FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STONINGTON, CT – This past Wednesday, the New England Science & Sailing Foundation (NESS) SEA AmeriCorps members began their year of service by participating in the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance, a nationwide initiative supported by AmeriCorps, 9/11day.org, and partners across the country. The day, dedicated to honoring the lives lost on 9/11 through acts of unity and service, was a meaningful opportunity for the team to contribute to the community.

This year, NESS SEA AmeriCorps launched a unique and environmentally conscious project in collaboration with the Stonington Borough. The NESS SEA AmeriCorps members designed and painted a storm drain in front of NESS’s Stonington location, promoting clean water and environmental stewardship. This painted baleen whale artwork highlights the importance of keeping our waterways clean and protecting the environment for future generations, aligning directly with one of NESS’s four core values: stewardship.

“Our AmeriCorps team was thrilled to take part in this creative initiative,” said Bridget Nelson, Director of NESS SEA AmeriCorps. “Not only did the project help beautify our community, but it also serves as a powerful reminder of the role we all play in preserving our natural resources. The painted storm drains raise awareness about the importance of clean water while inspiring our community to take action.”

While members completed one storm drain mural last week, the project will continue beyond the day of service, with routine maintenance and the creation of additional artwork later in the year in select storm drain locations throughout Stonington Borough. These designs will continue to showcase the talents of the AmeriCorps team, further uniting and engaging the community in promoting sustainability.

NESS SEA AmeriCorps invites community members to experience the Storm Drain Art Project and follow their progress on social media and NESS’s website, where participants can also submit name suggestions for the painted whale in a "Name the Whale" Contest.

For more information about this service project and the NESS SEA AmeriCorps program, please visit NESSF.org/Partnerships/AmeriCorps.

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ABOUT NESS 

New England Science & Sailing is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that uses sailing, marine science, powerboating, and ocean adventure sports as experiential learning platforms to increase K-12 academic outcomes. NESS educators teach in classrooms and on the water, using over 100 proprietary lesson plans tied to school standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards, Ocean Literacy Principles, and Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning standards. NESS is the only school partner program accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. 

ABOUT NESS SEA AMERICORPS 

NESS SEA AmeriCorps is a proud member of the AmeriCorps National Service Network. The program is supported by the Connecticut Commission on Community Service, a partnership between the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Connecticut Department of Higher Education. NESS AmeriCorps members teach experiential STEM-based lessons and mentor students to increase social and emotional skills like perseverance and confidence and support NESS’s mission of fostering a love of learning through ocean-based experiential learning.