Erosion

Please join the Long Island Sound Partnership and the CT Sea Grant Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) team at the 3rd Annual Long Island Funding Workshop! The event is free and lunch will be provided.

Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Time: 10:00am – 2:30pm (lunch will be provided)

Location: Gateway Community College – Curran Community Room (N100), 20 Church St, New Haven, CT 06510

Registration will be required by March 26th

Attendees will hear from program officers representing various local, state, and regional funding organizations and be able to engage in discussions with funders to explore project ideas and ways to improve funding applications. Attendees will also hear from a panel of successful awardees about their experiences and strategies. The workshop is intended for municipal officials and staff, nonprofits, community organizations, and other interested groups in the Long Island Sound region.

Draft Agenda:

• Lightning Talk Presentations from Funders – local, state, federal, and Long Island Sound-focused funding opportunities
• Lunch (provided)
• Successful Awardees Panel – Hear from communities that have been successful in applying to these grant opportunities
• Roundtable Discussions – Participants encouraged to interact with funders and panelists

Featured Funding Opportunities:

• Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
• Congressionally Directed Spending 
• CT Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Team (CTBILT) & CT Fed Funds Team
• CT DECD Community Investment Fund
• CT DECD Office of Brownfield Remediation & Development
• CT DEEP CERCLA 128(a) Brownfield Grant Program
• CT DEEP Climate Resilience Fund
• CT DEEP Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program
• CT DEEP Recreational Trails
• CT DEEP Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grants
• CT DEEP Urban Green & Community Gardens Grant Program
• CT Federal Funding Planning Team
• CT Land Conservation Council
• Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund
• Long Island Sound Futures Fund
• Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund
• New England Environmental Finance Center
• UConn Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB)

Email lisresilience@gmail.com with questions.

The National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) is a national focused on reducing risks to coastal communities. The NCRF is now soliciting pre-proposals for coastal resilience projects that restore, increase, and strengthen natural infrastructure such as coastal marshes and wetlands, dune and beach systems, oyster and coral reefs, rivers and floodplains, coastal forest, and barrier islands that mitigate the impacts of storms and other coastal hazards to communities.

The Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) invite coastal communities, Tribes, and non-profit organizations from across New England to apply for the Living Shoreline Planning Series, which will offer free training and technical assistance to help guide you and your team through the process of identifying and developing a conceptual design for a living shoreline. These projects will be designed to reduce erosion and coastal flooding and increase resilience with co-benefits like improving habitat and public access to coastal resources. The training and technical assistance are intended to build capacity towards designing, permitting, and implementing living shoreline projects in New England and ensure your community or organization is well positioned to secure funding to advance the project beyond the conceptual design phase.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now accepting proposals for fiscal year 2025 Clean Water Section 319 grants.  Section 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act (Section 319) is a Federal program to control nonpoint sources (NPS) of water pollution.  Connecticut receives funds from EPA for Section 319 grants that can be passed onto communities, local conservation groups, and other organizations for NPS implementation projects, plans, and statewide NPS management efforts.

The New England Grassroots Environment Fund awards small grants in support of grassroots efforts and community-based environmental work in New England. The GROW GRANTS program is actively accepting applications from grassroots groups across New England. These grants fund small, volunteer-driven groups in New England working on issues including food access, immigrant support, climate resilience, youth work, mutual aid, and more. This program is geared toward groups with experience organizing in their community and have at least THREE leaders who are actively involved in group decision-making. Grants support groups to deepen their work by further developing a community vision, lowering barriers to participation, identifying new stakeholders, and working to bring more voices and lived experiences into core decision-making processes.

Please join the Long Island Sound Partnership and NY Sea Grant Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) team at the 3rd Annual Long Island Funding Workshop! The event is free and lunch will be provided.

Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Time: 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM (lunch will be provided)

Location: Hyatt Regency Long Island (1717 Motor Parkway Hauppauge, NY)

Registration is required by March 11

Attendees will hear from program officers representing various local, state, and Long Island Sound funding organizations and be able to engage in discussions with funders to explore project ideas and ways to improve funding applications. Attendees will also hear from a panel of successful awardees about their experiences and strategies. The workshop is intended for municipal officials and staff, nonprofits, community organizations, and other interested parties.

View the Draft Agenda for the list of featured funding opportunities!

Email lisresilience@gmail.com with questions.

The 3rd Annual Learning Exchange hosted by the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) is a collaborative, in person event designed to bring together current and past grant recipients, partners, and community stakeholders working to improve the Long Island Sound region. The event focuses on knowledge sharing, peer learning, and strengthening connections among organizations engaged in environmental justice, climate resilience, and community based solutions. Through facilitated discussions and interactive sessions, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their work, exchange best practices, and explore shared challenges and successes.

This free event is intended specifically for LISCIF grantees and invited partners and emphasizes accessibility and inclusion, with accommodations available upon request. By fostering dialogue and collaboration across diverse organizations, the Learning Exchange aims to build capacity, encourage cross sector partnerships, and support long term, community driven impact throughout the Long Island Sound watershed.

