Virtual Archive

Our webinars provide you with the unique opportunity to hear directly from the Save the Sound experts working in the field.

Inside Save the Sound’s Water Quality Lab with Elena Colón (Mar. 21, 2024)

Watch it here.

How does Save the Sound’s water quality lab contribute to preserving and improving the water in Long Island Sound? What parameters does the lab measure to assess the health of our beaches, bays, and harbors? How can individuals contribute to citizen science initiatives related to water quality monitoring in their own communities? During our latest member-exclusive webinar, Elena Colón, laboratory manager at Save the Sound, provided answers to these questions and more. Participants took a virtual tour, learned about the lab’s history, and saw the instruments our team of scientists utilizes to process thousands of samples every year.

Monitoring River Herring Migration with Fish Biologist Jon Vander Werff (Feb. 6, 2024)

Watch it here.

Alewife and Blueback Herring, collectively referred to as River Herring, are anadromous fish living much of their life in the ocean but migrate to freshwater to spawn in the same streams they were born in. Save the Sound’s fish biologist, Jon Vander Werff, discusses field monitoring techniques used to document their migration in the Long Island Sound watershed. Data from project sites will be presented to highlight project success and potential fish stock issues. The session concludes with a Q&A.

Member Lunch ‘n’ Learn with Conservation Biologist Louise Harrison (Jan. 31, 2024)

Watch it here.

Plum Island, a hidden ecological treasure, boasts the largest seal haul-out in New York and habitat for 229 bird species. The Preserve Plum Island Coalition, coordinated by Save the Sound, successfully campaigned to save the Island from the federal auction block; the future of the island, however, remains unclear. Louise Harrison, Save the Sound’s Long Island natural areas manager and conservation biologist, will guide us through the island’s natural, historical, and cultural significance and why over 120 national, regional, and local organizations are fighting to ensure it becomes a national monument or receives another equally protective designationLearn how you can help support the preservation of Plum Island for future generations.

Six Lakes Virtual Tour (Jan. 25, 2024)

Watch it here.

Locked behind a chain-link fence in Hamden, Connecticut, is 102 acres of forested wetlands known as Six Lakes. This virtual, photographic tour will take you around the perimeter of this beautiful urban property so you can learn more about its past as an industrial site and current efforts to clean it up and transform it into a public park. Community activist Justin Farmer leads the discussion, sharing information about its past as a firing range and gunpowder storage site, its history of environmental racism, its ecological features, and its current status. He is joined by fellow community organizer Elizabeth Hayes for a Q&A at the end of the webinar.

Justice and the Environment – Six Ways You Can Make a Difference (Dec. 13, 2023)

Watch it here.

Environmental justice (EJ) is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Save the Sound works toward environmental justice in our various advocacy efforts and projects. In this one-hour Zoom presentation and Q&A, Environmental Justice Specialist Alex Rodriguez and Land Protection Manager Kathy Czepiel speak about their respective community organizing efforts and outline six ways you can make an impact on our region’s environment

Member Lunch ‘n’ Learn with Ecological Restoration Experts (Nov 16, 2023)

Watch it here.

Delve into the intricacies of dam removal, a critical part of ecological restoration at Save the Sound. Our guest speaker, Paul Woodworth, Senior Project Manager for Ecological Restoration, will discuss dam removal in the context of our on-the-ground restoration work: the reasons for removal, the components of a removal project, and the extensive benefits it brings to our environment. Following Paul’s insights, Alex Krofta, Ecological Restoration Projects Manager, shares insights from his on-ground experience at the Dana Dam (Strong Pond Dam) removal project site in Wilton, CT.

Member Lunch ‘n’ Learn with Soundkeeper Bill Lucey (Jul 26, 2023)

Watch it here.

Join Soundkeeper Bill Lucey to hear stories and participate in discussion on water pollution patrol and on our abandoned lobster trap removal program to reduce “ghost fishing” that kills marine life. Bill is a fish and wildlife biologist with more than two decades of experience studying and conserving marine life. He is also an experienced commercial fisherman and environmental educator. He divides his time between fieldwork and advocacy. You can find him on the Sound, where he is busy monitoring water quality and leading environmental restoration efforts. You’ll also see him fighting for our waters and for your interests in Hartford and Albany.

