Our
Mission
Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program has been 'giving back to the bays' since 1985. As regional leaders in coastal and marine restoration and education on Long Island, we have made significant progress in enhancing the health of our local marine environments. Through the Back to the Bays Initiative, we work at the community level with local supporters and stewards to provide meaningful opportunities for involvement in this important work.
SPOTLIGHT
Pre-register to be entered into a door prize raffle + receive a complimentary 2026 Steward Package!
Explore our
Stewardship Sites
Upcoming Events + Latest News
Events + Programs
Recent Blog Posts
In the News
Check out our waterproof, visual field guide, published in 2025
In 2025, Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program released its Long Island Marine & Coastal Field Guide! Waterproof and durable, our guide features over 250 gouache paintings by resident artist and ArtSea Director, Carolyn Munaco, with text and scientific guidance by Back to the Bays’ Science + Engagement Manager, Hazel Wodehouse.
This practical resource provides a concise, visual field guide to the unique flora and fauna found in Long Island’s diverse marine habitats, including our eelgrass meadows, salt marshes, sand and mud flats, oyster reefs, dunes, and ocean beaches. We hope that this guide will become a trusty companion for students, teachers, and citizen naturalists of all ages as they explore and appreciate Long Island’s diverse coastal landscapes.
Orders placed before December 15th, will be shipped before the end of the year. We will do our best to get it to you before the holiday, depending on USPS.
Order your copy today, donate one to a local school or library, or purchase wholesale for your local bookstore or seaside shop!
For wholesale information, contact Kelsey Ketcham kk2266@cornell.edu, or review our Wholesale sell sheet.
Are you an educator?
Book a Marine Life Identification + Touch Tank program. Contact our education coordinator, Kim Manzo at kp92@cornell.edu. Students all receive a special discount to purchase their own guide!
Enroll as a Back to the Bays Steward and join this growing, community-based initiative.
Attend our Stewardship Sessions, where you can help CCE staff restore and protect local shellfish, eelgrass, coastal plants, seahorses, and horseshoe crabs. Your contribution ensures the continuation and expansion of this important work!
Steward Levels:
Join as an Individual ($25), Family unit ($50), or Supporting Steward ($100).
Benefits of joining our Stewardship Program:
Stewardship Package mailed to you, including Official Back to the Bays Decals, featuring our 2026 artist, and CCE’s own Aquaculture Manager, Michael Patricio!
Digital subscription to monthly Back to the Bays newsletter
Opportunities throughout the year to participate in Stewardship Sessions, alongside CCE Marine’s habitat and shellfish restoration experts
10% Discount on our Marketplace (Code will arrive in confirmation email)
Additional discounted events, and special Steward-only educational and hands-on opportunities
Option to receive email updates and event announcements for a particular Stewardship Site(s). (select 1 or more in enrollment form)
The knowledge that you are actively enhancing the health of our local marine environments!
Want to support our work?
Become a 2026 Back to the Bays Steward
By becoming a Steward of the Back to the Bays Initiative, you will be directly supporting the efforts of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Marine Program. Since 1985, CCE’s Marine Program has been working towards increasing the water quality of our bays, improving habitat availability for our marine species, enhancing and restoring stocks of commercially and recreationally important shellfish, providing meaningful volunteer opportunities to the public, and educating our youth on the importance of protecting and preserving our marine ecosystem and maritime heritage. Your contribution will help ensure these important efforts continue, and are expanded upon in the years ahead.
A Year in Review
Find out what we accomplished in 2025 with your support
