water monitoring is the silent backbone of aquatic health, keeping nearly 2 million gallons of water perfectly balanced for all these animals to live and thrive in. 

this short video takes viewers inside the environmental quality lab, where experienced staff — audrae, chelsea, emily, and intern kate — help collect and analyze more than 50,000 data points annually. because conditions can shift rapidly, even minor imbalances in water quality can impact animal health. that’s why mystic’s team tests the water daily — drop by drop.

the water management operation is a mix of closed-loop and open-loop systems that allow water to be recirculated, treated, and reused efficiently, while also ensuring that anything discharged back into the open ocean is clean, safe, and fully approved by connecticut’s department of energy & environmental protection (deep). 

from backwashing filters to saltwater made “in house,” this video sheds light on a department that works behind the scenes, but makes all the difference. without their meticulous work, the habitats we all enjoy as visitors would not be the same. because when it comes to caring for ocean life, water isn’t just the backdrop, it’s everything. 

the planet forward mystic aquarium fellowship program was made possible with support by michael lech, david freeman, and the berl brechner fund.

this short video, created by planet forward mystic aquarium fellow dre pedemonte, follows the restoration of the dodge paddock beal preserve in stonington after decades of flooding and environmental stress, while also looking to the thriving ecosystem at nearby barn island as a model for what’s possible when conservation and community come together. with the support of mystic aquarium’s conservation and education team and local partners, the film shows how saltwater marsh stewardship is rooted in science, collaboration, and care for the future.

through interviews with experts, sweeping shots of tidal landscapes, and grounded storytelling, this video reveals marshes as more than scenic — as frontline defenders against sea-level rise. marshes are among earth’s most productive ecosystems, and coastal wetlands like saltwater marshes sequester carbon at rates often exceeding terrestrial forests. by storing carbon in waterlogged soils, they act as natural “carbon sinks” that slow atmospheric carbon dioxide accumulation.

more than a story of two places, “a tale of two marshes” reflects on the choices communities face in a changing climate — how to repair, how to protect, and how to imagine a sustainable future at the water’s edge.

editor’s note: coverage of water stories is made possible, in part, by the walton family foundation.  the editorial content is determined by planet forward staff and students. we thank the walton family foundation for their continued support.

as a planet forward mystic aquarium fellow, one of my favorite places to visit was the milne ocean science and conservation center’s rehabilitation unit. there, aquatic creatures call this space a temporary home while receiving world-class care and attention.

throughout the summer, i had the pleasure of meeting a wide variety of animals being looked after by the teams at mystic. the milne center also housed our intern office, where my co-fellow and i spent time editing stories between field shoots. for me personally, the rehabilitation space became a quiet place of both curiosity and wonder.

one section of the building is dedicated to newly arrived animals quarantining before joining one of their new mystic homes. 

hidden in plain sight

it was on one special tuesday that i wandered into the room and noticed what looked like an empty habitat — just crystal clear water and fine white sand.

i thought, “is there even anything in here?”

just as my impatience almost made me walk away, a tiny stalk-like creature popped out. at first, i saw only their heads — a pale greenish color with big black-and-yellow eyes. then i noticed others joining the staring contest. some hovered close to the sand’s surface, while others stretched a little farther. slowly, they revealed long, thin bodies covered in delicate black spots.

i was mesmerized. once my eyes adjusted, i realized more than 20 were peeking out at once. 

tiny eels are important for reef systems

a quick chat with the fish and invertebrate team confirmed what i was witnessing: a new colony of spotted garden eels. i was told this species was known for being very skittish, so i stood still to get the best look of them.

native to the sandy slopes of the indo-pacific, spotted garden eels (heteroconger hassi) offer a fascinating glimpse into reef system resilience. they’re known for their distinct burrowing behavior — and, in my professional media intern opinion, they’re just adorable.

naturally, i grabbed my camera and tried to capture the quiet magic of this moment. i thought their unusual look would make for a great video story highlighting the importance of these tiny reef animals.

in the video above, you’ll find zany close-up footage along with five fast facts about this small but mighty species.

the planet forward mystic aquarium fellowship program was made possible with support by michael lech, david freeman, and the berl brechner fund.

the morning was soaked in the blistering sun. families were gathered across the motts run reservoir park in fredericksburg, virgina. — some are learning how to use a fishing rod for the first time, and others are excited to get into bright red and yellow kayaks. children squealed as volunteers from the virginia department of wildlife resources hooked sticky and wiggly worms onto their rods. one seven-year-old boy caught a small blue catfish on his second try. parents stationed in the parking lot called for them to slather on thick sunscreen, however even the beaming sun could not hold them back from the day.

it was a saturday morning. community members gathered around abel olivo, the executive director of defensores de la cuenca, a nonprofit also known as “watershed defenders.” he and his team had a special mission that day: to bring people to the water. the event, which was called dìa de pesca familiar, or family fishing day in english, took place where the water glistened under the heat. 

defensores de la cuenca — also known as defensores — focuses on connecting latinos and spanish-speakers through shared experiences within the chesapeake bay watershed. a latino-led organization co-founded in 2020 by olivo and herlindo morales, defensores’ programming highlights the intersection of culture, environmentalism, and latino communities across the district of columbia, maryland, and virginia.

