The UConn Extension Center located in Litchfield County is seeking applications for a full-time Educational Program Assistant 1. This position is responsible for supporting and helping implement high quality, comprehensive, Extension programming at different program sites throughout the region, with specific support to Livestock, Greenhouse, Master Gardener and 4-H programs. The Educational Program Assistant 1 […]
Sustainable Landscapes
Designing sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces
Grant Will Fund Creation of Climate Impacts Video
Adapt CT, an outreach partnership of Connecticut Sea Grant and the Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR), has been awarded a $2,978 grant to fund a student intern to work on a video about climate change in Connecticut. The video is intended primarily for municipal commission members. The grant is one of 14 […]
CT Trail Census Releases COVID-19 Trail Impact Report
UConn Extension is pleased to release the latest data on how several of the state’s most popular multi-use trails are being impacted by COVID-19. The new report documents trail use during March 2020 at 13 sites on multi-use trails in Connecticut, and compares use with the same period in 2019, as one indication of the […]
Online Education Resources from Connecticut Sea Grant
Connecticut Sea Grant is encouraging teachers and parents to check out the many online educational resources available that can be used for virtual and at-home lessons about Long Island Sound and the larger marine environment. These can be found on the educational publications section of the CT Sea Grant website. In addition to online resources, a […]
Focus on Nutrition
March was National Nutrition Month, but we should be mindful of our nutrition year round! In addition to maintaining a balanced diet, it’s also important to stay hydrated, especially when incorporating physical activity in your daily routine. Utilizing local trails and paths in your area is a great way to get out and soak up […]
CLEAR Mini-webinar Series
In a small attempt at lessening the pain of social distancing, CLEAR has been hosting a “mini-webinar” series since late March. There are two 30-minute webinars per week, on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. So far, we’ve held 5 and had almost 500 people in attendance. The webinars are also taped and posted on the website. […]
CT Farm to School Collaborative Welcomes Nyree Hodges
We are thrilled to introduce Nyree Hodges, our new Project Coordinator of the CT Farm To School Collaborative. She will be our point person for all future steps on the CT Farm to School Action Plan. Here’s a little bit about Nyree: Nyree brings several years of experience as a non-formal educator/teacher in environmental education, […]
Ask UConn Extension Your Questions
UConn Extension has collaborated with our partners, communities and stakeholders for over 100 years. We are proud to serve all 169 cities and towns in Connecticut. The worldwide pandemic involving COVID-19 (coronavirus) has produced unprecedented challenges in the UConn community and around the world. Our services continue during this challenging time. We are still delivering the […]
Agriculture Producer Survey Request
Agricultural Producers: Please take this five minute survey on the impacts of COVID-19 on your business. The Governor of Connecticut issued a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order except for essential businesses on March 23, 2020. The Commissioner of Agriculture clarified, per Executive Order 7H, that agriculture businesses are considered “essential businesses”. This anonymous survey will […]
Support for the Aquaculture Industry
Sales revenue for Connecticut aquaculture producers fell an average of 93 percent in February and March compared to the same period in 2019, and 70 percent of the workforce employed in shellfish, seaweed and finfish farming operations have been laid off due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These are some of the findings of […]
Soil Testing Lab is Open
In light of agriculture (including community gardening) being designated as essential, the UConn Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory will remain open utilizing best practices; social distancing and disinfecting are a high priority. No one will be allowed in the lab but essential personnel. Any soil tests need to be mailed or left in the drop box […]
Take a Fun, Educational Beach Walk and Share Your Finds
Beachcombing along the Connecticut coast can be a fun and healthy educational activity for families eager to get out outdoors while the COVID-19 virus keeps children home from school. Among the many publications available from its website, Connecticut Sea Grant is calling attention to Living Treasures: The Plants and Animals of Long Island Sound, […]
Managing Stress – You and Your Families
In this challenging time, we need to take care of each other and especially ourselves. Self-care is important to our physical and mental health. We all deserve self-care, especially now. Please consider these resources. The first is a video on managing stress during a pandemic. It was worth the 17 minutes to hear tips on […]
Free Environmental Webinar Series from UConn CLEAR
The UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research is offering free webinars. Here is the schedule for the next three weeks: WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2020 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM UConn Environment Corps: Harnessing Student Power to Help Towns Chet Arnold, CLEAR Director THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2020 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM Emergency […]
CT Trail Census 2019 Data Reports & New Projects in 2020
The University of Connecticut (UConn) Extension is pleased to release the latest data on how several of the state’s most popular multi-use trails are being used, and to announce new initiatives the Connecticut Trail Census program is launching in its fourth year. “Connecticut’s trails are among the state’s most scenic and enduring assets,” observed Charles […]
Hemp Outreach and Research Initiatives at CAHNR
The UConn CAHNR Hemp Research and Outreach team has members from Extension and the UConn Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture. We have a suite of resources available for commercial growers. Our recent workshop was full, and the presentations and other resources are at https://hemp.cahnr.uconn.edu/.
