Leone and Miller protecting the Sound

To the editor,

At SoundWaters, we know that protecting our local environment takes many actions and many voices.

Last week, for example, at Cove Island, SoundWaters led more than 100 students from Scofield Magnet School in studying marine ecology. In the lab and out in the water, students were making hypotheses, taking water samples, analyzing data and learning how science works. By the end of this month, our team will have taught every sixth- grader in town, while also teaching local students from pre- K through high school: reaching more than 32,000 schoolchildren this year.

We rely many great partners to do this work — locally and at the state level. This fall, two of our state legislators led the charge to secure state funds for our new project: a Harbor Academy to be built in Boccuzzi Park, on the shores of Stamford Harbor. This new center will be a hub of student learning and community access. A huge shout out of thanks and recognition to state Sen. Carlo Leone and state Rep. Patricia Billie Miller.

In addition, both Sen. Leone and Rep. Miller secured funding for dredging Cove Island Marina. These legislative actions — from securing funding, to reducing sales tax on boats to legislation that reduces marine debris to promoting the teaching on Climate Change Education — are ways that Sen. Leone and Rep. Miller work, with SoundWaters, to protect Long Island Sound and make it more accessible and enjoyable for our entire community.

Being out on Long Island Sound is a joy, an opportunity to learn and grow, and one that should be accessible to everyone. Through their many legislative efforts, Sen. Leone and Rep. Miller have helped bring our community closer to the Sound — making Long Island Sound a part of all our lives.