Community Service Day Cleans Up Long Island Sound New Haven

Successful Community Service Day Cleans Up Long Island Sound
New Haven, CT – November 20, 2024 – A collaborative community service event, organized by the Africa Graduate Students Association (AGSA), the Green Chargers, and the Department of Biology and Environmental Science at the University of New Haven, in partnership with Greensphere Environmental and Community Development Initiative, resulted in the removal of approximately 66 kilograms of debris from the Long Island Sound at the Canal Dock Boathouse on November 19, 2024.
The four-hour cleanup initiative, which ran from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, drew 25 participants, including faculty, students, and community leaders. Notable attendees included Dr. Christian Conroy, Coordinator of Postgraduate Studies, Department of Biology and Environmental Science; Sarah Novarra, Lab/Outreach Manager at the Canal Dock Marine Science Center; Prince Alex Ehorutomwen, Graduate Student President and the director of program of Greensphere Initiative; Mr. David AGSA President; Damilola, AGSA Vice President; Agboro Harrison, Green Chargers President/ Greensphere Initiative and Adeyemi Abejoye, Chairman of the Planning Committee.
The event commenced with opening remarks from Dr. Conroy and participating organization leaders, followed by an informative lecture by Mr. Abejoye Adeyemi on the importance of marine cleanup and sustainable waste management. Participants then engaged in a hands-on cleanup effort, removing plastic bottles, damaged furniture, cigarette lighters, and other debris from the dock and surrounding areas.
The Long Island Sound, a vital marine ecosystem, provides essential habitat for numerous species and contributes approximately $5.5 billion annually to the regional economy. The cleanup aimed to protect this valuable resource from the detrimental effects of marine pollution.