This opportunity allows Connecticut communities to submit water resource project priorities for consideration in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2026. WRDA is a federal process led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that authorizes studies and projects related to flood risk management, coastal and shoreline protection, dredging and navigation, and ecosystem restoration. Authorization through WRDA is an important first step toward potential federal funding, though it does not guarantee that funding will be awarded. Projects typically require a non-federal cost share and must fall within the mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. General information is available here: Water Resources Development Acts: Primer and Action in the 119th Congress | Congress.gov | Library of Congress. See the Solicitation Letter at the link for Connecticut-specific guidance.

Check out our interactive map to learn about living shoreline projects located in the marine district of New York. 

More information about living shorelines and their benefits can be found on the NYSDEC Living Shorelines webpage.

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team held our 2025 Annual Workshop virtually as three sessions over two days. Session topics focused on resources and tools available to help take advantage of state resilience funds, a panel discussion on why and how to incorporate nature-based solutions into resilience planning, and an overview of our available assistance programs.

Session 3 – LIS Resilience Planning Support Program: New Round Available & Showcase of Completed Projects was held on Friday, December 5, 2025. Participants learned about the newly available 3rd round of the LIS Resilience Planning Support Program and heard from three communities who received awards through the first round of the Program. Video of the session along with supporting materials is available below.

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team held our 2025 Annual Workshop virtually as three sessions over two days. Session topics focused on resources and tools available to help take advantage of state resilience funds, a panel discussion on why and how to incorporate nature-based solutions into resilience planning, and an overview of our available assistance programs.

Session 2 – Using Nature-Based Solutions for Resilience: A Panel Discussion on Common Challenges & Strategies for Success was held on Thursday, December 4, 2025. In this interactive session, practitioners and experts discussed techniques for integrating nature-based solutions into resilience initiatives. The panel highlighted common challenges and shared successful strategies from projects in the Long Island Sound region. Video of the session along with supporting materials is available below.

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team held our 2025 Annual Workshop virtually as three sessions over two days. Session topics focused on resources and tools available to help take advantage of state resilience funds, a panel discussion on why and how to incorporate nature-based solutions into resilience planning, and an overview of our available assistance programs.

Session 1 – Resilience 101: Helpful Tools and Strategies for Building Community Resilience was held on Thursday, December 4, 2025. Participants learned about available resilience resources and tools and then moved into breakout rooms to hear about state climate certification programs and resilience funds in both NY and CT. Videos of the main session and both breakout rooms are available below, along with supporting materials.

The Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund 2026 is now open and supports nonprofit work that helps protect and restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. Funding is available for efforts that strengthen organizations (capacity building), build new collaborations, or support piloting tools and planning that increases environmental and natural resource impact.

A start guide for addressing flooding and erosion in coastal communities. Learn about the steps communities can take to adapt along with different adaptation strategies. 

This report provides on guidance on ways to adapt the Shoreline Greenway Trail to the increasing frequencies of heavy rain, wildfires, hurricanes, flood events, and storm surges. The report defines what we mean by resilience for a trail in coastal Connecticut, identifies climate impacts facing the trail now, and in the years to come, shares design suggestions that could build resiliency on existing and new sections, and explores how the trail itself can be essential to wider community resiliency.

The National Estuary Program (NEP) Watersheds Grant Program is a nationally competitive grants addressing the most pressing threats to estuarine health within the 28 NEP boundary areas. This program is offered through Restore America’s Estuaries, with funding from the U.S. EPA.

LIS Resilience Planning Support Program: New Round Available & Showcase of Completed Projects

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities Team is excited to announce that for our 2025 Annual Workshop we are holding a series of three virtual sessions over two days focused on resources and tools available to help in taking advantage of state resilience funds, a panel discussion on why and how to incorporate nature-based solutions into resilience planning, and an overview of our available assistance programs.

Join us on Friday, December 5 from 10-11:30 AM to learn about the Long Island Sound Resilience Planning Support Program. This assistance opportunity has been available to communities on a yearly basis since Fall 2023, and the next round will open on December 1, 2025 – so this is your chance to get all the details! This session will also feature communities who received support through the first round, who will share about their experience and planned next steps.

More information, including panelist bios, will be provided to all registrants closer to the Workshop.

Using Nature-Based Solutions for Resilience: A Panel Discussion on Common Challenges & Strategies for Success

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities Team is excited to announce that for our 2025 Annual Workshop we are holding a series of three virtual sessions over two days focused on resources and tools available to help in taking advantage of state resilience funds, a panel discussion on why and how to incorporate nature-based solutions into resilience planning, and an overview of our available assistance programs.

Join us on Thursday, December 4 from 1-3 PM to learn why and how to incorporate nature-based solutions into resilience planning and projects. This interactive session will feature communities and practitioners who have encountered challenges and found success using nature-based solutions in the Long Island Sound region.

More information, including panelist bios, will be provided to all registrants closer to the Workshop.

Resilience 101: Helpful Tools & Strategies for Building Community Resilience

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities Team is excited to announce that for our 2025 Annual Workshop we are holding a series of three virtual sessions over two days focused on resources and tools available to help in taking advantage of state resilience funds, a panel discussion on why and how to incorporate nature-based solutions into resilience planning, and an overview of our available assistance programs.

Join us on Thursday, December 4 from 10 AM-12 PM to learn more about resilience planning basics, including local climate impacts and projections, state climate certification programs, and available tools & resources.

More information, including panelist bios, will be provided to all registrants closer to the Workshop.

