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

New and Upcoming

Changing Landscape with NLCD

CT NLCD

Changing Landscape is a project of UConn CLEAR that utilizes land cover maps derived from satellite images to map and quantify land cover change over time (1985-2023). These new map viewers and dashboards use the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) land cover as input to the analyses and maps, with a focus on summary data for watersheds and towns within the Long Island Sound watershed. Explore the maps and dashboards to see how the land cover has changed in your area!

VIEW MAPS AND DASHBOARDS

New Story Map

Aerial image of the Connecticut coastline showing beaches and forested area.

Connections to Long Island Sound

Exploring the land and people in the Long Island Sound Watershed. The Story Map, created in collaboration with the Long Island Sound Partnership, characterizes the land and people in the watershed, and shares the stories of nine people and their connection to the land and water.

It is as a finalist in the 2025 ArcGIS StoryMaps Competition! Check it out and vote for the community choice award (look for Connections to Long Island Sound)!

VIEW STORY MAP

Rain Garden Certificate Course

Two people putting a plant into the ground during a rain garden installation.

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.

REGISTER for Course

Land Use Academy

Extension educator presenting to an audience.

Land Use Commissioner Training

The Land Use Academy (LUA) provides practical education for critical local land use decision makers, focusing on the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to serve effectively on a local land use commission through our webinars and workshops. 

What’s Legally Required?

Cover design of the What's Legally Required?: A guide to the legal rules for making local land use decisions in the State of Connecticut.Mike 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. Mike Zizka donates all proceeds from the sale to CLEAR programs. 

Order Book

CT ECO Advanced Viewer

Screenshot of the CT ECO Advanced Viewer tool showing the map of Connecticut and town boundaries.

Advanced Viewer on CT ECO

The CT ECO website provides maps and geographic data for CT. Map Viewers are a popular way to view and interact with the information and the Advanced Viewer v2 is now available.

ADVANCED VIEWER

Upcoming CLEAR Webinars

Translating Housing Growth Statutes into GIS Tools and Guidance

Posted on by

Thursday, June 11, 2026  – 1 PM Presenters: Alfredo Herrera & Sarah Hurley, CT GIS Office   With the passage of Connecticut Public Act 25-1, An Act Concerning Housing Growth, the CT GIS Office has been tasked with developing tools and guidance to support municipalities in preparing local Housing Growth Plans and determining developable land inventories, […]

Upcoming Events

Participants looking at a map in a CLEAR training event.
  • Jun
    11
    Webinar: GIS Tools for Connecticut’s Housing Growth Plan Requirements
    1:00 PM

    This presentation focuses on how statutory requirements are translated into mapping tools. We will highlight mapping guidance, analysis scenarios, a statewide data library, and targeted map viewers that support transparent and consistent approaches to identifying developable land.

Featured Projects

rain water running down and off to the side of the road

CT MS4 Guide

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

Aerial image of a shoreline neighborhood surrounded by marsh.

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!

an abstract visual of multiple map styles combined

Imagery on CT ECO

Check out the statewide 2023 high resolution aerial imagery, with 2026 planned for the spring, on CT ECO website!

shoreline with storm damage to homes, many collapsed

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

water icon

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.

land and climate icon

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.

mapping icon

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.

STEM icon

STEM

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

food icon

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.