“i wanted to create an environmental organization that really hit on something i thought was missing and that is the investment in the [latino] community,” olivo said. “my focus is to concentrate on those opportunities to enhance and build community level capacity so folks can address issues in their own lives.”

defensores is one of the many community organizations across the bay that prioritizes minority voices, but they are one of the few organizations in the area that specifically focuses on latino communities.

“we chose the word ‘watershed’ [cuenca] because it was a concept to try and understand that you don’t have to live near a body of water to have an impact on that body of water.”

abel olivo

the chesapeake bay is the largest estuary in the united states extending over 200 miles across six states: virginia, maryland, delaware, new york, pennsylvania, and west virginia. 

also known as the chesapeake bay watershed, the geographical region can be defined as a “land area that channels rainfall and snowmelt to creeks, streams, and rivers, and eventually to outflow points such as reservoirs, bays, and the ocean,” according to the national oceanic and atmospheric administration. 

the vast nature of the bay encompasses a landscape inhabiting over 3,000 species of flora and fauna, with the atlantic oyster and blue crab recognized as some of the most iconic species. the bay’s biodiversity expands across vibrant communities rich in culture, family, heritage within the mid-atlantic region. 

after a 12-year career lobbying for environmental advocacy on capitol hill, olivo reflected on how he wanted to do something different. a former stay-at-home dad for four years, olivo looked to create a new outlet for latino voices to learn and grow through his nonprofit. 

his passion for the environment led him to create a tree planting ambassadorship program, environmental focused youth groups, and an adult watershed education academy. he and his team believe through this they can foster a stronger relationship between latino communities and the watershed that surrounds them. 

for many families, an event like día de pesca familiar marks the first time they have ever been on the water together. however, the charge behind defensores’ programming is not only to sprout memories of fun in the sun, but inspire a blossoming branch of an eco-conscious and diverse community — latino-focused stewardship in the chesapeake bay.

“i think that historically speaking, we as a community as latinos, latinx, latinas have been left out of new opportunities,” olivo said. 

he believes in the community’s ability to become greater environmental stewards of the watershed, transitioning to not only be “recreational participants but also as people who can contribute and also lead others to do the same.”

members from defensores shared that linguistic isolation, funding opportunities, and watershed accessibility are some of the stark barriers standing in the way of latino communities’ involvement in watershed restoration and advocacy. 

by creating these unique spaces for learning and action, olivo and his staff of eight are teaching a neglected demographic how to combat environmental injustices and champion for a cleaner, more accessible chesapeake bay. 

translating resources

the majority of community members involved with defensores do not speak english fluently. and a greater majority do not prioritize environmental work in their professional or day-to-day lives, said johanna guadardo, programs coordinator for defensores. 

“one super important conflict is the language access barrier. a lot of the stuff that we need is not translated into spanish. so, people can’t access those resources,” guadardo said.  

a former member of the chesapeake conservation corps, guardado is now planning monthly outreach events with the nonprofit including river trash cleanups, community gardening, and a city tree keeper program. however, the issue of communicating environmental resources is a greater obstacle. according to her, english to spanish translations are hard to come by, especially accurate ones. 

“for example, we see that a lot in baltimore city,” guadardo said. “to become a tree keeper you need to do workshops and training and it is all in english, nothing is in spanish. so even if the community wanted to be tree keepers, there is no way because you need to know that language.” 

when it comes to translating environmental work into spanish, defensores utilizes interpretive programming and multilingual instructors to host workshops for community members. 

at a july event in st. michaels, maryland, they translated instructions during a water monitoring lesson taught by shorerivers, a nonprofit based in easton, maryland.

there, participants with defensores learned three methods of manual water testing throughout the day.

suzanne sullivan, director of education for shorerivers, reflected on the importance of diversity within environmental education and outreach. she was one of the three instructors at the workshop. 

