Annual Report 2021
Dear Friends,
Hello Neighbors,
Like many others, in the last year or so, Save the Sound looked inward and started to take an assessment of ways we can work more intentionally to become an anti-racist organization. Among other actions, involving both board members and staff, we’ve included in our strategic plan an important focus: “Partner with communities to create an equitable and environmentally just future.”
This year, together, we have accomplished so much. From advocating for climate-resilient legislation to protecting precious lands to patrolling and monitoring the water where you swim, fish, and sail, to restoring watersheds and ecosystems. I cannot express how grateful I am for your support and partnership.
Since its foundation almost 50 years ago, Save the Sound has used all its power and know-how to create a better region for all. However, in the past years, it has become clear that simply working for a cleaner, greener Long Island Sound region is not enough and we must do more to ensure that, when we say ALL, we truly mean ALL. We are keenly aware of disproportionate environmental impacts on communities of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) within our region. Historic inequalities create an overlapping reality that neighborhoods with the least economic resources suffer the greatest environmental burdens. Our commitment is to seek community-based partnerships to empower BIPOC led environmental action within overburdened communities. At our 2021 Annual Meeting last October, we welcomed the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Intersectional Environmentalist Diandra Marizet Esparza as our keynote speaker. She gave an engaging presentation on environmental justice, intersectional environmentalism, and the importance of centering BIPOC voices in the fight for our planet. Intersectional environmentalism identifies the ways that injustices affecting marginalized communities and the planet are so deeply connected, and brings them to the forefront of environmental activism. We are currently catalyzing and leading environmental action in a number of disproportionately impacted communities through legal and community advocacy, ecological restoration, land protection, and finding and fixing water pollution. Approximately one-third of our on-theground projects are located within boundaries identified as “environmental justice” areas by Connecticut and New York. Moving forward, we will increase our relationships and hold ourselves accountable to impacted communities and their community-based environmental leadership. This is how we will make a better region for ALL.
However, more than ever, our action is paramount. Between July and September, our region was hit by three major Tropical Storms: Elsa, Henri, and Ida. The storms caused damage, from loss of life to infrastructure failure and widespread flooding. It is estimated that Ida alone caused a loss of $95 billion to the country. Tropical storms like these will only get more intense and frequent in the years to come. During Tropical Storm Elsa, at least 115 million gallons of raw sewage mixed with polluted stormwater entered our rivers. If another country dumped that in our waters, there would be war. But we are doing it to ourselves, by our failure to stop the climate crisis that is causing extreme storms and our failure to maintain the sewage pipe infrastructure that protects our health and environment. Throughout this report, you will see how we are taking action to reduce climate change impact and create a more resilient region. With comprehensive programs and a talented team, we are using our know-how in climate advocacy and legal action, environmental science and monitoring, and ecological engineering to truly hold polluters accountable and lead community action. You are making our progress possible, taking action for our region’s environment. Thank you. With gratitude,
Curt Johnson President
With warm wishes,
Todd Cort Board Chair 1 Save the Sound 2021
Photo on the right: Mark Liflander. Cover image: Marsh grasses at Milford Point. Photo: Holcy.
Welcome!
Our Board 2020-2021 Current Officers Todd Cort Chair Johan C. Varekamp, Ph.D. Vice-Chair Chip Angle Treasurer Joseph A. MacDougald Secretary Members Dina Brewster Barbara O. David Raphe Elkind E. Donald Elliott Justin Farmer Celia Felsher Evan Heller Dawn Henry Kiki Kennedy, M.D. Mary Ellen Kranzlin Leslie S. Lee Claudia Mezey Bruni Pizarro Elizabeth Barry Swanson About Us The mission of Save the Sound is to protect and improve the land, air, and water of Connecticut and New York communities in and around Long Island Sound. We use legal and scientific expertise and bring people together to achieve results that benefit our environment for current and future generations. Our vision is of a Connecticut, New York, and Sound region where the vitality of nature will be protected for people and wildlife, now and for many decades to come. A region in which people from all walks of life can unite in transforming struggling habitats, polluted waters, endangered wildlife, and a threatened planet into resilient, healthy, vibrant, and inspiring places that sustain communities.
Printed on recycled paper. Save the Sound 2021 2
Save the Sound is leading on bold climate action through policy advocacy and on-the-ground projects that help our neighborhoods and ecosystems adapt to escalating climate threats.
Now, and during the pandemic, our strong legal, legislative, and local advocacy work continues. Save the Sound is an established leader in the environmental community, creating, organizing, and shepherding policy in Connecticut with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), and the legislature. Also, our staff climate attorney, Charles Rothenberger, serves as the Connecticut chair for the New England Offshore Wind Coalition, to increase the supply of clean energy to our regional grid through more procurements of responsibly developed offshore wind. The coalition aims to drive New England governors and legislatures to collaborate and commit by 2022 to power one-third of our region with offshore wind. 3 Save the Sound 2021
Wind farm in Block Island Sound. We are fighting to create more clean energy for our region. Wind turbines like these don’t produce atmospheric emissions that cause acid rain, smog, or greenhouse gases. Photo: Chris Bentley.