Signed into law on November 25, 2024, the bipartisan BEACH Act (BEACH Act; Pub. L. 118-117) reauthorizes the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) and updates maps for 454 coastal units across 13 U.S. states, including Connecticut. The revised Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) maps are now effective and available through the CBRS Mapper

The BEACH Act expands eligibility for federal flood insurance and financial assistance in areas removed from the CBRS, while limiting new federal funding in areas added to the system. It also introduces new requirements for CBRA disclosures during real estate transactions, guidance for emergency coastal projects, and research initiatives on coastal barrier ecosystem dynamics.

Agencies involved:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Geological Survey.

On October 8, 2025 state and local decision makers, municipal staff, and other interested parties working to address flooding, shoreline erosion and other coastal issues gathered at the Port Jefferson Village Center in Port Jefferson, NY for the 3rd Annual Suffolk County Coastal Resilience Forum. The Forum provided a chance to share information on best practices, discuss challenges, identify opportunities to increase resilience, and enhance coordination across communities. Forum attendees heard updates on State resilience initiatives from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, as well as presentations on new resilience tools and resources from Seatuck Environmental Association, the U.S. Geological Survey, New York Sea Grant, and Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District. In the afternoon, Village of Port Jefferson Mayor, Lauren Sheprow, presented on the Village’s resilience issues and initiatives and then led attendees on a walking tour of the Village highlighting flooding hotspots, challenges faced by local businesses and residents, and efforts to help mitigate flooding and increase community resilience.

The event was hosted by Long Island Sound Partnership and New York Sea Grant, in partnership with the Village of Port Jefferson and Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District. 

Restore America’s Estuaries is excited to announce the third round of funding for the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund. Up to $1,200,000 in competitive funding will be awarded to support projects in New York and Connecticut in 2026. The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) is a partnership among Restore America’s Estuaries, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Long Island Sound Partnership. The purpose of LISCIF is to provide technical and financial assistance to communities for addressing environmental issues and to improve the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound.

Join Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) for the 2025 Living Shorelines Tech Transfer Workshop taking place from October 29 – 30 in New Haven, Connecticut. This event, hosted by Restore America’s Estuaries and Doherty Climate and Resilience Institute at Save the Sound, will present a unique platform to learn, engage, and exchange knowledge with professionals, experts, and stakeholders in the field of coastal and estuarine habitat restoration. Our focus will be on Living Shorelines – an innovative and nature-based solution to shoreline stabilization and ecosystem conservation.

Join us at the Long Island Sound Suffolk County Coastal Resilience Forum for an opportunity to connect, learn and be inspired! 

Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (rain or shine)

Time: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Location: Port Jefferson Village Center (101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson , NY 11777)

Register by September 30. Contact elizabeth.hornstein@cornell.edu for more information. 

This forum will bring together state and local decision makers, municipal staff, and other interested parties working to address coastal issues to share information on best practices, identify opportunities to increase resilience, and enhance coordination across communities. Participants will hear from NY state, regional, and local partners about resilience initiatives and learn about new tools and resources. We will end the forum with a walking tour of Port Jefferson Village to hear about the Village’s resilience initiatives, successes, and challenges.

View the DRAFT AGENDA.

The event is free. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. 

Please note, most parking lots in the Village have metered parking. We can reimburse travel expenses and parking fees, up to $150/person (for those that do not have travel budgets through their employers) on a first come first serve basis. 

This event is hosted by Long Island Sound Partnership and New York Sea Grant, in partnership with Nassau & Suffolk Soil and Water Conservation District.  

*The event is intended as a learning experience for adults 18 years of age or older. 

Click here to register for the Nassau County Coastal Resilience Forum (October 9, 2025) or other events happening during Long Island Sound Coastal Resilience Month! 

2025 Nassau Coastal Resilience Forum field trip to Sands Point Preserve. Credit: Sumayyah Uddin / NYSG

On October 9, 2025 state and local decision makers, municipal staff, and other interested parties working to address flooding, shoreline erosion and other coastal issues gathered at the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy in Sands Point, NY for the 3rd Annual Nassau County Coastal Resilience Forum. The Forum provided a chance to share information on best practices, discuss challenges, identify opportunities to increase resilience, and enhance coordination across communities. Forum attendees heard updates on State resilience initiatives from agencies like the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, as well as presentations on new resilience tools and resources from Seatuck Environmental Association, the U.S. Geological Survey, New York Sea Grant, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County, and Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District. In the afternoon, Forum attendees were given a guided tour of the recent expansions to the bluff stabilization project at the Preserve.

The event was hosted by Long Island Sound Partnership and New York Sea Grant, in partnership with the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy and Nassau and Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation Districts. 

This website contains New York City’s Federal Emergency Management Agency–mandated Hazard Mitigation Plan, which identifies natural hazard risks and vulnerabilities that are common to New York City (NYC) and long-term strategies for reducing them. It also features a Mitigation Actions Database and Map that tracks and records actions that are taken to mitigate risk from the hazards profiled in the Hazard Mitigation Plan.​

With support from the Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program, in December 2024 1653 Foundation was awarded $549,955 from the NYSDEC Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) Program to fund the Final design and implementation of habitat improvements and green infrastructure at Halesite Park, NY.

