Three new extension educators have joined Connecticut Sea Grant and UConn Extension this summer, charged with different facets of outreach and partnership with communities and residents to enhance resilience, stewardship and appreciation of Long Island Sound and its watershed.
Sea Grant
Discovering the joys of fishing & shaping a waterfront park
On a sunny Saturday morning the Bridgeport community gathered at Knowlton Park for a “Let’s Go Fishing!” event on Aug. 19. Residents of all ages angled into the art of fishing as part of a unique initiative to activate the waterfront and gather insights for the future “Sliver by the River” community waterfront park.
“Steps to Resilience” workshops video available
CT Sea Grant and partner organizations hosted free virtual workshops on resilience fundamentals related to our region in September. A video of the workshops is now available.
Sea Grant projects address CEC concerns nationally
Contaminants of emerging concern are increasingly detected in surface water and groundwater, posing risks to drinking water and aquatic life. Since 2020, Sea Grant has been building its CEC-focused research portfolio and supporting projects that serve locally-derived information needs.
Guide showcases geology, ecology, wildlife of CT shoreline
Connecticut Sea Grant and the Connecticut College Arboretum are pleased to announce the publication of Connecticut’s Sandy Shores: An Introduction to the Geology, Plants and Animals, a 130-page guidebook with dozens of color photos and illustrations.
Volunteers rid 110 lbs. of trash from New Haven coastal area
Lisanne Winslow extended her trash grabber into a thicket of tall reeds to extract a partially concealed plastic soda bottle. She was one of 17 volunteers who helped rid a popular coastal walkway and adjoining nature preserve of as much trash as they could collect on a sunny morning on Aug. 12.
LIS Ecosystem Workshop for teachers offered on Sept. 9
The Long Island Sound Mentor Teacher program of Connecticut Sea Grant and the Long Island Sound Study will host a Long Island Sound Ecosystems Workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 9 at Hammonassett Beach State Park in Madison.
New video documents habitat services of oyster cages
Researchers at the NEFSC Milford Lab investigate shellfish growers’ reports that aquaculture gear attracts fish. Using GoPro cameras and eDNA analysis, they found that the cages provide critical habitat for a variety of fish at all life stages. A video of the project is now available.
Value of oysters to LIS highlighted in public radio show
The Connecticut Public Radio show “The Wheelhouse,” featured CT Sea Grant’s Tessa Getchis talking about the economic and environmental importance of oysters in Long Island Sound, as well as the shellfish restoration plan and the shell recycling initiative.
2023 anti-trash campaign targets Long Wharf area for cleanup
Now in its seventh year, the #DontTrashLISound campaign will kick off August 12 with a cleanup of the Long Wharf area led by Connecticut Sea Grant and Save the Sound.