Larissa Graham of CT NERR presents to the LISS Communications, Outreach, and Engagement Work Group about restoration and stewardship efforts at Bluff Point State Park in Groton, CT. LISS Photo

The Long Island Sound Study will host a series of public meetings to discuss and finalize the Stewardship Strategy. The Strategy aims to provide a framework in support of the 33 Stewardship Areas of the Initiative. The draft of the Strategy will be shared for public comment March 10 – May 9. Please use the registration links below to attend the meetings:

Meeting 1: March 18, 2025 from 11:00AM –1:00PM

  • Introduce Strategy and Discussion
  • Presentation 1 – Restoration Strategy at Bluff Point State Park by Larissa Graham and Jason Krumholz of the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve
  • Presentation 2 – Partnership at Sunken Meadow State Park by Vicky O’Neill of National Audubon Society
  • Next Steps and Close Out


Meeting 2: April 24, 2025 from 11:00AM –1:00PM

  • Briefly Recap/Discuss Strategy Comments
  • Presentation 1 – Revitilization of Veterans Park in Norwalk by Sarah Crosby of the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
  • Presentation 2 – River Restoration Network at the Stewardship Areas by Anthony Allen of Save the Sound
  • Next Steps and Close Out


Meeting 3: June 4, 2025 from 11:00AM –1:00PM

  • Finalize Strategy
  • Next Steps and Close Out
Cover slide population story map

This story map, created by UConn CLEAR in partnership with the Long Island Sound Study, explores the land and people in the Long Island Sound Watershed. From Canada down to the northern coast of Long Island, the watershed is a vastly diverse area in both land and people, populated by nearly 9 million people and characterized by farms, forests, urban centers, beaches, marshes and more.

The Sound is an integral part of the lives of those who live, work, and visit the region every day. Let this story be your start…

Nutrient Management Practices are Spreading Across Connecticut Improving Water Quality in Long Island Sound

Tucked away in the foothills of the Connecticut Berkshires is a 300-head dairy farm managed and co-owned by the Freund Family and Canaan View Dairy. On the outside, the farm looks like many others throughout the state – which has over 5,000 farms contributing $4 billion yearly to the local economy1. But a tour of the property tells a deeper story of sustainable generational farming and the significant conservation impact that can be achieved through collaborative partnership.

THE FREUND FAMILY FARM

Since the farm was established by Eugene and Esther Freund in 1949, the Freund Family has become a national leader — and pioneer — in sustainable farming practices. In the 1990s, Freund’s farm was one of the first in the state to test their soil for nutrients.

Plus, they’re home to Connecticut’s first cow-milking robots and have upgraded their cattle barn with an automatic manure sled that cleans the cow beds, capturing livestock waste and pushing it to a manure collection pit. The Freunds also own CowPots, biodegradable planting pots made from composted manure.

“And we were doing cover crops way before they were popular,” said Ben Freund, who owns the farmland with his brother Matthew.

A white man stands in front of a large black manure storage tank on a farm. He is smiling and has a hat and vest on.
Ben Freund poses with the farm’s new liquid manure (slurry) storage tank. LISS Photo

The family has also formed a farmers’ collaborative for agricultural professionals to get together and discuss what they do, work through challenges, and share advice with those in their industry. That includes demonstrations hosted on the family’s farmland.

The property’s latest addition is a 1.3-million-gallon waste storage facility. The swimming pool-like structure, completed in early October, is estimated to prevent 19,000 pounds of nitrogen and 11,000 pounds of phosphorus from farm waste from entering local waterways, according to reporting from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The farm is in North Canaan located adjacent to the Blackberry River, a tributary of the Housatonic River which contributes roughly 11 percent of the freshwater entering Long Island Sound. 

“Dairy projects are big in Connecticut,” said Ben Freund. “It’s hard for farmers to imagine how you build that tank, but it’s simpler than you think.”

“For a farmer to come here and spend time seeing it as it gets built – it sets the tone,” he continued. “They start to understand and come here because they know how important it is to have storage… I’m just getting people in the door.”

HOW WASTE WORKS

The waste storage project is one example of the conservation practices that the National Resource Conservation Service recommends and is an example of how federal partners can work together to connect stakeholders throughout the Long Island Sound Watershed. An interagency agreement between NRCS and EPA funds three staff positions in Connecticut, one outreach specialist and two nutrient management specialists, for the Long Island Sound Study.  

“The manure storage structures are needed to hold that manure somewhere safely covered until the farmer is ready to spread it according to the plan that NRCS nutrient management planners have developed,” said Vivian Felten, Outreach Coordinator for NRCS Connecticut, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “They analyze the soil to determine the appropriate manure application rate so that it won’t infiltrate into the groundwater.”  

“And they develop a manure spreading plan so that manure is spread when the plants can use it. The timing of application is important to keep it in the fields for the plants and so that it does not get washed away into nearby streams,” explained Felten. 

