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.”
pollution
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.
“Sound Ideas for Clean Water” brochure now available
The CT and NY Sea Grant programs, together with the Long Island Sound Study and NEIWPCC, have created a new brochure about ways people can help improve the water quality of Long Island Sound by taking steps in their own homes and communities.
Almost 10,000 lbs. of trash cleaned from CT beaches in 2024
Data complied by Save the Sound from 75 cleanups along the Connecticut coastline, including several involving CT Sea Grant, shows that 9,975 pounds of trash was removed from beaches, roadways and parks in 2024, keeping it out of Long Island Sound.
Fact sheet explains issue of PFAS in New England shellfish
A new fact sheet created by the Connecticut, Rhode Island and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute Sea grant programs explores the issue of so-called “forever chemicals” in New England shellfish.
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.
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.
Article examines impact of balloons on Long Island Sound
Since 2017, Bill Lucey has served as the Long Island Soundkeeper, monitoring and advocating for the body of water. During the summertime, he rides his boat out three to four times a week and often finds balloons saying “Happy Graduation” or “Happy Birthday.”
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.