People Behind the Plans: Sustainable CT Fellow, Jacob Bartel

Q: What inspired you to learn more about regional planning? How did you get your first introduction to planning?

As a kid, one of my favorite things to do was to draw maps of my own cities; I still have dozens of those drawings! This passion led me to explore city and regional planning in college. After taking courses in public policy and urban development, I was hooked on the complexity and rewards of the field, as well as the behind-the-scenes process of creating a community. 

Q: Can you share some of the projects you worked on during your time as the Sustainability CT Fellow at NVCOG? 

I worked on outreach for the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant which involved tabling in three different towns in the NVCOG region: Waterbury, Ansonia, and Beacon Falls. My role was to explain the grant and engage in conversations about climate change planning to gather feedback from the public. This experience was truly rewarding because I was able to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds face-to-face – they could deliver their opinions directly to me.   

Q: What were some of the most rewarding aspects of your work on town outreach and sustainable initiatives? 

The most rewarding part was seeing some policies or practices I initiated be put into effect. For example, I created some flyers for Beacon Falls and a complete business list for Southbury. Seeing those materials on websites and in print made me feel like my work mattered and that I was making a difference. It boosted my confidence and eagerness to contribute to more sustainable initiatives. On a personal level, I also am pleased with the connections I’ve made and the chance to learn about local government by working directly with small towns. 

Q: What did you find most surprising or interesting about working in the Connecticut region, given your background from San Diego? 

Connecticut is a completely different place! I can hardly think of any similarities. The environmental and sustainable concerns are very different; in San Diego, we are constantly worried about droughts and fires, and our policies and focus are on mitigating those issues. In Connecticut, those concerns are minimal, but waste management and flooding are significant challenges. Experiencing and learning about both concerns has given me a fuller understanding of what it takes to make a region more sustainable. Another difference is the history; Connecticut has so many historical sites that date back to the 1600s, and there is an emphasis on preserving that historic identity. While San Diego is old too, the focus is entirely on modernization and expansion. Both are great, but I’ve grown to prefer the historic charm of small-town New England! In summary, it is fascinating how different the two regions are, and I am very grateful I am fortunate enough to experience this from a planning standpoint. 

Q: What are your plans after this fellowship, and how do you see this experience shaping your future career goals?  

I am excited to write my political science thesis this semester, using everything that I’ve learned during this fellowship! Beforehand, I had no idea what to write about, but now I’ve got several ideas and firsthand experience to draw from. After college, I hope to go directly into planning, whether as a town, city, or regional planner. That is yet another reason why this fellowship was so beneficial for me, because everyone I’ve worked with either was or currently is a planner, and I’ve gained invaluable insights into a field that is hard to learn about without direct experience.

Q: What advice would you give to future sustainability SCT fellows who will be working with COGs and municipalities on sustainability initiatives? 

Be confident in yourself! The first two weeks of my fellowship, I constantly worried that I didn’t know what I was doing and that I wouldn’t be able to contribute meaningfully. However, every town and planner I’ve worked with has not only taught me about the municipal processes around sustainability, but also treated me as a professional and a colleague. I never felt like an intern, rather, I felt like I had a full-time, rewarding job; which significantly boosted my confidence. So, always speak your mind and be confident in your opinions and advice – you are very smart, and your thoughts are very valuable to these municipalities.