uconn.edu to learn more about Maggie and her stewardship work with the Long Island Sound Study.
Land Use Commissioner Training Opportunities
As we are approaching the January 1, 2024 deadline to complete the initial four (4) required credits of the land use commissioner training under the CGS Sec. 8-4c, I am excited to share a number of upcoming opportunities for our commissioners to obtain the required credits. I am listing the most immediate opportunities below and providing a link to our CT Land Use Commissioner Training Calendar CT Land Use Commissioner Training (google.com) where you can find training information and registration links (when available). Feel free to share the link to the calendar with your commissioners.
September 21, 2023: Land Use Commissioner Training – CRCOG (1.5 credits-virtual)
The Capital Region Connecticut Council of Governments (CRCOG) will host the CLEAR Land Use Academy – Basic Training, Legal Requirements and Procedures, Roles and Responsibilities, which provides 1.5 hours of credit toward the state required land use commissioner training. Presented by Renata Bertotti, AICP, Assistant Extension Educator in LU Planning and Climate Resilience, UConn CLEAR & CAHNR Department of Extension. Session will be presented online over ZOOM, be open to all and start at 7:00 p.m.
September 28, 2023: Land Use Commissioner Training – SCCOG (1.5 credits – in-person)
The Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SCCOG) will host the CLEAR Land Use Academy – Basic Training, Fundamentals of Reading Plans, which provides 1.5 hours of credit toward the state required land use commissioner training. Presented by Renata Bertotti, AICP, Assistant Extension Educator in LU Planning and Climate Resilience, UConn CLEAR & CAHNR Department of Extension. This session assists commissioners with developing plan reading skills including understanding scale, topography, hydrology and stormwater. Participants learn to translate what is on the plans to what it will look like on the ground. The in-person session will start at 6:30 p.m. at 5 Connecticut Avenue, Norwich, CT 06360. The attendance is limited, future sessions may be held if there is interest.
September 30, 2023: Land Use Commissioner Training – NVCOG (4 credits – in person)
The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments will host the CLEAR Land Use Academy Basic Training – The Legal Requirements & Procedures, Roles & Responsibilities and The Fundamentals of Reading Plans which will cover three (3) credits of the required CGS Sec. 8-4c training. Presented by Renata Bertotti, AICP, Assistant Extension Educator in LU Planning and Climate Resilience, UConn CLEAR & CAHNR Department of Extension. At the same event, Jocelyn Ayer, Director of the Litchfield County Center for Housing Opportunity, will present a session on Fair and Affordable Housing Policies, which will cover one (1) credit on Fair and Affordable Housing Policies as required by State Statute. Registration details for this in-person event will be provided in September.
October 12, 2023: Land Use Commissioner Training – SCRCOG (4 credits – in person)
The South Central Regional Council of Governments will host the CLEAR Land Use Academy Basic Training – The Legal Requirements & Procedures, Roles & Responsibilities and The Fundamentals of Reading Plans which will cover three (3) credits of the required CGS Sec. 8-4c training. Presented by Renata Bertotti, AICP, Assistant Extension Educator in LU Planning and Climate Resilience, UConn CLEAR & CAHNR Department of Extension. At the same event, David Fink, former Policy Director at Partnership for Strong Communities and SCRCOG Regional Housing Consultant, will present a session on Fair and Affordable Housing Policies which will cover one (1) credit on Fair and Affordable Housing Policies as required by State Statute. This will be an in-person event conducted at location TBD, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., and the attendance will be limited. Session will be recorded.
