Life on Niantic Bay Beach

Someone once wrote, "Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.” This idea aptly fits Jim Gallagher, the “Guardian of the Niantic Beach”. Since 2016, Jim, a retired U.S. Navy civilian oceanographer, has monitored the beach sand and grass plantings at Niantic Bay Beach. In addition, because he wanted to increase public awareness and appreciation for the beach, he has organized the production and distribution of a series of brochures on the topic “The Living Ecosystems of Niantic Beaches”.

At the Cini Park entrance to the Boardwalk, Jim also constructed a receptacle so that visitors could easily take copies of the brochures. When this receptacle is back up, we urge everyone to take copies to read and to share with others.

In July, 2018, this article reported on the many people who helped to bring these pamphlets to the public.

East Lyme Public Trust Foundation to distribute Educational Pamphlets on

The Living Ecosystems of Niantic Beaches

June M. Hoye

Oceanographers, Grant Writers, Educators, Designers, and Publicists-all members of the ELPTF- combined their talents to develop, with the Sponsorship of UCONN Sea Grant, new Educational Pamphlets that the Foundation will be making available to improve the public’s understanding and protection of the Ecosystems living on our shores.

Every summer more than 100,000 individuals visit the Niantic Bay beaches between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Additionally, at least this many individuals utilize the 1.1 mile boardwalk along Niantic Bay year-round. The Foundation wants to help these individuals develop a greater connection to the environment as they frequent the Niantic Bay Boardwalk, the local Niantic beaches, and the waters of Niantic Bay.

This project was conceived by James Gallagher, a retired Oceanographer who began work on developing the educational pamphlets in August of 2017. He has said, “I want to provide education about key elements of the local beach environment to hopefully increase conservation, knowledge, and interest in the local ecosystem.” Mr. Gallagher and Ann Chekal, a grant writer, worked together to produce a grant proposal which was submitted to UCONN Sea Grant. In February of 2018, Sea Grant awarded the Foundation a grant of approx. $1600.

Bill Rinoski, a retired science teacher, was the author of the pamphlet on Sea Shells. He not only provided the text to describe each shell, but also provided examples of the shells to the designer who produced photos for the brochure.

Dr. Juliana Barrett, of UCONN Sea Grant, authored the pamphlet on Beach Plants of Niantic. Dr. Jamie Vaudrey, of the UCONN Marine Sciences Department, wrote the pamphlet on Seaweed.

Ted Norris, owner of Pamlico, a marketing and branding firm for the marine and fishing industries, did the design and arranged for the printing. Because of his expertise, the Foundation has been able to increase the number of brochures that will be distributed from 3,000 to 15,000. Mr. Norris has said, “I knew my company could help with this project because of our skill set. We were able to arrange for a high quality product at a reduced cost, enabling us to increase the number of people we could reach.”

All the distribution sites will be near the Niantic Bay Boardwalk. Posters will mark the locations of pamphlet distribution boxes at Hole in the Wall, McCook bathhouse, Cini Park, E.L. Town Hall, E.L. Parks and Recreation Dept., E.L. High School, Niantic Center School, and the Children’s Museum.

Desiring to keep this information available for the long term, the Foundation has had the pamphlets and posters imprinted with a QR Code, directing the reader to the Foundation website. This feature will enable individuals to have the information on their phones or devices without taking a pamphlet. The complete pamphlets will also be posted on the E.L.P.T.F. website in the Education section. http://publictrustfoundation.org/education-research/

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