99130_QLF_TSC Cover.qxp:Layout 1 3/22/10 9:35 AM Page 2 QUEBEC-LABRADOR FOUNDATION Atlantic Center for the Environment 1995-2009 The Sounds Conservancy 99130_QLF_TSC Cover.qxp:Layout 1 3/22/10 9:35 AM Page 3 ... QLF MISSION STATEMENT QLF exists to support the rural communities and environment of eastern Canada and New England and to create models for stewardship of natural resources and cultural heritage that can be applied worldwide. ... 99130_QLF TSC_81.qxp:Layout 1 4/22/10 8:19 AM Page 1 QUEBEC-LABRADOR FOUNDATION TABLE OF CONTENTS The Ven. Robert A. Bryan Letter From The President . 2 Founding Chairman Lawrence B. Morris Acknowledgements . 3 President The Sounds Conservancy . 4 Elizabeth Alling Executive Vice President The Quebec-Labrador Foundation . 5 Managing Director Rivers and Watersheds . 7 Henry Hatch Tim Marshall Bays and Estuaries . 15 Writers Coastal Marshes . 27 Adrianne Brand Constance de Brun Intertidal Zone . 35 Writers Sounds Conservancy Publication (2000) Subtidal Zone . 41 Agnes Simon Education . 49 Editor Christopher O’Book Species Conservation . 61 Kevin Porter Photography Editors Marine Legislation . 77 Quebec-Labrador Foundation Appendix– Atlantic Center for the Environment 55 South Main Street Grantees Listed by Sound . 82 Ipswich, Massachusetts 01938 Grantees Listed by Subject . 89 Phone 978.356.0038 Fax 978.356.7322 Grantees Listed by Year . 93 ......... 1 Glossary of Terminology . 105 QLF Canada 505, Boul René Lévesque Ouest References: Photography and Illustration . 109 Bureau 901 Montréal, Québec H2Z 1Y7 Canada Phone 514.395.6020 Fax 514.395.4505 Cover Photograph: Looking toward Rhode Island Sound from the Aquinnah Cliffs at the western end of Vineyard Sound, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts www.QLF.org Photograph by Candace Cochrane ......... Inside Cover Photograph: Boardwalks along the coast preserve ecosystems © 2010 Quebec-Labrador Foundation and make the Sounds accessible to the public. Photograph by Candace Cochrane Hird Graphic Design Back Cover Photograph: Western tip of Vineyard Sound, Martha’s Vineyard, RAM Printing Massachusetts Photograph by Candace Cochrane 10 Back Inside Photograph: Intertidal zone along the Sounds Photograph by Candace Cochrane 1995–2009 15TH ANNIVERSARY The Sounds Conservancy | QUEBEC-LABRADOR FOUNDATION 99130_QLF TSC_81.qxp:Layout 1 4/22/10 8:19 AM Page 2 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT It is hard to believe that The Sounds Conservancy has been part of Quebec-Labrador Foundation/Atlantic Center for the Environment (QLF) well over a decade. When its Founder, Chris Percy, and I sat down in the early 1990s to discuss the idea of his organization joining forces with QLF,never did we dream that it would grow to what it has become today. The four Sounds Conservancy endowment funds now total collectively $1 million and of that, a small percent- age is disbursed in annual installments through The Sounds Conservancy Grants Program. On an average, the program provides 40 grants each year. Now, there are hundreds of budding young marine scientists, educators, policy specialists, and environmental journalists who have been helped along in their career quest. One of the earliest grantees, Helen Hays, is in her 42nd year working to conserve the Common Tern and Roseate Tern nesting on Great Gull Island off the Connecticut coast. After four decades, Helen’s work is the definition of longitudinal research. She spends her “off island” months on the staff at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Helen has lately been using Sounds Conservancy support to develop wildlife stewardship exchanges—in Argentina and Brazil—between North and South America, the tern migration route. The Sounds Conservancy Program, like others at QLF,is connecting conservationists in our home region with those in regions far distant. I want to thank all those who have helped us along the way to keep Chris Percy’s dream alive. Through indi- vidual assistance, family foundations, corporate support, and program sponsorships, The Sounds Conservancy continues to expand its efforts. Each November, former Directors of The Sounds Conservancy meet to learn the latest news about the program’s accomplishments. Any organization would be fortunate to have had such dedicated leadership. I suspect Chris knew that these men and women would continue their personal involvement long after QLF took over the man- agement of The Sounds Conservancy. And they certainly have. I acknowledge them here: Mr. W.Campbell Hudson Mr. Chester W.Kitchings, Jr. Mr. Kenneth O. Kitchings Dr. G. C. Matthiessen Ms. Penelope C. Sharp 2 Mr. Prentice K. Stout At this 50th Anniversary of the Quebec-Labrador Foundation and as part of The Half Century Campaign, I am pleased to announce the establishment of The Christopher Percy Fund for Marine Conservation, a fitting living memorial to the commitment and vision of the Founder of the Sounds Conservancy, who died in 2002. Congratulations to all for an important reference for all those interested in the health and future of the Sounds and in coastal and marine conservation. Larry