October 28, 2023: Land Use Commissioner Training – UConn CLEAR @ Middlesex County Extension (4 credits – in person)
The UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) will be running an all-day Land Use Academy on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at the UConn Middlesex County Extension Center located at 1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT, 06438. This will be an in-person event at which the four (4) credits of the required CGS Sec. 8-4c training will be provided. Renata Bertotti will present the Land Use Academy Basic Training – The Legal Requirements & Procedures, Roles & Responsibilities and The Fundamentals of Reading Plans, which will cover three (3) credits of the required CGS Sec. 8-4c training, and Mark Branse, a distinguished attorney from Halloran Sage, will present a session on Fair and Affordable Housing Policies which will cover one (1) credit on Fair and Affordable Housing Policies as required by the State Statute. We plan on recording this session and posting it on CLEAR website for those who cannot attend. The Academy will begin at 9:00 a.m. Registration will be available here soon: https://clear.uconn.edu/lua/
November 16, 2023: Land Use Commissioner Training @CRCOG (1.5 credits – virtual)
The Capital Region Connecticut Council of Governments will host the CLEAR Land Use Academy – Basic Training, Fundamentals of Reading Plans, which provides 1.5 hours of credit toward the state required land use commissioner training. Presented by Renata Bertotti, AICP, Assistant Extension Educator in LU Planning and Climate Resilience, UConn CLEAR & CAHNR Department of Extension. This session assists commissioners with developing plan reading skills including understanding scale, topography, hydrology and stormwater. Participants learn to translate what is on the plans to what it will look like on the ground. Session will be presented online over ZOOM, be open to all and start at 7:00 p.m.
Contact Renata.bertotti@uconn.edu for more information on any of these trainings.
Flooding and Hurricane Resources
Continuing rain and extreme weather events, including impacts from hurricanes, are saturating our Connecticut communities. UConn Extension has the following resources to support agricultural producers, consumers, residents, and others affected. You can also sign up for mobile weather alerts by visiting weather.gov and CT Alerts. Anyone in a Disaster area can use the Ready.gov disaster recovery resources.
Ask a Question
UConn Extension provides answers you can trust. Our educators can also connect with agricultural producers, residents, and businesses individually. Ask us a question.
Residents
Our team offers the following advice on extreme flooding:
Recommendations include: avoid areas with extreme flooding, as little as six inches of water can cause problems, do not drive through flooded water, check weather forecasts, and sign up for mobile alerts.
Flooding and erosion also cause issues on beach properties. Our Sea Grant program has a checklist for coastal hazards.
There are emergency preparedness resources for all residents available at our Adapt CT program. Coastal homeowners and businesses can also use resources specifically made for their situation.
Flood Damage in Your Home
The saturated soil means that incoming rain may cause more problems in your home. Visit http://s.uconn.edu/prevent-flood-damage for resources.
Water, Septic, and Soil Testing
Water testing is also advised in some situations. Visit our website for more resources on how to get water tested in Connecticut.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has information for handling private wells and septic systems after a flood:
Soil testing can help determine the extent of damage and any soil remediation needed. Visit our soil lab online for more information.
Food Safety
Flooding sometimes impacts homes and gardens too. We have the following resources to help in those situations:
- Residential gardening (including vegetables) after flooding
- The safety of food and water after a flood (including well/drinking water)
- Fruit and vegetable food safety from flooded areas
- Food safety after a power outage (in the event that a power outage accompanies a flood)
Agricultural Producers
Water and Soil Testing
Water testing is also advised in some situations. Visit our website for more resources on how to get water tested in Connecticut.
Soil testing can help determine the extent of damage and any soil remediation needed. Visit our soil lab online for more information.
Food Safety
UConn Extension is part of the Produce Safety Alliance, and there are guidelines for flooded farms. We also recommend reviewing our farm worker training video series (y en Español) as the principles will help guide farm recovery after a flood.
Equine
Equine owners also need to be cognizant of disaster preparation, especially floods, and we have specific recommendations for these situations as well as on preparing for equine disasters.
Municipalities
We have programs to help municipalities with stormwater and flooding, including the MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems) and the Adapt CT program for climate adaptation, including flooding in coastal and other communities. There are also fact sheets available:
Governmental Resources
Many state and national organizations have programs and resources that can help with extreme flooding:
- USDA RMA (Risk Management) Emergency Loss Procedures
- USDA Rural Development Programs
- USDA Disaster Resistance
- USDA NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection
Resources from Other Extension Systems
From the National Healthy Homes Project
Putting People First is the focus so they will protect their health during the cleanup and restoration process.
Thanks to the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) and Enterprise Community Partners, A Field Guide for Flooded Home Cleanup (also available in Spanish) has received a makeover. The widely-used guide was first developed nearly 15 years ago to teach safe mold removal practices in hurricane-damaged homes.
In addition, NCHH has a free online training course to educate homeowners and contractors in mold removal safety.