Roughly 70-80 percent of the nitrogen and 60-85 percent of the phosphorus contained in cow feed is excreted in manure. Farmers have been utilizing manure as a natural fertilizer for approximately 8,000 years, leveraging its nutrient-rich properties to enhance soil fertility and promote the growth of pastures and crops. This age-old practice continues today, as cow manure can effectively replace traditional chemical fertilizers, providing the nutrients needed to support healthy plant growth. However, when manure is improperly managed, it can contribute excess nutrients to waterways. According to  The Nature Conservancy, the average dairy cow can produce up to 100 pounds of manure daily. But crops do not always need nutrient-rich manure as much or as often as the cows are producing it, so having a facility to hold the manure is key. 

Felten works to connect agricultural producers and landowners throughout the Connecticut portion of the Long Island Sound with USDA technical and financial assistance programs while the nutrient management specialists, or planners, help farmers achieve proper nutrient applications to decrease contaminated runoff from entering the Sound.  

“It’s the local planners that really do the technical work with the farm,” said Felten. “My role as an outreach coordinator is to let farmers know about our programs and practices and how they can help their farms and connect them with the local NRCS offices.” 

The Connecticut NRCS branch has five field offices located in Danielson, Hamden, Norwich, Torrington, and Windsor. 

Felted was onboarded as the NRCS outreach specialist for LISS in the fall of 2022. Since then, she has leveraged existing connections to farmer networks, gaining exposure through program partners, newsletters, events, on-farm demonstrations, presentations, tabling at farms and festivals, and hosting workshops. The agreement has also helped NRCS to reach new audiences. 

“This year, 51% of our contracts went to beginning farmers, limited resource producers, socially disadvantaged, and [military] veteran producers,” said Thomas Morgart, Connecticut State Conservationist with NRCS. “That means this outreach is working. It’s highly effective in getting producers in that we haven’t worked with before. We are reaching those same audiences of the Long Island Sound Study, getting them interested in on-ground conservation.”

In recent years, the Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) has seen an uptick in grant applications to complete conservation practices on farms. LISFF has funded projects to build waste storage structures, plant cover crops, create confined composted bedding areas, and develop soil health management plans. Total project funding for Freund’s new storage tank reached $725,000, $418,000 from a LISFF grant awarded to Connecticut’s Northwest Conservation District and matched by $307,900, which was awarded in 2023. 

“Having that connection with NRCS, other farmers, and the Long Island Sound Study helped us learn about all of these different grant opportunities,” said Freund.

WHY MANAGING NUTRIENTS IS IMPORTANT

Since the early days of agriculture, people have settled farms next to rivers because the water nurtured a rich soil environment for growing crops. Today, this creates a challenge—agricultural runoff like fertilizers and animal waste is the country’s largest contributor to non-point source pollution to waterways. Nutrient pollution is a costly environmental problem that has impacted streams, lakes, rivers, and coastal waters for many years.

In Long Island Sound, nutrient pollution can cause low oxygen levels by fueling the growth of harmful algae. Algal blooms can significantly reduce the amount of oxygen in the Sound, harming fish and other aquatic life. In addition to farms, nutrient pollution can come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, atmospheric deposition, and runoff of home fertilizer and pet waste.  

Achieving clean water and healthy watersheds is one of the LISS program’s major management goals. To address nutrient pollution, EPA and the states of New York and Connecticut established a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to limit nitrogen inputs into the Sound. The states met the TMDL goal in 2016, but nutrient pollution remains a concern for the Sound. Continued program efforts are focused on reducing nitrogen loading through upgrades to wastewater treatment plants and reduced non-point source pollution. The quality of water flowing into Long Island Sound from surrounding watershed states directly impacts water clarity, and abundance of wildlife, and affects the overall health of the estuary. 

NRCS has over 100 conservation practices to preserve and improve the management of natural resources. Freund’s manure tank is an example of a nutrient management conservation practice. The farm engages in many other conservation practices around the property, which all work together to mutually benefit the soil, water, plants, and animals. Other nutrient management conservation practices include:

Agroforestry

Agroforestry is the intentional addition of trees and shrubs into farming systems. Benefits of agroforestry include increased productivity, protected soil and water resources, conserved energy, more wildlife habitat, increased landscape diversity, and a “richer” ecosystem. The Freund Farm has followed this practice by planting nut trees around the perimeter of different structures on the farm. The trees provide shade, improve soil quality and stability, and produce a small, tasty crop.

Cover Crops

Cover crops are a type of practice where an annual plant is seeded after cash crop is harvested. Rather than leaving fields bare, or without any cover, a farmer creates a blanket for the soil made of plant material, which protects soil and water quality.

“It’s about getting cover on the ground and preventing erosion,” said Morgart. “We mostly see corn fields. When covered for the winter, you pull up the nutrients in the soil and hold them in the cover crop until next season.”

