The View from the Canopy
Rooted in Resilience
By Clare Cain
Walking through Connecticut’s forests and parks this year, we’re reminded how connected and fragile these systems can feel. A fallen tree here, a wildfire there, and suddenly the landscape looks different. The same is true for the systems that protect our public lands.
Federal funding shifts have changed the landscape our programs have relied on for years. Support for programs like Project Learning Tree and Master Woodland Manager have been reduced or eliminated. Cuts to staff in federal programs like the National Park Service and Forest Service, along with broader policy changes, make it harder to maintain the health and resilience of Connecticut’s forests and the New England National Scenic Trail.
At the same time, our landscapes are facing more invasive species, extreme weather, and fragmentation from development. In times like these, it’s easy to feel discouraged. But we know resilience comes from the roots.
CFPA’s strength has never come from a single program or funding source; it comes from the people who make up this community—volunteers, donors, members, staff, and partners. Each plays a vital role in conserving Connecticut for today and tomorrow.
The challenges we face today reinforce the importance of staying rooted in our mission to connect people to Connecticut’s forests, parks, and Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails, ensuring these special places are protected and well-managed for future generations. Despite the uncertainty ahead, we know that our programs will continue, our staff will adapt, and our volunteers and donors will make sure the work never stops.
We’re investing in our own roots to support that mission. Our Rockfall headquarters is undergoing its first major renovation since the 1980s. This update will replace aging materials and equipment, improve the functional space to support a growing team, and create a welcoming “home base” for staff, volunteers, and donors. We look forward to welcoming you to our headquarters in January!
And we’re preparing for our next chapter. We are currently seeking our next Executive Director. For more than 130 years, CFPA has protected the state’s open space and natural resources while nurturing a vibrant community of people who care about conservation. We look forward to introducing someone ready to build on that legacy early next year.
While we await the arrival of a new Executive Director, we say thank you and farewell to Connecticut Woodlands editor, Timothy Brown. Over the past eight years, he has transformed the magazine into a powerful mission piece exploring conservation in Connecticut and the people who make it possible. He leaves the magazine in the capable hands of our new editor, Britany Robinson.
As we navigate transition, we’re reminded that this work has never been solved by one person, one program, or one moment in time. None of these efforts happen or continue without your involvement and support. Thank you!
Clare Cain is CFPA’s Trail Director and Interim Executive Director.