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

New and Upcoming

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

Map

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

Land Use Commissioner Training

Extension educator presenting to an audience.

As of January 1, 2023, planning and zoning commissioners in the State of Connecticut are required to complete at least four hours of training as required under the Section 8-4c of Connecticut General Statutes.

Next Upcoming Training: How Light-Touch Density and Live Local Urban Villages Can Supply Housing Abundance to Connecticut 

  • Tuesday, July 16th, 2pm EST
  • General commissioner training hours: TBD
  • Fair & Affordable Housing training hours: TBD (minimum 0.5 anticipated/possibly more)

Learn More & Register

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.

Click here for details and to purchase.

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.

Aerial shoreline image

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! 

Map visual

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.