Long Island Sound Futures Fund Grants 2023

In December, federal and state environmental agencies and officials from New England and New York, including the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), announced 39 grants totaling $12 million to organizations and local governments to improve the health of Long Island Sound.

The grants are matched by $8 million from the grantees themselves, resulting in $20 million in total conservation impact for projects in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont.

An array of Long Island Sound Futures Fund (Futures Fund) 2023 grants will support projects that improve water quality by preventing 2.7 million gallons of stormwater and 101,000 pounds of nitrogen pollution from flowing into Long Island Sound waters.

The projects will also remove 120 tons of marine debris from the sound and support planning for restoration of 880 acres of coastal habitat and 102 miles of river corridor vital to fish and wildlife.

The projects are designed to reach 30,000 people through environmental education programs that increase awareness of how to improve the health and vitality of the Sound.

Funding for the grant program comes from the EPA as part of the Long Island Sound Study (LISS), with additional support from FWS, NFWF, and The Zoetis Foundation.

The LISS initiated the Futures Fund in 2005 through EPA’s Long Island Sound Office and NFWF. Since its inception, the Futures Fund has invested $56 million in 640 projects.

The program has generated an additional $65 million in grantee matching funds towards these projects for a total conservation impact of $121 million.

Futures Fund projects have opened 121 river miles for fish passage, restored 842 acres of fish and wildlife habitat, treated 208 million gallons of stormwater pollution, and engaged 5 million people in protection and restoration of the sound.

A complete list of the 2023 Long Island Sound Futures Fund grants recipients is available on the NFWF Long Island Sound Futures Fund website.

Long Island Sound provides economic and recreational benefits to millions of people while also providing habitat for countless numbers of invertebrates, fish, and migratory birds.

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New England Facts

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge 50th Anniversary

In 2020, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its renaming in honor of the world-renowned marine biologist, author, environmentalist and former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee, Rachel Carson.

The refuge's year-long celebration marks the formal dedication of the renaming, which took place on June 27, 1970. The 50th anniversary celebration will include an array of virtual and remote events.

During the 50th anniversary celebration, the refuge will be highlighting dozens of opportunities to explore its wealth of wildlife, habitat and natural resources, as well as Rachel Carson’s legacy.

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1966 as the Coastal Maine National Wildlife Refuge, is comprised of 11 divisions, which span 50 miles of coastline in York and Cumberland counties, from Kittery to Cape Elizabeth.

Currently at 5,690 acres, the refuge will contain approximately 14,683 acres of various wildlife habitats when land acquisition is complete.

In addition to sheltering wildlife and protecting natural resources, Rachel Carson NWR offers a variety of experiences on public lands.

The refuge contains three main nature trails and many wildlife observation stations featuring every habitat type found on the refuge, hunting and fishing opportunities, interpretive and educational programs, a visitor information center, volunteering opportunities, and other recreational activities.

Anglers can access a variety of tidal fishing spots on the refuge. The fishing season is open year round for saltwater fishing to the head of tide.

Chauncey Creek, Brave Boat Tidal Creek, Ogunquit River, Stevens Brook, Webhannet River, Merriland River/Skinner Mill, Mousam River, Goosefare Brook, and Spurwink River were incorporated into the previous Refuge Fish Plan in 2000.

The 2020 Recreational Fishing Plan expands fishing opportunities available to the public by opening the Little River at Timber Point.

Rachel Carson was a world-renowned marine biologist, author and environmentalist who served as an aquatic biologist and editor-in-chief for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. She has been credited with launching the contemporary environmental movement and awakening the concern of Americans for the environment.

In her writings, Rachel Carson displayed a unique ability to simultaneously engage her own sense of wonder as well as that of her readers through eloquent prose and investigation of natural phenomena and biological processes. Her work helped connect people to nature and inspire environmental stewardship.

Carson regularly summered on Southport Island, where she studied its beach and tide pools to research The Edge of the Sea (1955). Through tireless investigation for her greatest work, Silent Spring (1962), she linked the unrestrained use of post-World War II chemical pesticides with fearsome, biological consequences.

Overcoming industry and government pressure to abandon her research, Carson alerted generations to use chemicals with utmost caution, warning that their improper use would have devastating effects on public health and the environment.

As fitting recognition of Carson’s contributions to conservation after her death in 1964, the refuge was renamed in her honor.

source: USFWS

Amphibians of Rhode Island Book

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) recently announced the publication of Amphibians of Rhode Island, an authoritative book of amphibians that are native to Rhode Island.

Written by longtime DEM natural heritage biologist Christopher Raithel, the book provides meticulous accounts of the state's native frogs, toads, and salamanders and their respective habitats, and includes crisp, vivid photography depicting the amphibians' multiple life stages.

Amphibians of Rhode Island combines an exhaustive search of the historical record and four decades of Raithel's intense personal study to present complete information on the statewide distribution, demography, seasonal movement, reproduction and development, research needs, and conservation status of each species.

One chapter is devoted entirely to conservation, detailing the threats faced by amphibians and the actions needed to safeguard them.

Raithel enjoyed a distinguished, 40-year career in DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife, where he served as the state endangered species biologist, herpetologist, and non-game bird biologist.

Amphibians of Rhode Island is a resource for scientists, students, and nature lovers. Published by DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife, the book is priced at $20 including tax.

Amphibians of Rhode Island may be purchased in person at the DEM Office of Boat Registration and Licensing in Providence by cash, check, money order, or credit card (credit card requires an extra fee) and at the Division of Fish and Wildlife Field Headquarters in West Kingston, by check or money order only.

The book can also be ordered online from: http://www.dem.ri.gov/bookorder.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and State Wildlife Grants Program provided funding for the book. All revenue generated by its sale will be directed toward wildlife conservation via the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Rhode Island is home to 18 species of amphibians. The eastern spadefoot toad and northern leopard frog are species of concern in the state.

source: Department of Environmental Management