Attention Town of Southampton Residents!

Photo by Kelly    : https://www.pexels.com/photo/residential-house-roofs-and-autumn-trees-between-roadways-5580644/

Public Hearing: We need your voice to protect trees in Southampton

The Southampton Town Board is holding a Public Hearing to consider a proposed ordinance to provide stronger protections for trees and other natural vegetation on residential and commercial lots in Southampton. We need your voice to speak out in support of this important ordinance (RES-2026-0324)!

Trees are among the most essential components of a healthy ecosystem, offering benefits such as improving water and air quality, protecting soil health, reducing flooding, providing habitat for wildlife, and sequestering carbon. When trees are removed, the landscapes that replace them often require significantly more water, increase flooding risks from stormwater runoff, destabilize soil, disrupt natural habitats, and create a much hotter climate. 

Maintaining a healthy tree canopy is a practical choice and a natural way to enhance the beautification of a community, preserve its character and provide a critical cooling effect for communities in the hot summer months. 

We strongly encourage all Town of Southampton community members to provide testimony or submit written comments at the public hearing in support of Land Disturbance Ordinance (RES-2026-0324). Thank you for using your voice!

Public Hearing Information:
Date:
Tuesday, March 24

Time:
6:00pm

Where:
Southampton Town Hall – Town Board Room*
116 Hampton Road, Southampton, NY

*Virtual Option also available via Zoom

Thank you for joining us!

Sincerely, 
All of Us at CCE

Lunch & Learn: Plastic Pollution

Join us for a free, virtual webinar on March 26th at 12pm to learn about the plastic pollution crisis facing Long Island’s beaches, bays, harbors, and estuaries. You’ll hear directly from local organizations working to clean up our beaches, waterways and coastlines! 

Plastics and other pollution such as fishing gear, scrap metal, rubber, and glass don’t break down in the environment. Instead, these materials accumulate in our oceans and bays, and wash ashore threatening our wildlife, degrading beaches and polluting marine ecosystems. 

Grassroots cleanup efforts are critical to combating this crisis and Operation SPLASH and Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) are leading the charge on Long Island! 

Come and learn answers to these questions and more: 

• How much plastic do they collect?  

• What items do they find most frequently? 

• Where is all this litter pollution coming from?  

• How can we stop it? 

Want to know how you can make a difference? Join our free virtual Plastic Pollution webinar:

DATE: Thursday, March 26

TIME: 12pm – 1pm 

WHERE: Via Zoom – register here

WHO:

• Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment

• Rob Weltner, President, Operation SPLASH

• Rob DiGiovanni, Chief Scientist & Founder, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society

Thank you for joining us!

Sincerely,
All of Us at CCE

Highlights and Happenings: February 2026

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. 
Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Pushing our 2026 New York State Priorities in Albany
Our full-time staff working in Albany participated in dozens of meetings with elected officials in recent weeks. In February, we were focused on key legislative and budget priorities, including, but not limited to: 

• NYS Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) - We are fighting for at least $425 million for the EPF, which protects our Great Lakes, Ocean, and estuaries, creates community parks, reduces waste, and much more. 

• Clean Water – We are pushing for at least $700 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act, which protects our water from its source to our taps—stopping sewage overflows into local water ways, replacing lead pipes, removing PFAS from drinking water, and much more. 

• PFAS Free NY – We are advocating to protect New York from PFAS “forever chemicals” by banning them in everyday products, including textile articles, rugs, fabric treatments, cookware, ski waxes, architectural paints, dental floss, and cleaning products. The use of PFAS in these products is unnecessary, contributes to harmful PFAS pollution, and threatens public health. The NYS Senate has passed the bill with strong bipartisan support; however, the NYS Assembly still needs to act. Email your NYS Assemblymember and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today and urge them to pass this important legislation! 

Victory! A federal judge has once again allowed Sunrise Wind to resume offshore wind construction.
Sunrise Wind, which will power 600,000 homes on Long Island via a cable connection to Holbrook, is back on and construction can continue. This offshore wind project is already about 45% complete, with dozens of turbine foundations installed. This marks the fifth court loss for the administration in its effort to stop offshore wind projects currently under construction along the East Coast, including Empire Wind 1 in NY and Revolution Wind in CT. While this is a major win, these projects will continue to face legal and political challenges and will need to keep defending themselves in court. Help us keep the pressure on, we encourage you to contact your elected officials and urge New York to stay the course on offshore wind. 