The Freund Farm double crops its long-season corn with triticale, a wheat and rye hybrid. Double cropping continues to gain acceptance as a production practice on farms and can have benefits like higher yields and better crop quality. Nearly every crop grown on the Freund Farm is used for cow feed and improved nutrient management.

“With triticale, we’re able to harvest it for feed and at a more optimal time. We shift our planting date for corn and double crop with this, it’s incredible feed and we don’t lose anything,” Freund added. “There’s less field erosion and better hold of nutrients, which all leads back to being super critical for nitrogen. Because what you want to do is tie nitrogen up in a stable form and there’s nothing more stable than a plant on a field.”

A growing interest in agricultural conservation practices across the Long Island Sound region shows the value of collaboration between federal, state, and local partners, as producers like Freund can gain support and guidance from NRCS planners funded through the Long Island Sound Study. This is important, as tackling nutrient management can be a challenging and costly venture.

At the heart of Freund’s sustainable farm is a desire to protect the earth while paving a successful path for his family business.

“The air I breath, the water I swim in…You grow up with an appreciation for the environment,” said Freund. “I also think about the long-term future of the farm.”

  1. “CT DoAg Announces New Census of Agriculture Data Available”, Connecticut Department of Agriculture, accesses November 27, 2024, https://portal.ct.gov/doag/press-room/press-releases/2024/march/ct-doag-announces-new-census-of-agriculture-data-available#:~:text=Some%20key%20Connecticut%20highlights%20include,in%202022%20with%2085%25%20harvested. ↩︎
Photo by Cayla Sullivan/EPA.

NEIWPCC, in cooperation with the Long Island Sound Study and its partners, is inviting proposals to develop and initiate a long-term and large-scale eelgrass seed dispersal restoration program. Eelgrass meadows are identified as a priority habitat for conservation and restoration in the LISS Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for their wide-ranging ecosystem benefits.

The purpose of this program is to advance the restoration of eelgrass meadow habitat in Long Island Sound by employing a long-term, large-scale, and evidence-based approach that is adaptable in the face of a changing climate. The program aims to increase eelgrass meadow extent and density by expanding acreage adjacent to well-established meadows as well as explore establishing new meadows where suitability is high. A priority of the project is to increase gene flow and genetic diversity by using seeds from multiple populations in the restoration areas. Proposals should also incorporate capacity building efforts for seed-based restoration work by forging collaborative partnerships in both New York and Connecticut.

There is approximately $1,500,000 available for this project and it is anticipated that one successful project will be chosen. Applicants must submit proposals no later than 12 p.m. EST on February 14, 2025. Applicants can submit their proposals on the NEIWPCC website.

For questions regarding submission of proposals, please contact Alex DuMont, NEIWPCC’s Long Island Sound Study Project Manager at adumont@neiwpcc.org.

Did you know? Just one gram of dog waste (the weight of a business card) contains 23 million fecal coliform bacteria—almost twice as much as human waste. Woof!

Pet waste is a seemingly small source of pollution that can have a big impact on water quality. When it rains, pet waste left on lawns, beaches, trails, parks, and sidewalks washes into storm drains. The bacteria and nutrients in your pet’s poop will end up flowing directly to nearby streams, rivers, and lakes, eventually reaching Long Island Sound. Once it reaches waterways, pet waste can harm humans and the environment by fueling the growth of toxic algae and making the water unswimmable, unfishable, and unenjoyable!

Take the Clean Water Pledge and commit to a healthy Long Island Sound watershed by properly disposing of your pet’s waste.

Tips for Pet Waste Disposal

  • Always scoop the poop! Clean up after your pet using appropriate baggies. You can often find them at pet waste eliminator stations located around public parks and trails.
  • Clean up pet waste as soon as possible so that it doesn’t attract flies or pests.
  • Toss your used baggies in trash bins and pet waste receptacles. Make sure trash bins are not overflowing.
  • Do not bury or compost your pet’s waste. This can cause pollution of surface and ground water and cause an unpleasant smell.

Want to learn more? Visit our Canines for Clean Water webpage and see how you can get involved.

Clean Water and a Healthy Sound Start at Home and in your Community!

Read the 2024 End of Year issue of Sound Matters, the newsletter of the Long Island Sound Study. This issue highlights LISS grant programs and recent awards. You can view a PDF here.

In May, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation welcomed Carrie Clingan to the role of program director of the Long Island Sound Futures Fund, replacing long-time director Lynn Dwyer. Appointed Program Director of Northeast Watersheds with NFWF, an area that includes the Sound region, Clingan brings to the Futures Fund over a decade of experience in grantmaking and a passion for engaging communities in conservation.

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund is a multi-million-dollar grant program that supports projects in local communities that aim to protect and restore Long Island Sound. Funding is prioritized for efforts that align with the Long Island Sound Study’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, addressing goals of clean water, thriving habitats, and resilient communities. For 2024, $12.5 million was awarded to 31 projects across the Long Island Sound region.

