Stratford Students Hired To Work At Marsh Restoration Project

STRATFORD, CT — (From Town of Stratford): As a result of a grant from the National Audubon Society, the town is hiring 12 local high school students to work at the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge in Stratford as part of the Great Meadows Restoration Project.

The purpose of the project is to restore habitat, increase species diversity, and increase the diversity of future conservation professionals. The students’ work will be conducted between March 28 and June 11 under the direction of Audubon Connecticut. Later in the project there will be a variety of volunteer opportunities for all age groups.

“We are proud to assist the Great Meadows Marsh Restoration Project by hiring high school students from Stratford High and Bunnell to get hands-on experience doing the important conservation work, learn about the career field, and possibly even to cultivate their interest in becoming conservation professionals one day,” Mayor Laura R. Hoydick said. “My thanks go out to the National Audubon Society and Audubon Connecticut for creating this work opportunity and to our high school administrators who helped to select the students for the job.”

Town of Stratford Conservation Superintendent Kelly Kerrigan also spoke about the importance of the work to be done and the opportunity for the young people.

“Great Meadows is the largest unditched salt marsh in Connecticut and a designated Important Bird Area of Global Priority – right here in Stratford,” Kerrigan said. “This youth stewardship program is a fantastic opportunity for our local youth to engage with this significant restoration project and work across multiple partner organizations, with specific thanks to our partners at Audubon Connecticut. This program will serve to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, while providing a positive impact directly in our community.”

The National Audubon Society’s $24,000 grant funding to the Town of Stratford came through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.