Annual Report 2023
Scan the QR codes throughout the Annual Report to watch videos that bring the Mystic Aquarium stories to life!
LETTER FROM YOUR CEO
Dear Friends and Supporters,
I am honored to present the Mystic Aquarium 2023 Annual Report, a reflection of a year full of achievements and growth. These accomplishments were made possible by you, our devoted community, staff, volunteers, and supporters. Your dedication and passion are the driving force behind all that we've achieved.
As we celebrated Mystic Aquarium’s 50th anniversary, we were reminded of the unwavering support that has carried us through five decades of environmental stewardship, educational opportunity, and joyous experiences. Thank you for believing in our mission and for standing with us every step of the way.
Our golden anniversary provided a wonderful reason to celebrate, and we did so with gusto throughout the entire year. One of the highlights was our special gathering in late May, where we unveiled the new Dino Seas exhibit. This 10,000-square-foot marvel, complete with interactive features, brought the ancient ocean's inhabitants back to life and was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from our community supporters.
This exhibit, adjacent to our newly redesigned courtyard, was revealed during an event that allowed guests to connect with both our staff and animal ambassadors in unprecedented ways. The evening was not only a memorable celebration but also one of the most successful fundraising events in Mystic Aquarium’s history.
Our momentum continued into the summer, propelled by innovative marketing and branding efforts that emphasized family experiences. Fun themes, engaging scavenger hunts, and even a visit from enchanting mermaids drew families to Mystic Aquarium in high numbers. I am thrilled to report that Mystic Aquarium welcomed over 820,000 guests, our highest visitor count to date. Our 50th was a record-breaking year!
Mystic, Connecticut, also basked in the spotlight as USA Today named it one of the top summer destinations in the country. Our charming seaside community was ranked just ahead of Chicago, Illinois, which brought national attention to the area. To cap off an extraordinary year, the Hallmark Channel featured Mystic Aquarium in the heartwarming holiday movie “Mystic Christmas.” We had the honor of hosting a panel discussion with the filmmakers, which added a festive ribbon to our year of celebration.
While 2023 was filled with joyous moments, our commitment to animal care remained steadfast. Under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Allison Tuttle, our Chief Zoological Officer, our animal care team continues to excel both regionally and globally. Dr. Tuttle's esteemed roles as President of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians and the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine highlight her significant contributions to the field.
Additionally, our staff received notable accolades. Josh Davis, Supervisor of Penguins, was honored with a blue ribbon for his presentation at the International Marine Animal Trainers Association’s annual conference. Aquarist Alyssa Giordano was awarded Paper of the Year by the Journal of Zoology for her outstanding publication. These achievements underscore the talent and dedication of our team and their unwavering commitment to advancing animal care and research.
As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2023, we look forward to continuing our mission with renewed vigor and passion. We are deeply grateful for your continued support and dedication to Mystic Aquarium. Together, we will forge ahead, inspired by the knowledge that we are making a difference for both the animals in our care and the natural world we strive to protect.
Looking to the future, we are excited about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. We plan to expand our conservation efforts, introduce new and innovative exhibits, and enhance our educational programs to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Our commitment to excellence in animal care and our dedication to our community will remain our guiding principles as we embark on the next chapter of Mystic Aquarium's journey. With your support, we are confident that the best is yet to come.
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey
Sincerely,
Susette Tibus President & CEO
Help us inspire and protect our ocean planet through conservation, education, and research!
ANIMAL CARE & RESCUE
Caring for animals at the Aquarium and beyond
At Mystic Aquarium, the well-being of the animals in our care is our top priority. Our world-class animal care practices and Animal Rescue Program demonstrate our commitment to their health.
SAVING PENGUINS ABROAD
In November 2023, Josh Davis, Supervisor of Penguins, traveled to South Africa to help the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) with the rescue and rehabilitation of wild African penguins.
During his two-week stay, Josh assisted in rehabilitating more than 100 abandoned African penguin chicks This involved feeding them fish and chick formula, monitoring their behavior for signs of illness or injury, and administering medical treatments as needed. Josh worked closely with SANCCOB's veterinarians and rehabilitation staff, examining the penguin chicks, and collecting valuable blood samples and body measurements.
Eleven rehabilitated penguins were released into the Boulders Beach penguin colony, located in Simonstown, South Africa These efforts are crucial since recent reports indicate that this endangered species population has declined to less than 9,000 breeding pairs.
NORTHLANDS’ JOURNEY
In 2023, a four-month-old male gray seal named Northlands was released after a successful rehabilitation effort. Each seal release is a cause for celebration, but this was particularly special because of the collaboration between several organizations.
