Happy Long Island Sound Day!

May 23, 2025 marks Long Island Sound Day, a time to celebrate the vibrant waters that are not only home to countless species of marine life but also serve as a vital resource for our coastal communities. In 1997 the Senate approved Long Island Sound Day (the Friday before Memorial Day) to encourage citizens to acknowledge and celebrate the economic, recreational, and environmental values of the Sound.

At NESS, we honor this day by reaffirming our commitment to protecting the health of Long Island Sound through hands-on, ocean-based education. We inspire, empower, and transform students of all ages through experiential learning, environmental stewardship, personal growth, and inclusiveness - fostering a lifelong connection to the ocean and a shared responsibility for its care.

One of the key ways we contribute is through our participation in the Unified Water Study (UWS) - a collaborative, citizen science program coordinated by Save the Sound. This study brings together organizations like NESS to monitor the ecological health of the Sound’s bays and harbors. Our team collects data on water quality indicators such as dissolved oxygen, water clarity, and nutrient levels. This work not only helps scientists understand what’s happening beneath the surface - it also gives our staff, students, and community members hands-on opportunities to become ocean stewards.

Long Island Sound is an essential ecosystem and economic driver, but it faces threats from pollution, climate change, and human activity. By engaging in stewardship initiatives like the Unified Water Study and bringing STEM education to life on the water, we empower the next generation to protect the Sound for years to come.

Let’s celebrate Long Island Sound today - and every day - by caring for the waters that connect and sustain us all!

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