The Fight for Our Climate
Clean transportation for Connecticut In 2021, you supported a
for the amount of carbon
pollution will directly benefit
multi-pronged, aggressive
emissions produced by fuel
from better transportation
campaign for the
covered under the cap. The
and cleaner air.
Transportation and
revenues generated will be
TCI is yet to be passed at
Climate Initiative (TCI). It
the Connecticut General
would drive down carbon
invested in Connecticut’s
dioxide pollution from the
transportation system, infrastructure, and
Assembly, so our work is not done just yet. With your help,
transportation sector, which
communities. Therefore,
Save the Sound will continue
generates nearly 40% of
TCI will not only cut the
pressuring legislators to
Connecticut’s greenhouse
sector’s emissions by 25%
bring it to vote. We will not
gas emissions. It also
by 2030 but stimulate clean
rest until we have a cleaner,
causes poor air quality,
transportation. Additionally,
safer, and more resilient
which leads to asthma and
at least half of the
transportation structure.
other health problems. TCI is a cap-and-invest program that will cap carbon dioxide
funds generated will be
invested in underserved or overburdened
emissions from gasoline
municipalities. This will
and on-road diesel fuel
ensure the communities
and require fuel suppliers
most burdened by
to purchase allowances
transportation-related
Climate change is real and it is here now. The global temperature has increased by 1.18°C (2.12F) since 1880 and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the air are at their highest in 650,000 years. Save the Sound leads action through bold policy and
“
projects in our region that help neighborhoods and ecosystems adapt.
Empowering the next generation Climate change is making an impact on our environment now, but we know that the worst is still in store for future generations. In 2021, Save the Sound partnered with young people on advocacy and environmental protection, melding our energies and expertise to increase civic participation through the Youth Eco Advocacy Corps. The program is an ongoing monthly networking opportunity meant to encourage young environmental leaders to share their sustainability initiatives, as well as learn what climate policy initiatives Save the Sound is leading. Participants are invited to look inward at their community power and boost civic engagement. More than ever, engaging and educating youth is paramount as they prepare to continue the battle for climate action.
It’s important to equip young people with the tools they need to be successful. The Youth Eco Advocacy Corps program helps Save the Sound build relationships with activists looking to protect air, land, and water in their respective communities. We are inviting them to participate in ongoing advocacy efforts, sharing their stories in our blogs, and educating communities about the need for sustainability together.” – Alex Rodriguez, climate advocate at Save the Sound Save the Sound 2021 4
For decades, Save the Sound has been winning legal and coalition battles to preserve our region’s threatened forests, islands, and riverfronts.
Creating new life for Six Lakes Building upon our history of seeking to remedy environmental injustice and protect land, we took on the Six Lakes project in Hamden to connect people in the Newhall neighborhood to nature, right in their backyards. We are working together with community leaders to transform the 102-acre open space in southern Hamden into a much-needed urban park and nature preserve that will foster the conservation of wildlife and drinking water while promoting the well-being of all people. The land, owned by Olin Corporation, has been fenced off for six decades due to industrial contamination, and the corporation has not completed any meaningful remediation on the property for 30 years. With your backing, Save the Sound has organized a steering committee to clean up and permanently protect the area. Historical records indicate that contamination is likely limited to a small portion of the property and additional studies are being conducted to verify. This year, we gained the support of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Mayor of Hamden, and the Regional Water Authority. Moving forward, we will work with the Town of Hamden and DEEP to ensure an appropriate remedial action plan is prepared to fully decontaminate the site. We are looking forward to engaging the community in a visioning and
Urban forests not only reduce stormwater pollution and city flooding, but also help to filter air and water, conserve energy, and provide animal habitat and shade. Recent studies point to the beneficial effects that exposure to nature has on health, reducing stress and promoting healing. By providing places to recreate, urban forests strengthen social cohesion, spur community revitalization, and add economic value to our communities.
implementation effort in the coming year.
Together with our partners in East Lyme and Waterford and with your help, Save the Sound is leading the legal fight to protect Oswegatchie Hills from high-density development. In October 2021, we had an important win as the developer was ordered by the court to supply the necessary environmental information for the East Lyme Zoning Commission to adequately consider the final site plan and rezoning. The undeveloped coastal forest on the Niantic River is one of Connecticut’s most vulnerable parcels of open space. A third of this forest is at risk of being lost forever to development that would ruin sensitive wildlife habitats and threaten water quality. 5 Save the Sound 2021
“
Nothing protects drinking water like the forests that buffer and filter our reservoirs and the rivers and streams that flow into them. That is one of the reasons Save the Sound fights to conserve endangered lands — like the Colebrook Reservior. Forests also provide habitat for a vast array of plants and animals and safeguard at-risk species. This past year, we continued working with several partners to create stewardship and recreational opportunities on lands we helped shield all over the region — like our effort with Connecticut Water Company.
