Restore America’s Estuaries Announces Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund 2026 Awardees

Contact: Shahela Begum, Program Director, Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (RAE), sbegum@estuaries.org

June 3, 2026 – Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) is pleased to announce the 2026 awardees for the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF), a partnership with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Long Island Sound Partnership. Projects for this year’s round of funding address a wide range of environmental issues in the Long Island Sound, focusing on actions highlighted in the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan around the four themes of: Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds; Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife; Sustainable and Resilient Communities; Informed and Engaged Public. Awardees seek to achieve economic and health benefits for the Long Island Sound, as well as increase public access to waterfronts.

In LISCIF’s third round of funding, 57 Letters of Interest were received from organizations in New York and Connecticut, requesting $4,807,421.24. Following recommendations from the review committee, 40 applicants submitted Full Proposals, requesting a total amount of $3,371.018.76. LISCIF has $1,200,000 to distribute for the 2026 round of funding, with Restore America’s Estuaries selecting 15 awardees from various organizations, Tribal Nations, institutions, and municipalities based on a project’s ability to address challenges faced by environmentally distressed communities within the geographic scope of the Long Island Sound estuary.

The following are the 2026 awardees:

1. African American Society #024
2. Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed
3. City as Living Laboratory
4. Collective Oyster Recycling & Restoration
5. Energy Justice Law and Policy Center
6. Environmental Leaders of Color
7. Friends of Brookside Farm Museum
8. Harbor Watch, a Program of Earthplace
9. Hutchinson River Restoration Project
10. Khalipha
11. Metoac Indigenous Collective
12. Mill River Wetland Committee
13. Trust for Public Land
14. University Settlement Society of New York
15. Ward Melville Heritage Organization

“A healthy Long Island Sound is vital to its communities, economies, and ecosystems, said Leah O’Neill, Acting Director, EPA Long Island Sound Office and the Long Island Sound Partnership. “EPA is pleased to support these projects to address local environmental health impacts, improve water quality in the Sound and increase communities’ access to this treasured resource.”

Restore America’s Estuaries is also excited to announce the next round for Request for Applications (RFA) on September 1, 2026, for another $1,200,000. “RAE is looking forward to a continued collaboration with EPA and the Long Island Sound Partnership to support high-impact projects in the Long Island Sound watershed – resulting in healthier, stronger, and economically thriving communities,” said Daniel Hayden, President and CEO of Restore America’s Estuaries.

Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American is the first pillar of EPA’s strategic plan. By working with communities and LISCIF awardees, funds are utilized to support projects in communities throughout the region, creating capacity through jobs and skills development. RAE guides applicants throughout the grant cycle and ultimately, aims for long-term success in their mission/goals for the Long Island Sound region.

LISICF projects are selected based on their ability to improve the Long Island Sound and to address environmental concerns within the region, providing healthy and safe waters for the millions who recreate, fish, work, or live along the shores of the Sound. These funds are used to support local communities by investing in jobs and training that contribute to a stronger and more resilient Long Island Sound.

For more information on LISCIF funding or upcoming events, please visit http://www.estuaries.org/liscif or direct questions by email to sbegum@estuaries.org.