Connecticut - Long Island Sound Restoration

Connecticut is a blessed state with rich natural resources. There are many famous geographical features found throughout the state and, as a result, there is a great deal of diversity in terms of habitat, landscapes, plant and animal life. The state's most prominent natural feature is Long Island Sound. Spanning the entire southern coastline of Connecticut, the Sound supports a diverse commercial and recreational fishery, provides for a wide array of recreational opportunities, and millions of people live along its shores in both Connecticut and the state of New York. Save the Sound has always been a part of Connecticut Fund for the Environment since 2004. But long before that, the Connecticut Fund for Environment was a forerunner in the mission to protect and restore Long Island Sound.

The Long Island Sound is unique in its diversity-from tidal wetlands and coastal grasslands to island forests. There can be truly no other environment quite like it. Its beauty attracts beachcombers and vacationers from around the U.S. But since it is located in one of the most densely populated regions of the U.S., supporting a variety of commercial uses, there have been several environmental issues that Save the Sound was founded to address. Nearly 10% of U.S. population lives within 50 miles of the Long Island Sound. These makes the Sound one of the most populated area in U.S.

Because of these, many marine habitats have been degraded and were even lost. The warmer temperatures, sea level rise, pollution and invasive non-native species have all contributed. In an effort to reverse this loss and preserve these natural resources, Save the Sound has partnered with public and private community organizations, landowners, and the general public. It's their shared goal to restore 300 acres of degraded coastal marsh habitat between 2008 and 2011. They also plan to restore an additional 50 miles of river habitat for migratory fish passage. This partnership has resulted into major improvements. Fish breeding habitats that were blocked for more than a century are now open. Volunteers have also managed the funding for these projects and continued to monitor them. All the while, they have increased public awareness through outreach and education.

They also aim to restore Long Island Sound's "dead zone". This is an area where oxygen in the water is being depleted due to land development, groundwater drainage, urban storm water runoff, sewage treatment, fossil fuel consumption and agricultural waste. They want to preserve the Sound by removing the threat to various marine animals and plants. The goal is to fully restore the dead zone come 2014.

The Connecticut Fund for Environment has been also engaged in beach cleanups. Volunteers and members are picking up the pieces on Connecticut beaches. Pieces are the litters that beach crowds have left behind during summer. Throughout the spring and fall, a total 66 cleanups drew 1,738 volunteers, who collected more than 15,000 pounds of trash from 69 miles of Connecticut waterfront.

With the continuous effort of the Connecticut Fund together with its volunteers, the Long Island Sound can be rest assured to be beneficial for the future generations.

Gretchen Vuvalgee reports on weather and other problems that damages homes. See:
http://www.localwaterremoval.com/Connecticut