Eight research projects that will examine various facets of the water chemistry and habitat quality of Long Island Sound and potentially yield more effective management decisions have been awarded more than $2.8 million in federal funding through the Long Island Sound Study Research Grant Program.
Coastal Resources
Marsh migration project at Dodge Paddock explored in article
The two-year project at Dodge Paddock Beal Preserve in Stonington Borough is the subject of an article published in the December 2020 issue of the Journal of Extension, titled, “Moving with the Marsh: Encouraging Property Owner Adaptation to Marsh Migration.”
As seas rise, communities can turn retreat into opportunity
Retreat isn’t defeat. It’s deliberately stepping back to make a better future. “Retreat is very difficult, but it’s going to happen. Wouldn’t it be better to have a managed process?” asked A.R. Siders, keynote speaker at the “Managed Retreat in the Age of Climate Change” workshop.
Bipartisan bill to provide $483M for Sea Grant passes house
Connecticut 2nd District Rep. Joe Courtney and the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the bipartisan National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2020 (S. 910), which authorizes $483 million over four years for the National Sea Grant College Program.
Shellfish farmers stay afloat with innovation, financial aid
CT shellfish farmers endured the precipitous sales losses that nearly shut their businesses during the early days of the pandemic last spring. Now they are preparing to weather what could be even tougher months ahead, with fresh influxes of financial aid coming just when they’re going to need it most.
Managed retreat is topic of Nov. 13 virtual workshop
The Climate Adaptation Academy is offering a free webinar, “Managed Retreat in the Age of Climate Change,” with a keynote address by national expert A.R. Siders and discussion and examples of the legal, social and practical questions raised when considering retreat from vulnerable coastal areas.
Connecticut stays on guard against toxic algae blooms
If you’re a Connecticut shellfish farmer, your ears might perk up a bit when you hear the term HABs – harmful algal blooms. But thanks to the well-coordinated early warning system in place to catch an outbreak, people can eat clams and oysters from Long Island Sound with confidence.
Discarded fabric, puppets are grist for marine-themed art
Two artists using different mediums have been awarded 2020 Connecticut Sea Grant Arts Support Awards to create works conveying messages about human connections to the sea and the threats it faces.
Public meeting about CT estuarine reserve set for Aug. 4
Connecticut will be hosting a virtual scoping meeting for the public on Aug. 4 to provide the public with information on the proposed reserve and to seek input on issues that the Environmental Impact Statement on the CT NERR should consider.
Project expands support for CT shellfish industry
Connecticut shellfish farmers who endured severe sales losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic are being offered the chance to earn income by working on a unique project to rehabilitate the state’s natural shellfish beds.