Fighting Federal Rollbacks of the Clean Air Act 
We are fighting back against the Federal Administration’s revocation of the EPA’s 2009 Endangerment Finding—a landmark ruling under the Clean Air Act that formally recognized greenhouse gases as a threat to public health and welfare. This is a significant setback in our nation’s efforts to combat climate change. Last month, we joined Congressman Tom Suozzi and our environmental partners in calling out the Trump Administration and standing up for the Endangerment Finding. Our Executive Director, Adrienne Esposito, joined fellow environmental leaders who spoke out against this decision and shed light on what this could mean for our future as climate change continues to impact New York and Connecticut communities. Check out our press statement here. 

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Happenings

Bringing Hydropower to NY 
We were excited to be invited on a tour to the Astoria Converter Station, which was built to receive clean hydropower from Canada to disperse the power to New Yorkers. The project, known as Champlain Hudson Power Express, is a transmission line that will be fully operational in spring of 2026. It will deliver 1250 MW of clean, renewable power into Astoria, Queens. The new substation is built on a formerly old, dirty fossil fuel site—transforming the site into a zero-emission facility complex! For more details, check out their website. 

Talking Clean Water Funding with the Finger Lakes Community 
CCE’s Associate Executive Director, Brian Smith, joined a community conversation hosted by the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network to discuss the latest issues related to clean water funding at the state and federal level. Check out a video of the presentation here. 

Waters to Peoples: Community Meeting 
We co-hosted an important community conversation focused on protecting the marine life of Long Island Sound. In partnership with The Metoac Indigenous Collective and Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, this event focused on the marine mammals and sea turtles found in our local waters and their cultural, ecological, and community significance. We spoke of the environmental challenges facing Long Island Sound and collaborative stewardship and ways the public can help protect these species. It was great to learn about Indigenous knowledge systems and tribal cultural practices, and how relationship-building between communities and scientists strengthens conservation efforts. Thanks to all who participated. 

Protecting Stony Brook Harbor 
Last month, we heard from the experts on how to protect and restore Stony Brook Harbor on the north shore of Long Island. We heard great presentations from Dr. Christopher Gobler of Stony Brook University’s SOMAS program and Dr. Carl Safina, and joined a panel after with our friends at Save the Sound and the Long Island Sound Partnership. We got the latest on the nitrogen pollution challenges facing the Harbor and the science-based efforts underway to improve water quality and help restore shellfish populations. Clean water starts with informed and engaged communities— thank you to all who showed and participated in this great event.

Environmental Roundtable with Senator Palumbo 
Last month, we attended New York State Senator Palumbo’s 6th annual Environmental Roundtable in Suffolk County. This annual meeting brings together the region’s elected officials, environmental advocates, and area stakeholders to discuss statewide and local concerns such as protecting the region’s drinking water, open space and farmland. We discussed our legislative priorities, including $700 million for clean water infrastructure. We also raised significant concerns with the proposed changes to our state’s comprehensive environmental review process. We look forward to working with our elected leaders on these important issues.  

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Upcoming: Clean Water and Septic Survey 
Beginning in mid-March, randomly selected single-family households, who reside within the Long Island Sound Watershed on the north shore of Long Island, will receive mailed letters to participate in an important research survey about clean water and septic systems. This research is being led by Dr. Jamie Vaudrey at the University of Connecticut. The goal of this study is to help local and state agencies better understand how homeowners maintain their septic systems and gather input on potential voluntary incentive programs to support upgrades that better protect our waterways. Only households that receive a mailed invitation letter should complete the survey. The survey takes about 15 minutes, participation is voluntary, and all responses are confidential. We strongly encourage you to participate as your response will help inform local and state decision-making around future clean water policies and programs. 