Clingan, a native of New York, earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking from Rochester Institute of Technology. In undergrad, Clingan minored in American politics which sparked an interest that led her to a master’s degree in public policy from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. However, the jump from fine arts to politics wasn’t unexpected.

“I think I’ve always been interested in engagement, talking to people, getting to know why people do the things that they do and what policies can help them,” said Clingan. “I was just really interested in how people think about their lives and how their lives can be made better and safer through policymaking.”

Clingan’s father is from Glen Cove and her grandfather is from Oyster Bay, two municipalities on Long Island’s North Shore.

“Actually, my great grandfather moved from Ireland and then was working on what is now Planting Fields Arboretum Historic State Park,” recalled Clingan. “So, kind of long connections to Long Island Sound.”

After graduating, Clingan worked as a legislative assistant in the Office of Congressman Michael McNulty, before his retirement in 2009.

“That was when I got handed the environmental water portfolio,” said Clingan. “I started to concentrate more on the environment and the role of federal policy in helping our waterways be cleaned and helping people get access to them.”

Upon leaving the US Capitol, Clingan became a community services associate for the National Association of Counties (NACo), working to increase the knowledge and function of natural resource management by local officials. In this role, she managed over $1.5 million in community-based habitat restoration grants. Four years with NACo led to more grantmaking in community conservation. Starting first as a manager in 2012 at NFWF and working her way up to program director, Clingan implemented grant funding through federal and nonfederal partnerships with Bezos Earth Fund, FedEx, Wells Fargo, Salesforce, EPA, US Forest Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service.

A key part of this implementation was her involvement with the Five Star Urban Waters Program, which aims to develop a nationwide community of natural resource stewards. Grants under this program address water quality issues like erosion, stormwater pollution, and degrading shorelines. 

“That program really helps counties and local governments, and also small non-profits do very community-based projects that marry restoration and healthy watersheds with community engagement and public access,” said Clingan.

Following Dwyer’s retirement, Clingan changed roles from Program Director of Community Stewardship and Youth to Program Director of Northeast Watersheds, which includes the Long Island Sound Futures Fund program.

“Luckily, I wasn’t working from scratch since I have been with NFWF for twelve years and doing grantmaking through different programs,” said Clingan. “The Long Island Sound has a really unique watershed and it’s a bit like coming home…Everyone has been so supportive, friendly, and helpful.”

Moving into the future, Clingan hopes to improve the application process and make it easier to understand, especially for those applying for the first time.

“I’m also looking forward to getting to know the grantees a little better and to understand the projects and how they all connect with the new Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan,” said Clingan.

CONTACT:

Kristen Peterson, for National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), 410-353-3582, kpeterson@thehatchergroup.com 
John Senn, U.S. EPA Region 1 (New England), 857-329-2447, Senn.John@epa.gov   
Carlos Vega, U.S. EPA Region 2, 212-637-3662, vega.carlos@epa.gov

New York (December 9, 2024) – Today, federal and state environmental agencies and officials from New England and New York, including the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), announced 31 grants totaling more than $12 million to organizations and local governments to improve the health of Long Island Sound. The grants are matched by more than $12 million from the grantees themselves, resulting in $25 million in total conservation impact for projects in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York.

In all, these Long Island Sound Futures Fund (Futures Fund) 2024 grants will support projects that improve water quality by preventing 1.7 million gallons of stormwater and 190,254 pounds of nitrogen pollution from flowing into Long Island Sound waters. The projects will also remove 11,975 pounds of marine debris from the sound and support planning for restoration of 280 acres of coastal habitat. The projects will reach more than 500,000 people through environmental education programs that increase awareness of how to improve the health and vitality of the sound. Funding for the grant program comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the Long Island Sound Study (LISS), with additional support from NFWF and The Zoetis Foundation.

“Across the Long Island Sound watershed, the projects funded by these grants will help lift up local communities and enable critical work to prevent pollution and improve water quality,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “These grants exemplify EPA’s longstanding commitment to a healthy and prosperous Long Island Sound and we appreciate the bipartisan support the Sound has seen over many years.” 

“EPA’s commitment to the Long Island Sound Futures Fund reflects our dedication to protecting and restoring one of our region’s most valuable natural resources,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “By funding these local projects, we’re not only improving water quality and coastal habitats but also supporting communities in building resiliency against climate change and ensuring equitable access to the Sound for generations to come.”

The LISS initiated the Futures Fund in 2005 through EPA’s Long Island Sound Office and NFWF. The grant program has a strong history of making environmental improvements by supporting people and communities who value the sound and take a direct role in its future. Since its inception, the Futures Fund has invested $56 million in 640 projects. The program has generated an additional $65 million in grantee matching funds toward these projects for a total conservation impact of $121 million. The projects have opened 121 river miles for fish passage, restored 842 acres of fish and wildlife habitat, treated 208 million gallons of stormwater pollution, and engaged 5 million people in protection and restoration of the sound. 

