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CT COUNCIL ON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION

Lilian Ruiz

Executive Director

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�CONNECTING PARTNERS, PROTECTING RESOURCES: ��ADVANCING SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION ACROSS CONNECTICUT�

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AGENDA

  1. Who We Are
  2. What We Do
  3. How We Do It
  4. Contact
  5. Q&A

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WHO WE ARE

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ENABLING LEGISLATION: ��SEC. 22A-314 ��OF THE CT GENERAL STATUTES

Mission & Role:

  • Advises and assists the Commissioner of DEEP in coordinating soil and water conservation, protection, and management across Connecticut.
  • Serves as a central forum for aligning efforts across local, state, and federal agencies.
  • Facilitates collaboration and information sharing among stakeholders.
  • Coordinates efforts of Connecticut’s five Conservation Districts.
  • Supports strategic planning and program alignment for conservation initiatives
  • Promotes technical transfer of best practices and scientific advancements

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Council Membership:

  • CT’s 5 Conservation Districts
  • Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)
  • CT Department of Agriculture
  • UConn Extension
  • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
  • USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
  • CT Agricultural Experiment Station
  • CT Resource Conservation & Development Council (RC&D)
  • Non-Profit (Governor’s Appointee)

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Part of a National Network��Similar agencies exist in every U.S. state��Member of NASCA- Forms a national network promoting soil and water conservation��Enables interstate collaboration and sharing of innovations and lessons learned

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NASCA Board in Duluth, MN

2024 Annual Meeting

NASCA- National Association of State Conservation Agencies

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WHAT WE DO

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FY 2026 Council Goals

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  1. Protect & Restore Watershed Health

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2. Protect & Restore Soil Health

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3. Integrate Sustainability Across Disciplines

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4. Strengthen Partnerships & Leverage Resources

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5. Provide Outreach & Education

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6. Ensure Effective Council Administration

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Highlights

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  • Coordinate a State Soil Health Action Plan
  • Promote climate-smart agriculture & forestry
  • Educate on soils' role in carbon storage & food security
  • Support farmland preservation and smart solar siting
  • Address the nexus of food, water, energy, and soil
  • Support a State Food System Plan
  • Assist in urban agriculture and local food access efforts

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HOW WE DO IT

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OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

    • Envirothon, Conferences, Expos, Trainings.

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

    • Legislation, Technical Assistance, Science.

LEVERAGING FUNDING

    • Source and Distribute Grants
    • Contract Grant Management

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5-YEAR GRANT SOURCING AND MANAGEMENT: $12.7 MM

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Grant Name

Funding Amount

Purpose

DEEP Climate Smart CT

$5,000,000

Forest resilience & support for private landowners

NACD Technical Assistance

$897,000

Conservation planning support for districts

Source Water Protection Projects

$675,000

GIS mapping, watershed plans, and forest restoration

LIS Watershed Operations Plan

$100,000

Stormwater runoff mitigation & habitat restoration

NRCS TA Capacity & Outreach

$1,000,000

Staffing support & outreach in 5 districts

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SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROJECT

  • GIS Model covering 678,428 acres across 121 towns
  • Watershed Plans Developed: Farm River & Muddy Brook
  • Workshops & Trainings: 2020–2024
  • Partnerships: UConn, DPH, CT DEEP, local utilities

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DEEP CLIMATE SMART CT: FOREST RESILIENCE PROGRAM

  • $5 million grant managed by the Council
  • Supports non-industrial private & municipal forest landowners
  • Provides cost-share funding for climate adaptation & sustainable forestry
  • Goals:
    • Boost climate resilience
    • Engage underserved landowners
    • Improve forest health & accessibility across Connecticut

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NACD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS

  • $897,000 in USDA-NRCS-funded grants
  • Supports conservation planning for landowners
  • Managed by the Council for all 5 CT Conservation Districts
  • Covers applications, financial management, and reporting
  • Helps train and retain conservation planning staff
  • Enables district staff to focus on delivering conservation services

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LIS WATERSHED OPERATIONS PLAN

  • $100,000 Long Island Sound Study Enhancement Grant
  • Led by the Council in collaboration with DEEP and Audubon CT
  • Developed NRCS Watershed Operations Plan (PL 566)
  • Focus: Protect shellfish beds, restore coastal habitats, and enhance resiliency
  • Plan will unlock significant USDA implementation funding

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CONNECTICUT SOIL HEALTH ACTION PLAN

  • Regenerate and Conserve the health of CT soils
  • All landscapes: Agricultural lands, Forests, Wetlands, Recreational and Developed Lands
  • Dynamic plan to educate, guide and inform policy and advocacy
  • Create a Soil Health Program for CT
    • Financial Assistance
    • Technical Assistance
    • Outreach and Education

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Lilian Ruiz

ctcouncilswc@gmail.com​

www.ctcouncilonsoilandwater.org