Habitat Restoration

Volunteers at Sunken Meadow State Park restoration plantingMuch of our region’s critical habitat is threatened, or has already been degraded or lost.

What do we mean when we say habitat? Habitats are the natural landscapes all around us: riverbanks, dunes, forests, freshwater wetlands and coastal marshes. They provide food and shelter for wildlife, protect communities from flooding and storms, improve water quality, increase property values, and support recreation like fishing and swimming. When habitats dwindle, people, wildlife, and local economies suffer.

Save the Sound is committed to reversing trends in habitat loss throughout Connecticut and the Long Island Sound region to restore key habitat and rebuild natural ecosystems for the benefit of people and wildlife alike.

Our Ecological Restoration team partners with public and private community organizations, local engineering and construction companies, landowners, and volunteers to remove dams, plant riverbanks and marshes with native flora (see a planting video here), and monitor site progress.

All our habitat restoration projects are long-term efforts. They start with careful assessments to ensure the funding, time, and effort invested in a project are spent effectively. Our Ecological Restoration team evaluates restoration projects at every stage—from first conception, to construction or planting, and for years after project completion—to make sure long-term goals are being achieved.

You can become a habitat restoration volunteer! Learn how.

Explore Further

Hands-On Restoration

Our Restoration Victories

Project profile: Sunken Meadow marsh restoration


Get Involved
Jump in

Join the fight! Memberships start at just $25 – support that’s badly needed now for a healthy, sustainable environment over the long term.

Join now

Take part

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.

See more

Connect with us

Stay in touch by joining our activist network email list. We'll keep you up-to-date with current initiatives, ways you can take action and volunteer opportunities.

Sign up