“The Long Island Sound watershed covers more than 16,000 square miles in six states, and serves as a highly productive estuary for the entire region,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF.  “The funding awarded today represents a commitment to continue the progress made over many decades toward a healthier, cleaner watershed. These projects will provide lasting benefits to the local communities and natural resources across the Sound by improving water quality, building stewardship, as well as restoring critical coastal habitat for fish and wildlife.”

“The Long Island Sound Futures Fund continues to support projects that improve the quality of, access to, and education about Long Island Sound, a vitally important resource for the residents of Connecticut and the region,” said Katie Dykes, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. “The $8.4 million in grants coming to 14 recipients in Connecticut also leverages over $7.3 million in local funding. These important and forward-thinking projects will benefit thousands of K-12 students in Connecticut, create a new coastal public access site while improving an existing one, assist with the planning of several habitat restoration projects, and protect Long Island Sound’s water quality through innovative nutrient reduction programs all over the state. We are grateful to our local and federal partners for this impactful funding.”

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “The Long Island Sound is a beloved resource for millions of New Yorkers. Through decades of collaboration, DEC, U.S. EPA, and many other partners are reducing the pollution that enters the Sound, significantly improving water quality for the benefit of marine life, shorebirds, public health, recreation, and local economies. DEC congratulates and thanks the Long Island Sound Futures Fund awardees for advancing projects that build on this progress to improve water quality, conserve habitats, educate the public, and promote stewardship for generations to come.” 

A complete list of the 2024 Long Island Sound Futures Fund grants recipients is available here. See a list of quotes from elected officials about today’s grant announcement here. To learn more, please visit the NFWF Long Island Sound Futures Fund website.

BACKGROUND

Long Island Sound is an estuary that provides economic and recreational benefits to millions of people while also providing habitat for more than 1,200 invertebrates, 170 species of fish and dozens of species of migratory birds. The grant projects contribute to a healthier Long Island Sound for everyone, from nearby area residents to those at the furthest reaches of the sound. All 9 million people who live, work, and play in the watershed impacting the sound can benefit from and help build on the progress that has already been made.

About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Chartered by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Working with federal, corporate, foundation and individual partners, NFWF has funded more than 6,800 organizations and generated a total conservation impact of more than $10 billion. NFWF is an equal opportunity provider. Learn more at nfwf.org.  

About the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grants

Every year, EPA awards more than $4 billion in funding for grants and other assistance agreements. From small non-profit organizations to large state governments, EPA works to help many visionary organizations achieve their environmental goals. With countless success stories over the years, EPA grants remain a chief tool to protect human health and the environment. Follow EPA Region 1 (New England) on X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 1, visit the website.

About the Long Island Sound Study

The Long Island Sound Study, developed under the EPA’s National Estuary Program, is a cooperative effort between the EPA and the states of Connecticut and New York to protect and restore the Sound and its ecosystem. To learn more about the Long Island Sound Study, visit Form more information about the LISS visit the website.

Second round of funding now available!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Congressman-elect George Latimer joined Long Island Sound Study partners, SRC staff, and grantees at the announcement of planning awards at staff Rye Town Park, New York.
Congressman-elect George Latimer joined Long Island Sound Study partners, SRC staff, and grantees at Rye Town Park for the announcement of the new planning grant awards.

Live stream of press event will begin at 9:20 AM: https://youtube.com/live/HTgbw6oVRPE?feature=share

[RYE, NY] – Thanks to a new bi-state program, 15 coastal communities in the Long Island Sound region have been awarded nearly $1.1 million in planning support to advance climate resilience-focused projects. The Long Island Sound Resilience Planning Support Program was created by New York Sea Grant (NYSG) and Connecticut Sea Grant (CTSG), funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Long Island Sound Study. 

Since 2021, a team of dedicated NYSG and CTSG Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Extension Professionals has focused on developing resources and tools to assist Long Island Sound communities in achieving their sustainability and resilience goals. A major barrier for many communities is a lack of capacity and resources to identify, conceptualize, and develop climate resilience projects.

In response, the SRC team launched the Long Island Sound Resilience Planning Support Program in October 2023. The program provides planning support to advance climate resilience-focused projects by matching participating communities with qualified contractors to assist with assessing local climate risks, conceptualizing project ideas and conducting preliminary planning efforts to prepare for future funding opportunities that support project design and implementation. No match is required from the communities.

Fifteen projects—10 in NY and five in CT—are being supported through the first round of the program. The 15 projects include climate vulnerability assessments and resilience plans, watershed-based conservation plans, natural resource inventories, conceptual designs for flood mitigation opportunities and landscape design plans. Find more details below and at: lisresilience.org/assistance-programs.

