Trainings & Events

As nonprofits face funding cuts and rising expenses, it is more crucial than ever to have access to accurate data that helps us manage our resources and meet the growing needs in our communities. As the availability and reliability of federal data becomes unpredictable, nonprofit and public sector professionals must think creatively about how to navigate this changing landscape and find partnerships that can help us maximize the resources available.

Join CTData for a 90-minute in-person event designed to foster connections, share resources, and highlight reliable state data.

During this event, you will hear from state agency leaders about the data they are working to make available, including updates on ongoing projects and information about data sources you may not have considered. We will also discuss changes at the federal level and how they may affect data availability in the future. Then, participate in small group discussions to share challenges and brainstorm solutions for filling data gaps in your community. We’ll conclude with dedicated networking time to build relationships and strengthen our data community.

Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, data professional, or simply passionate about evidence-based social change, you’ll gain new insights, valuable resources, and stronger connections. Let’s create a more resilient, informed, and connected data ecosystem.

Speakers:

• Scott Gaul, Connecticut Chief Data Offier, Office of Policy and Management
• Tabitha Sookdeo, Executive Director of CT Students for a Dream
• Michelle Riordan-Nold, Executive Director of CTData Collaborative

Governor Lamont is hosting Connecticut’s second annual Sustainability and Resiliency Week! Join in on the fun starting September 28 to October 4, 2025, for events that celebrate the work across Connecticut that protects our economy, natural resources, and our communities.

Each day will feature virtual, hybrid, and in-person events hosted by partners from across the state. We hope you can join in the celebration!
 

This is an electric vehicle ride and drive event in the parking lot of the zero-emission Hotel Marcel in the Long Wharf area of New Haven. Multiple makes of vehicles will be available to test drive. Food will be available for sale. Last year's event attracted over 200 people. EV Club leadership will be present to discuss the latest in EV developments.

The following manufacturers or dealerships are bringing vehicles.

• Lucid
• Kia
• Vinfast
• Tesla
• Hyundai

Join the HRRA for a Vital Community Conversation: The Truth About E-Cigarettes

E-cigarettes are often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking—but what’s the real story?

• Health Impacts: Learn about how marketing and the retail environment create risk factors for underage use of nicotine and cannabis, and about important prevention efforts
• Environmental Consequences: Discover how disposable vapes and e-cigarette waste contribute to Connecticut’s waste crisis.
• Taking Action: Find out how you can advocate and help change the landscape from use to disposal.

Let’s come together to share knowledge, ask questions, and build a healthier future.

Flooding Impacts on Drinking Water Quality. Please join the Connecticut Water Planning Council's Outreach and Education Workgroup for a continuation of the Extreme Weather and Our Watershed Webinar Series 2025. The series will wrap up this fall with two workshops centered on the impacts of extreme weather on drinking water quality. The first workshop will cover flooding and the water quality impacts on both surface and groundwater supplies. The next workshop will focus on drought and impacts on water quality, including challenges with algal blooms and cyanobacteria. Please register to attend.
 

The Hixon Center is pleased to announce its Fall 2025 Speaker Series on Sustainable Transportation. Webinars will take place on Tuesdays from September 9 to November 11, from 12:00-1:00pm U.S. ET. Join us for a ten-part weekly lecture series on Sustainable Transportation, exploring forward-thinking solutions in response to climate change, rapid urbanization, and growing global mobility. Experts will share practical insights and real-world examples from across the globe, shedding light on policies and innovations for a more sustainable, connected world. Visit hixon.yale.edu/event-series/sustainable-transportation to see a full list of upcoming speakers. All lectures are free and open to the public. Recordings of each session will be available on the event page by the following Tuesday.
 

Join the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM for an update to the Connecticut Climate Report with Executive Director Jim O’Donnell and Research Associate Marc de Vos. The webinar will share CIRCA’s evaluation of high-fidelity climate projections against observations from seven locations around the state, offering insights into how global and regional climate trends translate at the Connecticut scale. Findings show high reliability in projections of daily minimum temperatures, mixed reliability in daily maximum temperatures and average wind speeds, and low reliability in daily average rainfall. These results highlight both the value and limits of state-scale projections and their importance in guiding local decisions about extreme weather risk mitigation and climate adaptation.
 

