For Amanda Kostalis of Wallingford, spending a Saturday morning extracting plastic cups, food wrappers and other garbage from the rocks along the New Haven shoreline is a kind of public service therapy. “I try to volunteer as much as I can,” she said. “It helps to combat those feelings of hopelessness.”
plastics
Help yourself and the environment by curtailing plastic use
This op-ed article, published in Connecticut newspapers, announced the kickoff of the 2025 #DontTrashLISound campaign and focuses on reducing plastic use and new research about how plastics are getting into food.
Sept. 12 teacher workshop on marine pollution announced
LIS Mentor Teachers Jill Levasseur and Nikki St. George from Bacon Academy in Colchester will lead a workshop focusing on marine pollution at Bluff Point State Park in Groton from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 12.
Hammonasset cleanup launches 2024 #DontTrashLISound campaign
While camping at Hammonasset Beach State Park in mid-August, the Moriello family of Bethany ended up joining 25 other volunteers picking up trash on a Saturday morning.
Fact sheet explains shellfish aquaculture, plastics research
A new fact sheet, “Emerging Research on Shellfish, Aquaculture, and Marine Plastics” explores the issue of microplastics and shellfish aquaculture. The research shows that microplastic exposure risk from shellfish is extremely low, and that aquaculture gear at a study site did not contribute to microplastic pollution.
Taking a small step in a world awash in plastic
Trying to give up single-use plastics can seem like a fool’s errand, with nearly every imaginable product you can buy ensconced in plastic packaging. A few of us at CTSG decided to try anyway for a week last month, as part of the international Plastic-Free July initiative. This article, published in The Day and CT Hearst newspapers the week of Aug. 11, introduces the 8th annual #DontTrashLISound campaign that kicks off Aug. 17.
Microplastic ‘hot spots’ identified in Long Island Sound
Forensic and environmental experts have teamed up to develop a new scientific method to pinpoint microplastic pollution ‘hotspots’ in open waters, and trialed the technique in Long Island Sound.
Research will study LIS habitats, marine life, workforce diversity
Six research projects relevant to Long Island Sound and continuing improvements in its restoration and management have been selected by Connecticut Sea Grant for the 2024-2026 funding cycle.
CTSG-supported artists, NASA images featured in exhibit
An opening reception for two concurrent exhibits will take place on Nov. 9 at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery, The exhibits, which will be on display until Dec. 10, feature two CTSG-supported artists, along with others.
Sen. Blumenthal: feds should stop buying single-use plastics
In an appearance in New London on Aug. 18, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal called for the federal government to phase out the purchase of single-use plastic items, like bottles, straws, wrappers and take-out containers, and microplastics.