New Coalition to Tackle Long Island Sound’s Climate Related Threats

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.”

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.”

The coalition is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) through the Long Island Sound Funders Collaborative.

 

E
Submitted by Emily Lavin

Become a Local Voice in Your Community!

HamletHub invites you to contribute stories, events, and more to keep your neighbors informed and connected.

Read Next