Extreme weather events and seasonal changes, including flooding, strong winds, and first frost, can pose risks for farm operations. Preparing for extreme weather can help mitigate impacts on farm workers, infrastructure, crops, and animals. This resource is the first part of a series of fact sheets and checklists that can be used by producers to inform short-term and immediate responses for farm operations in preparation for impending extreme weather events. This factsheet focuses on general preparation strategies.
Climate-Smart Resources
Advancing Adaptation and Resilience in a Changing Climate
Get Trusted Answers from Local Experts with UConn Extension
Have you ever stood in your garden wondering what’s wrong with a plant—or looked at a canning recipe and felt unsure if it’s truly safe? Maybe you’re a new landowner trying to make environmentally sound decisions, or simply want to grow better agricultural crops this season. Whatever your question, UConn Extension is here to help—with […]
Help us Reach All Communities During UConn Gives
Donate today to help ensure UConn Extension can continue to provide trusted knowledge and resources to residents across Connecticut. Through the Reaching All Communities with UConn Extension fund, we ensure that vital programs reach those who need them most. Make a Difference – Donate Today! Impact of your gift One way this fund helps Connecticut families is […]
Building Resiliency: Climate Smart Adaptations for Fruit Growers
Extreme weather events can give fruit growers a preview of what producing food in a rapidly changing climate might entail. The general trend of increasing temperatures was solidified and reflected in the recent adjustment to the USDA plant hardiness zones. Coupled with extreme weather events, thoughtful climate adaptation strategies are essential. Included in this factsheet are some climate-smart considerations aimed at increasing the resiliency of a fruit-producing operation.
Major research investment focuses on key aspects of LIS ecosystem
In the largest award for Long Island Sound research in the history of the collaboration between the Connecticut and New York Sea Grant programs and the EPA’s Long Island Sound Study, 13 projects have been selected that will improve understanding of factors impacting several fish species, shellfish, water quality and restoration of the estuary’s salt […]
Meet Qian (Rachel) Lei-Parent
Qian (Rachel) Lei-Parent recently joined our Middlesex County Extension Center and UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) as an assistant extension geospatial educator. Qian has both of her B.S and M.S in Land Resources Management from Wuhan University, China. She received her Ph.D in natural resources from University of Connecticut focusing on […]
Wrack Lines- Fall – Winter 2024/2025
We are thrilled to share the Fall-Winter 2024-25 issue of Wrack Lines with you! In this edition there are six youth writers who received the Wrack Lines Voices of Diverse Youth Scholarship shared their reflections and insights about nature and climate change in the Fall-Winter 2024-2025 issue of our biannual magazine. Three of the students are seniors at the […]
Second Annual Climate Resiliency Day with UConn Extension
On June 29th, 2024, the Fairfield County UConn Extension Office hosted its second annual Climate Resiliency Day at Danbury Farmer’s Market. This day is dedicated to educating the public on how they can stay safe during extreme weather events and support a healthy environment from home. Several notable programs participated, including the UConn Extension Master […]
Coastal Flooding Preparedness
Connecticut Sea Grant and UConn Extension have a new project to help older underserved residents of New London, Stamford and West Haven be better prepared for flooding and other weather emergencies. This past week’s flooding in western Connecticut demonstrated how critical preparedness and community resilience projects are. More information on the new project is at https://seagrant.uconn.edu/?p=12147 […]
Meet Fanny Hernandez
Fanny Hernandez joined UConn Extension as our Evaluation Specialist in April. She is from the Dominican Republic, and before moving to Connecticut, she lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan, for almost nine years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the Santo Domingo Institute of Technology (INTEC) and a certificate in education in the Dominican […]
Northeastern US Producer survey on agricultural water and floods
UConn Extension is seeking inputs from farmers on information regarding current irrigation and water testing practices. The survey focuses on agricultural water and flood impact on crop food safety in the Northeastern US. Your participation as a producer in this survey is valuable as it will help UConn Extension better understand the challenges and concerns […]
Wrack Lines explores the many facets of marine education
The new issue of Wrack Lines is now posted on the sea grant website! Learn about the inspiring journey of a mini sailboat, lessons from beaches and school aquariums and the unique geology of the Connecticut shoreline in their newest issue. More good reading can be found in articles about how the ocean literacy campaign and ocean […]
Prepare Your Greenhouses for Weather Events
As the climate changes, nature seems to be getting more violent in recent years with increased numbers of hurricanes and record-breaking storms. The International Building Code has revised upward its wind and snow loading requirements for some areas of the U.S.
