Explore Connecticut’s eco-friendly towns this Earth month

There’s a saying that every single day is Earth Day. The State of Connecticut, it appears, agrees. Many towns have turn out to be licensed by the Sustainable CT program As April rolls round, many commemorate Earth Month and Earth Day, which falls on Wednesday, April 22. Festivities get underway throughout the state, together with some held at different instances of the yr. Want to get in on the motion? Here are some locations that “walk the sustainable walk,” the place you possibly can store, dine, or attend an occasion honoring Mother Earth.

A program going robust since 2017, Sustainable CT affords a certification program for communities striving to be extra sustainable. Achieving objects from an inventory of greatest practices permits towns to earn factors in the direction of completely different ranges – Gold, Silver and Bronze _— of certification. There are 139 towns in Connecticut taking part in Sustainable CT’s program. Twelve towns have already achieved gold standing:

Bristol board, East Haddam, fairfield, Glastonbury, Hamden, Manchester, mansfield, New Haven, Norwalk, Old Saybrook, Vernon and West Hartford. Eighteen towns have achieved Climate Leader Designation within the state for “reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and preparing their communities for the impacts of climate change, while saving money, improving public health, and building community.” Joining those that’ve achieved this designation, along with the beforehand listed Gold-status towns, are Branford, Greenwich, Litchfield, Middletown and Pomfret.

Mary Hogue, the Natural Environment Committee chair and the Advocacy & Equity Committees co-chair of the Sustainable Fairfield Task Forcesays Fairfield was making strides in an analogous route when Sustainable CT launched, main the city’s participation. Since then, she says, “Fairfield participates in a lot of different statewide advocacy calls through which we work with other towns to collaborate, mentor and figure out best practices and share ideas.”

Visit Fairfield and it is simple to identify sustainability in follow through efforts from 96 public EV charging ports to myriad houses outfitted with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, greater than 30 photo voltaic PV techniques at city services, a switch station compost drop-off, plus an abundance of sidewalks from the Vision Zero marketing campaign, a transfer in the direction of the pledge of “maintaining a transportation system that prioritizes safety, efficiency, and accessibility for all users, including people walking, rolling, biking, using transit and driving.”

Want to point out your like to Mother Earth? Start with having a meal.

Restaurants dedicated to sustainability abound all through Connecticut. Here are some picks to strive. At Fairfield’s 100% vegan Joylark Plant Kitchen and Bar it is attainable to remain on track with a juice cleanse — or order wine, beer and cocktails. On the menu are mains just like the Braised Celeriac Steak with purple wine-braised celeriac, crispy potato and Brussel sprout hash, roasted grapes and horseradish cream. Another vegan possibility is Southport’s Organikathe place pasta followers can go gluten-free with decadent Fettuccine Alfredo made with rice noodles in a creamy cashew cheese/parmesan sauce.

On the farm-to-table entrance is the winner of Connecticut Restaurant Association Awards (CRAZIES) 2025’s Litchfield County Restaurant of the Year, New Preston’s Community Table. Go for fare like Coffee-rubbed Millbrook Venison, caramelized celery root, poached pear, radicchio and jus. Norwalk’s Oak + Almond Features seasonal substances sourced from native farms and purveyors in handcrafted dishes, together with the Wood-Grilled Pork Chop with Ambler Farm candy potato, rabe and hazelnut herb butter.

Looking for a venue serving ethically sourced seafood from suppliers training ocean-friendly practices? Head to Breakwater – Stonington Harbor for entrees such because the Grilled Atlantic Swordfish with candy pea puree, garlic-roasted Seacoast Mushroom medley, citrus beurre blanc and Matunuck microgreens. Their menu additionally consists of vegan and vegetarian choices.

Beloved in New Haven since 1975, Claire’s Corner Copy you will have die-hard followers of its vegetarian dishes. For his 50^th anniversary, they launched a cookbook that includes them. To strive on the menu – curry served over brown rice, quinoa tabouli or natural spinach. Claire’s additionally affords vegan and gluten-free alternate options.

Looking to transcend carrying reusable procuring luggage when making purchases? These Connecticut shops are right here to assist.

A zero-waste store, Middletown’s Reboot Eco opened in 2021 with the purpose of creating sustainable procuring approachable versus overwhelming. “What started as a small refill shop has evolved into a broader community hub for sustainability, with expanded product offerings, free programming, and spaces that encourage sharing, repairing, and consuming less,” says proprietor Yasemin Ugurlu. “Every purchase supports that larger mission, helping keep single-use items out of the waste stream while investing in healthier systems for people and the planet.”

Birch & Twine Refillery in Branford sells eco-friendly alternate options for every thing from laundry and cleansing objects to non-toxic make-up and items excellent for not solely planet lovers, however, properly, everybody. Head to Norwalk’s Eco Evolution for low-waste residence items, items, and, from their espresso, sustainable espresso. Other sustainable retailers to go to: Everneat in Fairfield and The Ditty Bag Market & Cafe in Mystic.

Busy with Little League on Earth Day and might’t attend your native competition? Not to fret, Connecticut has celebrations that occur all year long. Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) calendar and EarthDay.org are nice assets for listings.

Several Earth Day-specific to take a look at: Marking 32 years of household enjoyable coupled with environmental training is the Woodbury Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 25, from 11 am to 4 pm in Hollow Park. Grace Farms‘annual Earth Day occasion runs from 10 am to five pm, that includes nature-inspired arts, birdwatching, permaculture workshops, and hands-on actions. Other towns with Earth Day occasions that includes family-fun actions, in addition to data on planet-friendly subjects from electrical autos to composting, embrace fairfield, Chester, Ellington, Norwalk and Hamden.

In May, catch EarthFest at McCook Point Park in Nianticthe place a seashore clean-up is mixed with meals distributors, reside music and environmental training cubicles.

On August 28-30, the Chester Fair takes place and continues its Zero Waste Program. “We began in 2022 as the second traditional country fair in the US (and the first in New England) to have a Zero Waste Program,” says Kim Price, who spearheads the initiative. “By 2025, the Chester Fair recovered 75% of its waste by recycling, converting vendors to compostable service ware and food scrap collection.”

In September, Stamford rolls out its annual Sun Day Festival at Mill River Park, the place the neighborhood comes collectively to share assets, data, and concepts about sustainability.