1653 Foundation Inc. will restore degrading shoreline at Halesite Park on the eastern shore of Huntington Harbor. The project will remove a failing seawall to expand shallow water habitat, install an offshore rock sill and oyster reef, and expand salt marsh vegetation, and upland plantings.

LIS Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program Details:

Grant Writing Consultant: DLB Planning, LLC.
Grant Writing Assistance Award: $9,900

With support from the Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance (GWA) Program, in December 2024 the Town of Old Saybrook was awarded $323,400 from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund to support the project: Planning to Restore Chalker and Chapman Beach Marshes and Mitigate Marsh-Associated Flooding (CT).

The project will conduct a feasibility analysis for restoring the degraded Chalker Beach Marsh and mitigate erosion of Cold Spring Brook marsh, examine potential residential neighborhood flood mitigation strategies and evaluate alternative concepts to restore the Cold Spring Brook marsh. Project will provide Chalker Beach marsh restoration plan and design alternatives, concept-level neighborhood-scale flood mitigation strategies and a concept-level Cold Spring Brook marsh erosion control/restoration practices.

LIS Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program Details:

Grant Writing Consultant: David Kozak
Grant Writing Assistance Award: $6,375

With support from the Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance (GWA) Program, in December 2023, North Shore Land Alliance was awarded $192,969 from the NYSDEC Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) Program to fund the implementation of green infrastructure at the North Shore Land Alliance Shore Road Sanctuary in Cold Spring Harbor, NY. The North Shore Land Alliance will install an upland infiltration system to reduce the volume and velocity of stormwater on a 40-acre parcel and replace invasive plants along the shoreline with a native plant community. The project will restore habitat and reduce the amount stormwater and pollutants entering Cold Spring Harbor and Long Island Sound.

LIS Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program Details:

Grant Writing Consultant: Nelson Pope & Voorhis
Grant Writing Assistance Award: $9,900

The Long Island Sound Study will host a series of public meetings to discuss and finalize the Stewardship Strategy. The Strategy aims to provide a framework in support of the 33 Stewardship Areas of the Initiative. The draft of the Strategy will be shared for public comment March 10 – May 9. View the Draft Strategy here. Comments can be submitted to Cayla Sullivan at Sullivan.Cayla@epa.gov.

The last meeting in the series will be held on June 4th 11 am – 1 pm and will summarize the input and ideas for advancing the Stewardship Strategy!

The Quinnipiac River Fund, a component fund of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, makes grants for projects designed to benefit the environmental quality of the Quinnipiac River, the New Haven Harbor, and surrounding watersheds.

The 2^nd Annual Learning Exchange will bring together current and new grant recipients to highlight completed projects benefiting the Long Island Sound estuary. Organizations will share their work, challenges, and successes via breakout sessions. Attendees will also have opportunities to participate in workshops, network, strengthen ties, and build community. This annual event aims to be a knowledge and tech share of projects within a collaborative framework.

The Target Audience includes:

• 2024 and 2025 Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund Subawardees

• Tribal Groups, Organizations, Institutions, and Municipalities located in Connecticut and New York focused on environmental projects in the Long Island Sound estuary
• Coastal conservation, restoration professionals, students, and early career professionals working in environmentally distressed communities

The National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) is a national program focused on reducing risks to coastal communities. The NCRF is now soliciting pre-proposals for projects that will create and/or restore natural systems in order to increase protection for communities from coastal hazards, such as storms, sea- and lake-level changes, inundation, and coastal erosion, while improving habitats for fish and wildlife species.

Use this fact sheet to learn about riparian buffers and how they can be a tool for filtering excess nutrients and sediment from runoff, reducing flood impacts, and providing habitat. Learn more about buffers using this fact sheet. Details include what buffers are, why they are important, best practice recommendations, and design considerations.

This grant opportunity is open to municipalities and non-governmental organizations interested in partnering with SCSWCD to implement a variety of projects focused on improving Suffolk County and its environment. These projects focus on revitalizing and protecting Long Islands ecosystems, waterbodies, ground water and habitats. The goal of this grant is to attract new partners to develop and implement innovative and sustainable solutions for environmental issues.

This factsheet summarizes the findings of a 2022 informal needs assessment of coastal Long Island Sound communities conducted by the Long Island Sound Study’s Sustainable & Resilient Communities (SRC) Working Group Extension Professionals Team. The goal of the needs assessment was to guide future SRC work and to understand: 1) which environmental threats communities are most concerned about, 2) what communities are already doing to address these threats (including their goals and priority projects), 3) what barriers are preventing actions, and 4) what support is needed to overcome those barriers. 

Connecticut shoreline data is now available via USDA’s Web Soil Survey mapping tool. This includes detailed aspects of the shallow subaqueous, submerged soils, and adjacent nearshore areas such as tidal marshes and beaches. This information will help inventory resources, plan for hazard mitigation, guide restoration efforts, and track environmental changes. The next phase of the project will map the New York side of the shoreline. See the Coastal Zone Soil Survey Fact Sheet to learn more about the process for collecting and documenting these data.

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team held our 2024 Annual Workshop virtually as three sessions over two days. Session topics focused on our assistance programs, new regional resilience resources and tools, and a discussion on planning for inundation and different considerations communities may face.