The Rebuild Healthy Homes Guide was developed to help homeowners, volunteers, and other workers to restore damaged homes in a way that puts people first. It includes how-to methods, tips, and improvement ideas for safe restoration that result in not just a livable dwelling, but a healthy home that offers even more than before.
Today: Sweet as Honey Event in Hartford
Today: Join us for the Sweet as Honey event at Hispanic Health Council in Hartford – a free community event with snacks and activities starting at 4:30 PM. We’ll discuss nature, climate change and you’ll take home a sample jar of honey.
Location: 590 Park Street in Hartford
Register online at s.uconn.edu/hhc – walk-ins also accepted.
Prepare for Additional Rain
We’re experiencing heavy rain again this afternoon, & expected into the evening, in part from #HurricaneLee effects. Prepare for flooding with our resources at s.uconn.edu/flooding
Ask UConn Extension: What’s Wrong With the Maple Trees?
This year people are noticing that maple leaves appear wilted or browned and heavy leaf drops are premature in many cases. UConn Extension educator and forestry expert, Tom Worthley, says that this “maple leaf phenomenon is a foliar fungus from the anthracnose group. During summers with high humidity and lots of rainfall these fungi can be very active and that is what we are seeing this year. It is not generally fatal unless a particular tree is under some other severe stress, and there is not much that people can do.” Maple anthracnose overwinters in fallen leaves and the disease is worse in natural or wooded areas where the fallen leaves collect from year to year. Along roadsides, this is especially in evidence by the noticeable difference in the leaves of infected maples compared to other trees surrounding them. Learn more about Maple Anthracnose.
Answered by the UConn Home & Garden Education Center and Tom Worthley
Job Opening: Evaluation Specialist
We’re hiring an Extension Evaluation Specialist. Join our team and advance the field of program evaluation by designing and testing methods that lead to improved capacity to measure outcomes of UConn Extension programs. The Specialist designs and delivers education programs and non-credit courses for UConn Extension faculty, staff, and administrators to increase their capacity to evaluate programs aligned with the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources strategic vision and initiatives. Learn more and apply: https://s.uconn.edu/eval-specialist
School & Municipal Grounds Workshop on September 13th
Now Available – Register Today!UConn Extension School and Municipal Turf/Grounds Workshop 2023September 13, 20238 am-2:30 pmOld Orchard Hill School350 Foster Street, South Windsor, CTInformation and Registration at s.uconn.edu/schoolipmworkshop
Join us for an exciting day of presentations featuring current science-based research and information on supporting landscape management in Connecticut schools.
This program is designed for municipal grounds managers, facilities managers, sports turf managers and landscape professionals who contract with school districts. Learn skills and strategies to support turf and landscape health throughout the year!
Session topics:
- Alternative Management Strategies for Safe Playing Fields Wetting Agents, Ben Polimer, Field & Grounds Coordinator at Town of Weston, MA
- Fertilizer, Cultivation, and Overseeding Considerations for Fall and Early Spring, Jason Henderson, Associate Professor of Soil Science, University of Connecticut
- Invasive Plant ID & Management Tactics, Dave Laiuppa, Environmental Planner, Manchester, CT and Todd Mervosh, TM Agricultural and Ecological Services, LLC
- Time with Diane – Current Topics of Interest, Diane Jorsey, Supervising Environmental Analyst, CT DEEP, Pesticide Management Division
- Panel: Review of the Day and Ask the Experts, Jason Henderson, Diane Jorsey, Ben Polimer, Dave Laiuppa, Todd Mervosh, Vickie Wallace; John Caldwell and Dave Turkington (South Windsor Parks)
- and more details to come!
Registration Information
Registration: $50.00 by noon on Friday, September 8
Last minute registration (after Sept. 8) and day of/walk in registration: $65
Registration fee includes:
– Information packet, including printed copies of UConn Best Management Practice Guides– Light Breakfast, Refreshments and Lunch– Parking– Pesticide recertification credits (pending state approval)– Opportunity to network with UConn turf faculty and fellow grounds managers
Pesticide recertification credits – pending
Please note that registration is nonrefundable.
If you require an accommodation to participate fully in this event (e.g., a sign language interpreter, handicap accessible seating, etc.), please email alyssa.siegel-miles@uconn.edu. Requests must be received at least 5 business days in advance.