The developer will finally have to disclose their detailed plans, and we look forward to presenting in-depth, sciencebased information about the devastating and irreversible impacts that this 840-unit monstrosity would have on wetlands, the coastal forest, and the Niantic River.” — Roger Reynolds, senior legal counsel at Save the Sound
Saving Endangered Lands
Preserving Plum Island permanent conservation
the island, and will provide
among the states, non-
scientific studies. This effort
cultural resources continued
profits, and federal agencies
builds significantly on the
this year. Thanks to your
that are possible. So, we
2019 dive that found diverse
advocacy, in December
cannot rest yet!
habitats and abundant life
2020, Congress repealed
In August 2021, you helped
– including coral, anemones,
a law that had stood for
Save the Sound sponsor the
and an eelgrass meadow.
over a decade allowing the
second scientific dive around
The scientists will create
island to be auctioned to the
Plum Island to deepen our
a final report which will
highest bidder. This victory
shared understanding of
be used to highlight the
in the long-term effort has
the island’s underwater
island’s unique qualities
shifted our work, along with
habitats and biodiversity.
and importance, guiding the
the 116 organizations of
Documenting the presence
conversations with possible
the Preserve Plum Island
of a variety of species is a
future owners.
Save the Sound’s leadership to protect Plum Island’s precious natural and
“
Coalition (PPIC), to ensuring that we can secure a
owner for the island,
major step in protecting the habitats and species on
Photo: Robert Lorenz.
From nearshore to upland, Plum Island hosts 25 distinct ecological communities, with numerous endangered, threatened, and rare plant and animal species — at least 111 of conservation concern. To date, 228 bird species have been sighted there. Knowing about the island’s overall biodiversity helps us understand the valuable natural heritage from which we all benefit in ways we know and countless ways yet to be understood.” — Louise Harrison, New York natural areas coordinator at Save the Sound.
a framework for future
For nearly 50 years, Save the Sound has been protecting clean water and restoring Long Island Sound ecosystems through hands-on science and community collaboration, legislative advocacy, and legal action.
Patrolling and monitoring for water pollution Thanks to you, water monitoring and patrolling are an ongoing priority at Save the Sound. During the Summer, we increased our patrols with seasonal additions to Soundkeeper Bill Lucey’s team. They tracked down and monitored pollution and mapped potential sewage sources. We now have three boats patrolling from Plum Island to the Throgs Neck. This monitoring is even more relevant now as storms are more frequent due to climate change and can cause sewage overflows into the Sound. Having our established monitoring program and data will help us act to create a more resilient region. In 2021, we expanded our program in New York, with new staff and more monitoring. Thanks to your support, we will be better able to address the most polluted areas in our Sound. We will soon move our New York team to a larger, better-equipped office in Larchmont that includes the John and Daria Barry Foundation Water Quality Laboratory, which will increase our capacity for analysis and also expedite the work, allowing our team to better protect Long Island Sound’s water.
Our assistant Soundkeeper Gavin Kreitman and environmental analyst Elena Colon perform water quality testing in Long Island Sound. With your support, the Soundkeeper team monitors the Sound to ensure clean and safe waters. Photo: Mark Liflander.
We are making critical water quality data available to everyone who cares about Long Island Sound. This year we re-launched SoundHealthExplorer.org, with Sound-wide data indicating fishable, swimmable, and livable waters and identifying trouble pollution areas. We tested the water for bacteria, oxygen levels, and nutrients, creating reliable data that our team, researchers, local government, elected officials, and residents like you can use to take action.
Scan this QR code to access the Sound Health Explorer.
Healthy Waters
Our attorneys had great success this year in a six-year battle in Westchester County. In 2015, we sued eleven municipalities and the County claiming failure to adequately maintain aging sewage systems, resulting in millions of gallons of raw sewage being discharged to and polluting Long Island Sound in violation of the Clean Water Act. So far, five municipalities — Port Chester, Village of Mamaroneck, White Plains, Rye Brook, and Rye — have committed to repairing miles of sewer lines and discussions are ongoing with the County of Westchester and the towns of Harrison and Scarsdale. However, four municipalities — New Rochelle, Pelham Manor, Larchmont, and Town of Mamaroneck — pulled out of these collaborative discussions and filed a motion to dismiss the case. In September 2021, the judge denied the motion, ruling that Save the Sound’s case can proceed. While the case has not yet gone to trial and this decision is not a final decision on the merits, it shows that we are on the right track to creating accountability for a cleaner Long Island Sound.