2023 Long Island Sound Beach Report Behind the Beach Grades (Jun. 29, 2023)

Watch it here.

Director of Water Quality Peter Linderoth leads a deep dive into the grades released in the 2023 Long Island Sound Beach Report, and explores some of the common challenges facing the water quality at 200+ public and private beaches around the Sound.

Hartford Behind-the-Scenes: How the CT Legislative Session Works (Jan. 9, 2023)

Watch it here.

Maybe you’ve shown up at a rally or emailed your state representative to advocate for an issue you care about. Or, at least, you’ve thought about doing those things. But what happens next? How, exactly, does legislation get written, revised, and voted into law in CT? Understanding how the legislative process works can make you a more powerful advocate! In this webinar, you’ll find out what’s happening on the ground right now, how the 2023 session will work, and what you can do to help! Our panel of advocates and elected officials present an overview of CT’s legislative process, talk about their individual roles in it, and offer a sneak peek at what’s coming this session. You’ll leave with some concrete actions you can take to participate effectively in this year’s legislative session.

Albany Behind-the-Scenes: How the NY Legislative Session Works (Jan. 13, 2023)

Watch it here.

Maybe you’ve shown up at a rally or emailed your state representative to advocate for an issue you care about. Or, at least, you’ve thought about doing those things. But what happens next? How, exactly, does legislation get written, revised, and voted into law in NY? Understanding how the legislative process works can make you a more powerful advocate! In this webinar, you’ll find out what’s happening on the ground right now, how the 2023 session will work, and what you can do to help! Our panel of advocates and elected officials present an overview of NY’s legislative process, talk about their individual roles in it, and offer a sneak peek at what’s coming this session. You’ll leave with some concrete actions you can take to participate effectively in this year’s legislative session.

Long Island Sound Eelgrass Restoration: Project Updates (Dec. 8, 2022)

Watch it here.

Our Soundkeeper team and the founder of SAVE Environmental discuss our ongoing eelgrass restoration project in Long Island Sound. Eelgrass is the dominant seagrass species in LIS, but unfortunately populations have declined dramatically over the past 75 years. Eelgrass provides countless ecosystem services, such as providing food for migratory water fowl and sea turtles. Over the past 2 years, we have harvested eelgrass seeds from Fisher’s Island and glued these seeds onto hatchery clams that we have deployed in Smithtown Bay, NY. Our hope is that when these clams burrow themselves into the sand, the eelgrass seeds will germinate and populations of eelgrass meadows will rebound. This restoration project, funded by 11th Hour Racing, was conceived by Rob Vasiluth at SAVE Environmental is a partnership between the Soundkeeper and the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

What are the Grades? 2022 Long Island Sound Report Card Overview (Dec. 2, 2022)

Watch it here.

On Nov. 17, Save the Sound released the 2022 Long Island Sound Report Card, our biennial report on the ecological health of the open waters of the Sound and more than 50 bays and bay segments. Peter Linderoth, our director of water quality, other Save the Sound staff, the Report Card’s science advisors, and Unified Water Study partners discuss the findings in this new Report Card, insights into the bay grades and how that data is collected in the UWS, and how the Report Card itself can be used to secure funding for projects that benefit Long Island Sound.

Cleanups 101: How to Participate & How to Lead (Aug. 18, 2022)

Watch it here.

Have you been wanting to host or get involved in local cleanups? Watch this recording to learn more. Annalisa Paltauf, volunteer coordinator, and Kristen Schick, cleanup intern, from Save the Sound discuss ways to inspire your local community to get involved in waterway cleanups, review cleanup captain responsibilities & resources, answer participant questions, and more.

Save the Sound’s Annual Meeting – Resiliency During a Pandemic: How People and Nature Rebound (Oct. 8, 2020)

Watch it here.

Did you miss this year’s Annual Meeting? We’ve got you covered. Watch recordings of the opening remarks on the year’s highlights and challenges from Save the Sound President Curt Johnson, and see video of our four breakout sessions.

“Shorter Name, Same Mission”

Watch it here.

