Long Island Sound Eelgrass Strategy Partner Projects

Interactive Eelgrass Strategy Partner Projects Table

The interactive table below shows ongoing or completed eelgrass-related projects in Long Island Sound. More information about the project is available by clicking on the “More Details” button (see “Interactive Project Table Field Descriptions” at the bottom of this web page for a description of each provided field). The purpose of this table is to showcase the great work and encourage future collaboration opportunities to support restoration and management of eelgrass meadows in Long Island Sound.

Click the drop-down arrows to view how to use the interactive table.

How to Use the Table

Click on the “Filter Data Table” button below to search by key words by Project Objective and Project Partner.

About the Eelgrass Strategy Partners Projects

Last Updated: the date the project progress and associated barriers was last updated on the website
Project Name: the name of the project
Project Objectives/: the objectives of the project (i.e., what the ultimate goals are of the project)
Project Location: the location of the project
Project Lead: the LISS partner leading the project
Project Partners: other partners involved in the project
Project Progress: the progress of the project (On-Track, Off-Track, None)
Project Link: link to project’s webpage providing more details

Project Objectives:

Project Partners:

Last Updated	Project Name	Project Objectives	Project Location	Project Lead	Project Partners	Project Progress
06/03/2024	Long Island Sound Eelgrass Collaborative	The objectives are to identify management and regulatory challenges and recommendations for eelgrass restoration; coordinate with other regional efforts to better understand the interactions between eelgrass and aquaculture; provide input on other LISS funded eelgrass projects; and improve bi-state collaboration by sharing information, identifying research gaps, funding opportunities, and networking	Soundwide	Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve	Long Island Sound Study	Ongoing
06/03/2024	Eelgrass Aerial Survey 2024 & 2025	The objectives are conduct an eelgrass aerial survey to map eelgrass extent in 2024 and 2025. The survey data will be used for the Eelgrass Mapping Intercomparison Study (see below).	Eastern Long Island Sound	New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (2024), US Geologic Survey (2025)	NEIWPCC	Ongoing
06/03/2024	Eelgrass Mapping Intercomparison Study	The objective is to conduct an intercomparison study between remote-sensing technologies to determine the utility of each technology in mapping eelgrass extent and density.	Eastern Long Island Sound	University of Rhode Island	US Fish and Wildlife Service, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, US Environmental Protection Agency	Ongoing
06/03/2024	Eelgrass Leaf Area Index Mapping Using Satellite Imagery	The objective is to develop and refine an algorithm to train computers how to estimate eelgrass distribution and productivity (in the form of leaf area index) by using satellite imagery (Landsat-8; Sentinel-2).	Eastern Long Island Sound	US Environmental Protection Agency	University of Connecticut	Ongoing
06/03/2024	Adding a New Group Monitoring Two Embayments with Eelgrass Present to the Unified Water Study, 2024 Season	The objective is to add Unified Waters Study monitoring groups in embayments with eelgrass to characterize water quality conditions in these waters. Mumford Cove was added in 2023 in response to this interest and this supplemental proposal will bring two Fishers Island embayments into the UWS in 2024.	Mumford Cove and Fishers Island	Save the Sound	Project Oceanology	Ongoing
06/03/2024	Update and Enhancement of the GIS-based Long Island Sound Eelgrass Habitat Suitability Index	The objectives are to expand the evaluation of sites being considered for eelgrass restoration efforts in the Long Island Sound area and to identify areas where environmental or climate factors reduce or eliminate the potential for natural eelgrass colonization.	Soundwide	TBD	NEIWPCC	Ongoing
