Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)

06/11/2026

Air Quality Alert: DEEP is forecasting elevated ozone levels along coastal CT on Thursday, June 11, and Friday, June 12.

Air quality may reach levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups, including young children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with asthma, heart disease, lung disease, or other health concerns.

If you are sensitive to poor air quality, make outdoor activities shorter and less intense, take more breaks, and watch for symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or eye and throat irritation.

Everyone can reduce exposure by limiting strenuous outdoor activity, especially in the afternoon and evening, keeping windows closed, and running air conditioning on recirculate if available.

More details, including steps you can take to protect your health and help reduce air pollution, are in DEEP’s release: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/news-releases/news-releases---2026/deep-forecasts-elevated-levels-of-ozone-for-thursday-june-11-2026-friday-june-12-2026

06/11/2026

Thinking about installing an EV charger at home, work, or your business?

A federal tax credit that can cover up to 30% of eligible EV charging equipment and installation costs expires June 30, 2026.

That could mean up to $1,000 for residential installations and up to $100,000 for commercial installations in eligible census tracts.

The charger must be purchased, installed, and operational by the deadline, so now is the time to check eligibility and connect with a licensed installer.

Connecticut residents can also continue to use state incentives like CHEAPR and the Connecticut EV Charging Program to help make going electric more affordable.

More details in DEEP’s release:https://portal.ct.gov/deep/news-releases/news-releases---2026/take-advantage-of-electric-vehicle-ev-charging-infrastructure-federal-tax-credit-before-it-expires

06/10/2026

Celebrate the Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison this Saturday, June 13, from 10:00 AM -5:00 PM!

Join us this Saturday as we celebrate a decade of outdoor education in the new building! Enjoy a full day of special activities, exhibits, tours, family fun, and more. We hope to see you there!

06/04/2026

Air Quality Alert: DEEP is forecasting elevated ozone levels from Thursday, June 4 through Saturday, June 6, especially along coastal areas of Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties.

Tolland County is also included in the forecast for Saturday.

Ozone levels may reach 🟨 Moderate on Thursday and 🟧 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups on Friday and Saturday. Residents may also see hazy skies due to smoke from wildfires in Canada.

This is a good time to pay attention to the Air Quality Index and adjust outdoor plans, especially for young children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with asthma, heart disease, lung disease or other health concerns.

A few simple steps can help reduce exposure:

• Keep outdoor activities shorter and less intense

• Move workouts indoors or reschedule when possible

• Take breaks if you need to be outside

• Keep windows and doors closed

• Run air conditioning on recirculate, if available

• Watch for symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or eye and throat irritation

High ozone days are also a reminder that small choices can help reduce local air pollution. Drive less when possible, avoid unnecessary idling, delay use of gas-powered lawn equipment, refuel after dusk, and shift energy-intensive activities to later in the day.

Stay aware of your air and check the forecast: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/air/mobile-sources/air-quality-index

06/03/2026

Connecticut residents are encouraged to report their wild turkey sightings, especially hens and poults (young-of-the-year). 🦃

The Wildlife Division conducts its annual Wild Turkey Brood Survey to estimate the average number of turkey poults per hen statewide.

To participate, simply record all the hens, poults, toms, or jakes observed from June 1 through August 31.

More information is at https://portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife/community-science-volunteer-opportunities-ct-wildlife-division

06/02/2026

DEEP and the Connecticut Greenways Council will hold the 27th Annual Connecticut Greenway Awards on Friday, June 5, 2026, recognizing individuals, organizations, and communities that have helped promote, develop, and enhance greenways across the state.

The event will also celebrate newly designated official Connecticut greenways, which support recreation, conservation, community connection, and long-term planning.

“Connecticut’s trails and greenways provide far-reaching benefits for communities across our state, protecting natural resources, expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation and tourism, supporting public health and wellness, creating greener transportation options, and connecting people with nature and one another,” said Commissioner D***s of the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. “We proudly celebrate this year’s Greenway Award honorees for their leadership and dedication to expanding, maintaining, and promoting Connecticut’s outstanding trail and greenway network.”

Congratulations to this year’s honorees, and thank you to the Connecticut Greenways Council and partners across the state for their continued work to expand and support these valuable public spaces.

05/26/2026

A HUGE congratulations to Megan Song, an 8th grade artist from Mansfield, whose acrylic painting of a common goldeneye taking flight was selected as Best of Show in the 2026 CT Junior Duck Stamp Art Competition.

Her piece, “Taking Off from Water,” will be featured on the 2027 CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp and will represent CT in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest.

This program is such a great connection between young artists, outdoor education, wetland conservation, and the wildlife that depends on healthy habitats across CT.

Congrats to Megan and to all the students who participated! 👏

05/22/2026

05/22/2026

Today we give thanks to Long Island Sound!

Nestled between Connecticut and Long Island, New York, Long Island Sound is a critical resource for plants, animals, people, and businesses alike. CT DEEP has been a member of the Long Island Sound Partnership since its formation in 1985. This Partnership works year-round to improve the Sound through four interconnected goals:

💧 Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds
🌱Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife
🤝 Informed and Engaged Public
🏡 Sustainable and Resilient Communities

Every beach walk, boat ride, and sunset is worth protecting. Here’s to doing our part – big or small – to keep the Sound healthy, vibrant and full of life.

Learn how DEEP protects Long Island Sound https://portal.ct.gov/deep/water/long-island-sound-partnership-and-deep

Learn what you can do to protect the Sound:
https://lispartnership.org/get-involved/what-you-can-do/

05/13/2026

This spring, slow down and give turtles a brake.

From May through July, many turtles are on the move looking for nesting areas, and that often means crossing roads.

If you see a turtle in the road and it is safe to help:

•Move it in the direction it was already going
•Do not relocate it to a “better” spot
•Never pick up a snapping turtle by the tail
•Do not stop traffic or put yourself at risk
•Keep wild turtles wild — take photos, but don’t take turtles home

Adult turtles, especially nesting females, are critical to healthy turtle populations.

A little caution on the road can make a big difference.