NAMEPA Awarded Long Island Sound Futures Fund Grant

The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) has received a grant funded through the Long Island Sound Futures Fund. This grant program combines funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. NAMEPA was one of twenty-five grantees sharing the $1.3 million awarded in the states of Connecticut and New York.

The project designed by NAMEPA entitled Connecticut Coastal Youth Stewards will educate and engage 150 K-12 youth in the prevention of marine debris and protection of the marine environment. The project will prevent over 1,500 pounds of debris from entering the Long Island Sound waters and encourage students to become environmental stewards through hands-on education about the impact of marine debris on the Sound as well as other waterways.

“It is NAMEPA’s mission and obligation to protect valuable water resources such as the Long Island Sound,” said Carleen Lyden-Kluss, Co-Founder and Executive Director of NAMEPA. “Through educating and encouraging youth to become stewards of the marine environment, we ensure that our oceans and waterways will be healthy for future generations.”

Partnering with NAMEPA in this program will be the Bridgeport Regional Aquaculture School and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bridgeport, Stamford, Southport/Fairfield, and Ridgefield. Working together, these groups will expose the students to the wonders of the marine environment and how the health of the Long Island Sound impacts them and their communities. Through hands-on environmental education workshops, experiential learning, and critical thinking, the students will be encouraged to explore and develop solutions to preventing and mitigating marine debris.