Sustainable CT will be joined by staff from Senator Chris Murphy's office for an update on the federal landscape related to sustainability and climate change initiatives. Senator Murphy has a 97% lifetime approval rating from the League of Conservation Voters. He has authored, sponsored or co-sponsored major environmental legislation including the Super Pollutants Act focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This webinar seeks to make a clear-eyed assessment of the state of our environmental union and find a positive way forward.
 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is excited to launch a four-part webinar series for the Coastal Inundation Community of Practice designed to help you make the most of the Quick Views in NOAA's Sea Level Calculator. The Sea Level Calculator uses Quick Views to present curated sets of data and interactive visualizations that focus on different dimensions of coastal inundation and sea level rise.

Each session focuses on one of the quick views and offers:

• Guided demonstration 
• Hands-on scenarios
• Interactive polls
• Opportunities to ask the developers your questions

Webinar # 1: Observed Sea Level Trends and Future Sea Levels Quick Views

Date: August 20, 2025

Time: 3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. ET

Webinar # 2: Seasonal Variation Quick View

Date: September 3, 2025

Time: 3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. ET

Webinar # 3: Changes in Flood Frequency Quick View 

Date: September 17, 2025 

Time: 3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. ET

Webinar #4: Extreme Water Levels Quick View

Date: October 1, 2025  

Time: 3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. ET / 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. PT

Please note that the first half of each webinar will be recorded. Attendees are required to acknowledge the privacy statements from NOAA's Office for Coastal Management which is viewable here. The Q&A portion will not be recorded.

NOAA hopes you can join for one—or all four—of these engaging sessions! Please email [email protected] if you have questions.
 

Join Eversource for their next First Thursdays webinar to hear from their electric vehicle (EV) team and learn about Residential Managed Charging. The Eversource Managed Charging program balances power needs across system demands, and EVs represent a unique opportunity to optimize charging when the grid demand decreases. Whether you are new to Managed Charging or want to maximize your benefits, this webinar will provide information that you need to empower your drive forward.

Why should you attend?

• Learn why Managed Charging matters, how it benefits you, and the incentives available
• Find out about the two program options available and which might be the best fit for you
• Determine who to contact with questions
• Discover how the performance incentive works, including payout amounts and timing

Join the Connecticut Green Bank for their semi-annual webinar providing critical updates on environmental infrastructure programs and financing opportunities. This session is designed for stakeholders across all environmental infrastructure sectors (water, waste and recycling, parks and recreation, land conservation, agriculture, climate adaptation and resilience, and environmental markets).

The Connecticut Green Bank will cover the Environmental Infrastructure program’s evolution, recent developments, policy changes that drive financing opportunities, and highlight active projects. Attendees will gain valuable insights into application timelines, eligibility criteria, and strategies to optimize financing. This webinar is also an excellent opportunity to engage directly with program administrators and ask questions relevant to your community or project.
 

The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund is hosting a webinar on Project Design & Building Partnerships. This webinar reviews program funding goals and shares past project designs that have been funded. There is also a focus on how to build meaningful partnerships within your project idea.
 

Join the Energy Policy Institute for our their next Power Talk of the school year. These conversations bring together experts with those who are interested in energy to share insights and engage in discussion.

Guest Speakers:

• Bryant Jones, Executive Director, Geothermal Rising
• Paul Thompson, Vice President of Business Development, Ormat Technologies
• Kathy Araújo, Director, Energy Policy Institute, and Professor of Sustainable Energy Systems, Innovation and Policy, Boise State University

Nonprofits are increasingly concerned about how sensitive government and federal data are accessed, and how this may violate laws and regulations while undermining the trust people place in organizations when seeking critical services. How can we provide services without risking people's safety when sharing sensitive information?

Building on the Quick Improvements to Data Privacy tip sheet, Dr. Eric Giannella of the Massive Data Institute will share practical safeguards to protect sensitive data without requiring new technology. He will outline steps for assessing whether certain personal data can be stored separately or made less sensitive while still meeting mission needs, and methods for deciding whether to retain or delete sensitive information to balance program effectiveness with privacy protection.

This webinar will be especially helpful for executive directors and program managers, but it will also benefit anyone who manages client data and needs practical solutions they can share with colleagues. Register here.
 