Guide showcases geology, ecology, wildlife of CT shoreline
Connecticut Sea Grant and the Connecticut College Arboretum are pleased to announce the publication of Connecticut’s Sandy Shores: An Introduction to the Geology, Plants and Animals, a 130-page guidebook with dozens of color photos and illustrations along with explanatory text about the ecology, geology, common species and why Connecticut’s sandy beaches differ from many others along the […]
Climate Smart Adaptation Strategies for Beginner Famers
Hey Farmers! Looking for a new suite of tools and resources for you to use on your farms to help you make good decisions about the climate needs you are undoubtedly facing. We want to tell you about them! So JOIN US for an introduction to UConn Extension’s newest project to support beginning farmers as they shift […]
How can we Reduce Flood Risk in our Communities?
Flooding is a natural and cyclical phenomenon – whereby during storms water overflows onto the land from adjacent waterbodies – that humans have adapted to for millennia. This fact sheet provides a brief history and additional information for municipalities, residents, farmers, and agencies on preventing, preparing for, and recovering from flooding incidents.
Preparing Your Greenhouse for a Hurricane
Site exposure, height, shape and roof slope affect the wind load that a greenhouse can take without sustaining damage. Although most greenhouses are designed for a minimum 85 mph wind load, gusts can damage large sidewalls at even lower speed.
Climate Adaptation Tactics in Vegetable Production
With climate change exacerbating many abiotic stresses, including heat, drought, flooding, and the increase in the frequency of extreme weather events, it is imperative to investigate adaptation tactics for successful vegetable production.
Power Outages: Be Prepared for when Power Goes out
Power outages can occur at any time. Some are short-term and may last for a few hours. However, it’s important to be prepared for those that last several days to a week or more. This
publication outlines what residents need to consider and how to prepare.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Can the wildfire particles get into the soil and our food?
Can the particles in the air currently from the Canadian wildfires get into the soil and then into our food being grown locally? Smoke and ash from current Canadian wildfires have raised questions about the safety of produce growing on farms and gardens in Connecticut and beyond. While the number 1 concern from wildfire smoke […]
Japanese Knotweed Management
Japanese knotweed, Polygonum cuspidatum, is an aggressive invasive plant that grows vigorously along roadsides, wetland habitat, and utility rights of way. It may take years to control as new growth from rhizomes occurs even if the original plants are killed. Cutting back repeatedly is helpful, but works better when an herbicide is applied to open […]
Advancing Environmental & Climate Justice in CT
Romina Flores Diaz, a political science student at UConn Hartford, and Mayra Rodríguez González, our urban and community forestry assistant extension educator, advanced UConn CAHNR’s strategic vision through their collaborative research on Resilient Cities, Racism, and Equity. At the Undergraduate Research Conference in Storrs, Romina presented an evidence-based approach to achieve environmental and climate justice […]
Connecticut Sea Grant’s 2022 Annual Report Now Available
Post by Connecticut Sea Grant Connecticut Sea Grant’s 2022 Annual Report is now available as a downloadable pdf. It offers highlights of CTSG’s accomplishments for the 2021-22 Sea Grant fiscal year, which runs from February 2021 through January 2022. The annual report features information about CTSG’s budget and summaries of projects and programs in: fisheries […]
UConn Extension Internship Application Deadline Extended
The application deadline for our summer internships has been extended to March 26th. Get paid while learning and working in a career-oriented role. We offer internships in the following disciplines: Food Health Nutrition Sustainability Research Agribusiness Youth Education Community Development Marketing Click here to view internship descriptions. Most of these roles are for an average […]
Highlights of Extension
Our 2022 Highlights of Extension report shows how UConn Extension continues innovating to meet audiences and partners around the issues identified in the strategic initiatives set forth by the UConn College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. Youth programs, water quality, and geospatial education are all part of the sustainable landscapes and climate portfolios and […]
Q&A with Dr. Mayra Rodríguez – Urban Community Forestry Educator
Dr. Mayra Rodríguez joined UConn Extension in August 2022 as our Urban Community Forestry educator. We sat down for a Q&A with her about her Extension program and interests. How did you get interested and involved in forestry? I’ve been told that my path to forestry is a bit unconventional, but I think this just […]
CLEARscapes Fall/Winter 2022 Now Available!