Empowering teens to track water pollution Since 2019, we’ve partnered
County. Our water quality
with the Mount Vernon
team has documented
Boys & Girls Club to
substantial chronic raw
address water pollution
sewage overflows running
issues in their community,
into the Hutchinson River
especially ongoing sewage
from Mount Vernon. You are
discharges into the river
creating more resilient
from old and leaking city
communities, not only
sewer lines, teaching the
with immediate action
next generation how to
but also engaging the
find and stop pollution in
generations of tomorrow.
their community through
Save the Sound will continue
education, advocacy,
this partnership to tackle the
and water monitoring.
longstanding water pollution
Empowering teens to
problems facing Mount
monitor water pollution in
Vernon in the Hutchinson
their hometown waterways
and the Bronx Rivers.
and push local leaders for clean water is the focus of our work in Mount Vernon, a lower-income, majorityBlack town in Westchester
Our Unified Water Study (UWS) expanded in 2021. An essential part of our water quality data collection, the program reached 50 sites and 24 partners all over our Sound.
Hooray for a legal victory for the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound! Our legal team is securing clean water for all. After a decadelong campaign to eliminate dead zones in Long Island Sound, a new nitrogen limit was imposed on the Springfield Water & Sewer Commission. When too much nitrogen is discharged into Long Island Sound, it creates low oxygen conditions, known as hypoxia, making it harder for aquatic life to survive and, in some instances, creating oxygenless dead zones.
Our urban spaces have not been designed to cope with the rising number of storms, or their intensity. The loss of green spaces and the rise of impermeable surfaces have led to increased surface water runoff and flash floods. Our sewers are often unable to handle the surge so the stormwater flows into our rivers and the Sound, carrying wastewater and pollutants with it.
Save the Sound 2021 8
Save the Sound leads hands-on habitat restoration in the Long Island Sound region, creating lasting physical change that strengthens natural ecosystems to benefit both wildlife and people.
Thanks to you, several key pieces of our legislative agenda passed in 2021. Among them is An Act Concerning Climate Change Adaptation, which gives shoreline and inland communities in Connecticut a toolbox for climate resiliency and clean water, along with access to a new state resiliency fund of $25 million. Municipalities can now create a stormwater authority to support critical clean
On top: We completed a new fishway at Pages Millpond dam, on the Farm River, in North Branford, CT, the site of an old mill dating back to 1697. The passage allows migratory fish like alewife, American eel, and trout access to 4.25 acres of lake habitat and more than six stream miles. Much of this is historic habitat for laying eggs, hatching young, foraging, and sheltering that has not been accessible since the dam was first constructed to power a mill centuries ago. Photo: Laura Ferreira.
water infrastructure upgrades, encourage green infrastructure like rain gardens, and help meet state stormwater management rules. Save the Sound has been advocating for this for a decade to address the problem of stormwater polluting our rivers, beaches, and the water of Long Island Sound.
Resilient future for the Hutchinson River Watershed In New York, in 2021, we started a plan for the Hutchinson River Watershed. It will be a comprehensive, stakeholder-driven process of assessing the current health of the river and all of the lands that drain to it. Together with community members, we will identify future restoration projects
to eliminate sources of pollution, bolster the ecosystem, and enhance neighborhoods. The plan will provide a blueprint for future restoration of the river to increase the region’s resiliency as it addresses not only pollution but flooding and stormwater mitigation.
In Connecticut, there are more than 4,000 dams, many of which no longer serve a useful purpose.
Human-built dams impact ecosystems, contribute to the warming of rivers, and impede the passage
of migratory fish that are key components of the food chains that feed our fisheries. They also often are health and security hazards for communities, exposing them to worsened floods and diminished coastal resilience by trapping sediment that would otherwise be naturally transported downstream
to nourish our marshes and beaches. When a dam is removed and the river restored, the former pond
becomes a flood plain protecting the area. Making sure that we have healthy rivers helps our region to better adapt to climate change. 9 Save the Sound 2021
Ecological Restoration
Restoring our fisheries through dam removals and fish passages A thriving Long Island Sound
are recovering due to the
and create a 14-mile stretch
ecosystem will one day see
actions that we are taking
of free-flowing river to Long
a return of an abundance
to return fish to their original
Island Sound.
of native fish species. It
spawning habitat. It also
Our lawyers, scientists, and
has become even more
helps us determine where
engineers embarked on
important to ensure that
these efforts will be most
an effort to free the fish
our marine life is thriving
successful in the future. In
on the Naugatuck River at
to withstand the stresses
the past year, monitoring
Kinneytown Dam, one of the
of warming waters due to
revealed that over 400,000
greatest opportunities for
climate change. You are
helping us to renew and
alewives passed the Bride Brook culvert we helped
fisheries restoration in New England in recent years.
replace a decade ago.