Hear from our President, Curt Johnson, and Director of Communications, Laura McMillan, about the factors that went into our decision to go from Connecticut Fund for the Environment/Save the Sound to Save the Sound. We’ll be answering all of your questions in a discussion about the future of our organization.

Webinar: Where Do We Go From Here? Recapping the 2021 Legislative Sessions (August 31, 2021)

Watch it here.

The most unusual state legislative sessions in memory have also proven some of the most momentous for Connecticut’s and New York’s environment. From the Long Island Sound Blue Plan and clean water investments to the Transportation and Climate Initiative and environmental justice policies – our team of expert advocates recapped the biggest victories and unfinished business from Connecticut and New York.

Webinar: Generation Progress: A Conversation with Young Environmental Leaders Pt. 2 (July 21, 2021)

Check back later for a recording!

What are CT youth leaders doing to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship? Climate Advocate Alex Rodriguez moderates this continued dialogue featuring young environmental leaders urging state leaders to take climate action and protect our natural resources.

Webinar: Performance-Based Regulation 101 & The Opportunity in Connecticut (June 28, 2021)

Watch it here.

Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is going to conduct an investigation into performance-based regulation (PBR) and determine a framework for implementation. Several states have some form of PBR in place and now Connecticut has the opportunity to determine a plan for the future of utilities in the state. Join Vote Solar, Acadia Center, Save the Sound, and Conservation Law Foundation for an introductory overview of performance-based regulation and get your questions answered about what this means for the state and how to get involved.

Webinar: Generation Progress: A Conversation with Young Environmental Leaders (June 28, 2021)

Check back later for a recording!

Youth are an integral part of the fight for a healthy, just, and sustainable future. What are CT and NY youth leaders doing to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship? Join Save the Sound’s Clean Water Advocate Malaika Elias for a one hour panel discussion on the many efforts being led to protect our waters and fight climate change.

Webinar: Climate Change in the 2021 CT Legislative Session (March 4, 2021)

Watch it here.

Connecticut’s state legislators start the 2021 session on January 6 and we’re ready to fight for your regional environment. Hear from Save the Sound’s Climate and Energy Attorney, Charles Rothenberger, as we delve into our priorities for this legislative session to protect your clean air and combat climate change.

Members-Only Webinar: Regenerative Agriculture – How a Growing Movement Builds Healthier Ecosystems (Jan. 27, 2021)

Watch it here.

In our second webinar of our member exclusive series we’re strapping on our boots and exploring our local farms. Our three panelists, all members of our webinar series sponsor The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut (CT NOFA), discuss how regenerative farming practices are restoring our ecosystems and combatting climate change. CT NOFA is a community of farmers, gardeners, land care professionals, and consumers that encourages a healthy relationship to the natural world. Hear from Domingo Medina, master composter and founder of Peels & Wheels Composting; Steve Munno, Farm Manager of Massaro Community Farm; and Sefra Alexandra, agroecologist known as The Seed Huntress on how their work is making positive changes locally.

Members-Only Webinar: Farming the Sound Sustainably (Dec. 4, 2020)

Watch it here.

Join us to dive into how regenerative ocean farming is restoring the health of the Sound and fighting climate change through sustainably raising seaweed and shellfish. Special guests Kendall Barbery of Greenwave and Karen Rivara of the Noank Aquaculture Cooperative explain how they are building a better future for farmers and the environment, and why regenerative ocean farming can address a myriad environmental issues we face today. Save the Sound’s Director of Water Quality Peter Linderoth and Soundkeeper Bill Lucey highlight Save the Sound’s role in two exciting regional projects: an innovative nature-based solution to cleaner water using sugar kelp led by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and oyster reef restoration in the Bronx with City Island Oyster Reef Project. 

“EVs for Everyone” panel (Oct. 2, 2020)

Watch it here.

This National Drive Electric Week 2020 panel assembled experts for a conversation about the present and future of Electric Vehicles, including what makes EVs eco-friendly, budget-friendly, and fun; EVs for every price point; and Connecticut state policy and goals.

Panelists included Curt Johnson, president of Save the Sound; Lakiesha Christopher, CT DEEP; Bryan Garcia, CT Green Bank; Kevin Miller, ChargePoint; and Larry Thompson, EV evangelist.