UConn CLEAR has released the Fall/Winter 2022 CLEARscapes newsletter. The latest edition discusses program updates, the new Local Watershed Assessment Tool, the Stormwater Utilities Project, and more. Check it out here: clear.uconn.edu/clearscapes-fall-2022
Fall-Winter 2022-2023 Wrack Lines
The Fall-Winter 2022-2023 issue of Wrack Lines is filled with articles and images telling stories around the theme of “Looking Ahead: people and projects shaping the future.” The magazine leads with the first in what will be a series of articles about offshore wind development impacting Connecticut, followed by the inspiring story of how a dying forest was […]
Happy Holidays from UConn Extension
Happy holidays to our program participants, partners, and volunteers, from all of us at UConn Extension! May they be filled with warmth and cheer.
Give to Extension
Gifts to Extension support programs in all 169 cities and towns of Connecticut. Your contribution positively impacts the 4-H youth program, agriculture and food, climate, health, and sustainable landscapes. Support Extension today at s.uconn.edu/givetoextension #GivingDay
Fall Updates from Extension
The changing seasons are a reliable time marker, and this fall, UConn Extension is experiencing our own transitions. It’s an exciting time as new educators join the team and continue implementing our statewide programs. Catch up on our latest updates: s.uconn.edu/fall-news
10 Ways to Volunteer with UConn 4-H
No matter how much time you have, volunteering with UConn 4-H makes a difference by helping youth explore and discover the skills they need to lead for a lifetime. There are lots of ways to get involved! Please note, your volunteer experience and/or opportunities may be happening virtually or in-person. Contact UConn 4-H for more […]
Help Wanted: Become a UConn 4-H Volunteer
UConn 4-H is Accepting Volunteer Applications UConn 4-H provides youth with life-changing experiences from flying rockets into space with NASA to organizing national conferences for other youth, and everything in between. These experiences are possible because of thousands of adult mentors and volunteers who work throughout the state and guide youth to reach their potential. […]
Summer Program Updates
Empowering Connecticut Communities Extension programs are in full swing this summer, both in-person and online. we are here to serve and empower our Connecticut communities, while co-creating solutions to the critical issues that residents and communities are facing. Programs focus on the expertise of the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) and incorporate […]
Forest Silviculture Research and Extension in Action
Our forests are one of our most vital environmental, economic, and recreational resources, and we are fortunate to have abundant access to these wonderful spaces right here in Connecticut! The UConn Forest Crew works with Professor Tom Worthley in the UConn Forest and across the state to apply silvicultural practices, conduct maintenance work, and gather […]
Transformative Life Experiences with Environmental Education
UConn’s Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA) offers several educational programs for both children and adults, including the Conservation Ambassador Program, Conservation Partnership program, and Teacher Professional Learning program. Environmental education is a crucial part of working towards a more sustainable world. The first step in making positive environmental changes both locally and worldwide is making […]
What can I do to stay safe during a hurricane?
Hurricanes cause high winds and flooding, and it’s important to know the signs for either situation and take proper precautions. The signs of extreme winds include seeing and hearing wind gusts, trees swaying, sheets of rain or snow, and thunder and lightning. You should seek shelter inside, avoid being outside, avoid down wires, and stay […]