Extension Sustainable Landscapes

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Sustainable Landscapes

We are developing environmentally aware citizens that participate in sustainable, healthy lifestyles, and improving our landscapes statewide in collaboration with partners, stakeholders, and community members. 


Find a Program

Center for Land Use Education And Research (CLEAR)

CLEAR is a partnership of the Department of Extension and the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, and the Connecticut Sea Grant College Program. Support for CLEAR comes from UConn and from state and federal grants.

Website

Connecticut Institute of Water Resources (CTIWR)

The Connecticut Institute of Water Resources is located at the University of Connecticut. The institute's mission is to collaborate with and serve all colleges and universities in the state to resolve state and regional water-related problems and provide a strong connection between water resource managers and the academic community, in addition to sharing the results of water resources research and other information with the general public.

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CT Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG)

The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) is a consortium of individuals, organizations, and agencies concerned with invasive plant issues.

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CT Sea Grant

Connecticut Sea Grant works toward achieving healthy coastal and marine ecosystems and consequent public benefits by supporting integrated locally and nationally relevant research, outreach, and education programs in partnership with stakeholders.

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CT Trail Census

The Connecticut Trail Census is an innovative statewide volunteer-based data collection and education program that encourages data-informed decision making and promotes active citizen participation in multi-use trail monitoring and advocacy. The Trail Census includes trail use counts recorded by infrared pedestrian counters, trail user intercept surveys administered by trained volunteers, and public education programs. The project is statewide and serves community leaders and decision makers including local elected officials, planners, economic development professionals, trail advocates, trail maintenance professionals, environmental, health and outdoor activity advocates, as well as the general public. The program was developed as a partnership program between the University of Connecticut, the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, the Connecticut Greenways Council, and local trail advocacy organizations.

Website

Geospatial Technology Program (GTP)

The GTP is a part of the Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) within the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. GTP collaborates with other CLEAR programs on various projects in an effort to create the most useful tools and resources for municipal officials.

CLEAR GTP Website

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a sustainable and scientific approach to managing pests. IPM practitioners base decisions on information that is collected systematically as they integrate economic, environmental, and social goals. This approach applies to any situation, agricultural or urban, and is flexible enough to accommodate the changing demands of agriculture, commerce, and society.

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Master Gardeners

The UConn Extension Master Gardener Program is an educational outreach program that is part of UConn Extension. The program started in 1978 and consists of horticulture training and an outreach component focused on the community at large. Master Gardeners are enthusiastic, willing to learn and share their knowledge and training with others. What sets them apart from other home gardeners is their special horticultural training. In exchange for this training, Master Gardeners commit time as volunteers working through their local UConn Extension Center and the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford to provide horticultural-related information to the community.

Website

Land Use Academy

The Land Use Academy provides practical education for local land use decision makers in Connecticut. The program focuses on the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to serve effectively on a local land use commission. The academy is a partnership of UConn CLEAR, the CT Bar Association, and the CT Office of Policy and Management, and has been around (in various forms under various pseudonyms) for more than thirty years.

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Municipal Stormwater

This guide was developed by the NEMO program at the UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research with funding from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). It is part of a broad outreach effort to provide guidance, training, tools, and other support to help Connecticut MS4 communities and institutions comply with the revised MS4 general permit. This website is frequently updated and materials will be added throughout the five-year project period (fall 2016–fall 2021) based on deadlines for various requirements and community needs or requests.

Website

Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA)

NRCA is an innovative program in conservation and land use planning that engages Connecticut high school students, adult conservation volunteers, and teachers with conservation efforts at the community level. NRCA’s three interconnected efforts benefit students and adults by providing education on natural resource management and geospatial technology, and facilitating the use of these new skills in the implementation of local conservation projects that benefit the community.

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People Active on Trails for Health and Sustainability

PATHS (People Active on Trails for Health and Sustainability) is an interdisciplinary team of University of Connecticut extension educators, faculty, and staff committed to understanding and promoting the benefits of trails and natural resources for health, community & economic development and implementing a social ecological approach to health education. The UConn Extension PATHS team works in a wide variety of departments and disciplines including public health, health education, nutrition, community development, and landscape architecture.

Website

Pesticide Safety Education Program

The goals of the Pesticide Safety Education program are to ensure that anyone using pesticides uses them safely. Pesticides are important tools in pest management, but they and must be respected for what they are and handled in a manner that protects the applicator, the public, the environment, and our food supply.

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Plant Diagnostic Laboratory

The UConn Plant Diagnostic Laboratory diagnoses plant problems including diseases, insect pests and abiotic causes. Techniques used for diagnosis include visual inspection, digital images, microscopy, incubation, baiting, culture, nematode services, and serological tests.

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Soil Health & Conservation

Our approach is to provide a team (with expertise in agronomy, engineering, pasture management, cover cropping, manure management, livestock and vegetable production, soil health, farming in a changing climate, food safety, weed management, farm energy use, and farm viability) to work with individual farmers in the watershed. By working with individual farmers to address their specific goals and challenges, we are seeking to build soil health and restore and protect water quality.

Website

UConn Home & Garden Education Center

Our approach is to provide a team (with expertise in agronomy, engineering, pasture management, cover cropping, manure management, livestock and vegetable production, soil health, farming in a changing climate, food safety, weed management, farm energy use, and farm viability) to work with individual farmers in the watershed. By working with individual farmers to address their specific goals and challenges, we are seeking to build soil health and restore and protect water quality.