“How Much is Clean Energy Worth?” (July 30, 2020)

Watch it here.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) right now is deciding the “value of distributed energy resources.” What does this mean? The final report PURA creates will put a value on things like solar and battery storage, and could decide the fate of net metering. Our goal is to ensure PURA considers all the benefits of distributed energy projects, such as economic, environmental, and health.

You’ll hear from Charles Rothenberger (Save the Sound Climate and Energy Attorney), Karl R. Rábago (former Executive Director of the Pace Energy and Climate Center), Kyle Wallace (Vivint Solar), and Sunrise New Haven.

“Air, Climate, and Covid-19: Dramatic Trends in Our New Normal”

Watch it here!

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Air Bureau Chief Tracy Babbidge, health and environmental justice expert Dr. Mark Mitchell, and Save the Sound Climate and Energy Attorney Charles Rothenberger participate in a conversation on air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and community health impacts amidst our new normal. Dive into current air quality data and learn how we can continue lowering our carbon footprint and helping communities breathe cleaner far into the future.

Environmental Film Club: “Greening the Ghetto” 

Watch “Greening the Ghetto” here.

Watch the discussion here!

Hartford City Councilwoman Wildaliz Bermúdez, Gather New Haven Executive Director Brent Peterkin, Executive Director of Bronx River Alliance Maggie Greenfield, Community Organizer for the CT League of Conservation Voters Alexander Rodriguez, and our own Nicole Davis and Melissa Schlag participated in a live Q&A and panel discussion about “Greening the Ghetto,” a 20-minute TED talk by Majora Carter about her fight for environmental justice in the South Bronx, New York.

Environmental Film Club: “Why humans are so bad at thinking about climate change” 

Watch “Why humans are so bad at thinking about climate change” here.

Watch the discussion here!

Save the Sound board member Dawn Henry, climate and energy attorney Charles Rothenberger, climate advocate Melissa Schlag, and co-director of Sunrise Connecticut Sena Wazer participate in a live Q&A and panel discussion with Save the Sound staff as we talk about “Why humans are so bad at thinking about climate change,” a 10-minute film that discusses the psychology behind climate change and why people are often hesitant to think about it.

Webinar: Envision Plum Island (Jan. 21, 2021)

Watch it here.

Save the Sound, The Nature Conservancy, and consulting firm Marstel-Day met with nearly 200 of you from all around the Long Island Sound region plus Albany, New York, and D.C. to develop our vision: Plum Island Preserve, for permanent conservation, historical preservation, limited public access, and reuse of Plum Island’s existing infrastructure to maintain skilled jobs compatible with conservation. 

Envision Plum Island” (Oct. 21, 2020)

Watch it here.

Save the Sound, The Nature Conservancy, and consulting firm Marstel-Day met with nearly 200 of you from all around the Long Island Sound region plus Albany, New York, and D.C. to develop our vision: Plum Island Preserve, for permanent conservation, historical preservation, limited public access, and reuse of Plum Island’s existing infrastructure to maintain skilled jobs compatible with conservation.

Exploring the Importance of Pollinator Pathways” (Oct. 16, 2020)

Watch it here.

Pollinator pathways are pesticide-free corridors of native plants that provide nutrition and habitat for pollinators. These pathways are crucial to biodiversity, the production of healthy crops, and the health of ecosystems that many wild animals rely on for food and habitat. Save the Sound staff and two special guests, Jim Sirch and Mary Ellen Lemay, local eco-friendly gardening experts, spoke about the importance of pollinator pathways and how you can create your own.

Olin Power Farm Virtual Community Forum” (Aug. 26, 2020)

Watch it here.

The Olin Powder Farm is a remarkable 102.5-acre gem of open space on the north end of the Newhall neighborhood in Hamden. It’s owned by the Olin Corp., but unused since the 1970s. Thirty-four years after CT DEEP ordered a cleanup, it remains fenced off and the remediation is incomplete. As a result, an entire generation of parents and children have been prohibited from accessing and enjoying this beautiful property. Hear from Save the Sound, CONECT, the Hamden Land Trust, and neighborhood leaders to learn more about what makes this property special, the history of environmental racism in Hamden, how we can push a cleanup forward, and what the Olin Powder Farm could one day become.

