6 minute read
Local Action, Statewide Impact
Sustainable CT helps Connecticut communities thrive
“You can see the cloves,” says Kaitlyn Timreck, a teacher at Bristol’s Ivy Drive Elementary School as she breaks off a piece of fresh garlic, holding it up for her students to smell. “And this is what you put in your food—smell it—doesn’t it smell like garlic?”
Her students are not so attracted to the pungent aroma of fresh garlic, but they love the outdoor classroom. They dig their fingers into the rich mixture of topsoil and compost in the raised garden beds and laugh.
“How boring is it to be in school and have to just sit in the classroom every day for 180 days?” posits Lindsey Rivers, an analyst with the Bristol Department of Public Works and the driving force behind outdoor classroom construction. “This would be the funnest thing ever—to build an outdoor classroom, and it’s all about the kids.”
The Ivy Drive School’s outdoor classroom is just one of Bristol’s many sustainability projects supported by Sustainable CT.
“Establishing outdoor classrooms in every school with the help of Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund, conducting multiple community resilience building workshops to better prepare for natural weather emergency events, and being a Mentoring Municipality for other Connecticut municipalities are just a few of the exciting projects that Bristol has completed with our friends at Sustainable CT,” says David Oakes, facilities manager in the City’s Building Maintenance Division.
A Bristol Journey
The City of Bristol began its journey with Sustainable CT in 2017 and earned Bronze Certification in 2018. Bristol advanced to Silver Certification in 2020, and in 2024, the “Mum City” joined the elite level of Gold Certification, including designation as a Climate Leader.
“Throughout, Sustainable CT has been a supporting partner and trusted friend to the city,” adds Oakes, “and we’ve worked in conjunction with other Sustainable CT-registered Municipalities to the benefit, not just of the City of Bristol, but the entire State.”
Bristol is one of 62 Connecticut cities and towns currently certified by Sustainable CT—including 37 Bronze, 19 Silver, and six Gold. There are also 15 municipalities currently designated as Climate Leaders for their extra efforts in reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and preparing their communities for the impacts of climate change. In all, 138 of Connecticut’s 169 towns, covering 91% of state’s population, are currently registered with Sustainable CT. The Community Match Fund has enabled 23,696 individual donations of more than $2.4 million in 85 registered towns, provided $2.1 million in matching funds, and facilitated a combined $4.5 million investment in Connecticut communities.
The West Hartford Tree Canopy
In West Hartford, Mayor Shari Cantor knows the value of trees, and of Sustainable CT. “Our West Hartford Tree Project is a grassroots effort supported by the community,” says Cantor, “and generously matched up to $7,500 by Sustainable CT.”
The West Hartford Tree Project aims to increase the Town’s tree inventory one seedling at a time. Each year, volunteers purchase and distribute more than 1,000 native trees in April to local residents. The project also provides advice, education, and tree cages to ensure the highest survival rate. A strong and healthy tree canopy cleans the air, reduces stormwater runoff, intakes carbon, cools summer air, buffers wind and noise, and increases property values.
“They began with seedlings and, thanks to donations and Sustainable CT’s support, they now distribute young, healthy native potted trees,” Cantor explains. “In 2024, more than 100 donors provided $16,000 and more than 370 recipients selected ‘shovel ready’ trees—a huge win for biodiversity and the Town’s tree canopy.”
West Hartford is currently a Gold certified town, and designated a Climate Leader, in the Sustainable CT program. The town first qualified for Bronze certification in
2018, Silver in 2021, and Gold in 2024. Over the years, West Harford has excelled in renewable energy adoption, tracking and planning. The town has also achieved remarkable success in land and natural resources management, and in the development of a clean and diverse transportation system, earning more than 2,100 points and completing 97 sustainability actions over the six years its been involved with Sustainable CT.
Old Saybrook Shines
Old Saybrook is another town that has been involved with the Sustainable CT program since 2018, earning Bronze, Silver and Gold certifications and Climate Leader designation. The town has accomplished some extraordinary sustainability achievements including coastal resiliency planning, enhanced walkability through expansion of the sidewalk network, invasive species education and management, solid waste reduction through composting and recycling, special events and a new website to promote local businesses, funding and support for arts and culture, and zoning regulation changes to allow more affordable housing through accessory dwelling units.
“The incredibly competent Sustainable CT team has provided no-cost assistance in identifying the steps needed to accomplish actions, pre-application reviews and feedback, and training opportunities,” says Lynette Wacker, Inland Wetlands Agent and Assistant Town Planner for the Town of Old Saybrook. “Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund has provided substantial financial support by matching donations from the community for projects making a local impact, including a free tree giveaway to help residents ‘green up’ Old Saybrook, and the rehabilitation of a greenhouse to allow Old Saybrook High School students to grow food for their culinary programs and pollinator garden.”
Old Saybrook achieved the most points ever awarded to a town in a single certification application—1,095—in May of 2024.
Wacker points out? that certification is not a static achievement. “We’re currently working on some exciting new initiatives from the updated Sustainable CT Action List in preparation for future re-certification,” she says. “We look forward to working with the staff and fellows at Sustainable CT to accomplish our goals to help Old Saybrook thrive well into the future!”
In Pursuit of State Funding
Sustainable CT is hoping to expand its reach and effectiveness well into the future, too. The organization is currently asking the Connecticut General Assembly to provide a baseline of funding to support its mission at $1 million over two years. As Sustainable CT’s executive director, Jessica LeClair, observed in her testimony before the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee, “It’s an honor to work with passionate elected officials, municipal staff, and resident volunteers who care deeply about their communities.”
Looking to the future, she added, “We are eager to continue our work to support Connecticut towns—we hope to make a truly sustainable Connecticut.”