“This funding empowers coastal communities across Long Island Sound to address critical climate challenges locally and collectively build a more resilient Sound,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “These awards are another example of EPA’s longstanding commitment to protecting and restoring Long Island Sound, which is one of the most special natural places in the country.”

EPA is pleased to support the projects in these 15 local communities to strengthen their resilience to climate change and develop practical solutions to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and protect coastal habitats and wildlife in the Long Island Sound,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “EPA supports efforts that assist coastal communities in assessing climate vulnerabilities and developing plans and actions for a sustainable future.”

“The outcomes of this program will go far beyond the immediate planning efforts,” said New York Sea Grant Director, Rebecca Shuford. “By equipping communities with actionable plans and innovative project concepts, we are setting the stage for transformative resilience initiatives that address climate vulnerabilities while promoting long-term sustainability. New York Sea Grant is proud to contribute to this partnership and support communities in their efforts to safeguard their environments and economies.”

“This program is a testament to the power of collaboration in addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time—climate resilience. Through this initiative, Connecticut Sea Grant is proud to help bridge the gap for communities facing resource and capacity constraints, enabling them to take critical steps toward achieving their resilience and sustainability goals,” said Connecticut Sea Grant Director, Sylvain De Guise. “We look forward to seeing the positive impacts these projects will have across the region.”

NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis, representing Sound Shore Districts in Westchester County, said, “These resiliency planning grant awards are vitally important in assisting local governments as they seek to address threats to coastal areas, water infrastructure, and valued habitats. Tremendous credit goes to Sea Grant and the Long Island Sound Study for supporting local planning efforts that will make future projects a reality. Federal dollars are vitally important to the health of our Long Island Sound estuary. Resiliency and flood mitigation projects will depend upon a combination of federal, state, and local funding. Congratulations to these local governments on their grant awards.”

A second round of the Long Island Sound Resilience Planning Support Program will open on Dec. 6, 2024. Up to $1 million will be available. Interested communities can learn more at lisresilience.org/assistance-programs and during the SRC Resilience Assistance Programs session on Tuesday, December 10, 2024; part of the upcoming 3rd Annual SRC Workshop. For more information, please visit lisresilience.org/annual-workshop.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AWARDEES

CT Awardees (Teal)ProjectContractorAward Amount
Alliance for the Mystic River WatershedConduct a Climate Vulnerability Assessment for the Mystic River WatershedFuss & O’Neill$115,000
Groton Long Point AssociationDevelop conceptual designs for priority projects identified in the Groton Long Point Association Resiliency PlanGZA$63,000
Southwest Conservation DistrictUpdate the 2011 Norwalk River Watershed-Based PlanTighe & Bond$78,300
Towns of Essex, Deep River, and ChesterConduct a Climate Vulnerability Assessment for the Towns of Essex, Deep River and Chester, and scope three pilot projectsFuss & O’Neill$80,000
Town of MadisonDevelop a Climate Resilience Plan for the Town of Madison, building off of the 2016 Town Coastal Resilience PlanFHI Studio$49,845
NY Awardees (Purple)Project ContractorAward Amount
Rye Town Park CommissionConduct a Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Rye Town ParkIndigo River$69,520
Seatuck Environmental Association (Oyster Bay, NY)Assess climate change impacts on the Beaver Brook and Mill Neck Creek marsh complex and produce a conceptual designGZA$71,468
St. John’s Episcopal Church (Cold Spring Harbor)Develop a Conservation and Restoration Plan for St. John’s Church marsh and pondGEI$72,040
State University of New York (SUNY) MaritimeAssess local climate risks, conceptualize project ideas, and conduct preliminary planning for the SUNY Maritime CampusIndigo River$69,520
Town of MamaroneckConduct a Climate Vulnerability Assessment for three municipal propertiesL.K. McLean Associates$74,000
Village of LarchmontDetermine causes of recurrent flooding in the Fountain Square area of the Village; identify flood mitigation strategies and priority projectsL.K. McLean Associates$72,600
Village of LattingtownDevelop a Conservation and Restoration Plan for the Village of Lattingtown’s marsh complex adjacent to Frost CreekLand Use Ecological Services$37,360
Village of MamaroneckDevelop a Landscape Design Plan for a segment of a proposed Village-wide greenway along the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake RiversAssemblage Landscape Architecture$49,925
Village of PelhamConduct a Natural Resource Inventory for the VillageBiohabitats$75,240
Village of Rye BrookDetermine causes of recurrent flooding in the Rich Manor Park area of the Village; identify flood mitigation strategies and priority projectsSLR$110,970
Awardee project descriptions.

“The Rye Town Park Commission is honored to be one of the first 15 awardees of the Long Island Sound Resilience Planning Support Program,” said Gary J. Zuckerman, Rye Town Supervisor and President of the Rye Town Park Commission. “Rye Town Park is an asset to our community, and the development of a Climate Vulnerability Assessment will assist us in navigating the effects of climate change and preserving the park for years to come.”

