A Long Island Sound estuary in Connecticut has been designated a "protected place" by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, making the new national estuarine research reserve the 30th reserve in the nation and the first in the state.
A research reserve is a protected section of an estuary that provides a living laboratory for exploration and research to promote understanding of coastal habitats and the best ways to manage them. The Long Island Sound designation was announced Jan. 14 on the NOAA website.
“The designation of the nation’s 30th National Estuarine Research Reserve in Connecticut represents a win for science-based decision making and helping to enhance environmental education at all levels for the people of Connecticut,” Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said in the announcement.
Communities, scientists and environmentalists can work together in a research reserve to focus on preserving and managing natural resources on a local level. Nationally, reserves also help make the country prepare for and mitigate climate change by making U.S. coasts more resilient, according to NOAA.
The 52,160-acre Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve will be managed as a partnership between NOAA and the State of Connecticut.
The Connecticut reserve is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s "America the Beautiful" initiative, which commits to conserving at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by the year 2030, including by expanding the national estuarine research system.
“NOAA is doing all we can to advance the President’s conservation goals to help address nature loss, mitigate climate change, and create equitable access to the outdoors,” NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said in the announcement. “Protecting special places along our coast and making them accessible for future generations benefits our planet, our people, and our economy, and helps build a climate ready nation.”
