Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Environmental Curriculum Topics:
Water Quality and Long Island Sound

The DEEP Office of Education and Outreach offers a series of educator workshops throughout the year, with some that focus on water, watersheds and water quality. Go to the DEEP Calendar of Events and search using the key word "workshop", or call the DEEP’s Kellogg Environmental Center at (203) 734-2513.

Environmental CurriculaStudents canoeing on a pond.

Project WET
The DEEP is the state sponsor of Project WET, a national K-12 curriculum focused on water education issues. The curriculum guide provides numerous interactive, well-balanced activities. The curriculum guide is distributed at Project WET workshops. To schedule a workshop and receive the curriculum, please call the DEEP’s Kellogg Environmental Center at (203) 734-2513.

Project Wet Science Correlations

Project Aquatic WILD
The DEEP is the state sponsor of the Project Aquatic WILD, a national K-12 curriculum focused on examining environmental issues related to aquatic wildlife. The curriculum guide provides numerous interactive, well-balanced activities. The curriculum guide is distributed at Project Aquatic WILD workshops. To schedule a workshop and receive the curriculum, please call the DEEP’s Kellogg Environmental Center at (203) 734-2513.

Additional Resources

The following sites may be useful for teachers, educators and students studying water quality issues.

Information on Monitoring on Long Island Sound
Background information on how the DEEP collects monitors water quality in Long Island Sound.

Long Island Sound Summer Hypoxia Maps
Maps from 1991 to the present showing hypoxia levels in Long Island Sound during the summer.

Connecticut Coastal Access Guide
Use the guide to identify sites open to the public for boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and other outdoor activities.

Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education
The DEEP Fisheries Division sponsors free fishing classes, including in school programs. Classes discuss water quality and fish habitat as well as safe fishing techniques.

Long Island Sound Study - Facts Sheets and Other Resources
The DEEP partners with other agencies as part of the Long Island Sound Study. It has an informative website with fact sheets about Long Island Sound and a virtual tour of the Sound on the Teachers/Students page.

Linking Water Quality and Long Island Sound
to the Classroom Curriculum:
State of Connecticut Science Curriculum Framework

Water is important science topic in many grade levels, as identified by the State Science Curriculum Framework. As listed below, there are two suggested grade levels when students focus on watersheds and water quality. For more information, read the full version of the science curriculum framework.

Grade 4 - Water has a major role in shaping the Earth’s surface.

Grade 6 - Water moving across and through earth materials carries with it the products of human activities.

  • Most precipitation that falls on Connecticut eventually reaches Long Island Sound.
  • Explain the role of septic and sewage systems on the quality of surface and ground water.
  • Explain how human activity may impact water resources in Connecticut, such as ponds, rivers and the Long Island Sound ecosystem.
Content Last Updated October 2019