Morris President 1995–2009 15TH ANNIVERSARY The Sounds Conservancy | QUEBEC-LABRADOR FOUNDATION 99130_QLF TSC_81.qxp:Layout 1 4/22/10 8:19 AM Page 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THIS PUBLICATION HONORS THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOUNDS CONSERVANCY with the Quebec- Labrador Foundation. The publication notes the research and accomplishments of Sounds Conservancy grantees over the last fifteen years, and is organized by subject representing their work: Rivers and Watersheds; Bays and Estuaries; Coastal Marshes; Intertidal Zone; Subtidal Zone; Education; and Marine Legislation. The Sounds Conservancy is a natural fit for QLF as it complements our historic work in community-based conservation. QLF believes that individuals make a difference and that is why we invest in our Alumni in our home region (New England and Atlantic Canada) and beyond. In this publication, you will read of the accomplishments of hundreds of grantees — now Alumni of the program. Each is making a difference in marine conservation, research, and education. ••• This publication represents the collective effort and commitment by QLF staff and Interns, and by funders of The Sounds Conservancy. I wish to acknowledge Henry Hatch and Tim Marshall for their thorough research and writing of this publication. A special thanks and acknowledgment to Henry Hatch for his tireless efforts to shepherd this project to its completion. We were fortunate to have Henry work with QLF over the past few summers. I appreciate his commitment to the program and his commitment to document 15 years of marine conservation, research, and education along the Sounds. I extend my gratitude to Adrianne Brand and Constance de Brun who as former QLF Interns wrote a publication to note the first five years of The Sounds Conservancy with the Quebec-Labrador Foundation. Their writing is incorporated in this pub- lication. A special recognition of Agnes Simon for her work as Editor of this publication. I am greatly appreciative of Agi Simon who succeeded in this task with grace and integrity. And with great appreciation to the publication’s Photography Editors, Chris O’Book, Kevin Porter, and Agi Simon for identifying and selecting the photographs and illustrations for the publication. A special thanks to Candace Cochrane, QLF Photographer and Senior Advisor, Culture and Heritage Programs, for her photographs of travels along the Sounds to document the program’s geography and research. With great appreciation and thanks to Greig Cranna, QLF’s Photojournalist and ornithologist, who has spent the better part of two decades documenting the work of Helen Hays of the American Museum of Natural History tracking Common and Roseate Terns on Great Gull Island off the coast of Niantic Connecticut, and Punta Rasa, Argentina. Greig Cranna’s photographs of Great Gull Island and Punta Rasa are in this publication. With thanks to Kevin Porter, QLF Webmaster, for his design of The Sounds Conservancy pages on the QLF website, and Stephen Engle, QLF Director of Community and GIS Mapping, who has mapped the work of each Sounds Conservancy grantee over the past 15 years on www.QLF.org 3 And with continued appreciation to Debbie Hird for her gifted, artistic vision and graphic design so apparent in all the work she does for QLF. And with thanks to our printer, RAM Printing (New Hampshire), one of the first in New England to purchase Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper and print products that contribute to the conservation and responsible manage- ment of forests. And finally, I am deeply grateful to the funders of this publication who share our belief in the intrinsic value of the archival docu- mentation of marine conservation, research, and environmental education along the Sounds. This publication is made possible with the generous support of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Chester Kitchings Family Foundation, and the donors of The Sounds Conservancy. None of this would be possible without you. With heartfelt appreciation to one and all, Elizabeth Alling Executive Vice President 1995–2009 15TH ANNIVERSARY The Sounds Conservancy | QUEBEC-LABRADOR FOUNDATION 99130_QLF TSC_81.qxp:Layout 1 4/22/10 8:19 AM Page 4 THE SOUNDS CONSERVANCY THE SOUNDS CONSERVANCY was founded by Chris Percy in 1984. An ardent environmentalist, Chris Percy was committed to the conservation of the estuaries and coastal waters of the six Sounds of southern New England and New York (from Long Island Sound to Nantucket Sound); and the protection of its marine ecosystems. Upon Chris Percy’s retirement in 1995, QLF assumed the assets of The Sounds Conservancy. At the time he remarked, “QLF is a natural fit for us. What we’ve done will continue to grow and prosper.” Chris Percy died suddenly and unexpectedly in 2002. In his honor, QLF remains steadfast in continuing Chris Percy’s vision, commitment, and dedication to the Chris Percy conservation and protection of the Sounds. To this end, The Sounds Conservancy directs a small grants program to fund marine research, advocacy, conservation, and education.