CLEAR's training courses and webinars are offered to a wide audience range and span several topics, such as green stormwater infrastructure, land use, farming, climate resilience, and geospatial training. This page provides links to key areas of training provided by both UConn CLEAR and CT DEEP.
CLEAR Webinar Library
CLEAR's extensive webinar library offers trainings and informational sessions from 2009 on. These webinars focus on variety of topics related to local land use decisions and protection of natural resources. We highlight tools, research, and innovative approaches related to land use planning, geospatial technology, stormwater management, water quality protection, climate resiliency, sustainable food systems, and other topics. All webinars are free of cost and range from 30 minutes to an hour per video. Webinars can be searched for by the year, category, topic, or by a manual search. Any upcoming webinars will have a registration option on the main page.
For questions regarding webinar content, please email clear@uconn.edu.
CT DEEP Training/Certificate Courses
A variety of trainings provided by CT DEEP to assist municipal staff in completing regulatory requirements as well as other informational courses.
Rain Garden Design, Installation, and Maintenance Course
This course from CLEAR's NEMO program was designed to provide guidance on how to properly site, size, install, and maintain rain gardens. Rain gardens are one type of “green” stormwater infrastructure, which is an alternative to traditional “grey” stormwater infrastructure such as catch basins and pipes. Rain gardens help to reduce the impacts of our developed areas on downstream water bodies. 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.
Land Use Academy's Commissioner Training
The statewide Land Use Commissioner Training Calendar as well as information on upcoming virtual and in-person trainings to assist in new requirements for planning and zoning commissioners. Our program focuses on the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to serve effectively on a local land use commission. The Academy is a partnership of UConn CLEAR, the CT Bar Association, and the CT Office of Policy and Management, and has been around (in various forms under various pseudonyms) for over 30 years.
Adapt CT
Through Adapt CT, several online video modules pertaining to climate change in Connecticut have been developed. The purpose of these short online video modules is to provide current information and resources on subjects related to climate resilience for both coastal and inland communities in Connecticut for local decision makers, municipal officials and other interested groups.
Geospatial Training
The CLEAR Geospatial Training Program offers training opportunities for Connecticut’s land use decision makers and others, including state agency employees, land trust volunteers, teachers and citizens. Topics include Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Smartphone GPS mapping and other advanced topics. GTP has trained over 3000 individuals since 2007.
Food Systems
UConn Extension Food Systems programs offer practical, research-based training opportunities designed to strengthen Connecticut’s food systems. From beginning farmers to experienced school food professionals, our programs build skills in production, business planning, food safety, and market access. Whether you are launching a new venture or expanding an existing operation, our trainings provide the knowledge and connections needed to succeed.