Session 2 – Resilience Tools was held on Tuesday, December 10th from 1:30-3:30 PM. Participants learned about new Resilience Tools being developed and used throughout coastal Long Island Sound.

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team held our 2024 Annual Workshop virtually as three sessions over two days. Session topics focused on our assistance programs, new regional resilience resources and tools, and a discussion on planning for inundation and different considerations communities may face.

Session 1 – SRC Resilience Assistance Programs was held on Tuesday, December 10th from 10-11:30 AM. Participants learned about our Sustainable and Resilient Communities resilience assistance programs and heard from communities who have successfully utilized them to advance resilience project plans, build capacity, and secure competitive grant funding!

2024 Nassau Coastal Resilience Forum field trip to Sands Point Preserve. Credit: NYSG

On October 28, 2024, state and local decision makers, municipal staff, and other interested parties working to address coastal issues gathered at the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy in Sands Point, NY for the 2nd Annual Nassau County Coastal Resilience Forum to identify opportunities to increase resilience, learn about best practices, and enhance coordination across communities. There were presentations on the Long Island Sound Resilience Resource Hub & Assistance Programs, NYSDEC Office of Climate Change updates, marsh conservation planning, bluff management and restoration, and nature-based solutions to increase shoreline resilience. There was also a guided walking tour of the resilience projects at Sands Point Preserve.

The event is hosted by Long Island Sound Study and New York Sea Grant, in partnership with the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy and Nassau and Suffolk Soil and Water Conservation Districts.   

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team is excited to announce that for our 2024 Annual Workshop we are holding a series of virtual sessions over two days focused on our assistance programs, new regional resilience resources and tools, and a discussion on planning for inundation and different considerations communities may face.

Session 3 – Planning for Inundation 

Join us on Wednesday, December 11th from 10 AM-12 PM to hear from communities and regional entities that are considering different aspects of planning for inundation, including buyout programs, land use policies, and community perspectives on retreat/relocation.

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team is excited to announce that for our 2024 Annual Workshop we are holding a series of virtual sessions over two days focused on our assistance programs, new regional resilience resources and tools, and a discussion on planning for inundation and different considerations communities may face.

Session 2 – Resilience Tools

Join us on Tuesday, December 10th from 1:30-3:30 PM to learn about new Resilience Tools being developed and used throughout coastal Long Island Sound!

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team is excited to announce that for our 2024 Annual Workshop we are holding a series of virtual sessions over two days focused on our assistance programs, new regional resilience resources and tools, and a discussion on planning for inundation and different considerations communities may face.

Session 1 – SRC Resilience Assistance Programs

Join us on Tuesday, December 10th from 10-11:30 AM to learn about our Sustainable and Resilient Communities resilience assistance programs and hear from communities who have successfully utilized them to advance resilience project plans, build capacity, and/or secure competitive grant funding!

On October 29, 2024, state and local decision makers, municipal staff, and other interested parties working to address coastal issues gathered at the Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp in Riverhead, NY to identify opportunities to increase resilience, learn about best practices, and enhance coordination across communities. There were presentations on the Long Island Sound Resilience Resource Hub, NYSDEC Climate Office updates, marsh conservation planning, bluff management and restoration, and nature-based solutions to increase shoreline resilience. There was also a field trip to Iron Pier Beach/Maidstone Landing to view and learn about a community bluff restoration project.

This event was hosted by Long Island Sound Study and New York Sea Grant, in partnership with Nassau and Suffolk Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Nassau CCE, and Maidstone Landing. 

The permitting process for shoreline modification projects is complex and it can be daunting to know where to begin. Check out New York Sea Grant’s NEW Guide to Permitting Shoreline Modification Projects in New York’s Tidal Waters for an overview of the process informed by federal, state, and local perspectives. It is intended for permit applicants using the New York State Joint Application for shoreline construction or modification, ranging from major to minor projects such as construction of floating docks, installing natural and nature-based features, bulkhead repair, development near a wetland, dredging, and invasive species removal.

Awards small grants in support of grassroots efforts and community-based environmental work in New England. The Grassroots Fund utilizes participatory grantmaking to move resources to New England grassroots groups working at the intersections of Environmental Justice. The program is geared toward groups who have some experience implementing a project in their community. Grants support groups to deepen their work by further developing a community vision, lowering barriers to participation, identifying new stakeholders, and working to bring more voices and lived experiences into core decision-making processes.

The NCRF is a national program with the goal of enhancing protection for coastal communities from the impacts of storms, floods, and other natural coastal hazards and to improve habitats for fish and wildlife. This year, NFWF will award approximately $140 million in grants for the planning, design, and implementation of natural and nature-based solutions.

New York Sea Grant and Connecticut Sea Grant are providing grant preparation and writing capacity to New York and Connecticut communities that are pursuing funding for sustainability and resilience-focused projects. This technical assistance program helps municipalities and community organizations develop successful grant proposals and develop capacity for navigating the funding landscape. 

The Nature Conservancy in New York is pleased to announce the sixth round of the Climate Resilience Grant Program (CRGP). The goal of the program is to support New York’s conservation community in protecting the lands and waters that contribute to New York’s resilience to climate change for the benefit of people and nature. Funding is available to land trusts and other conservation organizations, academic institutions, Tribal Nations, municipalities, and local agencies. Projects funded in the previous round can be found here.   