Placemaking goes beyond beautification —it is a process that fosters connection and community activation. Join us in New Haven on Wednesday, October 8th for a dynamic summit that explores how placemaking can reflect a community’s unique geography, cultural identity, and history—while driving pride, investment, and growth.

Why Attend?

• Hear from Fred Kent, founder of the global placemaking movement, as he shares his insights and actionable strategies for transforming main streets into vibrant, people-centered places.


• Explore real-world case studies from downtowns across Connecticut that demonstrate how municipalities and stakeholders are successfully implementing community-led placemaking.


• Engage with New Haven leaders in a live panel discussion showcasing impactful local initiatives and lessons learned.


• Connect with decision makers and doers— main street professionals, planners, city officials, economic developers, arts & culture professionals, and entrepreneurs—who are shaping the future of Connecticut’s downtowns.

Whether you’re looking to spark reinvestment, strengthen local identity, or activate underused public spaces, you will leave this summit with the inspiration and practical tools to make it happen!
 

Join UConn TAB as they summarize the changes in the EPA MAC Grant Guidelines.
 

Help Connecticut shape its path to net-zero by 2050! Join the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection’s upcoming virtual public meeting to review progress towards the state’s climate goals and proposed strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and share your climate implementation action priorities. Your voice will help build a more affordable, resilient, and low-carbon future for Connecticut.

This meeting is open to all who are interested in climate action in Connecticut. For those who cannot attend the meeting, DEEP will post a recording of the meeting on its website.

When: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Where: Virtual
 

Please join Rebekah Fraser’s Trash to Fashion programming. Learn from her ongoing dedication to using less, reusing more with concrete and accessible ways to achieve it.

Fraser (artist, writer, activist and educator) has spent years creating wearable garments and accessories out of items such as plastic wrappers, torn ‘beyond use’ clothing, and even glass (seen as a decorative element in her skirt to the left.)

If you want to help make our environment safe but don’t know where to start, learn how to upcycle with flair to refashion our environment at the Trash to Fashion Workshop, led by Fraser and other fashion designers. Whether wild, ridiculous, or glamorous, wear your creation at the Trash to Fashion Ball immediately following the workshop.
 

Join Kevin Moss, Senior Manager for Clean Transportation at Connecticut Green Bank for an informative one-hour Coffee Hour to discuss the Fleet Electrification Accelerator, regulatory updates, and information to sign up our Spring 2026 Cohort. This free program supports Connecticut school districts—especially those in distressed municipalities—in planning and deploying electric school bus fleets.

Join Sustainable CT for virtual, informal, discussions most third Thursdays of each month. We share program updates and resources, explore your questions, and strengthen the network of Sustainable CT champions. These sessions are free and open to all.
 

Please join the Connecticut Water Planning Council's Outreach and Education Workgroup for a continuation of the Extreme Weather and Our Watershed Webinar Series 2025. The series will wrap up this fall with two workshops centered on the impacts of extreme weather on drinking water quality. This final workshop will focus on drought and its impacts on water quality, including challenges with algal blooms and cyanobacteria.
 

Join Nylab Noori, from New England Rural Health Association for a discussion on how rural communities are impacted by brownfields.
 

The EPA is hosting a webinar for assistance agreement (grant) applicants and recipients. During the webinar, EPA staff will review key aspects of EPA’s grants processes and requirements, and you will have the opportunity to submit questions. You must register in advance for the webinar using the link provided below.
 

SWAC membership is open to all. Meetings held in an open stakeholder forum.

For more information or agenda: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/waste-management-and-disposal/solid-waste-management-plan/state-solid-waste-advisory-committee-information-and-schedule
 

Save the Date!

We'll be honoring all of our 2025 certified towns and a brand new cohort of Climate Leaders at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam on Tuesday, October 28, from 4-7 p.m.

The Goodspeed opened its doors as a professional musical theatre in 1963 in an historic building on the banks of the Connecticut River in East Haddam. This exceptional venue has hosted over 250 musicals, including over 70 world premieres, and has exported 21 productions to Broadway.

Please do save the date to hit the high notes with us. Better yet, REGISTER EARLY because - you guessed it - space is limited. Your hard work and continuing support are of vital importance to us, so we hope to see you on October 28th!

