Crowdfunding campaign launched for North Cove habitat restoration in Old Saybrook

$8,924 crowdfunding goal to receive matching grant from Sustainable CT's Community Match Fund

Willimantic, CT (08/03/2020) — Friends of North Cove is working to protect and restore the habitat of North Cove and surrounding salt marshes, channels and tidal pools by removing invasive phragmites from these areas that serve as a natural habitat for birds and other wildlife to nest and feed. Organizers are calling on the community to join this initiative by donating to a crowdfunding campaign or volunteering in the effort. All community donations will be doubled by Sustainable CT's Community Match Fund, which is an innovative funding resource for public, community-led sustainability projects.

If the campaign reaches its $8,924.25 goal by its fundraising deadline of September 30, 2020, the project will receive a matching grant of $8,924.25 from Sustainable CT, an initiative of Eastern Connecticut State University's Institute for Sustainable Energy. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/friendsofnorthcove

"The work to protect and restore this vital habitat is so important in Old Saybrook and the region," say project organizers from Friends of North Cove. "Phragmites are an invasive plant that has grown to dominate the landscape in the salt marshes around North Cove. If left untouched, it will eventually choke out the native plants. These phragmites are spreading rapidly and will soon narrow the channels and tidal pools and make them impassable for birds and fish and other wildlife. They will virtually destroy this natural habitat for many species."

Penny Rezendes, president of Friends of North Cove, says, "Our goal is to protect and restore North Cove to its natural beauty and preserve it for generations to come."

The process began in March 2019 and is being funded in part through a grant from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County/Janvrin Fund, Town of Old Saybrook and generous community members. All work will be done under the direction and approval of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The process includes selectively treating and mowing the phragmites.

The crowdfunding effort stands to receive a matching grant from Sustainable CT, an initiative that inspires, supports and recognizes sustainability action by towns and cities statewide. Sustainable CT's Community Match Fund - supported by the Smart Seed Fund, Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation and the Connecticut Green Bank -provides a dollar-for-dollar match to donations raised from the community, doubling local investment in projects.

"Through the Community Match Fund, we aim to put residents at the forefront of creating positive, impactful change," said Abe Hilding-Salorio, community outreach manager for Sustainable CT. "Match Fund projects are community led and community funded, demonstrating the power of people working together to make change in their communities."

Media Contacts

Abe Hilding-Salorio
Community Outreach Manager
Sustainable CT
hildingsalorioa@easternct.edu
860-465-0256

Garith Fulham
Director of Communications
Friends of North Cove, Inc.
info@friendsofnorthcove.org
401-837-0412

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