Urge Governor Hochul to Protect Clean Air and Healthy Communities, Not the Fossil Fuel Industry

New York State stepped up as a national leader when we passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in 2019—driving investment in clean, renewable energy, creating jobs, reducing our dependence on polluting, expensive fossil fuels, and protecting the safety of our most vulnerable communities. Regrettably, Governor Hochul is now signaling that she may roll back the state’s landmark law, which would put our families at risk to the rising cost of fossil fuels and increased air pollution in our communities. 

While the Trump administration gives the fossil fuel industry a free pass to emit toxins into our air, denies the scientific reality of climate change, and recklessly stops job-creating renewable energy projects in their tracks—we need New York State, under Governor Hochul’s leadership, to do better. Email Governor Hochul today and urge her NOT to weaken the CLCPA!

Background

The immense costs of our reliance on fossil fuels have never been clearer. Coal plants across the nation are increasing emissions of dangerous pollutants, including mercury, into our air. Greenhouse gas emissions are fueling extreme storms that threaten the safety of our coastal communities, from Lake Erie to the Atlantic Ocean. The events unfolding in the Middle East are causing the price of oil and gas to begin to spike—a clear demonstration of the extreme price volatility of fossil fuels. 

Meanwhile, the benefits of renewable energy have never been clearer. Power generation from wind and solar power create zero emissions—contributing to cleaner, healthier air in our communities. Wind and solar, coupled with battery storage, are the cheapest sources of new energy on the planet. The state of Texas, often known for oil, has invested heavily in renewables—a recent study found that wind and solar projects have saved Texas consumers over $30 billion since 2010. Importantly, renewable energy technologies are not influenced by geopolitical conflicts, in fact, they add stability to our energy costs.

The New York Independent Systems Operator (NYISO) recently released a report making clear that the rising cost of natural gas, coupled with increased energy demand from data centers and aging infrastructure, are responsible for the increased cost of electricity in New York State—not renewable energy! Blaming the CLCPA for increased energy costs in New York State is simply false.

We need your help to ensure that New York does not move backward. Email Governor Hochul today and urge her to support implementation of the CLCPA.

Thank you for taking action!

Sincerely,
All of Us at CCE

Clean Water and Septic System Survey

Attention North Shore Long Island Residents—Look Out for an Important Survey in the Mail!

Beginning in Mid-March, randomly selected single-family households, who reside within the Long Island Sound Watershed, will receive mailed Invitation letters to participate in an important research survey about clean water and septic systems.

This research is being led by Dr. Jamie Vaudrey at the University of Connecticut, in partnership with Clark University, under a grant from the Long Island Sound Partnership. 

The goal of this study is to help local and state agencies better understand how homeowners maintain their septic systems and gather input on potential voluntary incentive programs to support upgrades that better protect drinking water, as well as Long Island’s bays, beaches, and harbors. 

Because this research will conduct randomized sampling, only households that receive a mailed invitation letter should complete the survey. The survey takes about 15 minutes, participation is voluntary, and all responses are confidential. 

We strongly encourage you to participate as your response will help inform local and state decision-making around future clean water policies and programs. 

Thank you for using your voice!

Sincerely,

All of Us at CCE

Turn Off the Tap to Dangerous PFAS Chemicals Now!

New York State Must Ban PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Everyday Products

In recent years, communities across NY, CT, and the nation have discovered their drinking water sources are contaminated with harmful PFAS chemicals. PFAS are referred to as “forever chemicals” because they are very persistent, meaning they build up in our bodies and don’t break down in the environment. New science indicates that there is no safe level of exposure to PFAS in our drinking water and we must do more to protect public health from this growing threat.

In the 2026 NYS legislative session, the New York State legislature introduced legislation that would ban the use of PFAS chemicals in a host of everyday products—textile articles, rugs, fabric treatments, cookware, ski waxes, architectural paints, dental floss, and cleaning products. This bill targets products in common use for which there are ample alternatives, and in most cases, restrictions already exist in other states or countries. Connecticut and other states have already passed similar laws. The use of PFAS in these products is unnecessary, contributes to harmful PFAS pollution, and threatens public health. The NYS Senate has passed the bill with strong bipartisan support; however, the NYS Assembly still needs to act. Email your NYS Assemblymember and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today and urge them to pass this important legislation!