“The Southwest Conservation District serves the communities of Wilton, Norwalk, New Canaan, Ridgefield, Weston, and Redding. Working with these communities, we are utilizing SRC funds to update and enhance the Norwalk River watershed based plan,” said Chris Sullivan, Southwest Conservation District Executive Director. “This new and improved document will provide the blueprint for improving water quality and resiliency across these communities. We are grateful for the opportunity and funds to do this valuable work.” 

“The Village of Lattingtown is proud and thankful to participate in the Long Island Sound Resilience Planning Support Program. The program will provide us with the environmental tools we need to preserve our village and to protect our residents by restoring our marshland in a responsible manner, ensuring both storm preparedness and coastal resiliency,” said Robert Fagiola, Mayor of the Village of Lattingtown.


“Earlier this year, the Town of Mamaroneck was delighted to be awarded a $74,000 grant from the Long Island Sound Resilience Planning Support Program to fund a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment. Conducting this assessment on three of our municipal properties will help us to determine and prioritize what actions are needed to mitigate our Town’s vulnerabilities in light of our changing climate,” said Jaine Elkind Eney, Town of Mamaroneck Supervisor. “We appreciate the commitment of this new program in giving Long Island Sound municipalities such as the Town of Mamaroneck the resources and tools necessary to help us reach our sustainability goals.”


“The Village of Rye Brook is very appreciative of being selected for this grant. The Rich Manor Park area is a location that repeatedly floods and, as such, impacts many neighboring properties. We are hopeful that this grant will be able to identify attainable solutions to mitigate this problem for the benefit of the residents of this area of Rye Brook,” said Jason Klein, Mayor of the Village of Rye Brook.

“SUNY Maritime College, the first and foremost maritime institution in the country, is proud to be part of the initial round of the Long Island Sound Resilience Planning Support grants,” said Dr. Caterina Panzeca, Science Department Chairperson at SUNY Maritime College. “This planning grant brings together diverse campus stakeholders including faculty, staff, and students to address climate resiliency on our waterfront campus. We are currently developing a comprehensive plan that we hope will be a model for our Long Island Sound neighbors and the 63 other SUNY campuses.”

“The Town of Madison received first round funding through the Planning Support Program to update and expand upon our 2016 Coastal Resiliency Plan,” said Erin Mannix, Town Planner for the Town of Madison, CT. “We are eager to take this opportunity to create a broader climate resiliency plan, which will serve to evaluate and protect our shoreline community’s critical resources, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Identifying vulnerabilities and risks will better inform the Town as we plan for long-range resiliency and adaptation.” 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to look at climate vulnerability along the Connecticut River and prepare for the future,” said Carey Duques, Land Use Official for the Town of Essex, CT.

“The Village of Larchmont is thrilled and honored to be one of the first recipients of the Long Island Sound Resilience Planning Support grant program. This grant will enable us to conduct a comprehensive study to determine the causes of recurrent flooding in the Fountain Square area of the Village of Larchmont,” said Sarah Bauer, Mayor of the Village of Larchmont. “Given the impact of climate change, this program gives municipalities additional tools to become more resilient and we truly value their partnership.”

“Sea Grant and Long Island Sound Study have been instrumental in the Village of Mamaroneck in providing knowledgeable support and professional design assistance for the Mamaroneck Greenway which is being developed along the lengths of the Sheldrake and Mamaroneck Rivers on the coastal plain of the village,” said Kate DeHais, member of the Village of Mamaroneck Committee for the Environment. “This linear park will connect new and existing park spaces whose ecology will be protected and restored with native plants, trees, and shrubs to support pollinators, birdlife and wildlife while also improving the health of wetland soils, enhancing their ability to hold carbon. For residents, It will provide green space for quiet recreation and educational opportunities in underserved areas as well as connectivity throughout the village. The design being created will also incorporate Green Infrastructure such as rain gardens to hold and infiltrate flood water, mitigating the pollution and destructive impact of flood events.”

For more information, please visit www.lisresilience.org or direct questions by email to info@longislandsoundstudy.net.

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About Connecticut Sea Grant

Connecticut Sea Grant, based at UConn’s Avery Point campus in Groton, is one of 34 Sea Grant programs supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in coastal and Great Lakes states that encourage the wise stewardship of our marine resources through research, education, outreach and technology transfer.

