The Town of Lyme has been recertified at the Bronze level by Sustainable CT, renewing its recognition through December 31, 2029. The recertification reflects Lyme’s continued commitment to sustainability, its range of accomplishments and its strong community engagement.
Sustainable CT is a statewide program that helps Connecticut cities and towns become more efficient, resilient and inclusive. Communities earn certification by completing and documenting actions in areas such as energy, natural resources, transportation, local economies and community health.
Five “success stories”
Lyme submitted 22 actions this year. Sustainable CT’s reviewers singled out five of them as “success stories,” a designation for exceptional work that the program may share with other communities as examples to follow:
- Resident outreach for the Plan of Conservation and Development
- Invasive species management
- Lyme Pollinator Pathways
- Composting organic waste in the schools and through Long Table Farm
- Raising public awareness of, and support for addressing, homelessness
Lyme earned full points for its composting work. Reviewers called the school and Long Table Farm programs “a really comprehensive way to involve students, families and other residents in reducing the food waste in the trash system in Lyme. Very impressive work and partnerships, indeed!”
They called the Town’s resident outreach for the Plan of Conservation and Development “exceptional!” They also noted that the plan “integrates sustainability to connect natural resource protection, agriculture, housing, infrastructure, economic vitality, and quality of life with actionable recommendations for the Town’s future.”
“Congratulations to Kristina White, Liz Frankel and the Sustainable Lyme Committee and everyone who worked so hard to make this happen,” said First Selectperson Christy Zelek. “Earning recertification shows that sustainability isn’t a one-time project in Lyme. It’s part of how we govern and how we live. This recognition belongs to the volunteers, Town staff, students, farmers and residents who are making sure Lyme stays a healthy, beautiful place to live for generations to come.”
“We’re proud and grateful,” said Kristina White, chair of the Sustainable Lyme Committee. “Having five of our actions named success stories is a real tribute to the partnerships behind them, with our schools, our farms and our neighbors. Recertification isn’t a finish line. We’re already looking ahead to what we can accomplish next, and we invite everyone in Lyme to get involved.”
Lyme will be recognized with other 2026 certified communities at Sustainable CT’s Annual Awards Celebration on November 10 at the Wadsworth in Hartford. Every action in Lyme’s application that earned points will be publicly viewable on the Sustainable CT website.
To learn more about the Sustainable Lyme Committee or to get involved, contact Kristina White at 860-304-0431.