By: Maya Ray, 2024 Long Island Sound Partnership Intern
Over the next year, the Aspetuck Land Trust, with $236,000 in support from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund, will plant 30 buffer plantings spanning over 6,300 square feet in Bridgeport, CT.
Bridgeport, the most populous city in the state, boasts 24 miles of Long Island Sound waterfront. However, extensive urban development has encroached on its natural wetlands, and the increase in paved surfaces has intensified stormwater runoff, leading to local flooding during heavy rainfall and storm surges. To address these issues, permanent vegetative buffers will be planted along the city’s waterways to prevent erosion, reduce flooding, and improve water quality. Buffers will feature native plants, such as goldenrod, juniper, and penstemon, which offer many advantages, including greater resilience and more biodiversity.
While buffers filter pollution from lands near waterways flowing to the Sound, they can also function as a tool for community outreach–providing an opportunity for individuals to join together and make Bridgeport greener.