Friday, June 13, 2025
The New York Department of State has announced the availability of $1.5 million in grants to protect, preserve, and restore the South Shore Estuary Reserve on Long Island. The funding, timed to coincide with World Oceans Month, supports the implementation of the recently adopted $3.5 million SSER Strategic Investment Plan.
Targeted to municipalities, nonprofits and academic institutions, the grants aim to improve shoreline resiliency, enhance water quality, and expand public access to water-based recreation.
Eligible projects include design and engineering of nature-based coastal resilience measures, stormwater and marine debris management, and infrastructure for activities like kayaking and paddleboarding. Grants also support educational and citizen science initiatives that raise environmental awareness and community engagement.
“The South Shore Estuary plays a vital role in the region’s environment and industry, and this funding will allow us to advance projects to improve water quality, protect wildlife habitats, and promote economic development in waterfront areas like the Village of Freeport,” State Sen. Siela Bynoe said in a news release.
The SSER program emphasizes the preservation and sustainable use of the estuary’s natural assets while fostering economic development and recreational access. The grants align with the goals of the South Shore Estuary Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan, last updated in 2022, which highlights shoreline resiliency as a core priority.
Covering 173-square-miles of Nassau and Suffolk counties’ southern shorelines, the SSER is home to more than 1.5 million people. It supports a wide range of habitats and species and underpins Long Island’s fishing, tourism, and recreation sectors.
The Reserve includes extensive parklands, beaches, and maritime access points, providing vital storm protection and environmental services for local communities.
This grant round is administered through the Consolidated Funding Application portal, which opens June 12. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on July 25. Awards start at $50,000 and do not require a local funding match.
“This funding opportunity will empower local governments, nonprofits, and academic institutions to take concrete steps toward cleaner water, stronger coastal resiliency, and expanded access to Long Island’s natural treasures,” Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages said in the release.
Established in 1993, the SSER Program is overseen by the Department of State and guided by the SSER Council, a collaborative body of local stakeholders and officials.
Funding is made possible through New York’s Environmental Protection Fund, which was expanded from $300 million to $400 million in 2022.
“Stakeholders have worked collaboratively to update a Comprehensive Management Plan creating a blueprint for restoration,” Adrienne Esposito, the Citizens Campaign for the Environment executive director said in the release. “We have solutions for a healthier, cleaner bay, now we can access funding. to move forward with meaningful projects.