 Background

What is PFAS and where does it come from?
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products for many decades, due to their non-stick, grease-resistant and waterproof properties. PFAS is used in cookware, packaging, textiles, furniture, adhesives, paint, and numerous other products. According to the U.S. EPA, there are 3,500 industrial sites across New York State that may be handling or using PFAS chemicals.

PFAS Threatens our Health
Studies show that human exposure to PFAS is widespread—it’s estimated that 98% of people in the U.S. have PFAS compounds in their blood. Exposure to PFAS can lead to higher rates of kidney and testicular cancer, higher cholesterol levels, thyroid problems, adverse developmental effects and decreased immune response in children, and other adverse health impacts.

PFAS Pollutes our Environment and Drinking Water
Due to widespread use of PFAS chemicals in numerous products and industries, PFAS chemicals have become ubiquitous in the environment, including our soil, air, and drinking water. Testing has revealed some levels of PFAS in approximately 50% of public water systems across NYS, with about 250 water systems exceeding NY’s drinking water standards for two PFAS chemicals—PFOA and PFOS. EPA adopted stronger drinking water standards for several PFAS chemicals, which will cause an estimated 425 additional communities across NYS to exceed standards and have to treat drinking water for these harmful chemicals.

It’s Time to Turn Off the Tap to PFAS!
As we make important progress to remove PFAS from our drinking water, it does not make sense to continue using more PFAS and allow more contamination to occur! New York must get serious about limiting further PFAS contamination by banning unnecessary uses of PFAS in products. New York has already enacted laws to limit PFAS in firefighting foam, food packaging, carpets, and apparel; however, there are numerous other products that continue to use PFAS unnecessarily.

Thank you for taking action!

Sincerely, 
All of us at CCE

HELP PROTECT OUR LONG ISLAND SOUND

Congress Needs to Pass the Long Island Sound Restoration & Stewardship Reauthorization Act

As an Estuary of National Significance, the immense value of the Long Island Sound (LIS) cannot be overstated. Twenty million people live within 50 miles of the Sound’s beaches. Residents of New York and Connecticut depend on the Sound for recreational opportunities, including fishing, sailing, and swimming. LI Sound is a critical component to our regional economy, generating $8.25 billion annually.

Despite the Sound’s immense value, it has been degraded by pollution, toxic algae blooms, and other threats. However, we are making progress in the fight for clean water!  Funding provided by the Long Island Sound Restoration & Stewardship Act helps to advance restoration; however, problems persist. The Long Island Sound Restoration & Stewardship Act authorization expired in 2023—Congress must act immediately to reauthorize this critical legislation to maintain progress in restoring the health of the Long Island Sound.  Email your two U.S. Senators and representative in the U.S. today and urge them to support the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2025, which will provide up to $65 million annually through 2029.

Background

History of the Long Island Sound Restoration & Stewardship Act
In 1985, Congress created the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) to identify and address the major environmental problems affecting the Long Island Sound. The LISS is authorized at $40 million annually through the LIS Restoration Act. The LISS is a collaborative effort, which includes government agencies, not-for-profits, and individuals, all working to restore and protect the Sound and its watershed. Through the LISS, a bi-state Comprehensive Management Plan has been developed and is being implemented.

In 2006, Congress passed the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act, which is authorized at $25 million annually. This important legislation identifies key areas surrounding the Sound and provides funding for preservation and public access improvements.

These critically important acts were later combined to create the Long Island Sound Restoration & Stewardship Act, which provides up to $65 million annually in federal funding for LIS restoration. The Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act expired in 2023—it is critically important that Congress act now to reauthorize this important program!

Progress Has Been Made, but More Work Remains
Federal funding spurred progress in restoring the Sound:

• Restored 2,400 acres of coastal habitat within the Sound’s watershed. 

• Reduced nitrogen pollution by 60%, resulting in a 60% reduction in hypoxia (low levels of oxygen that cannot sustain marine life).

• Slashed stormwater pollution by 206 million gallons—significantly improving water quality and restoring marine habitats. 

• Created 450 miles of new fish passage—pods of dolphins can now be spotted in the Sound during summer months, which is another key indicator of progress!

Although progress has been made, more needs to be done. Hypoxia still persists in summer months, toxic algae blooms are found in harbors and bays, nitrogen from antiquated septic systems are polluting the Sound, and polluted stormwater runoff continues to contaminate the Sound and close beaches.