PRESS CONFERENCE: Envision Plum Island report release (July 22, 2020)

Watch it here.

For the past two years, Save the Sound, the Preserve Plum Island Coalition, The Nature Conservancy, and over 200 stakeholders worked with environmental consulting firm Marstel-Day to develop a plan for Plum Island’s future. The aim: permanent conservation, habitat protection, and reuse of Plum Island’s existing infrastructure to maintain skilled jobs compatible with conservation.

“Bird Talk: Following Regional Migration Patterns”

Watch it here!

Frank Gallo, ornithologist and author of Birding in Connecticut, is hosted by Save the Sound president Curt Johnson as he shares information about bird migration in our region, and stories from his long experience as a park ranger, his time as associate director of the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point, and his role leading birding tours around the world.

“Book Talk: Scandal on Plum Island: A Commander Becomes the Accused

Watch it here!

Save the Sound Land Campaign Manager Chris Cryder talks with Marian Lindberg about her brand new book that examines a historical event on Plum Island. Dive into the story behind a 1914 scandal involving Major Benjamin Koehler, malice at the highest levels of government, changing standards of masculinity, and pushback against woman’s growing influence.

Webinar: Black Rock Harbor (Bridgeport CT) Water Quality Update (Feb. 22, 2022)

Watch it here.

Soundkeeper Bill Lucey and Director of Water Quality Peter Linderoth provide an update on environmental issues affecting Black Rock Harbor in Bridgeport, CT. Join them and other members of the community to learn about current projects to improve your local water quality and get a status report on what’s happening next.

Webinar: Connecticut Cleanup – Breaking Down the 2021 Data (Feb. 9, 2022)

Watch it here.

You broke records this cleanup season! Over 76 cleanup events, you collected 4 tons of trash and filled with 860 bags with everything from cigarette butts to sofa cushions. Assistant Director of Ecological Restoration Anthony Allen offers a first look at the results from this year’s cleanup effort across the State of Connecticut. Learn about the trends we’ve seen over the last few years, the stories the data might tell us, and the categories Save the Sound is watching most closely.

Webinar: Surveying Fish on the Move: Recapping the 2021 Migratory Fish Run (June 25, 2021)

Watch it here.

Fish Biologist Jon Vander Werff has been out all season monitoring your local fish populations, including those at many past ecological restoration projects. Join him to learn about the monitoring he’s been doing, what he’s found, and how those numbers can guide action for our regional environment in the years to come.

Webinar: How Does Your Beach Stack Up? Breaking Down the 2021 LIS Beach Report (June 16, 2021)

Watch it here.

How clean are the waters you’re swimming in? Our Water Quality team has the answers! Tracy Brown, Regional Director, Water Protection hosts an in-depth webinar breaking down our soon to be released 2021 Long Island Sound Beach Report. We break down how we score the 200+ beaches around Long Island Sound, the trends that we’ve seen, and what actions you can take to create healthier beaches for your community. Learn how your beach stacks up against others throughout Connecticut and New York.

Webinar: The Breakdown on Plastics: Where They Go and How They Get There (May 12, 2021)

Watch it here.

Sherill Baldwin of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Save the Sound Soundkeeper Bill Lucey talk all about recycling, plastics, and how you can keep our waters free from pollution. We discuss which plastics can be recycled, why not all plastic is made equal, and what some best practices are when it comes to recycling and reusing. We also talk about the impacts of plastic in our waterways and the trends we have seen from our annual cleanup events.

Webinar: April Showers Bring Trash and Flowers (April 20, 2021)

Watch it here.

We all know that spring rains lead to beautiful blooms…but did you know they also results in less beautiful algae blooms that make your waters toxic? Or wonder why some beaches are closed after a big storm? Stormwater runoff pollutes our waters with fertilizers, pesticides, oils, and trash that damages the health of the Long Island Sound. Soundkeeper Bill Lucey, your watchdog on the water, talks more about how stormwater pollution problems impact your waters, what Save the Sound is doing to prevent pollution and improve the health of our regional environment, and what you can do to help including how you can become a pollution watchdog yourself!

World Water Day (March 22, 2021)

Check back later for a recording!