“making sure that our organizations hire and have diverse representation goes so far in bringing other communities into our work and us being introduced to their work. so i definitely think making sure our work reflects the communities that we serve goes such a far way,” she said.

both organizations worked closely together to translate the activity in english and spanish. olivo later reflected that highlighting inclusion, language, and fun were central to engaging community members.

“if people don’t feel like they can go and participate and understand, then why even bother? language is a really basic factor that is inhibiting participation.”

abel olivo

according to the national park service, over eight percent of the 18 million residents across the chesapeake bay watershed are of hispanic or latino descent.

outreach events, like water monitoring with shorerivers, are fundamental for olivo to carry out his mission of reaching this population. however, funding for transportation, food, and event programming is expensive.

navigating funding and grant opportunities

types of grants vary across the chesapeake bay region from education to watershed restoration and assistance. 

according to jake solyst, a web content specialist for the chesapeake bay program, organizations like defensores are perfect for grants that prioritize community-oriented progress.

“from the chesapeake bay program’s perspective, it is all about finding those local community groups and giving them the resources they need to do their work, because it all aligns,” he said. 

according to olivo, successful grant applications are often only made possible by having access to higher education and consistent exposure to larger organizations.

“because these [grants] are competitive, all the [reviewers] can make their decisions on is with what’s on paper,” national park service chesapeake gateways director of partnerships and grants eddie gonzalez said. 

in addition to possible networking limitations, completed grant applications sometimes don’t align with what reviewers seek. 

in recent years, over $668,000 of chesapeake gateways’ funding has been awarded to latino organizations, gonzalez said.

without organizations like defensores de la cuenca, “then there isn’t anybody out there speaking for those [latino] communities and speaking for their needs,” gonzalez said. “and it is hard for us and it is somewhat not the right place for us to be defining those needs for those communities.”

the heart behind community organizations

with the increase of resources supporting latino-led organizations, latino stewardship is looking as vast as the bay’s horizon. 

although there are many more events to plan and grants to apply to, the current guiding defensores is shaped by one goal: to challenge latino communities to engage meaningfully with the watershed, and hopefully the chesapeake bay as a whole.

on that hot saturday, as dìa de pesca familiar wrapped up, children pleaded with their parents not to leave. although fishing rods were being put away and canoes were slowly taken out of the water, families cheered for olivo and his team.

ice cold lemonade, sweet sticky donuts, and hearty apples laid on picnic tables as the event came to an end. a small raffle also took place where three lucky participants won a brand-new fishing rod to take home and maybe continue practicing what they learned on the water. 

while the reservoir is a small pocket of nature when compared to the large size of the watershed as a whole, it represents a space for defensores to do what they do best. by gathering members of the community, they are not only bringing people closer together, but closer to what connects the spirit of the chesapeake bay region — to the water.

editor’s note: coverage of water stories is made possible, in part, by the walton family foundation.  the editorial content is determined by planet forward staff and students. we thank the walton family foundation for their continued support.

as a planet forward mystic aquarium fellow, my summer has been spent alongside the teams working to protect ocean ecosystems — from early morning seal releases to editing story drafts by night.

along the way, co-fellow ceci sécola and i’ve been learning how to translate science and data into clear, compelling stories that inspire action. below, i’ve chosen to highlight four days that capture the rhythm, heart and mission of this fellowship.

testing tuesday

we spent the day with mystic aquarium’s research team at the university of connecticut–avery point campus. overlooking the long island sound, the labs hum with quiet focus and salty air.

we shadowed research scientists tracy romano, laura thompson, susan smith, and danielle lavoie. together, they create a dynamic team pushing the bounds of marine biological research. they also helped fact-check much of the science in our summer stories. from analyzing african penguin guano to measuring hormone levels in beluga whales, their work underscores the value of mystic’s animal ambassadors. each animal represented data, discovery, and deep care for its species.

one highlight was meeting the bright students in the national science foundation’s research experience for undergraduates (reu) program. watching them in action reminded me how this kind of work builds the foundation for the conservation wins we do see. getting to meet this cohort of future scientists was a professional and personal delight for me.

working wednesday

our morning kicked off with the videography team. senior video producer elana deslandes-murphy and tom shaw of vantage productions welcomed us on set. they were filming a promotional shoot for mystic’s new educational california sea lion show. watching them capture the energy between victoria shaw, senior trainer in the marine theater, and their lovely sea lions taught me a lot about shot angles — and patience.

that afternoon, we regrouped for an intern seminar focused on ocean education outreach. we swapped stories and brainstormed new project ideas. later, we edited footage and refined our story pitches. these midweek check-ins are where creativity meets caffeine — or, on good days, a frozen del’s lemonade. a true new england staple.