LIS Funding is in Jeopardy
The Long Island Sound Restoration & Stewardship Act authorization expired in 2023, putting future funding for critical programs to protect and restore the Sound in limbo. Reauthorization of the LIS Restoration & Stewardship Act is needed to provide adequate funding to continue programs needed to protect public health, our local economy, and quality of life.       

The Long Island Sound Restoration & Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2025, which would reauthorize the program at $65 million annually through 2029, is being considered in the House and Senate. Congress must pass this legislation immediately and fully fund the LIS program! 

Thank you for taking action!

Sincerely,
All of us at CCE

Lunch & Learn: PFAS and Produce on Long Island

Want to know more about the vegetables you may be eating? Get informed on emerging scientific research by joining our webinar on March 5th!

Join us for a free, virtual webinar on March 5th at 12pm to learn about the latest scientific findings from our collaborative study with Stony Brook University, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), and Citizens Campaign for the Environment. Together, we examined whether PFAS chemicals were detected in locally grown vegetables on Long Island and what these results could mean for our health.

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of toxic chemicals that have been used for decades by industry and for consumer products due to their non-stick, grease-resistant and waterproof properties.  Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS build up in our bodies and don’t readily break down in the environment. They are linked to many types of cancers, higher cholesterol levels, thyroid problems, developmental effects in children, and other serious health effects. 

While regulatory efforts have largely focused on drinking water standards and product bans, emerging research highlights the need to evaluate PFAS exposure throughout our local food supply.

Stay informed on this emerging scientific research by joining our free virtual webinar on March 5th!

PFAS and Produce on Long Island

DATE: Thursday, March 5, 2026

TIME: 12pm – 1pm 

WHERE: Via Zoom – register here

WHO:

• Kyla Bennet, PhD, JD, Director of Science Policy, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER)

• Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment

• Dr. Lokesh Padhye, Stony Brook University

• Dr. Steven Lasee, Lasee Research & Consulting

Thank you for joining us!

Sincerely,
All of Us at CCE

Stop-Work Orders Were Lifted, Once Again, on Empire and Sunrise Wind Farms

Thank Congressman Garbarino, Congressman LaLota, and Governor Hochul for Opposing the Trump Administration’s Halt on Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind! 

Now we need to ensure these projects are completed

In December, the Trump Administration abruptly halted construction on five offshore wind projects, including Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind.  Empire Wind is being built off the coast of Long Beach and will power 500,000 homes in NYC. Sunrise Wind is being built off the coast of Montauk and will power 600,000 Long Island homes. These projects are already under construction, creating significant investments in local communities and thousands of union jobs in support of the growing “wind-ustry” in NY. They will also allow us to transition off polluting fossil fuel plants and improve air quality in our communities. A federal judge has ruled to allow a temporary injunction blocking the stop-work orders on all five projects, including Empire and Sunrise Wind, but the fight is not over and the case is ongoing.

The first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in America, the South Fork Wind Farm, became fully operational in 2024. It is located 35 miles off East Hampton and generates enough power for 70,000 homes for the south fork of LI. It has not only been supplying consistent, clean power to South Fork homes, it has been performing better than expected!

Here in New York, we have seen how offshore wind benefits our environment, economy, and local communities. Representative Nick LaLota, Representative Andrew Garbarino, and Governor Kathy Hochul have stepped up in support of offshore wind and fought to reverse the Administration’s unjustifiable stop work order on these important offshore wind projects. We need to thank them and urge them to keep up the fight and ensure these projects are completed.

Email Governor Hochul & Representatives LaLota and Garbarino. Thank them for their support of the Sunrise and Empire Wind and urge them to keep up the fight to ensure these crucial projects move forward.

Thank you for taking action!

Sincerely,
All of us at CCE

Highlights and Happenings: January 2026

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. 
Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Pushing for our New York State Budget Priorities Our Executive Director, Adrienne Esposito, was in Albany several times in January to fight for our 2026 budget priorities and testify at the Environment and Energy Budget Hearing. We are pushing our state budget to include: 

• $700 million for clean water infrastructure, which will allow us to upgrade antiquated sewer and septic systems, replace lead pipes, remove emerging contaminants from drinking water, and more. 