This year, Save the Sound, CT League of Conservation Voters, Rivers Alliance, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Clean Water Action, CT Land Conservation Council, CT River Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, and other partners are coming together for a virtual celebration exploring “What Water Means to Me.” We’ll have remarks from Gov. Lamont, a “Water Wizard” performance by Cyril the Sorcerer (recycling guru CJ May), and a panel on the diverse meanings of water in our lives with invited guests representing Indigenous, youth, urban, health expert, and other perspectives.

Webinar: PPE and Marine Debris – Results from a Statewide Cleanup During COVID-19 (Dec. 22, 2020)

Watch it here.

Anthony Allen, assistant director of ecological restoration, gives a first look at the results from this year’s unprecedented cleanup effort across the State of Connecticut. Journey back in time to learn about the trends we’ve seen over the past four years, the stories the data might tell us, and the categories Save the Sound is watching most closely.

Webinar: Creating a Sewage-Free Long Island Sound – The Work Continues (Dec. 17, 2020)

Watch it here.

Sewage pollution is damaging the vitality of the Sound, threatening the health of the region’s people and wildlife. Our team is taking action, merging water monitoring with legal expertise to protect your local streams and rivers from pollution. Staff Attorney Kat Fiedler discusses how our legal team works with your watchdog on the water, Soundkeeper Bill Lucey, to track down and address sewage leaks in Long Island Sound. Hear how we’re using all of our tools to make progress on our goal of a sewage-free Long Island Sound.

Dive into the Long Island Sound Report Card” (Oct. 16, 2020)

Watch it here.

Get a better understanding of the 2020 Long Island Sound Report Card and the health of LIS. Save the Sound’s Peter Linderoth, Director of Water Quality, and Tracy Brown, Regional Director of Water Protection explain some of the intricacies of the 2020 Long Island Sound Report Card and take questions from the public.

“Kickoff Event: East Coast Community Cleanup”

Watch it here!

Save the Sound, Future Frogmen, and Patagonia come together for this special event to kick-off a virtual cleanup across the Long Island Sound region and the east coast. Hear from Soundkeeper Bill Lucey about plastics and the importance of keeping trash out of our waterways before launching into a Q&A and instructions for participating in the virtual cleanup.

“Creating a Sewage-Free Long Island Sound”

Watch it here!

Join our legal team as they discuss how they work with your watchdog on the water, Soundkeeper Bill Lucey, to track down and address sewage leaks in Long Island Sound! Our team merges water monitoring with legal expertise to protect your local streams and rivers from pollution.

“The Impact of Plastic Pollution on Long Island Sound” 

Watch it here!

Save the Sound President, Curt Johnson, discusses a few of the ways that plastic moves through our waterways to Long Island Sound, the harm it does when it gets there, and how you can work with us to stop it!

“Long Island Sound Beach Report” 

Watch it here!

Save the Sound Director, Tracy Brown, discusses some of the findings of our 1st Long Island Sound Beach Report which grades 204 swimming beaches across the Sound.  Our report offers detailed steps local communities and residents can take to improve their water quality, as well as action Save the Sound is already taking.

Environmental Film Club: “Blind Sushi” 

Watch “Blind Sushi” here. Enter the password “sushi” to view the film. 

Watch the discussion here!

Ground-breaking sushi chef Bun Lai, Long Island Soundkeeper Bill Lucey, and special guest Matt McCary, the Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University talk about the role that invasive species play in ecosystems and the role they could play in our food future in a panel discussion about “Blind Sushi,” a film about Bun’s restaurant Miya’s Sushi in New Haven, the first sustainable sushi restaurant in the world, and come ready with your questions for Bun. 

Environmental Film Club: “A Plastic Wave” 

Watch “A Plastic Wave” here.

Watch the discussion here!

Long Island Soundkeeper Bill Lucey, Ecological Communications Specialist Anthony Allen, and special guest Judith Enck, founder of Beyond Plastics and former Region 2 EPA Administrator under the Obama administration participate in a live Q&A and panel discussion about “A Plastic Wave.” The film follows a surfer and father of two turned activist as he travels and speaks with scientists, plastic industry experts, and families and citizens to better understand the plastic crisis and how we can fix it.