Sponsorship Opportunities are Available!

Join us in working for a better Connecticut. By sponsoring our 2025 Awards Celebration, you'll be aligned with our reputation as a trusted and valuable support program for municipal leaders and an innovative thought-leader in building thriving, sustainable communities. Don't wait: contact Jessica LeClair, 860-259-4767, to discuss options and details.
 

Jump on UConn TAB's link to get help and support with your EPA MAC Grant!
 

Join the UConn College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources for an exciting day of presentations featuring current science-based research and information on supporting pollinators in managed landscapes. Learn how native plants support pollinator health throughout the year!

This program is designed for growers and other green industry professionals, landscape service providers, landscape architects and designers, town commissions, municipalities, and home gardeners.

Session topics:

Who are Connecticut’s Specialist Bees: Tracy Zarillo MS., Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Come learn about Connecticut’s specialist bees and the plants they need, as well as other common bees to watch for in the yard. 

Soil Microbial Allies in Managed Systems: Mia Maltz, PhD., Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut
This presentation will highlight suburban soil ecology and how it impacts native plant and pollinator health. 

Knockout Natives: Sam Hoadley, Mt. Cuba Center Botanic Garden
Top performers and favorites of Phlox, Echinacea, wild hydrangea, Carex, Amsonia, and Vernonia from Mt. Cuba Center’s research trials will be discussed.

Seeing Nature: Andrew Brand, MS., Coastal Maine Botanical Garden
Draw gardening inspiration from images of plant and pollinator interactions captured beautifully and like you’ve never seen before.

Native Landscape Plants with Local Roots: Jessica Lubell-Brand, PhD., Professor, University of Connecticut
Native shrub selections that were discovered in and originate from New England will be covered

REGISTRATION AND MORE INFORMATION: s.uconn.edu/nppc2025

• Early Registration (by October 15): $70
• Regular Registration (after October 15): $80
• College/University Matriculated Students: $25

The Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation is hosting a one-day conference at the Branford House at UConn Avery Point in Groton. Please join to work toward a more Resilient Connecticut! Register for the event HERE, registration closes November 3. Agenda to follow.
 

Join Sustainable CT for virtual, informal, discussions most third Thursdays of each month. We share program updates and resources, explore your questions, and strengthen the network of Sustainable CT champions. These sessions are free and open to all.
 

Connecticut’s data community faces new challenges and opportunities as access to critical information grows more complex and essential to our work. This year’s sudden loss of federal datasets (which were ultimately restored) underscored the urgent need for a strong and connected data ecosystem in Connecticut.

For this year's conference, CTData will focus on the theme of Data for Democracy. Bringing together more than 250 nonprofit and public sector leaders, data professionals, and advocates, we will strengthen our collective ability to use data for good.

Join CTData on December 3rd at the Hartford Marriott Downtown for a day of expert insights, hands-on learning, and networking with peers who share your commitment to ethical, transparent, and impactful data use.

This year’s event comes at a pivotal moment for our state and features keynote speaker Dr. Ismar Volić, Director of the Institute for Mathematics and Democracy, and author of “Making Democracy Count: How Mathematics Improves Voting, Electoral Maps, and Representation.” As an attendee you will:

• Gain practical skills through sessions such as Data Tools 101 and 202.

• Explore participatory strategies to authentically engage people with lived experience.

• Learn actionable frameworks like “before action reviews” and “in action reviews.”

• Connect with a vibrant professional community committed to advancing ethical data practices.

• Share solutions and advocate for the data that drives our missions and supports strong communities.

This is a paid in-person event.
 

Join Katie Malgioglio, UConn TAB Community Engagement Manager, for a conversation about UConn TAB's Municipal Assistance Program.
 

Join Sustainable CT for virtual, informal, discussions most third Thursdays of each month. We share program updates and resources, explore your questions, and strengthen the network of Sustainable CT champions. These sessions are free and open to all.
 

This informative day will include keynote speakers, breakout sessions, networking, a catered lunch, and exhibitors. Attendees will benefit from a variety of themed breakout sessions, providing education on composting related to the basics, home, farm, municipal, schools, and medium to large scale operations. The event will highlight how composting can benefit local communities, businesses, the environment, and improve climate resiliency.