Support The Cove
Your membership contribution to Alewife Cove Conservancy will help to promote programs that will protect and preserve Alewife Cove and its surrounding ecosystem. Donations will fund research studies, citizen science activities, and cleanup days. Additionally, educational and cultural programs will bring awareness to life in, on and around Alewife Cove.
Thank you for your dedication and support!
ACC Accomplishments in 2023
• Participated in The Annual EARTHFEST Environmental Fair
• Purchased more Enviroscapes Teaching Displays for schools to use in the region.
• Connedted with world renowned environmental artist WYLAND and helped dedicate his new Whale Wall in New London. (go here www.alewifecove.org to see dedication)
• Created a new ACC Education Committee
• Created a new Art in Alewife Cove Committee (coming in 2024)
• Held our First Annual ACC social at the Social in New London in April
• Had fun at the July 4th Flotilla on Alewife Cove
• Helped with the elimination of invasive plant species growing around Alewife Cove
• Supported the community after the unfortunate egret incidence that happened in July in Alewife Cove
• Participated in the Annual New London Cup Paddle Board Race at Ocean Beach in August
• Connected with UCONN Sea Grant & Connecticut College Arboretum & NESS
• Alewife Cove was pictured on the full cover of the new book CONNECTICUT SANDY SHORES
• ACC received four front page articles in The Day this past fall.
• Coordinated with Steve Fagin of The Day and TV Show EXPLORE NEW ENGLAND for a segment to be shown February 2024 on NESN on kayaking on Alewife Cove
• Awarded young Jack Perch with the first ever ACC Outstanding Citizens Award for his part in organizing a vigil to honor the egret that was killed in an act of cruelty in Alewife Cove.
• Held a fabulous ACC annual fundraiser in November at Ocean Beach with 400+ in attendance and raising $15,000 for ACC (save November 9, 2024, for next year’s fundraiser)
• Perhaps the biggest accomplishments for ACC in 2023 was the news that through the City of New London with the help of the Town of Waterford we were awarded a Long Island Sound Futures Fund Grant of $399,864 with a match from the City of New London of $125,000 for a total grant amount of $525,000 for the Study and Restoration of the Alewife Cove Watershed.
Dam Removal - Led by our Partners from Save The Sound (S.T.S.)
A priority of the Alewife Cove Conservancy and our partners is to restore the spawning of the alewife herring. The fish need to access these spawning waters from the Atlantic Ocean to Long Island Sound to Alewife Cove and ultimately to Fenger Brook. The alewife herring have been unable to access these waters due to the dam, which is now slated to be removed. It is important to note that there has been a reduction in the presence of other species as a result of the absence of the alewife. Namely, aquatic birds, such as the osprey, eagles, egrets, and predatory fish and mammals rely on the alewife herring as a food source.
Future Plans for Post-Hurricane Sandy Dredging
Following the devastating Super Storm Sandy, the Cove was left with tons of sand and silt from the Sound that was washed and blown into the estuary. The erosion of the dunes surrounding the Cove and the sand bars is now impeding the proper tidal flow of water into and out of the Cove on a daily basis.
We are seeking support from individuals, government sources, private partners, and environmental groups to plan and finance the necessary dredging of Alewife Cove.
A Major Development: Save The Sound Receives $100,000 Grant
The non-profit organization, Save The Sound, has received a $100,000 grant from the State of Connecticut to remove two dams in Southeastern Connecticut. One of the projects will be to dismantle the dam on the north side of Alewife Cove, which will help enable the return of alewife herring to the Cove. The Alewife Cove Conservancy (ACC) is working with Save The Sound throughout this endeavor. The ACC is grateful for the efforts of STS, which will benefit the residents, visitors, and ecosystem of this vital area for years to come.
Volunteer Alewife Monitoring Training
On March 15th at the Ocean Beach classroom we conducted our 2019 season Alewife Cove volunteer monitoring training. Click here to view a slideshow of the training. For more information, email restoration@savethesound.org.