We filed a formal complaint
In 2021, we also started the
with the Federal Energy
removal of Dana Dam at
Regulatory Commission
Merwin Meadows Park, in
(FERC) because the dam is
Wilton, CT, which will free
preventing tens of thousands
up to nearly 10 upstream
of migratory fish from
and fish passages. This
miles on the Norwalk River
accessing 32 miles of habitat.
data indicates how well rivers
of diadromous fish habitat
increase the health of our ecosystem by collecting critical data about the fish that are returning
to rivers that were freed through dam removals
Below: Work has started to remove Dana Dam, in Wilton, CT, to free 10 upstream miles of fish habitat. Photo: Marina Piedade.
Save the Sound 2021 10
Thank YOU to our generous supporters We truly appreciate the great and continued support we receive from all of you, our enthusiastic supporters. All that you read in this report – and so much more – can only happen because we have committed backers that not only make generous donations but act as watchdogs for pollution, advocate for a greener region, volunteer to clean up our beaches, and spread the word about everything we do. You are making action happen for our region’s environment. Here are just a few of the many impactful contributions we’ve received this year.
Harry A. LeBien Allies like Harry LeBien make a difference for our region’s environment. Harry has been a committed supporter of Save the Sound for more than 30 years, with his first contribution then to Connecticut Fund for the Environment in 1989. A longtime Greenwich resident, he and his wife, Mary Ellen, cruised Long Island Sound waters for many years. Harry passed away on September 21, 2021. He was survived by his wife of 62 years, three children, and four grandchildren. Gifts in his memory are being made to help Save the Sound preserve Plum Island. Harry’s legacy and love for pristine habitat will enable the protection of the island forever.
Common Sense Foundation
“
Our children remember with fondness Harry’s interest in preserving land and returning it to native habitat and for restoring the health of Long Island Sound. I recall sailing by Plum Island with Harry on our sailboat Wind’s Will many times.” – Mary Ellen LeBien
The Werth Family Foundation
Founded in 1983 by Seymour
about energy efficiency and
The Werth Family Foundation has been a generous
and Sybil Schwartz, the
the benefits of renewables.
Common Sense Fund has
The Foundation supports
been a generous supporter
environmental change
of Save the Sound since
through education, policy
restoration professionals who have greatly improved our
2015. They have been
initiatives, promotion of
regional landscape. Together, we have worked to reopen
strong partners in helping
carbon-free energy sources,
rivers to migratory fish passage for shad, river herring, and
to secure authorization of
and stewardship of natural
other species, and restore tidal wetlands and marshes,
“shared” or community solar,
resources with the hope of
allowing the return of native animals and plants. The Werth
with the goal of ensuring
lessening our dependence
Family has shared in our green infrastructure successes, and
that the benefits of solar
on fossil fuels.
we continue to reduce stormwater runoff, lessen the burden
supporter of Save the Sound’s ecological restoration work for over a decade. Foundation support has helped us grow our program from a single staff member to a team of eight
power can be enjoyed by
of stormwater on aging urban infrastructure, and improve
all Connecticut residents,
water quality by installing rain gardens, bioswales and
regardless of income level
pervious pavement. The Werth Family Foundation is a true
or the ability to site rooftop
champion of the important work we do at Save the Sound.
solar. The foundation continues to support Save the Sound’s Climate and Energy program work, in particular, our outreach and education efforts to educate the public and policymakers 11 Save the Sound 2021
On the right: Receding tide in Little Neck Bay, Queens, NY. Our ecological restoration team will implement a living shoreline and green infrastructure in the area that will restore aquatic habitat to strengthen coastal resiliency, and improve water quality. Photo: Matt Green.
Libby and Robert Alexander Thanks to a generous gift from Libby and Robert Alexander, longtime supporters of Save the Sound, we hired Katie Friedman, New York ecological restoration program manager, to move forward on nature-based restoration solutions in Westchester County, NY. Their gift will enable Save the Sound to expand our ecological restoration work and further
“
improve the watersheds in New York. Libby is a former board member, and both she and Rob are very involved on the Soundkeeper Task Force. With their decade-long engagement and support of Save the Sound, they were able to identify a way to enhance our ability to positively affect the local environment in Westchester.
It’s critical to address all of the ecosystems and unique habitats that connect with Long Island Sound. There are project opportunities right here in Westchester that can advance the health of Western Long Island Sound, right in our backyard!” – Libby Alexander
“
Thank you!
It’s an exciting time for Save the Sound with our expanded capacity to implement ecological restoration practices in New York. In 2021, we worked on projects ranging from dam removal and watershed planning to salt marsh conservation, living shorelines, and green infrastructure. This critical work spans Westchester County, the Bronx and Queens, and Long Island, places where there is a real hunger for ecological restoration projects. Save the Sound is now poised to lead, support, and progress projects forward towards a more resilient and healthy Long Island Sound region in New York.” – Katie Friedman, New York ecological restoration program manager at Save the Sound.
Save the Sound 2021 12
Thank you to everyone who takes action for our environment Below are listed all donors that gave $1000 and above or in-kind donations during our 2021 Fiscal Year.
