The Henry L. and Grace Doherty Climate and Resilience Institute is a place-based climate change hub that uses data and metrics to educate the public, mobilize stakeholders, and highlight the nature-based solutions necessary to cut climate pollution, protect our habitats, and stabilize our shorelines.
The Doherty Institute operates within the Alexander Center for Ecological Action at Save the Sound, to build a healthier future for the Long Island Sound region through innovation and leadership.
Doherty Institute Goals
Advancing Climate Science
- Incorporating methods to gather and interpret data on estuarine-related climate change conditions into our nationally recognized reporting tools.
- Building stakeholder consensus on ocean acidification parameters so that we can start measuring coastal acidification in Long Island Sound.
- Developing a Long Island Sound Climate and Resilience Report Card.
- Building resilience by expanding our ability to engineer and construct on-the-ground projects in cities and towns that limit water pollution and protect neighborhoods throughout New York and Connecticut.
Building Public Demand for Climate Action
- Creating and executing a compelling climate change education and awareness campaign.
- Fostering external stakeholder connections and collaboration through the 50-member-and-growing CT Coalition for Climate Action.
- Partnering with allies in New York to expand Long Island Sound climate resilience communications strategies.
Winning Policy Change
- Adding advocacy staff capacity in New York and Connecticut to shape legislative and administrative policies that stop greenhouse gas emissions, and to mobilize campaigns to adopt these policies.
- Assessing Connecticut’s progress following through on climate-related legislation and executive orders.
- Using the assessment to support new policies and funding proposals for Connecticut’s 2025-27 biennial state budget to reduce emissions and improve resilience.
Special Thanks to the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Foundation
The Doherty Institute was created thanks to a gift from the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation, Inc., whose significant seed funding will allow us to expand our capacity to accelerate climate change awareness and policy wins, share science that demonstrates the impact of climate change, and implement nature-based solutions that will protect ecosystems and neighborhoods.