To better understand how Connecticut’s coastal area marshes and roads may respond to sea level rise (SLR), Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) was applied to Connecticut’s shoreline by Warren Pinnacle Consulting, Inc. This viewer displays the model’s results for Connecticut’s 21 largest marshes and all coastal area roads. For marshes, SLAMM was run two hundred times using alternative model inputs for key model parameters, including various SLR scenarios, to produce probability based results of likely future marsh conditions. For roads, the model uses a single SLR scenario of about 4.2 feet by 2100 from the base year of 2002. The Sea Level Rise Effects on Roads and Marshes projects is a project between CT DEEP and UConn CLEAR.

The NYS Department of State (NYSDOS) is soliciting applications from eligible villages, towns, cities located along New York’s coasts or designated inland waterways, counties, or regional planning councils to advance the preparation or implementation of strategies for community and waterfront revitalization through the following grant categories: Preparing or Updating a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), including Updating an LWRP to be More Resilient to Climate Risks; Preparing an LWRP Component, including a Watershed Management Plan; Implementing an LWRP or a completed LWRP Component.

The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant program was established in 2016 to provide grants to cities, towns, villages, and counties of the State of New York for eligible climate change mitigation, adaptation, and planning and assessment projects. Funds are available for two broad project categories – implementation and certification. The first project category supports implementation projects related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (mainly outside the power sector), climate change adaptation, and engineering feasibility studies for flood mitigation and Hydrofluorocarbons. The second supports planning and assessment projects aligned with Climate Smart Communities certification actions.

Part C funding provides direct financial and staff support to conservation projects throughout Nassau County. Projects must meet one or more of the follow criteria in Nassau County:

1. Conserve or improve soils
2. Improve water quality of our groundwater and/or surface water
3. Control and prevent soil erosion and/or prevent floodwater and sediment damages
4. Conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water
5. Preserve, increase, or improve natural resources including trees and plants
6. Control or eliminate invasive plants or wildlife
7. Control and abate NPS water pollution
8. Preserve wildlife

NYSDEC’s Trees for Tribs is a statewide program that works to reforest NY’s tributaries and create or improve riparian buffers that decrease erosion, reduce flooding damage, improve wildlife and stream habitat, and protect water quality.

The EPOC Grant Program provides non-profit and not-for-profit environmental advocacy groups, community based groups and environmental education organizations funding for local projects that benefit the environment.

The Connecticut Society for Women Environmental Professionals Grant Program provides funding for local projects in Connecticut that benefit the environment. Grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded. Any application meeting the grant guidelines that is not successful in one cycle may reapply during any following cycle. The applications will be judged based on the environmental benefits of each project, in comparison to others. “Environmental benefits” can vary widely and successful applications have ranged from property clean-ups to environmental education.

Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund is an innovative program that provides fast, flexible funding and support for engaging your community on wide-ranging sustainability projects. Eligible projects receive dollar-for-dollar matching funds from Sustainable CT.

Awards small grants in support of grassroots efforts and community-based environmental work in New England. The Grassroots Fund utilizes participatory grantmaking to move resources to New England grassroots groups working at the intersections of Environmental Justice. The program is geared toward groups who have some experience implementing a project in their community. Grants support groups to deepen their work by further developing a community vision, lowering barriers to participation, identifying new stakeholders, and working to bring more voices and lived experiences into core decision-making processes.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is launching a pilot program to fully fund small water resources projects for economically disadvantaged communities (based on the federal definition of disadvantaged communities (PDF)). This program was directed by Section 165 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020. : Project proposals under this pilot program are for projects under the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP). Under CAP, the Corps can plan, design, and implement certain types of water resources projects without additional project specific congressional authorization. The purpose of the CAP is to plan and implement projects of limited size, cost, scope, and complexity. While CAP projects typically require a costshare with a non-Federal sponsor, this pilot program will fully fund the selected projects.

NOAA is seeking proposals for transformational projects that will restore coastal habitat and strengthen community resilience under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

This funding will prioritize habitat restoration actions that rebuild productive and sustainable fisheries, contribute to the recovery and conservation of threatened and endangered species, use natural infrastructure to reduce damage from flooding and storms, promote resilient ecosystems and communities, and yield socioeconomic benefits. This funding opportunity will invest in projects that have the greatest potential to provide holistic benefits, through habitat-based approaches that strengthen both ecosystem and community resilience.

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) is seeking proposals to restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound (Sound). The program is managed by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS). Major funding is from EPA through the LISS with additional funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Zoetis Foundation.

This grant program supports efforts to test innovative approaches to conservation, deliver transformative projects, and support people and communities who value the sound and take a direct role in its future. Projects should advance implementation of the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan 2020-2024 Update (CCMP). The Futures Fund invests in projects under three CCMP themes: 1) Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds; 2) Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife; 3) Sustainable and Resilient Communities. 

With support from the Nature Conservancy and Sustainable CT, East Haddam organized a Community Resilience Building process and workshop, the results of which were compiled into this summary. The team engaged with community members to determine the present hazards and vulnerabilities and identify resilient solutions.