teamwork thursday

our day began super early with our first zooops meeting. held before the aquarium opens promptly at 9 a.m., this monthly huddle brings together all animal care departments. big picture updates, gentle reminders, and collaborative energy filled the room. ceci and i also presented our first batch of fellowship videos. the experience was was both nerve-wracking and energizing.

the day continued at the milne center for ocean science and conservation, where we joined mystic’s education and conservation team. each thursday, we help run outreach programming with campers, and this time we tagged along on a field trip to bluff point state park. there, kids learned about invasive species, tried crabbing and casting, and waded through lessons that hit close to home.

fabulous friday

we ended the week with the animal rescue and veterinary teams — and it may have been one of the most unforgettable days of the summer.

at sunrise, we joined a gray seal release. watching a healthy, once-stranded seal shuffle back into the waves is emotional every time. it’s the kind of moment that collapses months of care into seconds of movement.

later, we shadowed senior veterinarian molly martony on her rounds. from harbor seals to rainbow boas, the diversity of patients kept us on our toes. we even joined a check-up on an anderson’s crocodile newt.  i also saw the biggest frog i’ve ever seen: an african bull frog with the presence of a bouncer and the calm of a monk.

just as we were wrapping up, the day took a turn. an urgent call came in: a risso’s dolphin had stranded in jamestown, rhode island. we joined martony, veterinary technician erica palmer, and the animal rescue team as they quickly responded. these emergencies don’t come with scripts. what i witnessed was instinct and preparation woven together. the team moved swiftly — with care, purpose, and coordination. it was a powerful reminder of what makes this place so special — not just the animals, but the people who show up for them, again and again. that’s the message ceci and i aimed to highlight throughout our fellowship stories.

closing thoughts

this week — like many at mystic — was shaped by conservation, teamwork, and a common goal. it showed me that storytelling is stronger when it’s rooted in responsibility. and that progress for the blue planet doesn’t just happen alone, but through shared purpose, consistent care, and the power of a team.

the planet forward mystic aquarium fellowship program was made possible with support by michael lech, david freeman, and the berl brechner fund.

join planet forward mystic aquarium fellows cecilia sécola & dre pedemonte on a walk through the aquarium as they explain the association of zoos and aquariums (or aza) species survival plan – a collaborative conservation initiative that aims to protect and preserve endangered species through coordinated breeding, education, and field support. 

mystic aquarium participates in various species survival plan programs, or ssp, including but not limited to those for california sea lions, sand tiger sharks, and african penguins. learn how each ssp is carefully managed through studbooks, genetic testing, and long-term research to ensure healthy, sustainable populations — both in human care and in the wild.

the species survival plan at the heart of mystic

at the center of this tour are the african penguins, whose program mystic has been supporting since its beginning in 1995. in addition to managing nesting and population health on site for a current colony of 34 penguins, the aquarium manages projects in south africa to supervise the well-being of the wild populations by means of conservation and research efforts.

these efforts are strengthened through mystic’s ongoing partnership with the southern african foundation for the conservation of coastal birds (sanccob), a registered nonprofit headquartered in cape town, south africa, which specializes in the rehabilitation and protection of coastal seabirds, including the endangered african penguin.

collaboration is critical

this collaboration is especially crucial now. as of october 2024, african penguins are officially classified as “critically endangered,” with wild populations continuing to decline at an alarming rate. primary threats to the species include overfishing, habitat degradation, oil spills, and climate change — all of which severely impact their ability to forage and breed successfully. faced with such urgent and complex challenges, no single institution can protect this species alone. conservation today depends on long-term, collective efforts across borders and organizations. 

research-supported and cooperative efforts like the species survival plan allow zoos and aquaria to play a critical role in safeguarding biodiversity of wildlife for generations to come.

if you’re interested in learning more about species survival plans, please visit aza’s webpage.

the planet forward mystic aquarium fellowship program was made possible with support by michael lech, david freeman, and the berl brechner fund.

according to the national oceanic and atmospheric administration, “the 10 warmest years in the historical record have all occurred in the past decade.”

from reporting on communities living through water scarcity in iraq to sea-level rise in egypt, author and climate security journalist peter schwartzstein has spent over a decade documenting how climate change fuels conflict, violence, and displacement. in this video interview, schwartzstein joins dre pedemonte to discuss his new book, the heat and the fury: on the frontlines of climate change, and explore the powerful link between ecological disruption and geopolitical instability.

amid this turmoil, schwartzstein and his book’s global anecdotes share how grassroots organizers and local communities are responding with growing strength and ingenuity. 

and together, we ask: is there hope — and how do we find it?