Green Towns Receive Prestigious Certification Thirty-two communities achieve Sustainable CT certification
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hirty-two more municipalities can now say that they are on a path to becoming more efficient, resilient, and inclusive after achieving certification in Sustainable CT, a program that empowers towns and cities to create high collective impact for current and future residents. The certifications were presented during lunch at this year’s CCM convention. Towns obtain certification by racking up action points, which have been designed with flexibility to meet the varying needs of all municipalities. All thirty-two 2019 certified communities demonstrated significant achievements in nine sustainability impact areas, ranging from community building, thriving local economies and vibrant arts and culture to clean transportation and diverse housing. In addition, all certified communities addressed diversity, inclusion, and equity when implementing sustainability actions. The certification submissions were rigorously evaluated by independent experts and Sustainable CT partners. Certification lasts for three years, bringing the total amount of Sustainable CT certified communities to 47, more than a quarter of the state’s communities. This year’s municipalities are: Coventry, Guilford, Mansfield, Middletown, New Haven, Simsbury, South Windsor, Vernon and Windham, who have achieved Silver Certification, the highest honor in the program. And Ashford, Bethany, Bloomfield, Brookfield, Burlington, Cornwall, Darien, East Hartford, East Lyme, Essex, Groton, Manchester, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Old Saybrook, Portland, Scotland, Waterford, West Haven, Weston, Wilton and Woodbury, who were awarded with Bronze certification. 20 | CONNECTICUT TOWN & CITY | DECEMBER 2019
“We are thrilled to recognize a growing number of communities who are deeply committed to sustainability,” said Laura Francis, First Selectman of Durham and co-chair of the Sustainable CT Board of Directors. “These towns have shown great leadership in completing many actions that increase sustainability while also saving money, promoting health, and increasing residents’ connection and sense of place.” “Sustainable CT Certified communities are models for all forward-looking local governments,” said Joe DeLong, Executive Director of CCM. “They are doing the important work of ensuring more resilient, equitable communities and more vibrant economies.” There are an additional 42 municipalities who are on track to receive certification in the near future, meaning just over half of all municipalities in the state are participants in Sustainable CT. “We are so inspired by this year’s certified Sustainable CT communities,” said Lynn Stoddard, Executive Director of the program. “From empowering teens to lead environmental projects to offering reduced-cost produce grown on municipal property to low-income community residents, we’re seeing such thoughtful and innovative local action.” Sustainable CT is a joint partnership between CCM and the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University, and is funded by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, the Common Sense Fund, and the Smart Seed Fund. For more information on Sustainable CT, visit https:// www.ccm-ct.org/SustainableCT.
