At NESS, we hope to motivate the next generation of leaders, sailors, marine adventurers, scientists, and conservationists by helping them along their journey. This goal involves helping out and engaging with our community, but our community doesn’t just consist of land and humans, it also includes the waters we study and sail on and the creatures within it. To improve the health of our communities, we need to preserve, restore, and protect our environment.

Thanks to Tractor Supply Company, our NESS Stonington campus now has a rain barrel! When rainwater hits a hard surface like a street or sidewalk, it can pick up pollutants as it travels. Rain barrels are placed to collect that rainwater from the roof directly, to prevent it from becoming harmful runoff. We’ll be able to use this water supply for gardening, washing our boats, cleaning our campus, rinsing our water gear, or any programs involving fresh water! With an active upkeep based on our average rainfalls, we could collect enough rainwater for all of these uses!

One of NESS’s four Core Values includes Stewardship. We are consistently researching new projects and new opportunities to build connections between students, their communities, and a sustainable natural environment. We believe that we are so lucky to be located on the water, but with this privilege comes the responsibility to take care of our environment. We help create a culture of stewardship through many programs, such as beach clean ups, student projects, and lessons, and are always searching for more!