By: Maya Ray, 2024 Long Island Sound Study Intern
Shellfish are a staple part of Long Island Sound’s culture, playing a key role in recreational fishing, resident livelihoods, and are a star attraction of many beloved restaurants along the Sound’s coast. With the help of the Collective Oyster Recycling and Restoration (CORR), a recently launched non-profit, inventive efforts to recycle and restore shellfish are underway, allowing diners to help restore shell beds one five-gallon bucket at a time.
Oysters rely on the shells of their companions for reproduction. The “babies”, called spats, require hard surfaces to grow on. While they can grow on rocks, ceramics, and other solid materials, their favorite place to mature is on the old shells of other oysters, due to the added protection from predators. When more shells are available for them to latch on to, the survivability of the young oysters increases. With support from a $99,880 Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund grant, CORR is working with local restaurants to increase oyster populations along the shore.
Co-founders Tim Macklin, Todd Koehnke, and Eric Victor stay hands-on through every step of the shell recycling process.
“It’s a lot of time commitment, but we but we love it, said Koehnke. “We wouldn’t have picked anything else to do.”
Over 500,000 pounds of oysters have been recycled since CORR’s start in 2023. With hopes to recycle an additional 300,000 pounds next year, this massive restoration effort to bring shell beds back to the Sound is just getting started.
Increasing the area of shell beds in Long Island Sound is also important for crustaceans, small invertebrates, and fish populations, which use the beds as hunting grounds or shelter. Increased oyster populations also help keep the Sound’s waters cleaner, filtering out algae, as well as excess nutrients in the water, such as nitrogen from inland runoff. A single mature oyster can filter around 50 gallons of water a day. With the help of oyster recycling programs, waters all along the coast can have better water quality and more biodiversity.
“So overall, the more oysters you have in Long Island Sound, it’s just going to benefit it, and help keep it a healthy and clean environment,” said Macklin.
Recycled shells are being supplied by restaurants across the state. When people dine, they are encouraged to place used oyster shells in CORR buckets that line tables. Eateries then collect the oyster shell waste and prepare it in five-gallon buckets for transport to the recycling facility. CORR vehicles pick up the shells and take them to the recycling facility, where they are thoroughly cleaned and left to cure and sanitize for six months. While in the curing process, they are decontaminated by the sun and weather, while insects and wildlife remove any leftover residue. This ensures that the shells are bacteria-free and safe to reintroduce to the Sound.
“And the neat thing is, we step back with the pile [of shells] and we’re like, humans ate all of those, every one of these touched someone’s plate,” said Koehnke.
By tabling at events, and even hosting oyster festivals, CORR is hoping to draw attention to the importance of shellfish recycling. The non-profit also partners with the Sound School in New Haven, helping them with a living shoreline project using reef balls by lending them cured shells.
CORR members are also part of the Fairfield Shellfish Commission and the Mill River Wetlands Committee. Involvement in these groups has improved outreach efforts across the state and created more opportunities for connecting with key groups, including students. As more and more people learn about and engage in oyster recycling, CORR plans to incorporate educational programming into its work.
“Everybody loves to get their hands dirty and actually see things,” said Macklin. “It’s one thing to talk about stuff, but when you can actually physically see it, I think it engages people a lot more.”
In addition to creating education and engagement opportunities, the success of the project has CORR looking to collaborate with more restaurants, expanding into more counties in Connecticut. They have already established themselves in nine counties spanning from Greenwich to Guilford. They also partner with Southington and Hartford in central Connecticut. Future efforts will expand eastward toward Stonington.
“We need to prove our record here on the big stage, so we’re hoping that just comes in time,” said Macklin.
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.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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 DeGuise. “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.
“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.
Anya Grondalski, Science Communicator
agrondalski@longislandsoundstudy.net
[STAMFORD, CT] — On August 26, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signed a 3-year $1,172,800 interagency agreement titled: Building a Salt Marsh Monitoring and Analysis Network to Support Restoration and Climate Change Sentinel Monitoring in Long Island. This project will create a collaborative of scientists and managers to provide comparable data on the impact of climate change on Long Island Sound salt marshes, which will help municipalities, NGOs, and other organizations with planning for restoration projects.
Building a salt marsh monitoring network is a long-standing priority of the Long Island Sound Study. This project builds on other successful collaborative monitoring efforts like the Unified Water Study (launched in 2017 by Save the Sound) and the Pathogen Monitoring Network (pilot led by the Interstate Environmental Commission in 2023). The team began design and implementation of the monitoring network on October 1, 2024.
Salt marshes are vital for resilient communities, offering storm protection, supporting cleaner waters, and habitat for many species. However, inconsistent data on marsh health and climate impacts in Long Island Sound can hinder restoration efforts. This project brings together scientists and managers to gather data for better informed management practices.
Project partners include The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Connecticut National Estuary Research Reserve, University of Connecticut, The Nature Conservancy chapters in Connecticut and New York, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Audubon Connecticut, the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The Long Island Sound Study 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.
The Long Island Sound Eelgrass Management and Restoration Strategy provides guidance for short and long-term actions that should be taken to manage and restore eelgrass meadows in Long Island Sound and act as a resource for other estuaries in the region facing similar issues. The strategy is a living document, meaning that as new research, resources, and information becomes available, the gaps and required actions may change. It was developed by the EPA Long Island Sound Office in collaboration with the Long Island Sound Study and local expert and stakeholder input.
Connecticut Sea Grant is excited to share openings for three extension positions. The positions are:
This entry originally appeared on the Connecticut Sea Grant website.
The spring 2022 issue of Sound Update focuses on Long Island Sound Study’s Year in Review of 2021. Various clean water, habitat restoration, education, and science projects from Connecticut and New York are highlighted, including the new Long Island Sound Marine Debris Action Plan, Community Science Long Island 2021, and the latest findings on hypoxia in the Sound.
The spring 2021 issue of Sound Update focuses on Long Island Sound Study’s Year in Review of 2020. Various clean water, habitat restoration, education, and science projects from Connecticut and New York are highlighted.
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