A New, Natural Normal: Restoring Habitat and Building Resilience through Nature-Based Solutions (Mar. 9, 2022)

Watch it here.

Hear from Richard Bennett, Regional Scientist at the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Anthony Allen, Assistant Director of Ecological Restoration at Save the Sound, and Jon Vander Werff, Fish Biologist at Save the Sound, speak on the importance of dam removals, habitat restoration, and fish passage as ways to improve resiliency for climate change and flooding consequences. This webinar highlights Hurricane Sandy Resilience Projects to improve community and ecosystem resilience as well as experiences with the Pond Lily Dam Removal project in Woodbridge, CT.

Wetlands of Westchester: The Critical Ecosystem in Your Backyard (Dec. 8, 2021)

Watch it here.

Hear from our New York Ecological Restoration Team, the Long Island Sound Study, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Westchester County on: 1) opportunities for wetlands restoration, 2) helpful guidance on the permitting process, and 3) an overview of the County’s Edith Read Sanctuary living shoreline design process in Rye. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and share challenges and opportunities related to wetlands restoration and conservation in the Long Island Sound watershed.

Healthy Yards Series: Digging Into Soil Health (Nov. 17, 2021)

Watch it here.

Healthy soil is the building block to a healthy yard. We can’t have beautiful flowers and lush landscapes without it, but increasingly severe storms and wetter years are taking a toll. Erosion, contamination from inorganic materials, over-saturation, and yes, even earthworms are contributing to the degradation of our soil. Hear from Jay Archer of Green Jay Landscaping to learn about healthy soil, what’s harming it, and how you can help through regenerative lawn care and planning ahead for your landscaping.

Healthy Yards Series: The Challenges of Fall (Sept. 2, 2021)

Watch it here.

With autumn comes the dreaded battle with all the leaves that fall from our trees and clutter up our yards. Landscape designer Kathleen Connolly, owner of Speaking of Landscapes, spoke about how to turn them into a positive, healthy alternative to increase soil fertility. Also, learn how to provide protection for beneficial insects with better leaf management. Plus, we discussed all of the problems created by using leaf blowers; it’s not just the noise!

Healthy Yards Series: Here Comes the Summer Sun (May 26, 2021)

Watch it here.

Summer brings with it the joys of frolicking around your yard with family and pets. Martin Hain and Suzanne Thompson talk about how to keep your yard happy and healthy without the use of excess chemical fertilizers and over-watering. They discuss how to cut your mowing time in half and reduce your lawn in favor of alternative options using native plants that benefit wildlife, the environment, and you. Suzanne also talks about how to organically control invasive knotweed with her “Nix the Knotweed” initiative.

Healthy Yards Series: Get Ready for Spring (March 10, 2021)

Watch it here.

With spring right around the corner, now is the perfect time to create your plan for having a healthy, environmentally friendly yard this year. We talk about natural alternatives to fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and how to put best practices in place to build a healthier yard for you and your family. Whether you have a big lawn, a woodsy yard, are working in a community garden, or maybe just tending your window box we’ve got helpful tips to help you prepare for spring.

Environmental Film Club: “Blue Carbon – A Story from the Snohomish Estuary” (Feb. 2, 2021)

Watch “Blue Carbon – A Story from the Snohomish Estuary” here.

Watch it here.

We’re celebrating World Wetlands Day with a lively virtual conversation about “Blue Carbon – A Story from the Snohomish Estuary,” a 5-minute documentary about the vital role estuaries play in protecting our communities from storm surges and climate change. Many of the world’s biggest cities are built near an estuary because of the numerous benefits they provide. Save the Sound’s Anthony Allen, Soundkeeper Bill Lucey and Restore America’s Estuaries’ Elsa Carlisle Schwartz discuss how healthy estuaries keep carbon out of our atmosphere and how our restoration projects support your natural environments.

Webinar: World Fish Migration Day – Reports from the Field (Oct. 24, 2020)

Watch it here.

