Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut, has announced the expansion of its national youth conservation initiative with community-based organizations in 28 states and Puerto Rico and on several Native American reservations. 

Working with the U.S. Department of Justice, Mystic Aquarium will invest more than $1.5 million through subawards averaging $30,000 in support of efforts at the local level. The subawards will cover local staff time, travel expenses, and all training, curricula, and supplies needed to successfully implement the program.

In addition, teen mentors from around the country will gather in a series of intensive summer workshops aimed at building their environmental leadership and advocacy skills. During the workshops, the teens will connect with the aquarium’s research and conservation efforts and engage in environmental stewardship projects such as planting marsh grass, removing invasive species, testing water quality, and monitoring populations of threatened animals. 

“Mystic Aquarium is a national leader in working with underserved youth and engaging them in conservation projects while empowering them to take action to protect and restore their local environment,” said Mystic Aquarium senior vice president for mission programs Katie Cubina. “We are celebrating our 10th year of implementing this program model, and it is core to how we think about the role of Mystic Aquarium, not only as a place people visit, but as a resource for addressing challenging environmental issues, including the inequity and injustice of how these issues, such as air and water quality, impact low-income communities and communities of color.”

(Photo Credit: Getty Images/damircudic)