Second ‘Minding the Planet’ Grant Awarded to Citizens Combating ‘Green Slime’

Friends of Casco Bay has received the second annual “Minding the Planet” grant from the YSI Foundation.

The group was awarded the full $10,000 grant for its Nitrogen Pollution Initiative. Friends of Casco Bay is a non-profit marine stewardship organization in South Portland, Maine, founded to improve and protect the environmental health of Casco Bay.

“At YSI, we are very proud of our support of the environmental causes that affect us and our planet’s natural resources,” noted Rick Omlor, YSI CEO and president. “Concerned citizens play their part, too, which is why we’re pleased to support the work of Friends of Casco Bay.”

Friends of Casco Bay has a hypothesis that nutrient overloading in the water is having a harmful effect on the Bay ecosystem. This has led to visible growth of slimy green algae smothering clamflats and an increase in the number of jellyfish. The organization plans to collect a large data set of nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, pH and chlorophyll levels at more than 30 sites around the Bay.

The data collection team, comprised of volunteers and professional staff, will provide this baseline data to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for further analysis and modeling. The group will also work with local citizens, businesses, and agencies--including at least three wastewater plants--to find ways to reduce nutrient discharge into Casco Bay.

“The health of Maine depends on the health of our marine waters,” stated Will Everitt, development director for Friends of Casco Bay. “Casco Bay has some of the largest clam and lobster landings in the State. It also has the busiest oil port on the East Coast, and its watershed is home to one quarter of the State’s population.”

Throughout the project, the group will use YSI data sondes to measure the changing water quality. While nutrients are necessary to support living organisms, what people need to realize is that “Too much of a good thing is a problem for the Bay,” continued Everitt. “We have an opportunity to stop the effects of nutrient pollution before it becomes irreversible.”

Source: YSI, Inc.