Chester Sustainability Team

Chester Sustainability Team

The Chester Sustainability Team (also known as SuChest) consists of a group of volunteers who abide by Sustainable CT standards to assist Chester in being a thriving, resilient, and forward-looking town. As a Sustainable CT community, we are working together alongside our local, regional and state partners to support and further build Chester as a strong and sustainable community.  This includes supporting town residents, town businesses, promoting equity, public health and well-being for current and future residents, reducing our carbon footprint, supporting arts and culture, supporting and protecting our natural and historical resources and more.  Below are the overall Action standards that include Sub-Actions the Team works to achieve and maintain:

1. Inclusive and Equitable Community Impacts
2. Thriving Local Economies
3. Well-Stewarded Land and Natural Resources
4. Vibrant and Creative Cultural Ecosystems
5. Dynamic and Resilient Planning
6. Clean and Diverse Transportation Systems and Choices
7. Renewable and Efficient Energy Infrastructure and Operations
8. Inclusive Engagement, Communication and Education
9. Strategic Materials Management
10. Optimal Health and Wellness Opportunities
11. Healthy, Efficient and Diverse Housing
12. Effective, Compassionate Homelessness Prevention
13. Innovative Strategies and Practices

Chester is currently a Sustainable CT Bronze-Certified town (as of Nov. 2021) and the SuChest Team is working on achieving Silver Certification. Sustainable CT was created by towns, for towns as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Municipal leaders and residents from across the state, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and people from key agencies, non-profits and businesses partnered to develop the program during 2016 and 2017. The Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University led and coordinated program development, with generous support from the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, Hampshire Foundation, and Common Sense Fund.

Sustainable CT also provides opportunities for grant funding to help communities promote economic well-being and enhance equity, all while respecting the finite capacity of the natural environment. The program is designed to support all Connecticut municipalities, regardless of size, geography or resources. Sustainable CT empowers municipalities to create high collective impact for current and future residents.

For more Sustainable CT information, go to their website at Home page (sustainablect.org).

Main contact for SuChest:  Cindy Lignar:  kencindylignar@comcast.net