In partnership with Sands Point Preserve Conservancy, an innovative cliff face stabilization system, engineered by Long Island based company Coastal Technologies Corp (CTC), was deployed as a pilot on Oct. 30th, 2022 at a steep & loose coastal moraine bluff located at The Sands Point Preserve, NY. The pilot project was designed to test the efficacy of this system to secure and stabilize sediment under constant erosive pressure preventing vegetation from taking hold. This bluff was selected due to its very high rate of stormwater & aeolian erosion. American beach grass, bayberry, beach plum & rose plugs, all protected from erosive forces, have thrived. Slope erosion was prevented by the devices, and all plants were successfully held against the slope, exactly as designed.

The Maidstone Landing Association, situated between Town of Riverhead Iron Pier Beach and Hallock State Park, wanted to take action to mitigate erosion of their bluff. First they worked with Town of Riverhead to put up signage and fencing to stop beachgoers from climbing and driving on or near the bluff, which was causing significant destruction. Next they opted for a small-scale, nature-based approach to help stabilize the bluff. They purchased snow fencing from Home Depot and native beachgrass from Long Island Natives. They engaged Riverhead Charter High School to help with putting up the snow fencing and the plantings. The Maidstone Landing Association is using their bluff as an “outdoor classroom” to teach students and the public about the importance of conserving our coastal habitats and best practices.

The Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee and Village of Sea Cliff completed subwatershed improvements at Scudders Pond to address stormwater drainage problems impacting the water quality of the pond and Hempstead Harbor, highlighted as a priority in the 1998 Hempstead Harbor Water Quality Improvement Plan. The improvements included dredging the pond, installing a hydrodynamic separator to intercept sediment, removing invasive Phragmites australis and replacing with native plants, realigning the stream to reduce erosion, redirecting the stormwater from residences to the bioswale, creation of a biofilter wetland area, replacement of the weir between the upper and lower ponds and weir at Shore Road.

This project consists of 750 feet of shoreline in Stratford, CT. The goal of the project was to protect the beach from coastal erosion and to help combat sea level rise. The steps consisted of adding a smooth cordgrass marsh, artificial shellfish reefs (reef balls), high marsh, and a coastal dune area. The site was awarded the “Best Restored Shore Area” from the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association. To adaptively manage the site, a second restoration project is being developed to extend the marsh seaward by 0.35 acres over an additional 250 feet of shore using a combination of bagged slipper shell and small, modular oyster castles near the marsh edge, along with additional cordgrass plantings in the intertidal zone.

Project Lead:

Sacred Heart University

The purpose of this project was to mitigate 450 ft of coastal erosion on the Long Island Sound. A part of Crab Creek was moved further inland, thus allowing for beach and dune migration over time. New rock sills, plants, and sand sills were also positioned along the shore.

This Story Map was developed to provide an overview of the Westchester County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) to facilitate county-wide access to the plan. The Westchester County HMP was developed to provide a roadmap to resilience by identifying hazards affecting the county and its communities.

This document developed in support of the NYS Community Risk and Resiliency Act 1) Describes natural resilience measures and how they can be used to mitigate the risks of flooding and erosion, 2) Provides definitions for different types of natural resilience measures and distinguishes among conserved, restored, nature-based and hard structural approaches, 3) Provides information on the value and benefits of using natural resilience measures, along with information on the co-benefits they provide, 4) Lists key factors to consider in the restoration, design and construction of natural resilience measures, and 5) Provides background to support the development of NYS agency guidance on natural resilience measures in the future

This fact sheet is intended to assist landowners in understanding the various shoreline management options and considerations for their shoreline.

The purpose of this fact sheet is to assist landowners in identifying and understanding the primary causes and processes responsible for erosion.

Suffolk County and the local governments within Suffolk County developed a FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation Plan, which documents risks from natural hazards and strategies to mitigate hazards.

The Connecticut Shoreline Change Project analyzes how the Connecticut shoreline has changed between the late 1800’s and 2006 through loss (erosion) and gain (accretion) over time.

An overview of the processes that cause bluff erosion and how to mitigate erosion.

The primary goal of this guide is to help communities identify and engage the staff and resources that can be used to implement nature-based solutions to build resilience to natural hazards, which may be exacerbated by climate change.

Connecticut-specific site with maps, data, and visualization tools. Contains: Blue Plan, MS4 Viewer, CT Parcel Viewer, Sea Level Rise Effects on Roads & Marshes, CT DEEP Fish Community Data – Inland Waters, CT Aquaculture Mapping Atlas, CT Coastal Hazards Viewer, Carbon Stock & Land Cover Viewer

A centralized source of information for municipal officials, coastal property owners, state coastal managers, and the general public on coastal hazards in Connecticut.

This story map examines the coastal processes and hazards of Long Island and provides options for sustainable and resilient shoreline management. Information is useful for coastal managers, planners and coastal property owners.

The Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model, or SLAMM, uses digital data and other information to simulate potential impacts of long-term sea level rise on wetlands and shorelines. Additional data related to dike locations or other protected areas, accretion rates, erosion rates, and other factors can be included within the model as optional factors. Requires ArcGIS for viewing outputs in a mapping environment and software, such as Microsoft Excel and Word, to view the text and tabular output.

The Nassau County Hazard Mitigation Plan was developed through a year-long interactive planning process in close coordination with stakeholders. The process included identifying the hazards of concern within the County, assessing those hazards, estimating risk, and developing a strategy to mitigate risk to these hazards throughout the County.

