The June episode of our podcast will introduce some of our newest Sustainable CT Fellows: Maya Aviles, Thomas Busemeyer and Anna Hilary. We place highly qualified college students across the state’s Councils of Governments (COGs) to help cities and towns become registered, certified, or recertified with Sustainable CT during the summer. Fellows are directly engaged in supporting cutting-edge sustainability initiatives, local government operations, and regional coordination. And they’re swell people! You will want to hear what they have to say.

Mallory Howard is the Assistant Curator at the Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford - which just so happens to be where we'll be having our 2025 Spring into Summer Celebration on June 4. Mallory knows more about the Twain House and Sam Clemens' time in Hartford than any one human should legally be allowed to know. Please join our May podcast for a delightful conversation about historical preservation, the Gilded Age, and all things Twain.

We catch up with David Dickson, Director of the University of Connecticut Center for Land Use Education and Research - a/k/a UConn CLEAR. UConn CLEAR provides indispensable resources to land use decision makers in support of better land use decisions, healthier natural resources, and more resilient communities. Dave also happens to be a member of the Sustainable CT Board of Directors. It's a fun and informative conversation about sustainability, and basketball, and lots of acronyms.

Danielle Chesebrough knows a thing or two about responsible investments. She's the First Selectman of Stonington and a member of Sustainable CT's Board of Directors. And before holding these notable positions, Danielle spent eight years as a Senior Analyst of Investor Relations with the United Nations Global Compact. We ask her (among many other interesting and important questions) why she thinks a state investment in Sustainable CT is such a great idea.

The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters calls Hwang “the only Republican Senator who has consistently supported major climate legislation, emphasizing practical, nature-based solutions that promote responsible stewardship of the lands, forests, wetlands, and waterways of the state.” We find out why his reputation for common sense, bi-partisanship and good humor is so well-deserved.

This year marked the 25th Anniversary Annual Environmental Summit. Hosted by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, it was a milestone in bringing together advocates, lawmakers, policy experts, and passionate community members to chart the future of Connecticut’s environmental movement.

And the IMPACT was there - interviewing, witnessing, and learning. If you weren't able to attend on January 7 - and even if you were - this will be a great opportunity to listen in and gain valuable insight on this "premier space for learning, collaboration, and action."

Laura Francis, Interim Director of South Central Regional Council of Governments, joins us to discuss the role of COGs in achieving Connecticut's sustainability goals. With 30 years of experience in Durham town government (15 as First Selectman), Laura brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to any table. And that's a good thing, too, because she also happens to be the Co-chair of Sustainable CT's Board of Directors.

Our new Executive Director is hardly new to Sustainable CT - she's been an indispensable part of the organization since its inception. Jessica LeClair joins us to talk about many things - what it's like to sit in the Big Chair, the politics of the moment, her hopes and aspirations for Sustainable CT's future, and why the Campaign for a Sustainable CT is so important. Please listen.