• At least $425 million for the Environmental Protection Fund, including significant funding to protect our Ocean, Great Lakes and South Shore Estuary Reserve. 

• $1 Billion Sustainable Futures Program, which plays a critical role in reducing climate emissions and saving ratepayers money. 

• The Accelerated Solar for Affordable Power (ASAP) Act, which would significantly expand rooftop and community solar power and save ratepayers a billion dollars annually when fully implemented. 

Victory! New York and Connecticut Benefit from Federal Clean Water Funding 
The FY 2026 Federal Budget has been approved, and it includes good news for New York and Connecticut’s waters. The President’s original proposed budget included severe cuts to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), which funds construction and repair of sewage infrastructure, and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), which is used to upgrade drinking water infrastructure and ensure safe water at the tap. We have been pushing our Congressional leaders to fight back against these proposed cuts and thousands of NY and CT residents have reached out to their elected representatives in support of continued clean water funding. In the final budget, the CWSRF and DWSRF maintained funding from last year and avoided any cuts! In addition, the Great Lakes received a $1 million increase ($369 million for 2026) while Long Island Sound received a $500,000 increase ($40.5 million for 2026). These programs fund crucial efforts to restore and protect our vital water resources, and we thank our Congressional leaders in New York and Connecticut for fighting to ensure the SRFs, Great Lakes, and Long Island Sound receive robust funding this year. 

Educating the Next Generation of Stewards to Protect Long Island Sound! 
Great news this month! We received $100,000 in federal funding to continue our educational efforts on Long Island Sound protection. We will be working with the next generation of Long Island Sound stewards to empower communities to protect and restore this Estuary of National Significance. A huge thank you to Senator Schumer for securing this funding and for your continued work to protect the Sound! 

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Happenings

Updates on Our Work to Advance Offshore Wind: 

• Opposing the Trump Administration’s Stop Work Orders on Offshore Wind 
  In December, the Trump Administration decided to halt 5 offshore projects, including Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind in NYS, leaving thousands of workers without jobs just before the holidays. We joined Governor Hochul and our union partners for a massive rally in support of offshore wind and the good, local jobs it creates. We have also been urging our Congressional Leaders to oppose the stop work orders and support offshore wind. Thank you to Governor Hochul, U.S. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, and Congressional Representatives Garbarino, LaLota, Lawler, and Goldman for standing up for New York’s offshore wind projects! 

• Victory! A federal judge has allowed Empire Wind 1 to resume offshore wind construction. Empire Wind, which will power 500,000 homes in NYC, is back on and construction can continue. This is an exciting win for New York just days after Revolution Wind, an offshore wind project in CT, was granted a preliminary injunction allowing that project to also continue. This is a huge victory for offshore wind and clear sign that President Trump’s ill-advised stop work orders on these offshore wind projects is not legal and should not be allowed to prevent our emerging “wind-ustry” in New York. 

Fighting for Clean Water in Albany 
CCE, as the lead of the NY Clean Water Coalition, joined with our coalition partners as we hosted the 8th Annual Clean Water Legislative Forum in Albany last month. Governor Kathy Hochul and NY Senator Pete Harckham provided great opening remarks, followed by a discussion of urgent water quality challenges and solutions with elected officials and advocates from across New York State. The Clean Water Coalitions 2026 priorities include stopping PFAS pollution at its source (banning products that contain PFAS), replacing lead pipes, upgrading sewer and drinking water infrastructure, protecting source water, and more! 

Whale Tales and Real Facts 2026 
We hosted a fantastic virtual Lunch and Learn forum featuring presentations by whale experts who have decades of experience in tracking individual whales, conducting necropsies on deceased whales, and monitoring emerging threats to whales and other marine mammals. A huge thank you to our presenters: 

• Dr. Artie Kopelman, Co-Founder and President, Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island 

• Rob DiGiovanni, Founder and Chief Scientist, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society 

• Carl Lobue, New York Oceans Program Director, The Nature Conservancy 

Thank you to the 200+ people who joined and participated in a very informative Q & A. If you missed it, check out the video here.