“Education is not the filling of a pail,
but the lighting of a fire.”

William Butler Yeats

SoundWaters believes that black lives matter. Since its founding in 1989, SoundWaters has been dedicated to protecting Long Island Sound through education, guided by relationships built on shared values and trust that include community, school, business, and political leaders. But we know that this is not enough. As an organization we know that we can do better and we must do better. We commit to listening, learning, and acting.

Distance Learning

May 1, 2020/by soundwaters

Trash Skimmer

October 24, 2019/by soundwaters

Camp Registration is OPEN!

December 12, 2018/by soundwaters

Get on the Water

June 27, 2017/by soundwaters
Why SoundWaters?

Because at SoundWaters we believe through education we can protect and preserve Long Island Sound. Every day, on land and at sea, we educate and inspire children from all backgrounds to understand, value and protect our precious resource of Long Island Sound.

When we engage children in rigorous and dynamic hands on science that connects them to the Sound in a meaningful way, their perspective will be forever changed and they will become better students and lifelong environmental stewards who actively protect Long Island Sound.

SoundWaters is the #1 choice of schools that study Long Island Sound.

It was amazing to watch the students experience Long Island Sound through math and science hands-on lessons. The lessons meet the specific academic needs of our students. However, the most amazing component of the program was watching students develop confidence, problem solving skills, and collaboration when learning to sail on Long Island Sound. This indeed was an experience these students will truly remember forever.

SoundWaters is easily one of the most meaningful experiences I provide to my students throughout the school year… I look at my students out on the water and I see a spark in their eyes when they make a real world connection with their classroom lessons, something they would not have experienced absent your generosity.

146 partners

We work with 146 schools and organizations across Long Island Sound

4 star

Charity Navigator Rating

100 % safety

Our commitment to safety is reflected in our record.

“There is no doubt that environmental education is one of the most effective ways to instill a passion for learning among students.”

Dr. Nicole Ardoin, Stanford University Graduate School of Education and Woods Institute for the Environment

What We Do

We speak for the Sound. Long Island Sound is at the core of everything we do; it’s our classroom and our playground. Whether we’re teaching science or sailing, inspiring rigorous learning or fun on the water, we foster deep awareness, understanding and appreciation among people of all ages for our greatest natural resource.

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Young Mariners STEM Academy students working on a group project.