Lynn Prowitt and Cole Prowitt-Smith/ Reenie Brown and Roy Makowsky Foundation, Inc. Ms. Jean Richards/ Jean M. Richards Revocable Living Robert F. Schumann Foundation Rose Foundation Sandpiper Fund Sasco Foundation Schwab Charitable
Leadership Council and Champions
Gordon and Shelley Geballe/ Sassafras Foundation Geoffrey C. Hughes Foundation Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund Golub Family Fund
Barbara and Peter Setlow The Skye Foundation John and Nancy Sommi State of Connecticut Super Law Group LLC
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Bostock/ Bostock Family Charitable Fund Ms. Kelly Brewer Howard Benjamin Bullard The Capital Markets Company Ruth O. Carroll Robert and Ethel Churchill Karen Clute Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Peter and Diana Cooper Todd Cort and Jenn Rosenberg Diane A. Creedon Vic Dasaro and Ellen Friedman David and Diane DeBell Family Fund
Anonymous
The Hayes Foundation
Susan Surova and Edward Janusz
Mr. Paul Ahern
James & Dawn Henry
SwedeHeart Family Fund
Michael Dunn and Deborah Moshier-Dunn
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Alexander/ Robert L. and Elizabeth C. Alexander Fund
Kim and Flip Huffard/ Huffard Family Fund
Tortuga Foundation
Cheryl and Daniel Dunson
Town of Darien
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Elliott/ R & M Foundation
Lucy Ambach/The Chatto Fund
J.P. Morgan Chase Charitable Giving Fund
American Endowment Foundation
The Jeniam Foundation
Avalon Park and Preserve
Jewish Communal Fund
Benjamin Baker/ Lockhart Vaughan Foundation
John and Daria Barry Foundation
Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund Bessemer Giving Fund Boston Foundation Brewer Family Foundation Bunting Family Foundation C. Richard and Olive J. Brose Hie Hill Foundation John L. Cecil and Celia A. Felsher Common Sense Fund Community Foundation for Greater New Haven Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut David and Katherine Moore Family Foundation Barbara O. David Peter DeBell Amy and Jim Denton Raphe Elkind E. Donald and Dr. Gail Charnley Elliott Environmental Defense Fund Fidelity Charitable Mr. and Mrs. P. Wesley Foster/ The Betty and Wes Foster Family Foundation The Fred I. and Gilda Nobel Foundation, Inc.
The John Merck Fund Joseph & Lisa MacDougald Fund
Vanguard Charitable Vranos Family Foundation
Mr. Chester W. Kitchings Jr./ Kitchings Family Foundation Mary Ellen Kranzlin Michael S. and Carolyn W. Levine Steven and Fern Loeb Long Island Sound Funders Collaborative Long Island Sound Office, EPA Henry D. Lord Louis and Virginia Clemente Foundation, in memory of Harry A. LeBien
Environmental League of Massachusetts
Mary Woolsey and Mark Peterson/ The Moccasin Brook Fund
Aline and Henry Euler
Advocates
Robert and Janet Fiske The Frances and Peter Robotti Foundation
The late Mr. Jack Alexander/ Alexander Family Foundation Mr. Moses Alexander Mr. and Mrs. Richard B. Alexander/ The Ballard Foundation Richard Amerling and Mary Kelly Mr. and Mrs. Chip Angle/ Angle Family Fund
Lori and Timon Malloy/ Sun Hill Foundation
Ann E. Condon Fund
Thomas and Sophie Murphy National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Melissa Newman Newman's Own Foundation Emily B. Nissley
G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation
Overhills Foundation
The Osprey Fund
Judith Fisher/Fisher Family Fund
Emily Aber and Robert Wechsler
Mabel Burchard Fischer Grant Foundation
Josie Marck/Josephine A. Merck Donor Advised Fund
Patricia Farren and Jeffrey Myers/Round River Foundation Wendy Fish
Anonymous
Amy Shapiro Scholarship Fund
Douglas and Marie McKeige/ McKeige Charitable Trust
R. Bradford Evans Janet Fall
M.L.E. Foundation
Richard and Nancy Matthies
Mr. and Mrs. Frederic Elliott/ R & M Foundation
Werth Family Foundation
Kelley Memorial Fund
Friends of Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve
13 Save the Sound 2021
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Ayco Charitable Foundation Foster Bam Roberta Barbieri Barrett Outdoor Communications
Mrs. Elinor A. Fredston Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Fressola/ Arthur and Elinor Fredston Fund Mr. and Mrs. John Fullerton/ The Fullerton Family Foundation Mr. Herbert Gardner/ Gardner Family Foundation George A. & Grace Long Foundation Philip and Marcia Giudice/ Giudice Family Fund Mr. and Mrs. Bradley L. Goldberg/ Bradley L. Goldberg Family Foundation
Mr. William Baxter, III
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Gorin/ Gorin Family Charitable Fund
Robert I. Bayer/Jesse Bayer Foundation Charitable Trust
Mrs. Emily Grant Jason Grippo
Benevity Community Impact Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Madison Grose/ The Grose Family Charitable Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Benjamin/ Helen & Stephen Benjamin Gift Fund Mr. and Mrs. Mark W. Blackman/ Mark and Deborah Blackman Charitable Trust
Randall and Mary Hack/ Randall and Mary Hack Foundation Hampshire Foundation Hildegarde Hannum Tad Sperry and Ellen Harvey
Thank you!