The seal was found malnourished and dehydrated in Bermuda and was taken care of by the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo (BAMZ) Northlands was then transferred to Mystic Aquarium to complete his rehabilitation and prepare for release.
The effort was accomplished with the help of the National Marine Fisheries Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bermuda's government, Bermuda Aquarium, CargoJet, and Mystic Aquarium.
The Today Show covered this release in real time, with millions of viewers tuning in to this momentous occasion!
Mystic Aquarium Welcomes Luna and Kayok FUR SEAL COLONY GROWS BY TWO!
Mystic Aquarium welcomed temporary resident, Luna, an 8-year-old female Northern fur seal to the seal colony. Luna came to Mystic Aquarium from New England Aquarium to join our breeding group for the next three years. Northern fur seals are a depleted species in the wild and only eight animals are under human care in the United States.
Among those eight, Luna and another female fur seal at Mystic Aquarium, Kivli, are the only two breeding females in the country Mystic Aquarium has been instrumental in developing Northern fur seal husbandry and contributing to our understanding of these animals through conservation, education, and research since “seal island” was established in 1977.
A second Northern fur seal also joined the group, a juvenile female named Kayok. She was rescued from Alaska, where she was found malnourished and weak. She was taken to the Alaska Sea Life Center, where her health improved, but she struggled to maintain a healthy weight on her own. With her survival chances dropping to 50 percent, wildlife officials deemed her “ nonreleasable.” That’s when Mystic Aquarium was selected as her new forever home.
Kayok joined the seal colony, which includes harbor seals, spotted seals, and other fur seals. The smallest and youngest of the group, Kayok has settled in and shown her spunky side, keeping the care team on its toes! The name Kayok, meaning ‘golden,’ was chosen to honor the Inuit community and to commemorate Mystic Aquarium’s 50th ‘golden’ anniversary.
TURTLE-TAILORED SUPPORT
COOK INLET COUNT
Our Assistant Supervisor of Belugas, Kathryn Justice, traveled to Alaska in September to participate in the fifth annual Belugas Count! event. This celebration aims to raise awareness about the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale while fostering local pride, awareness, and stewardship. The event is led by NOAA Fisheries and is a collaboration among government agencies, universities, non-profit organizations, tribes, industry, zoos, and aquariums across the country, as well as individuals.
During the event, Kathryn shared key facts about the belugas and Mystic Aquarium’s beluga research program. She also traveled to the village of Tyonek, the place where the stranded endangered beluga calf, named Tyonek, was rescued in 2017. Mystic Aquarium staff played a crucial role in Tyonek’s successful rehabilitation. While in Tyonek, Kathryn engaged with and educated local village members about the important work that Mystic Aquarium does to save belugas.
Charlotte is a green sea turtle that was rescued after suffering a severe injury from a boat strike in the wild. Due to his injuries, (yes, Charlotte is male) he was deemed non-releasable and has been a permanent resident since 2008. His injury caused long-term positive buoyancy in the caudal half of his body and limited mobility in his posterior flippers.
To improve his mobility and tail positioning, Mystic Aquarium is partnering with New Balance Athletics, Inc. and Adia, Inc. to create a customdesigned weighted harness for Charlotte's shell. The weight is added incrementally, allowing the turtle to reach neutral buoyancy.
Charlotte undergoes an annual veterinary health and wellness evaluation, which in 2023 included a CT scan in partnership with Hartford Healthcare.
ANIMAL RESCUE
473
CALLS REPORTING MARINE MAMMAL OR TURTLE STRANDINGS ALL WITH THE HELP OF VOLUNTEERS 501
13 REHABILITATED AND RELEASED
12 sea turtles
SHARING THE MAGIC
Crafting stories that illuminate our brand
Rooted in authentic storytelling and dynamic content, we weave together compelling narratives about our conservation efforts, animal care, and educational programs to create an emotional connection with our audience, driving them to become a part of the Mystic Aquarium family.
ENHANCED ONLINE EXPERIENCE
Our newly redesigned website went live in 2023 after months of working with web developers. This was a massive undertaking that required input from all departments. We made sure to focus on making the site more user-friendly for guests to navigate. A new and improved layout makes it much simpler to access information and purchase tickets. We also added more information on the animals that guests will see during their visit and updated the content on our research and conservation pages.
DIRTIEST JOB IN AMERICA
Ryan Trahan, a YouTuber with 12.3 million followers who describes himself as “just a guy,” visited Mystic Aquarium in March to feature us in a video. To get footage for the video, The Dirtiest Job in America, Trahan dove into several habitats and, you guessed it, cleaned them!
From the penguin habitat and into our Main Gallery, Trahan scrubbed, brushed, and washed. And he got a taste of all the challenging work our staff puts in to keep the habitats in tip-top shape for all the animals here.