Save the Sound’s Ecological Restoration team offered a live view from several project sites where access to upstream habitat for migratory fish has been, or will be, restored. We took you along with us as we virtually visited staff in the field from three different locations: the site of the previous Pond Lily Dam along the West River in New Haven, Connecticut, where we successfully completed a dam removal five years ago; Pages Millpond Dam along the Farm River in Branford, Connecticut where we recently installed a fishway; and Dana Dam, also known as Strong Pond Dam, at Merwin Meadows along the Norwalk River in Wilton, Connecticut where our team has just begun a new dam removal project. Please check back later for the full recording.

“Virtual Panel: Student-Led Green Infrastructure in Hamden” (July 30, 2020)

Watch it here.

Hear from Quinnipiac faculty and students, as well as representatives of the Town of Hamden and the Eli Whitney Museum (the selected sites) about a green infrastructure installation in planning for the Eli Whitney Museum, which was set in motion by students at Quinnipiac University last semester.

“Following the Fish: A Recap of the 2020”

Watch it here!

Fish biologist Jon Vander Werff has been hard at work monitoring your local fish populations, including in areas we’ve completed ecological restoration projects. Watch as he discusses the monitoring he’s been doing, what he’s found, and how those numbers can guide action for our regional environment. 

“A Way Home: Restoring Fish Passage and Healing Ecosystems”

Watch it here!

Our Ecological Restoration Project Manager, Alex Krofta, takes the stage to tell you about how our Ecological Restoration team has been working to install fish passages and restore rivers for native and migratory species. Hear about what we’re doing to promote and protect healthy and diverse ecosystems around your community. 

“Protecting Your Region’s Forage Fish”

Watch it here! 

Hear from your Soundkeeper, Bill Lucey, on the management, restoration, and ecology that goes into protecting forage fish around Long Island Sound.

“Reducing Runoff, One Rain Garden at a Time”

Watch it here!

Hear from our Mill River Watershed Coordinator, Nicole Davis, about what you can do to protect your clean water right from your backyard! With 16 rain gardens planted just in 2019, we’re tackling runoff one neighborhood at a time.

“Reopening Rivers and Restoring Estuaries” 

Watch it here!

Our Director of Ecological Restoration, Gwen Macdonald, takes a break from being in the field to provide you with details on upcoming green infrastructure and river restoration projects. This exciting webinar will showcase the on-the-ground efforts to improve water quality and reduce sewer overflows in our urban waterways, restore fish and reconnect our rivers, all to improve the health of Long Island Sound.

“Restoring Sunken Meadow” 

Watch it here!

Join our Green Infrastructure Project Manager, Cary White, for a stunning and informative visual tour of the transformation at Sunken Meadow State Park on Long Island, our largest ecological restoration project to date.

Environmental Film Club: “Fools and Dreamers” 

Watch “Fools and Dreamers” here.

Watch the discussion here!

New York Natural Areas Coordinator Louise Harrison, Chief Development Officer Alicia Sullivan, and special guest Greenskills Manager with the Urban Resources Initiative Caroline Scanlan participate in a live Q&A and panel discussion with Save the Sound staff as we talk about a 30-minute film that follows the story of one man who dedicated his life to restoring degraded farmland and transforming it into native forest land in New Zealand. 

Environmental Film Club: “Agua de El Yunque” 

Watch “Agua de El Yunque” here. 

Watch the discussion here!

Our climate advocate, Ecological Restoration Project Manager, Watersheds Coordinator, and Long Island Soundkeeper participate in a live Q&A and panel discussion with Save the Sound staff as we talk about “Aqua de El Yunque,” a 16-minute documentary that follows the path of water from the rainforests of Puerto Rico’s El Yunque National Forest to the Coastal communities.

Environmental Film Club: “Blueback” 

Watch “Blueback” here. 

Watch the discussion here!

Our President Curt Johnson, Director of Ecological Restoration Gwen Macdonald, and Climate Advocate Melissa Schlag participate in a conversation about “Blueback,” a 10-minute documentary about fish restoration that touches on climate change, justice, and the power of people and community. Hear what they had to say and how this film ties in with our work to fight climate change and free your waters for local fish populations throughout the Long Island Sound region.


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Saturday, April 27, at East Rock Park in New Haven
Celebrate Earth Day, cycle or hike with the New Haven community, fundraise for environmental organizations, and enjoy food, music, and more at the Green Fair on April 27. Join our cycling team to support a healthy, clean, and thriving Long Island Sound region.

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