The Connecticut Audubon Society Incorporated

THE CONNECTICUT AUDUBON SOCIETY EARMARK PROJECT DESCRIPTION THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) IS PROVIDING $814,145 IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO THE CONNECTICUT AUDUBON SOCIETY IN FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT FOR A PROJECT TITLED LIEUTENANT RIVER HABITAT AND RIPARIAN ZONE PROTECTION AND RESTORATION. THE WORK WILL BE FOCUSED ON THE LIEUTENANT RIVER, A TRIBUTARY OF THE CONNECTICUT RIVER, WHICH IS NOTED FOR ITS EXTRAORDINARY ASSEMBLAGE OF NATURAL AND UNDISTURBED PLANT AND ANIMAL COMMUNITIES, NESTING SITES, AND STOPOVER GROUNDS FOR MIGRATORY BIRDS. SPECIFICALLY, THE CONNECTICUT AUDUBON SOCIETY WILL USE THE FUNDS TO ACHIEVE THREE MAIN GOALS: 1) CONSERVE AND ENHANCE MARINE AND WILDLIFE HABITAT ALONG THE LIEUTENANT RIVER, 2) BUILD RESILIENCE AND MITIGATE COASTAL EROSION USING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGIES SUCH AS A LIVING SHORELINE, AND 3) INCREASE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN AND SUPPORT FOR HABITAT RESTORATION AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE PROJECTS THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING, AND MISCELLANEOUS GRANTS

CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING - HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND GRANTS-IN-AID AWARDED THROUGH CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING ASSIST IN THE IDENTIFICATION, EVALUATION, AND PROTECTION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES BY SUCH MEANS AS EDUCATION, SURVEY, PLANNING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, PRESERVATION, DOCUMENTATION, AND FINANCIAL INCENTIVES LIKE GRANTS AND TAX CREDITS AVAILABLE FOR HISTORIC PROPERTIES. THE GRANTS SUPPORT A BROAD RANGE OF PRESERVATION PROJECTS FOR HISTORIC PROPERTIES INCLUDING ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORTS, PRESERVATION PLANS, AND PHYSICAL PRESERVATION TO SITES IN KEEPING WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIORS STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE STATES, TRIBES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND NONPROFITS AS DESIGNATED BY CONGRESS. THIS PROJECT IS AWARDED TO THE NONPROFIT, CONNECTICUT AUDUBON SOCIETY, FOR WINDOW REPAIRS AND HVAC IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ROGER TORY PETERSON ESTUARY CENTER.

THE CONNECTICUT AUDUBON SOCIETY, INC. PROPOSES THE DEBRIS PREVENTION EDUCATION IN THE LONG ISLAND SOUND WATERSHED PROJECT TO ENGAGE CONNECTICUT ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS, THEIR TEACHERS, AND COMMUNITIES IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND STEWARDSHIP TO PREVENT PLASTIC WASTE AND OTHER DEBRIS FROM ENTERING LOCAL WATERWAYS AND LONG ISLAND SOUND. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL RUN FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 TO AUGUST 31, 2024. CONNECTICUT AUDUBON SOCIETY WILL WORK WITH 14 SCHOOLS FROM SIX SCHOOL SYSTEMS, ENCOMPASSING BOTH COASTAL AND INLAND LOCATIONS, TO DIRECTLY ENGAGE APPROXIMATELY 1,600 STUDENTS AND 46 TEACHERS IN MARINE DEBRIS PREVENTION, EDUCATION, AWARENESS, AND ACTION. AT LEAST SIX CLEAN-UP DAYS WILL BE CONDUCTED. NOAA MARINE DEBRIS PREVENTION INFORMATION WILL BE INCLUDED IN SCIENCE TOOLKITS PROVIDED TO 10,000 STUDENTS. CHANGES IN ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR WILL BE TRACKED THROUGH PRE- AND POST-SURVEYS GIVEN TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.