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One of The Nature Conservancy’s primary strategies for preserving biological diversity is to work with partners, legislatures and government officials to develop, pass and implement sound public policies. 

We are able to bring the expertise of our staff to help craft legislation and programs that will be science-based and fair, and produce real results on the ground.

For nearly 20 years, The Nature Conservancy has been one of the leaders in advocating for public funds for open space preservation.
In Connecticut alone we have helped to ensure that more than $250 million in state funds were dedicated to preserving lands as state forests and parks or open space purchase by communities and other organizations On May 8th, a six-year effort by TNC and our partners culminated in final approval of legislation designating the Eightmile River in East Haddam, Salem, a Lyme a federal Wild and Scenic River.
 
In Connecticut, we have also introduced or supported legislation involving forest management, conservation tax incentives, invasive plant control, wildlife management, conservation real estate law, stream flow management and climate change.

On the State Level

The nation’s economic crisis and its impacts on our state government’s revenues will be the overriding factor in the 2009 Connecticut General Assembly session. In light of this budget climate, unprecedented in its severity, learn how the the Conservancy will focus primarily on maintaining, rather than increasing, funding levels for several state programs that are critical to Connecticut’s natural resources.

On the Federal Level

The 110th Congress did not adopt new budgets for the FY09 fiscal year that started on October 1st, and instead used a “continuing resolution” to keep agencies and programs operating at FY08 spending levels. It is expected that the new Congress will pass budgets for FY09 by February and then commence work on the FY10 budgets. Read about the federal initiatives that the Connecticut Chapter will be pursuing.

Recap of 2008 General Assembly Session

The overriding factor in the 2008 General Assembly session was the decision late in the session by the Democratic leadership and Governor Rell not to make any revisions to the second year of the current biennial budget. Several initiatives that the Chapter worked on depended upon changes being made to the next year’s budget. Get a full recap of how TNC's priorities fared in the 2008 General Assembly.

Connecticut General Assembly's Web Site

Use the Connecticut General Assembly's web site to:

• Look up the language for a bill - use the "quick search at the top of the page, and then the top link under "text of bill" on the left hand side of the page that comes up  
• Find your legislator - click on "House" or "Senate" on the left hand side of the home page, and then on "Find your legislator"
• Check the meeting or hearing schedule - click on "Bulletin" under "CGA today" in the center of the home page
• Look up a law - click on "Statutes" in the blue ban at the top of the home page

To receive our legislative alerts and updates by e-mail during the legislative session, so you’ll know when to contact your elected officials concerning certain conservation bills and proposed laws, please send us your e-mail to dsutherland@tnc.org.

 

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Alden Warner  (Pawcatuck Borderlands, North Stonington, Noyes Preserve); Photo © Alden Warner (Ironweed.).