• enviro corps
    Providing information, education and assistance to land use decision makers, in support of balancing growth and natural resource protection.

New and Upcoming

CLEAR Engagement and Impact Survey

planting a rain garden

Do you use CLEAR programs and tools?  We need your help!

Can you spare 10 minutes to complete our year end survey? It will help us gauge impact, improve our programs, and make the case for continued funding. 

2024 CLEAR Engagement and Impact Survey

Thank you in advance for your help!

Rain Garden Certificate Course

planting a rain garden

This course designed to provide guidance on how to properly site, size, install, and maintain rain gardens. There are 7 modules to be viewed at your own pace, with practice quizzes on the material for each module and a final course exam.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Landcover Data

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1-meter resolution land cover for Connecticut!!

CLEAR is happy to announce the arrival of new high resolution statewide land cover—1 meter pixel resolution and 17 classes. Thanks to our partners at NOAA Office of Coastal Management for developing this awesome dataset.

VIEW CHANGING LANDSCAPE

CLEAR Webinars

Upcoming

Exploring the Land and People of the Long Island Sound Watershed with a Story Map

Posted on by

March 20, 2025, 1-1:30 PM ET Hosts: UConn CLEAR Speakers: Cary Chadwick & Emily Wilson, UConn CLEAR and Anya Grondalski, NEIWPCC/Long Island Sound Study The UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) and the Long Island Sound Study have recently created an in-depth StoryMap focused on the Long Island Sound Watershed. From the […]

visit our Webinars page for more information, and to watch our past webinars.

CLEAR Workshops

Upcoming

visit our Workshops page for more information, and to watch our past workshops.

Land Use Commissioner Training

Extension educator presenting to an audience.

Upcoming Land Use Commissioner Trainings

  1. April 2025 (In-person) Basic Training for New Commissioners: This training will be most helpful to newly elected or appointed land use commissioners and board members. The content will mirror 2024 Land Use Academy- Basic Training. Cost: $45.
  2. June 12, 2025 @ 12 PM (Virtual) Fair and Affordable Housing Training for New Commissioners. Cost: Free.
  3. October 2025 (Virtual) Basic Training for New Commissioners: This training will be most helpful to newly elected or appointed land use commissioners and board members. The content will mirror 2024 Land Use Academy- Basic Training. Cost: Free.

What’s Legally Required? 8th Edition

book cover imageMike Zizka has collaborated with UConn CLEAR on the printing of his latest (8th) edition of What's Legally Required?: A guide to the legal rules for making local land use decisions in the State of Connecticut. This 273 page book is the definitive reference guide for land use planners and commissioners in the State of Connecticut.

Unfortunately, we are sold out at this time. Please check back later for updates. 

Featured Projects

rain water runoff road

CT MS4 Guide

CT NEMO is providing tools, training and other support to communities facing new stormwater rules under the MS4 general permit.

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CLEAR Story Map Gallery

Story Maps combine interactive maps with photos, videos, graphics and more. From bears to breakwaters, we’ve got something for you here. Check it out! 

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New Imagery on CT ECO

Check out the new, statewide 2016 high resolution aerial imagery on the updated CT ECO website!

shoreline storm damage to homes

Adapt CT

A CLEAR partnership with Connecticut Sea Grant providing outreach, tools and learning opportunities focused on climate adaptation in Connecticut communities.

Featured Story Maps

Program Areas

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Water

Land use is a major determinant of both water quality and water quantity. CLEAR has several projects and programs focusing on the impact of urbanization on water resources.

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Land & Climate

Land use is the bottom line! At CLEAR we have research, tools and outreach programs to help people make more informed land use decisions that protect their natural resources and make them more resilient to a changing climate.

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Mapping

CLEAR's mapping expertise is focused on remote sensing analysis, development of online geospatial land use tools, and training for professionals and others in the use of various types of geospatial technology.

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STEM

Connecting Connecticut high school students, adult volunteers and teachers with conservation efforts at the community level.

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Food

CLEAR’s food-related programs are focused on local/regional food system tactics that center the potential of small food producers to transform our ability to access healthy, fresh, local food.