HMTX Industries LLC
The New York Community Trust
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Holloway
NewAlliance Foundation
Mr. William C. Horne
Amanda Oberg and Aaron Sack/ The Oberg Sack Family Fund
Mr. George Host/ Alexander Host Foundation Irwin and Dorothy Nessel Foundation Anne H. Isbister David and Amy Jaffe Michael Kaminsky Kaplan Family Foundation
Katie O'Brien O'Donnell Iselin Foundation Laurie Olinder Patrick and Andrea O'Meara Dana and Carol Oviatt Gerson Pakula/Pakula Foundation
Dr. and Mrs. Frederick Kaskel
Pamela and Richard Rubinstein Foundation
Jim P. Kempner
Frank Pannenborg
Dr. Katherine Kennedy and The Honorable Ted Kennedy, Jr./ The Kiki and Ted Kennedy, Jr. Fund
Edward Pawlak and Jane Roth
Margaret Kilgore Pamela P. Kindler Mr. and Mrs. Jason Klein/ Ruth and Seymour Klein Foundation
Penwood Realty Advisers, Inc. Regional Water Authority Robert J. Bauer Family Foundation Rocky Mountain Institute Harold Rose
David W. Knapp
Karen Royce, in honor of Leslie S. Lee
James B. Konopka and Susan M. Watanabe
Ruscito and Head Family Foundation
Mr. Rubén Kraiem
Peter Russell
Fred Krupp and Laurie Devitt
Ruth & Seymour Klein Foundation
Frank and Elisabet Landrey
Thomas Sargent and Allison Ijams/Thomas Sargent and Allison Ijams Charitable Foundation
Ms. Marta Jo Lawrence Leslie S. Lee Oskar and Olivia Lewnowski Jim and Vicky Linville/ Linville Family Foundation Philip and Christine Lodwick Robert Lorenz
Save the River/Save the Hills Dave Schleinkofer, in memory of David Kohl Eric Schwartz Leonard Schwartz
Cleo and Jonathan Sonneborn/ The Jonathan and Cleo Sonneborn Advisory Fund Subaru of New England, Inc. Scott Thompson/ Thompson Family Giving Fund TIAA Steve Tomlinson Town of Fairfield Harold and Susan Trischman Mac and Patricia Turner Kurt and Lisa Uihlein Johan Varekamp and Ellen Thomas Chris and Terri Walker Walters and Mason Retail, Inc.
Garrett and Mary Moran/ Garrett Moran and Mary Penniman Moran Family Foundation Ryan Moran Morgan Stanley Gift Fund Robert and Susan Morris/ Old Stones Foundation National Philanthropic Trust Neuberger Berman New Canaan Community Foundation New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission
Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society Timothy and Tamsin Sickinger Mr. and Mrs. George Smith, III/ Smith Family Charitable Fund Joanna and Ian Smith/ Joanna Oltman Smith and Ian Lynch Smith Fund Mario Smith and Barbara Heffernan Robert Smith, in memory of Melissa J. Schlag Teagan Smith/ Aram Rae Family Fund Kurt Soderlund and Clea Newman
Scoot & Paddle Shore Thing Rentals Southport Engineering Associates Nancy and Eric Vincent Windcheck
Andrew Wood
In-kind Mr. Paul Ahern Algae Art
Barrett Outdoor Communications
Stephen and Evalyn Milman
Savannah Bee Company
Peter Witkin/ Witkin Family Fund
James and Margie Shaughnessy/ The Shaughnessy Family Charitable Fund
Dr. Ramsey David Shehadeh/ The Gennetian-Shehadeh Family Foundation
Tom Sargent/ Fishers Island Conservancy
The Winston Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Peter L. Malkin
Anna and George Shaw
Safe Harbor, Greenport
Steve Wiggins/ The Wiggins Foundation
Bar Rated Entertainment, LLC
Mr. Daniel Mathison and Mrs. Helene Mathison/ The Lena and Dan Mathisson Fund
Pierce Rafferty/ Henry L. Ferguson Museum
Wiener Family Philanthropy
Harry Sharlach
Anne and Alan Shaw
Minneford Marina
Tony and Jen Whitworth
Mark H. Lynch
Betty McManus
Ilene Merenstein
Serena H. Whitridge
LPL Financial
Thomas and Christine McGrath
Daniel Wenzel Mendes
Chan and Leslie Wheeler
Security Traders Association of Connecticut
Ellen and Terry Martin
Sheila Meehan
Mike Bady
Bikram Yoga Rye Brook Boatmax Stephen Borghardt Bridgeport Islanders Captain’s Cove Seaport Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program Ed Gathman Thomas Glacock Bob Haase Haddad & Partners Thomas Halaczinsky Mr. and Mrs. James Henry JK Kayak & SUP KA Davignon, Architect Klein Law Group of New York PLLC Lindsey's Craft Studio Steve and Sarah Malinowski/ Fishers Island Oyster Farm Save the Sound 2021 14
In a nutshell, our strategic plan For the past few months, we have intensively worked on a new strategic plan for 2022 to 2027. The plan sets priorities and gives a framework to guide decisions about aligning resources with the organization’s mission — so that together, we can maximize our impact. With your support, we will leverage our track record of environmental action to increase our results. We will continue working throughout Connecticut and Westchester County and expand to become a permanent presence in the Bronx and Queens and on Long Island. We will work to empower transformative environmental justice partnerships across our region. We will become a respected and appreciated household name. Here is a sneak preview of what the plan’s five focus areas entail. We’ll be reaching out for your input in early 2022!
