Environmental Stewardship
Get Involved!
We welcome you to become a Mystic Aquarium Ocean Ambassador. You can view our Events Page to find out when we are hosting activities, and you can sign up for our monthly newsletter to learn more about our programs and how to get involved.
Environmental Stewardship Calendar
Environmental stewardship is the responsibility we all share to protect our natural environment though conservation and sustainable practices. Everyone whose actions positively affect the environment is an environmental steward. By taking care of our environment now, we ensure ecosystem resilience, human wellbeing, and preserve our natural resources for future generations.
In 2018, Mystic Aquarium launched a formal environmental program, Ocean Ambassadors. Since its launch, more than 250,000 people have participated in education, research, conservation, and policy initiates. Our program continues to grow, and in 2022, we engaged with over 60,000 people.
Mystic Aquarium provides many ways for people to get involved.
Each year, we host over 50 stewardship and conservation education opportunities throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island, including at least 10 cleanups that remove more than 1,000 lbs. of trash from local watershed areas.
More than 5,000 people participated as citizen scientists in the collection of environmental and water quality data that support local management plans.
We have trained over 400 people in amphibian monitoring protocols so they can collect information on amphibian populations and environmental and animal health.
We work to restore critical habitats along Long Island Sound by removing invasive plants and replanting with native species, including pollinator friendly areas.
We support policy and actions that protect habitats, reduce climate impacts, reduce single-use plastics, and support healthy ecosystems.
Through our Ocean Ambassadors program, we offer a variety of activities in which people can be involved. These projects fit into the following four themes: Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds, Thriving and Abundant Wildlife, Sustainable and Resilient Communities, and Sound Science and Inclusive Management. For each of these, citizen scientists work with Aquarium staff to collect data on the health of Long Island Sound and watershed regions and participate in restoration activities. We offer virtual and in-person offerings at a nominal or no cost, and the programs are designed to be inclusive, adaptable, and eliminate barriers that may prevent participation in environmental stewardship activities. Projects include:
Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds
- Marine debris removal events and data tracking
- Macroalgae surveys and water quality surveys of Stonington waters
- Partners – Clean Up Sounds and Harbors, CT DEEP, Save the Sound, Watch Hill Conservancy
Thriving and Abundant Wildlife
- Habitat restoration
- Horseshoe Crab population studies and aquaculture
- Amphibian population studies and chytrid sampling
- Shorebird monitoring
- Pollinator surveys
- Partners – Charles River Laboratories, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Rutgers University, Avalonia Land Conservancy, CT Audubon, Monarch Watch, CT DEEP, FrogWatch USA
Sustainable and Resilient Communities
- Public conservation events at Mystic Aquarium
- Virtual lecture series
- Connection to nature programs
- Environmental workshops and film series
- Partners – Town of Stonington, Science Friday, Green Planet Films
Sound Science and Inclusive Management - All environmental stewardship/citizen science programs collect environmental data through scientifically proven methods that is then submitted into local or national databases.
