NORWALK, Conn. — A newly established coalition will work to progress coastal resiliency projects to preserve the ecological integrity of Long Island Sound’s coastlines.
The creation of the Coastal Restoration Coalition was announced on Wednesday. It includes 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.
The news was delivered during National Estuaries Week, which highlights the significance of ecosystems such as Long Island Sound. The coalition said that the coastal habitats of estuaries, including the salt marshes and sand dunes that line the Connecticut and New York coasts, offer natural benefits to our communities. They protect people from storm surges and vital waterways from dangerous pollutants.
Members of the coalition plan to collaborate to maximize their impact on the environment by leading conservation efforts across the Sound that are already happening independent of each other.
The coalition aims to critically address the region’s climate-driven threats that have become central focuses of resource management and scientific communities. According to the coalition, initial objectives include building a three-year work plan that will guide the coalition’s priorities, examine current resources and project sites and identify shared resource opportunities.
“We are in a critical moment for birds and people,” said Audubon CT & NY Director of Coastal Resilience Victoria O’Neill. “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.”
Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito said climate change is occurring and damaging our way of life. She points to this year’s increased storm events, flooding and the continuation of warming waters in the Sound.
“A coordinated coastal resilience coalition will be able to plan, strategize and partner to ensure we are implementing projects that protect our communities, our coastlines and our natural resources,” Esposito said. “We are thankful to the Long Island Sound Funders Collaborative for their support of this important work in bringing this coalition together.”
Stewardship Coordinator Jason Krumholz, of the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve, is emphasizing the importance of research, stewardship, training and education. He said that by working to develop a community of practice, and by sharing best management practices and collaborating on proposals, the new coalition will make all participating organizations stronger.
Ducks Unlimited Regional Biologist Jim Feaga forecasted the future if no changes are made.
“The frequency and intensity of these events only continue to increase,” he said. “We must prioritize protecting and restoring natural habitats, which are our first line of defense against these climate-driven threats.”
Project Manager Jessica Cañizares, of the Nature Conservancy in Connecticut Coastal Restoration, said the coalition will tackle the crisis of biodiversity loss, conserve healthy natural systems like marshes, seagrass meadows and shorelines essential for wildlife and benefit the area’s regional identity, economy and defense against increasing storms and rising sea levels.
“The Sound unites people of all ages: It’s where little ones might first experience sand between their toes, a place that inspires students to study the ocean and make a difference in our world, an important site for research and, simply, an ecosystem that deserves support from all of us, especially in this moment. The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut is proud to join the Coalition in working toward a healthier Long Island Sound,” Cañizares said.
Dr. Sarah Crosby, the Maritime Aquarium director of conservation and policy, said there is no local area that defines our region’s landscape and way of life more so than the Long Island Sound. She acknowledged that there is a long history of people treating the Sound poorly but said great strides have been made to restore its health.
“But, there is now a growing threat facing this precious estuary as climate change intensifies,” Crosby said. “This coalition coming together represents the start of a new chapter in how we protect the species and habitats of Long Island Sound’s coastline. We have an opportunity through this new collaboration to leverage the individual strengths of each organization in a way that will magnify our collective impact.”
Save the Sound Coastal Project Manager Jake Dittes said his organization is proud to be part of the new coalition and is stressing the Long Island Sound’s environmental, economic and cultural impact. He listed several challenges facing the coalition and emphasized the need for the coalition itself.
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“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,” Dittes said. “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.”
Lastly, SoundWaters President Leigh Shemitz notes that Long Island Sound is a big place and home to more than 1,000 invertebrates, more than 100 fish species and millions of people.
“So, it is critical that we work together, in partnership, to sustain it into the future, and the Coastal Restoration Coalition will help our collaborations thrive,” she said.
The coalition said it is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through the Long Island Sound Funders Collaborative.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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