Website

Wildlife

The Wildlife Management program emphasizes both applied and basic research in wildlife ecology, management, education, and extension. It concentrates on the problems and opportunities facing wildlife resources at the state, regional, and international levels.
The Wildlife Management program focuses on:
- Predator-prey relationship
- Urban and suburban wildlife, including black bears in Connecticut
- Migratory wildlife species
- Wildlife-human interaction
- International wildlife

Website

4-H Youth

4-H is the youth development program of UConn Extension. As part of the University of Connecticut, 4-H has access to research-based, age-appropriate information needed to help youth reach their full potential. The mission of 4-H is to assist all youth ages 5-18 in acquiring knowledge and developing leadership and life skills while forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of their families and communities.

Website

Contact an Extension Professional

List of People
PhotoNameTitleEmail
Deborah AbibouDeborah AbibouSustainable and Resilient Community Assistant Extension Educator
deb.abibou@uconn.edu
portrait of Elizabeth AdlerElizabeth AdlerMaster Gardener Coordinator - Hartford County
elizabeth.adler@uconn.edu
Juliana BarrettJuliana BarrettCoastal Habitats Extension Educator Emerita
juliana.barrett@uconn.edu
Rebecca BleimanRebecca BleimanMaster Gardener Coordinator, Lower Fairfield County
rebecca.bleiman@uconn.edu
portrait of Mark BrandMark BrandHorticulture and Plant Breeding
mark.brand@uconn.edu
Cary ChadwickGeospatial Education, CLEAR, Associate Extension Educator
cary.chadwick@uconn.edu
Laura Cisneros poses near a felled tree.Laura CisnerosNatural Resources Conservation Academy - Assistant Extension Professor
laura.cisneros@uconn.edu
Margaret CozensMargaret CozensLong Island Sound Study (LISS) Outreach Coordinator - Visiting Assistant Extension Educator
margaret.cozens@uconn.edu
Oak LeafJacqueline CrepeauMaster Gardener Coordinator - Middlesex County
jacqueline.crepeau@uconn.edu
Oak LeafVicki DeLeoMaster Gardener Coordinator, Tolland County
victoria.deleo@uconn.edu
David DicksonDavid DicksonCenter for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) Director
Co-Director, NEMO Program
Extension Educator
david.dickson@uconn.edu
Michael DietzCT Institute of Water Resources Director
CLEAR
CT Sea Grant Senior Extension Educator
michael.dietz@uconn.edu
woman smilingNicole FreidenfeldsNatural Resources Conservation Academy
nicole.freidenfelds@uconn.edu
portrait of Giulia Gambale at the Master Gardener office in North HavenGiulia GambaleMaster Gardener Coordinator, New Haven County
gkn25002@uconn.edu
Nick GoltzNick GoltzPlant Diagnostics
nick.goltz@uconn.edu
Jason HendersonJason HendersonTurfgrass Science
jason.henderson@uconn.edu
John InguagiatoTurf Pathology
john.inguagiato@uconn.edu
portrait of Alec JanisAlec JanisWell Water/Connecticut Institute of Water Resources Visiting Assistant Educator
alec.janis@uconn.edu
portrait of Maureen KaihuMaureen KahiuTurfgrass and Weed Ecology
maureen.kahiu@uconn.edu
Srikanth KodatiSrikanth KodatiPesticide Safety Education & Crop Protection Extension Educator
srikanth.kodati@uconn.edu
Adelheid KoepferAdelheid KoepferConnecticut Trails Research Technician
adelheid.koepfer@uconn.edu
Charles Krasnow in a greenhouse with plantsCharles KrasnowControlled Environment Agriculture - Associate Extension Educator
charles.krasnow@uconn.edu
Lauren KurtzLauren KurtzInvasive Species Outreach Specialist
lauren.kurtz@uconn.edu
portrait of Julia KuzovkinaJulia KuzovkinaEcological Restoration and Native Plants
jkuzovkina@uconn.edu
Rachel Lei-ParentQian (Rachel) Lei-ParentGeospatial Education Assistant Extension Educator
qian.lei@uconn.edu
Oak LeafJohn LoRussoMaster Gardener Coordinator Windham County
john.lorusso@uconn.edu
Amelia MagistraliAmelia MagistraliSoil Health - Associate Extension Educator
amelia.magistrali@uconn.edu
portrait of Avishesh NeupaneAvishesh Neupanedpj25003@uconn.edu
Oak LeafEmily Picard4-H Youth, Fairfield County - Assistant Extension Educator
emily.picard@uconn.edu
Mayra-Rodriguex-GonzalezMayra Rodríguez GonzálezUrban and Community Forestry - Assistant Extension Educator
mayra.rodriguez_gonzalez@uconn.edu
Sarah SchechterSarah SchechterSustainable & Resilient Communities - Assistant Extension Educator
sarah.schechter@uconn.edu
Oak LeafHalie SheaUConn 4-H New Haven County - Assistant Extension Educator
halie.shea@uconn.edu
portrait of Jason VokounJason VokounFisheries Management
jason.vokoun@uconn.edu
Victoria WallaceVictoria WallaceSustainable Turf & Landscapes Senior Extension Educator
victoria.wallace@uconn.edu
Emily Wilson profileEmily WilsonGeospatial Extension Educator
emily.wilson@uconn.edu
Oak LeafSandra WilsonMaster Gardener Coordinator Fairfield County
sandra.wilson@uconn.edu
Oak LeafMichelle WinklerMaster Gardener Coordinator, Litchfield County
michelle.winkler@uconn.edu
portrait of Joanna Woodward sitting at a state park with her dogJoanna WoodwardMaster Gardener Coordinator - New London County
joanna.woodward@uconn.edu
Thomas WorthleyThomas WorthleyForestry Stewardship Extension Professor, & Center Coordinator
thomas.worthley@uconn.edu
Heather ZidackHeather ZidackConsumer Horticulture, Home & Garden Education Center
heather.zidack@uconn.edu