SOURCE:
https://libn.com/2023/12/06/long-island-sound-network-awarded-262k-for-conservation-efforts/
David Winzelberg - December 6, 2023
The groups that make up the Long Island Sound Coastal Watershed Network have been awarded more than $262,000 to continue their efforts in addressing water quality issues.
The network, a partnership between Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Save the Sound and The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, received the funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, through the Long Island Sound Futures Fund.
The money will support information sharing and collaborative opportunities for local governments, NGOs, businesses, and concerned residents around Long Island Sound to address water quality challenges in their communities. The funds will also be used to further programming, including an upcoming webinar next month on nitrogen pollution, and foster a shared commitment to reducing the impacts of pollution resulting from stormwater, sewage, fertilizer, and marine debris, according to a statement from the watershed network.
“Our goal for the Long Island Sound Coastal Watershed Network is to drive action to tackle water pollution at the local level,” Peter Linderoth, director of water quality for Save the Sound, said in the statement. “Our webinars, roundtable discussions, and the Long Island Sound Summit that we held in Port Jefferson earlier this year, we bring together environmental leaders from around the sound to elevate awareness of pollution mitigation projects and share best practices. Reducing the harmful impacts of microplastics, sewage, and excess nitrogen, are priorities of this collaboration—especially with our waters warming due to climate change.”
Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, added that the network brings together communities, stakeholder groups and individuals working to reduce nitrogen, fertilizers, and plastics from polluting Long Island Sound.
“Our focus on municipal and NGO collaboration knits together communities to support and learn from each other, amplify success and drive progress that can be replicated throughout the sound’s many rivers, harbors, and bays,” Esposito said in the statement. “The strong partnership between The Nature Conservancy, Save the Sound, and CCE has already resulted in 10 events, with more than 500 individuals attending. We look forward to building on this success in the next two years. Thank you to the Long Island Sound Study and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation for their continued support.”