Plant and Seedling Sales
Spring Plant Sale! Pre-orders are open for the 19th Annual New Haven County Extension Resource Council, Inc. Spring Plant Sale! The sale includes a variety of annual flowers and vegetables, hanging baskets, and herbs. All proceeds Benefit UConn Extension Programs in New Haven County and orders must be placed by April 15 at noon prepaid by […]
New CTSG Undergraduate Research Fellowship Opportunity for Summer
NEW CTSG Undergraduate research fellowship opportunity for summer 2020 The Connecticut Sea Grant Undergraduate Research Fellowship seeks to broaden participation of underrepresented/underserved students in marine and coastal professions by providing early career experience, training and mentorship to the next generation of scientists, decision makers and marine industry professionals. The program will do so by funding […]
Bears will be waking up when warm weather hits
Black bears will be coming out of hibernation as the weather warms. Their populations have been growing and more bears means increased sightings and potential conflicts with humans. Reduce reasons for them to come into your yard by removing bird feeders and bring in garbage cans promptly. Follow the link for for more information: https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=325968&deepNav_GID=1655&inf_contact_key=dd6ecf34fdb3772eccef218e16130b43
Litchfield County 4-H to Hold Food Insecurity Awareness Forum
Litchfield County 4-H is pleased to announce plans to hold their Food Insecurity Awareness Forum on Wednesday, March 25, at 7 pm, at the Litchfield Community Center in Litchfield. The forum will feature an educational panel discussion including several local and state experts on the subject of food insecurity in Litchfield County and a call […]
Join us for a Farmer Focus Group Tomorrow
Invite to Farmer Focus Group Do you struggle with getting all the work done on your farm? Do you have challenges attracting and retaining employees? Are you interested in working with other farmers to design solutions to labor challenges? If so, consider attending the farmer focus group, Exploring Novel Approaches to Farm Labor, at the CT NOFA Winter Conference in […]
‘Birds and Bees’ landscaping symposium offered in March
Connecticut Sea Grant and the Rockfall Foundation are co-sponsoring the 2020 Symposium titled “The Birds and The Bees: What Your Mother Didn’t Tell You,” from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 26. The workshop, at the deKoven House at 27 Washington St., Middletown, will focus on landscaping practices for a sustainable future. Landscape choices, whether […]
Have Your Soil Tested for Macro and Micro Nutrients
Send your soil sample in for testing now. Our standard nutrient analysis includes pH, macro- and micro nutrients, a lead scan and as long as we know what you are growing, the results will contain limestone and fertilizer recommendations. The cost is $12/sample. You are welcome to come to the lab with your ‘one cup […]
MS4 Work from UConn CLEAR Featured
The latest issue of Interstate Waters from New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) arrived, and the MS4 support program for communities from the UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research are the cover story. Read the full issue: http://bit.ly/InterstateWaters #UConnImpact #UConnExtension
Is your water safe to drink?
Posted on December 23, 2019 by Michael Dietz If you are like most people, as long as water comes out of the tap, you don’t give it much thought. If your water is supplied by a water company, stringent testing is required by law, and you will periodically receive results of the testing. If you […]
February is Heart Health Month
February is National Heart Health Month! Did you know that walking is one of the simplest ways to get active and stay active? With each step, you improve your mental and physical health. Research has shown that simply being outdoors can help brighten your mood, and relieve stress. And walking can have a significant impact […]
Journey of A Climate Corps Student
Posted on January 24, 2020 by Juliana Barrett By Sarah Schechter Major Choices I entered UConn as a Natural Resources Major, knowing I wanted to focus on the environment, but unsure of the exact path I wanted to follow. When choosing classes during my orientation session in Summer 2017, it was recommended that I take […]
Do I cut the bare hydrangea sticks or not?