About New York Sea Grant

New York Sea Grant (NYSG), a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York (SUNY), is one of 34 university-based programs under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program. Since 1971, NYSG has represented a statewide network of integrated research, education and extension services promoting coastal community economic vitality, environmental sustainability and citizen awareness and understanding about the State’s marine and Great Lakes resources. Through NYSG’s efforts, the combined talents of university scientists and extension specialists help develop and transfer science-based information to many coastal user groups—businesses and industries, federal, state and local government decision-makers and agency managers, educators, the media and the interested public. For updates on Sea Grant activities: www.nyseagrant.org has Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, and YouTube links. NYSG offers a free e-list sign up via www.nyseagrant.org/nycoastlines for its flagship publication, NY Coastlines/Currents, which is published quarterly.

About Long Island Sound Study

The Long Island Sound Study, established in 1985, is a partnership of federal and state agencies working with local governments, communities, universities and industry to protect and care for the Sound’s health.

By Shahela Begum, Program Director Long island Sound Community Impact Fund

Historically, there have always been concerns surrounding inequity in funding opportunities and how they get dispersed to communities. The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) seeks to bridge that gap by providing technical and financial assistance to communities with environmental justice concerns, to address environmental issues and improve the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound. Technical assistance is provided throughout the application process and is ongoing throughout the duration of the grant cycle.

WHAT IS THE LONG ISLAND SOUND COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND?

LISCIF is a partnership between Restore America’s Estuaries, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS). Made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, projects funded by LISCIF will help meet the Justice40 Initiative goal that “40 percent of the overall benefits of these Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.” The EPA defines environmental justice as, “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. This goal will be achieved when everyone enjoys: (1) The same degree or protection from environmental and health hazards, and (2) Equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.”

LISS conducted a year-long Environmental Justice Needs Assessment, which resulted in a report published in 2024, indicating needs, priorities, barriers, and challenges that communities face within the Long Island Sound region. Community listening sessions, along with one-to-one discussions with executive directors, community leaders, municipalities, and residents provided insight on accessibility of the waterfront, flooding issues due to climate change, and indicated gaps in resources. These interviews influenced the design of the Request for Applications (RFA) for LISCIF.

SHAPING GRANTMAKING FOR EJ COMMUNITIES

According to feedback from communities, funding opportunities often do not have enough time built in from when an RFA is first released and the submission deadline. We wanted to be mindful in the design of LISCIF and provide sufficient time for applicants to digest the RFA, reach out for technical assistance, and have ample time before submitting an application. The application process was broken into two stages, a Letter of Interest (LOI) and a Full Proposal phase. Instead of overcommitting time for only one stage of an application process, applicants receive feedback for their LOI and Full Proposal by the review panel, which is made up of a diverse group of professionals, representing New York and Connecticut. It is important to have expertise on the panel of not only program priorities but also familiarity with various communities and environmental justice issues they experience.

The goal of building capacity for the region comes in the form of a series of technical assistance training opportunities, based on continuous input from community members in the region. Guidance and navigation of LISS’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) is extremely important in order to allow applicants who have never received a federal award be able to develop a proposal which meets the goals and metrics of the LIS partnership. Other trainings conducted focused on grant writing, creating a federal budget, fundraising, managing projects, reporting, and other programmatic day to day operations. Engaging applicants in a continuous focus group helped to evaluate trainings, identify gaps in resources, and gather feedback on the overall grant program.

LISCIF also plans to continue to hold an Annual Learning Exchange, in an effort to bring subawardees, organizations, Tribal communities, professionals, students, and stakeholders together for an in-person gathering. The first one we held in June 2024, at the CUNY Graduate Center, which brought people together from New York and Connecticut. It proved to be an opportunity where people working in environmental justice communities can come together, network, and learn about each other’s work. The purpose of these types of in-person capacity building gatherings is to foster and strengthen regional networks in relation to the Long Island Sound. Most importantly, the Annual Learning Exchange, along with all the trainings provided is at no-cost to participants (whether they are an applicant or not). It is necessary to provide capacity-building opportunities for the region, especially for communities dealing with environmental justice concerns since oftentimes, organizations do not have enough staff capacity or funds to get these resources, and historic inequities make funding streams inaccessible.

The availability of technical assistance, virtual, and in-person capacity building opportunities will make organizations and stakeholders more successful in not only managing current grants but also at obtaining larger funding opportunities. Especially for historically underserved areas, it is crucial that the mission and work can be supported and maintained. One important factor, is supporting subawardees who may not have the upfront organizational budget available to start a project. A reimbursement model oftentimes can exclude applicants from putting in a proposal. For LISCIF grants, EPA has implemented the Working Capital Advance (WCA) which advances costs associated with a project for the first two months. This model helps to support subawardees who do not have a huge organizational budget and is a more equitable approach in getting funds to environmental justice communities.

In mindful designing of a grant program, for it to be truly equitable, it is important to obtain continuous community input throughout the process. Being available for support calls, technical assistance requests, along with providing free and accessible training opportunities; builds relationships, trust, and demonstrates a commitment to the region. This approach ultimately supports the longevity of organizations with their mission, sets them up for success, and gears them up to obtain future funding opportunities for their community.

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