1 2 3 4 5
Make our rivers, bays, and harbors safe for all people and wildlife and sewage- and plastic-free.
We aim to restore rivers for safe swimming and healthy fishing with a focus on reducing stormwater runoff. We will create sewage-free and ecologically healthy bays and harbors around the Sound by continuing and expanding our efforts to find and fix pollution sources. We plan to engage the public in pollution prevention in their communities through the use of our reports and data sites, and research and develop a Plastics-Free Long Island Campaign.
Protect at least 1,500 acres of endangered lands for all people and wildlife.
We will continue to preserve iconic regional lands such as Plum Island, the last wild mile of coast on the Niantic River, Six Lakes nature park and preserve, and Deer Lake Scout Reservation. We plan to safeguard the public’s drinking water and the lands that purify it and defend critical resilience spaces to protect people and ecosystems. We will increase open space protection on Long Island to protect wildlife, conserve critical habitats, and provide access to clean, healthy land for all people.
Fight climate change by reducing carbon pollution and ramping up renewable energy.
We intend to reduce carbon pollution by 45% by expanding clean, equitable transportation opportunities and advocating for energy-efficient, healthy homes. We will ramp up renewable energy use by 50% in Connecticut and push the state to procure 1,500 megawatts of clean, resilient generation and an additional 650 megawatts of storage. We will ensure the states of Connecticut and New York are accountable for climate mandates. We plan to become the Long Island Sound region’s voice supporting strong state climate policy and build grassroots people power for climate action in Connecticut and New York.
Supercharge the pace and scale of river and coastal restoration in dozens of cities and towns throughout the region to increase wildlife abundance and protect communities.
We intend to open the Naugatuck River and remove obstructions and dams in ten additional riverine systems to create free-flowing rivers Sound-wide. We will boost nature-based flood reduction and community resilience, and empower and catalyze equitable partnerships for ecological restoration activities in communities experiencing environmental injustice.
Partner with communities to create an equitable and environmentally just future.
We will establish an organizational practice of listening, learning, partnering, and acting alongside our allies to ensure communities of color do not continue to be impacted by disproportionate amounts of pollution and that these same communities have an investment in and access to clean, natural spaces.
15 Save the Sound 2021
Strategic Plan and 2020 Financials
Fiscal year 2020 financial report (October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020)
Your generosity and support have given Save the Sound stability and capability to continue to pursue our vision of a healthy environment for the Long Island Sound region, in Connecticut and New York. Below are our Fiscal Year 2020 audited financials. Fiscal Year 2021 results will be ready in the Spring of 2022.. Our revenue in 2020 included gifts to our endowment and bequests, indicating confidence for our future and a lasting legacy for the ecosystem that we all care for so much. Without in-person gatherings and with new ways of communicating, we made it through with great success, thanks to you.
FY20 Support and Revenue
FY20 Operating Expenditures
1% 18% 26%
13% 73%
69%
Individual and Foundation donations
Program
Government grants
Administration
Interest and dividends
Fundraising
Individual and Foundation donations
$4,663,006
Government grants
$1,628,618
Interest & dividends
$68,461
Total
$6,360,085
Program Administration Fundraising Total
$3,858,211 $714,526 $1,007,882 $5,580,619 Save the Sound 2021 16
Save the Sound leads environmental action in the Long Island Sound region. We fight climate change, save endangered lands, protect the Sound and its rivers, and work with nature to restore ecosystems.
900 Chapel Street, Suite 2202 New Haven, CT 06510 savethesound.org
1385 Boston Post Road, 2nd Floor Larchmont, NY 10538