Posted by uconnladybug under Gardening During the winter, my hydrangea looks dead. It has lost all of its leaves, as it should, but I am now left with a bunch of bare sticks. Normally when you see this, the urge is to cut them back to the ground. DON’T prune them now. Those dead looking […]
Rooting for Root Vegetables
We’re rooting for winter with root recipes from our Put Local On Your Tray program. Visit https://putlocalonyourtray.uconn.edu/root-recipes/ to find some warm, filling and nutritious ideas for how to cook carrots, parsnips, beets, radish, or another root vegetable.
CT Trail Census Data Builds Communities
“The Connecticut Trail Census data has been indispensable in communicating the positive impacts of the Still River Greenway to the Brookfield community;” states Joei Grudzinski, Co-Chairman of the Brookfield Parks and Recreation Commission. “In particular, the recent user survey indicated strong support among adult bike riders for our initiative to extend the trail.” The Connecticut Trail Census is a program of […]
Why We Need Local Food in our Schools
Who wants local food in schools, and why? We’re partnering with 81 school districts in Connecticut through our Put Local On Your Tray program, and helping them to source local food from Connecticut farms. This short video explains the importance of local food in our schools: https://youtu.be/v9QrMjryulY #UConnImpact
What is that Brown Bug in my House?
What is that brown bug in my house? “Those are stink bugs, Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs to be exact. They come into homes in the fall to spend the winter in a resting state. They come in through attic vents, cracks and crevices, down chimneys and can crawl under siding making their way inside. […]
Applications are Open for NRCA Program
Applications are now open for the UConn Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA). The NRCA engages high school students and adult volunteers in environmental education and service learning. Participants explore natural resource science and carry out a local conservation project in/around their own towns throughout Connecticut. View these short videos about the NRCA Conservation Ambassador Program […]
New option for taking nitrogen samples
Posted on January 24, 2020 by Amanda Ryan There wasn’t a cheap and simple way to take field measurements of Total Nitrogen (TN). Samples had to be sent to a lab – until now! To help reduce water quality testing costs, CT DEEP agreed to allow MS4 communities to use less expensive field tests for […]
Coastal Certificate Program
Registration is now being accepted for this year’s Coastal Certificate Program, titled “Pathways from Source to Sea — How Gardens Can Make the Connection.” It will take place in March at Connecticut College in New London. A series of four evening classes with a field trip, students will learn about coastal environmental issues, rethinking their […]
Job Opening – Communication Coordinator
Job Opening – Communication Coordinator (Accepting applications until Feb 12, 2020) UConn Extension’s Sustainable Food Systems program is actively seeking to fill a newly created position of Communication Coordinator. This is an exciting opportunity for the right person who is versatile, responsive, and demonstrates an interest in local food and farms in Connecticut. Download […]
UConn Recruiting Hydroponic Greenhouse Growers
The University of Connecticut Greenhouse Research & Extension team are conducting a study in root rot of hydroponically-grown leafy greens. They would like to collect plant samples with root rot from commercial operations in the U.S. Your participation will help better understand how microbes interact in roots and potentially identify beneficial microbes that reduce the […]
Upcoming Equine Extension Programs
The UConn Equine Extension program has two upcoming programs for horse owners, enthusiasts, and anyone else that wants to attend. Latest Innovations and Research in Winter Horse Care – Join us on February 4th at 7 PM at the Eversource building in Newington for this presentation by Dr. Jenifer Nadeau. The event is free, and […]
Vicki Wallace receives STMA Award
Congratulations Vicki Wallace! Vicki, one of our Extension educators, was honored with the Dr. William H. Daniel Award at the STMA – Sports Turf Managers Association 2020 Conference. This prestigious award recognizes educators who have made significant contribution to the sports turf industry through research, teaching, or extension outreach.
Job Opening: Farm to School Project Coordinator
The CT Farm to School Collaborative (CTFTSC) is actively seeking to fill a newly created part-time position of Project Coordinator. Applications due by February 5th. 75% of the Project Coordinator’s responsibility will be working with the state’s leading Farm-to-School partners and allies to implement the recently developed CT Farm to School Action Plan. This work includes […]