MyCoast NY collects and catalogs photos provided by volunteers that document changing water levels, shorelines, and hazardous weather impacts across New York’s varied coasts and water bodies. Photos are linked to real-time environmental conditions to create flooding and storm impact reports that help stakeholders like government agencies, business owners, and residents understand our changing environment and make informed decisions.

New York Sea Grant (NYSG) created a new “Protecting Coastal Bluffs of Long Island” Sign (pdf) that is available for municipalities, community groups, homeowner associations and property owners to print and install next to your bluff. NYSG has created a post card version of “Protecting Coastal Bluffs of Long Island” (pdf) available for distribution.

This guide gives community leaders five main strategies to carry out Nature-Based Solution projects: 1) Building Strong Partnerships, 2) Engaging the Whole Community, 3) Matching Project Size with Desired Goals and Benefits, 4) Maximizing Benefits, and 5) Designing for the Future. This is not a technical guide for planning, constructing, or funding NBS. It covers the value of each strategy and suggests how to move forward with NBS projects.

Website (also available as a PDF) to help coastal property owners evaluate threats to beaches and dunes and consider potential solutions. It includes background information on dune systems, and how to identify shoreline erosion.

A guide listing the trees, shrubs, grasses, sedges, reeds and herbaceous plants best for the banks of rivers, streams or other bodies of water (a companion to: A Planting Guide for Riparian Sites Along the Connecticut Coast)

Aimed at municipalities, this website provides workshop materials and legal issue fact sheets on topics relating to climate adaptation, including living shorelines, flooding, liability, shoreline boundaries, and more.

The second annual Long Island Sound Bi-State Sustainable and Resilient Communities Workshop brought together nearly 200 people virtually on Dec. 7, 2023 to learn about a new Long Island Sound Resilience Resource Hub (launching in early 2024), hear from communities and groups around the Sound working on resilience planning, and consider pathways for updating codes and ordinances. Videos of the workshop’s six sessions are available on YouTube. They can be accessed below along with supporting documents.

In this Coastal Resiliency Network webinar, Samantha Klein, Environmental Analyst for the Town of East Hampton, discusses her experience in paving the way to a more resilient East Hampton with the development of their CARP (Coastal Assessment Resiliency Plan). She focuses on lessons learned, funding, and providing guidance on how to get started creating your own CARP. The Coastal Resilience Network, led by the New York State Association of Conservation Commissions (NYSACC) with assistance from NY Sea Grant, is a collaborative open forum for communities in coastal Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties to discuss and learn about opportunities to increase their resilience to sea level rise, flooding, and extreme events.

In this Coastal Resiliency Network webinar Suzette Lopane with Westchester County and Marian Russo with the Village of Patchogue spoke about two exciting living shoreline projects. The Coastal Resilience Network, led by the New York State Association of Conservation Commissions (NYSACC) with assistance from NY Sea Grant, is a collaborative open forum for communities in coastal Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties to discuss and learn about opportunities to increase their resilience to sea level rise, flooding, and extreme events.

The first annual Long Island Sound Bi-State Sustainable and Resilient Communities Workshop brought together more than 260 people virtually on Dec. 1, 2022 to learn about opportunities to increase the resilience of the Sound’s communities to climate change and other environmental threats. Interactive sessions included opportunities to learn more about the SRC Extension Professionals’ needs assessment findings and recommendations, the newly released Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program, and tips for success with Long Island Sound funding opportunities. Concurrent breakout sessions highlighted the work of partners related to shoreline planning and implementation, using green infrastructure for stormwater management, sustainable climate planning for relocation, and new sustainability/resilience tools available in both New York and Connecticut. Videos of the workshop’s six sessions are available on YouTube. They can be accessed below along with supporting documents.

This online information session held Sept. 19, and repeated Sept. 21, provides an introduction to resilience planning in the Long Island Sound region. It includes discussions on local climate impacts and projections, resilience planning strategies, and climate certification programs for both New York and Connecticut municipalities. In addition to the main presentation, videos of the Connecticut and New York breakout sessions can be accessed below. The presentations and other resource materials are available here.

Held at Port Jefferson Village Center in Suffolk County on May 10, 2023, this forum brought together state and local decision makers and other stakeholders, working to address coastal erosion along the Long Island Sound shoreline. Panelists highlighted strategies and options to address coastal erosion, discussed the Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas Program, local codes, updated New York State sea level rise projections and more. During small group discussions, attendees discussed challenges and identified opportunities to increase resilience, all in an effort to enhance coordination across communities. This forum was hosted by New York Sea Grant and Long Island Sound Study, in partnership with Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District and Suffolk County Legislators Sarah Anker, Stephanie Bontempi, Kara Hahn, and Al Krupski.

Held at Locust Valley Library in Nassau County on May 4, 2023, this forum brought together state and local decision makers and other stakeholders, working to address coastal erosion along the Long Island Sound shoreline. Panelists highlighted strategies and options to address coastal erosion, discussed the Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas Program, local codes, updated New York State sea level rise projections and more. During small group discussions, attendees discussed challenges and identified opportunities to increase resilience, all in an effort to enhance coordination across communities. This forum was hosted by New York Sea Grant and Long Island Sound Study, in partnership with Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District.