06/03/2024	Improving Eelgrass Restoration Success by Manipulating the Sediment Iron Cycle	The objective is to conduct experiments to test the efficacy of iron additions to eelgrass plantings in sites with high organic sediments as a means to improve eelgrass survivability and restoration success.	Eastern Connecticut	University of Connecticut	Cornell Cooperative Extension	Completed
06/03/2024	Eelgrass Restoration in the Long Island Sound: Utilizing Hard Clams	The objective is to pilot an innovative method of revitalizing eelgrass restoration by harvesting eelgrass seeds, gluing them to clams and deploying these clams in specific CTDEEP, CTDOAG & NYSDEC permitted experimental areas in the Sound. Good potential for scaling up if method proved viable.	Smithtown Bay, NY and Eastern Connecticut, CT	Save the Sound; SAVE Environmental Inc.	Remote Ecologist LLC, Connecticut College, Peconic Baykeeper, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Project Oceanology	Ongoing
06/03/2024	Long Island Sound Eelgrass Restoration Project I-III (2005-2010)	The objective is to conduct eelgrass test plantings along the north shore of the North Fork of Long Island to identify future restoration sites. Continued funding of the project allowed for the scaling up of eelgrass restoration activities at St. Thomas and Terry Points. A final round of funding focused on establishing eelgrass along the north shore of Plum and Great Gull Islands.	North Shore of Long Island	Cornell Cooperative Extension	N/A	Completed
06/03/2024	Marine Meadows Eelgrass Restoration for Long Island Sound (CT)	The objective is to restore eelgrass, educate the public and involve volunteers project activities to restore an important coastal habitat of Long Island Sound to improve coastal resilience and water quality in the waters of Clinton Harbor, CT.	Clinton Harbor, CT	Cornell Cooperative Extension	N/A	Completed
06/03/2024	Marine Meadows Eelgrass Restoration for Long Island Sound (NY)	The objective is to Restore eelgrass, educate the public and involve volunteers project activities to restore an important coastal habitat of Long Island Sound to improve coastal resilience and water quality in the waters of Suffolk County, New York. Activities include scout full-scale and test restoration sites and conduct eelgrass planting; conduct eelgrass education for volunteers and the public; engage in preparation and delivery of eelgrass restoration including engaging community volunteers; and evaluate the sites as current and future locations to increase the extent of eelgrass.	Suffolk County, NY	Cornell Cooperative Extension	N/A	Ongoing
06/03/2024	Stakeholder Engagement and Planning for Eelgrass Protection on Fishers Island	The objective is to develop comunity support and engagement in seagrass-safe actios around Fishers Island, NY through innovative eelgrass education and solutions-based conservation.	Fishers Island, NY	Henry L. Ferguson Museum	Fishers Island Seagrass Management Coalition	Ongoing
06/03/2024	SeagrassNet: Fishers Island Site	The objective is to develop a SeagrassNet monitoring site in Long Island Sound where the eelgrass meadows will be monitored to assess the health annually.	Fishers Island, NY	Fishers Island Seagrass Management Coalition	US Environmental Protection Agency	Ongoing
06/03/2024	Developing Methods to Use Drones for Embayment Assessments	The objective is to develop a methodology to conduct embayment assessments of eelgrass and terrestrial plant habitats using aerial drones.	Beebe Cove, CT	Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection	N/A	Ongoing
06/03/2024	Development and Application of a GIS-based Long Island Sound Eelgrass Habitat Suitability Index Model, 2013	The objectives are to assist in the evaluation of sites being considered for eelgrass restoration efforts in the Long Island Sound (LIS) area and to identify areas where water quality issues reduce or eliminate the potential for natural eelgrass colonization.	Soundwide	University of Connecticut	Cornell Cooperative Extension	Completed
06/03/2024	Eelgrass Monitoring in Niantic River Estuary	The objective is to conduct annual monitoring of the seagrass meadows in Niantic River Estuary, CT.	Niantic River Estuary, CT	Dominion Energy's Millstone Laboratory	N/A	Ongoing
		Project Objectives			Project Partners

Long Island Sound Eelgrass Strategy Partner Projects

Interactive Eelgrass Strategy Partner Projects Table

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