• ms4 training
    Providing information, education and assistance to land use decision makers, in support of balancing growth and natural resource protection.

New and Upcoming

New Story Map

Photo of the coastline

The Land & People of the Long Island Sound Watershed

The Connections to Long Island Sound Story Map, created in partnership with the Long Island Sound study, characterizes the land and people in the watershed, and shares the stories of nine people and their connection to the land and water.

VIEW STORY MAP

CT ECO Advanced Viewer

Screen shot of the CT ECO Advanced Viewer

NEW Advanced Viewer on CT ECO

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

GO TO VIEWER

What’s Legally Required? 8th Edition,2nd printing

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.

The book is back in print! Order your copy here. Note: Mike Zizka donates all proceeds from the sale to CLEAR programs. 

CLEAR Webinars

Upcoming

Community Renewable Energy Siting Tool (CREST) Introduction and Demonstration

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Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 1-2 PM ET Speakers: Stu DeLand, Camille Fontanella, & Eric Hammerling, CT DEEP Host: UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) In May, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) launched a web-based tool to assist with the potential siting of solar projects and further the goal […]

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

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.

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Upcoming Events

Participants in a CLEAR training event.
    https://events.uconn.edu/live/json/v2/events/response_fields/location,summary/date_format/%25F%20%25j,%20%25Y/group/Center for Land Use Education and Research/max/6/start_date/today/end_date/6 months/
  • Jun
    18
    Community Renewable Energy Siting Tool (CREST) Introduction and Demonstration
    Zoom Webinar
    1:00 PM

    Learn more about Community Renewable Energy Siting Tool (CREST) and how to use it from the developers of the tool at DEEP. CREST is an online map viewer of data sets related the siting of solar and other renewable energy.

Land Use Commissioner Training

Extension educator presenting to an audience.

Upcoming Land Use Commissioner Trainings

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. 

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.