Norwalk, CT – Audubon CT & NY, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, The Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Save the Sound and SoundWaters today announced the formation of a new coalition that will work to advance coastal resiliency projects that preserve the ecological integrity of Long Island Sound’s coastlines.
The announcement of the new Coastal Restoration Coalition comes during National Estuaries Week, a celebration highlighting the importance of ecosystems like Long Island Sound. The coastal habitats of estuaries, like the salt marshes and sand dunes that line the coasts of Connecticut and New York, provide natural benefits to our communities, including protecting people from storm surge and vital waterways from dangerous pollutants.
The members will work together to maximize their positive impact on the environment by coordinating conservation efforts across the Sound that are currently operating independently of each other.
This coalition will be critical to addressing climate-driven threats in the region that have become central focuses of resource management and scientific communities. Initial objectives include building a 3-year work plan that will guide priorities of the coalition, examining current resources and project sites, and identifying shared resource opportunities.
Audubon CT & NY Director of Coastal Resilience Victoria O’Neill said: “We are in a critical moment for birds and people. Long Island Sound salt marshes, islands and beaches are being squeezed by rising sea levels and human development, resulting in habitat loss and alarming population declines in birds like the Saltmarsh Sparrow. Audubon looks forward to working with our Coalition partners to improve and restore our coastal environment, an effort that will benefit wildlife and help protect coastal communities from flooding, erosion, and storm surge.”
Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito said: “Climate change is happening, and it is damaging our way of life. Just this year we have experienced increased storm events, flooding, and the continuation of warming waters in the Sound. A coordinated coastal resilience coalition will be able to plan, strategize, and partner to ensure we are implementing projects that protect our communities, our coastlines, and our natural resources. We are thankful to the Long Island Sound Funders Collaborative for their support of this important work in bringing this coalition together.”
The Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve Stewardship Coordinator Jason Krumholz said: “The Reserve is excited to join this impressive list of partners on the CRC. Coastal Resilience and climate adaptation is at the forefront of all four of the Reserve's Sectors (Research, Stewardship, Training, and Education). By working to develop a community of practice, share best management practices, and collaborate on proposals, the CRC makes all of our organizations stronger!”
Ducks Unlimited Regional Biologist Jim Feaga said: “The frequency and intensity of these events only continue to increase. We must prioritize protecting and restoring natural habitats, which are our first line of defense against these climate-driven threats.”
The Maritime Aquarium Director of Conservation and Policy Dr. Sarah Crosby said: “In our region, there is no more defining part of our landscape, and our collective identity and way of life, than Long Island Sound. After a long history of people treating the Sound pretty poorly, we have recently made great strides to restore its health. But, there is now a growing threat facing this precious estuary as climate change intensifies. This coalition coming together represents the start of a new chapter in how we protect the species and habitats of Long Island Sound’s coastline. We have an opportunity through this new collaboration to leverage the individual strengths of each organization in a way that will magnify our collective impact. I couldn’t be more excited to work alongside these amazing groups as we take on this fight together and restore our coasts for a resilient future!”
Save the Sound Coastal Project Manager Jake Dittes said: “Save the Sound is honored to be a part of the Coastal Restoration Coalition. The Long Island Sound is a vital habitat for countless species that live in its waters, soar through its skies, and inhabit its adjacent shorelines. And for generations of people in this region, the Sound has been a source of inspiration – both economically and culturally.
Today, the challenges facing the Sound are immense, stemming from a legacy of mistreatment and the increasing threats posed by climate change. These challenges are too great for any one organization to tackle alone. The formation of this coalition presents a unique opportunity to share best practices, pool resources, and amplify our collective impact. Together, we will work to ensure that Long Island Sound remains a vibrant, healthy ecosystem for all to enjoy, now and for generations to come.”
SoundWaters President Leigh Shemitz said: “Long Island Sound is a big place and is home to over 1,000 invertebrates, more than 100 fish species and millions of people. So it is critical that we work together, in partnership, to sustain it into the future and the Coastal Restoration Coalition will help our collaborations thrive.”
The coalition is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) through the Long Island Sound Funders Collaborative.