Shout out to all our employees and volunteers who make that happen each and every day!
MYSTIC CHRISTMAS
The Hallmark Channel premiered a very special original film, Mystic Christmas, which focuses on animal rescue efforts that happen right here at Mystic Aquarium.
Not only was the movie filmed onlocation at the Mystic Aquarium and surrounding areas in Mystic, but also featured a marine veterinarian who works with rescued animals as its star. There was also an exciting breakout star in the film, Cork, our resident harbor seal. Cork played the role of Peppermint.
To celebrate the movie's release, we threw a premiere party at Mystic Luxury Cinemas, followed by an after-party at the Aquarium featuring delicious food from several local restaurants featured in the film, including Mango’s Pizza, Abbots, and Sift Bakery.
EVENTS, EVENTS, EVENTS!
Mystic Aquarium experienced a resurgence of activities after Covid. Events such as Pride Night, Influencer Night, Juno's 21st Birthday Bash, and Home for the Holidays attracted an additional 12,000 visitors to the Aquarium.
To add to the excitement, mermaids splashed into our Main Gallery in the spring and fall, introducing themselves to visitors. These events, along with other initiatives, contributed to a record-breaking year for the Aquarium in terms of attendance, with over 820,000 people visiting in total.
In 2023, we also introduced our Home for the Holidays event, transforming the Aquarium into a dazzling winter wonderland. Thousands of sparkling lights illuminated the grounds, creating a festive atmosphere that enchanted visitors of all ages The stunning light displays, paired with themed activities and animal encounters, brought the spirit of the holidays to life and quickly became a seasonal favorite!
50 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Protecting Our Ocean Planet for 50 Years
We celebrated 50 years of dedicated efforts to preserve nature, promote learning, and conduct valuable research. The milestone was marked by the unveiling of an exciting new exhibit, Dino Seas, thanks to generous support from Carol and George Milne, Michelle and Thomas Marra, Julie and Thomas Mosey, and the Marku family.
This golden anniversary was not only a reflection on our past achievements but also a renewed commitment to inspire and protect future generations.
50TH ANNIVERSARY BY-THE-NUMBERS
Achievements Over the Past 50 Years
35 non-releasable animals given a permanent home
316
scientific articles published
250,000
54,000 pounds of trash removed from local waterways individuals engaged in citizen science programs and cleanups
hours of support received from 7,197 volunteers 1.2 million children reached through our educational programs
3.5 million guests welcomed 35 million calls about wild marine mammals and sea turtles answered 5,000
Immersed in the Journey Anniversary Event
On May 25, we hosted a special event to start the celebration of our 50th. More than 200 special guests were welcomed to campus to see the new features commemorating our half-century of existence, which included a sneak peek of our Dino Seas exhibit and the new California sea lion show. The evening was full of fun, festivities, and fundraising, and our generous attendees contributed nearly $500,000 in donations
To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we launched a new California sea lion show in June The show is a birthday party and includes many opportunities to engage the audience It also emphasizes the importance of sustainability and ways to reduce plastic to prevent ocean pollution. The sea lions and their trainers worked hard to perfect all their new moves!
We also opened Dino Seas, our newest exhibit, which takes visitors on an immersive journey through ancient seas where massive reptiles once ruled, and mighty dinosaurs roamed on land With 25 interactive experiences, two thrilling 4D movies, an indoor play space, and live amphibians and reptiles, guests feel like they’ve traveled back millions of years.
In addition to the opening of Dino Seas, we made many other upgrades and improvements to the campus, including a brand-new courtyard area, new wayfinding signs, and updates to our Penguin Pavilion These improvements were designed to enhance the guest experience and create a more modern look For the penguins, the upgrade means a refreshed habitat with scheduled repairs to modernize their home
New California Sea Lion Show
Dino Seas
New Courtyard & Wayfinding Signs
EDUCATION & CONSERVATION
Igniting passion for marine protection
At Mystic Aquarium, our commitment to conservation and education compels us to safeguard marine ecosystems and inspire future stewards of the ocean through innovative programs and impactful initiatives.
60,000 participated in conservation education and action resulting in...
OCEAN AMBASSADORS
Mystic Aquarium's Ocean Ambassador program is committed to activating communities to protect local ecosystems through participation in environmental stewardship activities Since 2019, the program has engaged more than 260,000 community members while helping to restore habitats and collect environmental and water quality data that support local management plans.
In 2023, over 60,000 Aquarium visitors and community members participated in conservation, education, and action, resulting in the removal of 1,200 pounds of trash from 10 miles of coastline. They also helped restore seven acres of marsh and grassland habitat, and created three pollinator gardens. Further, they participated in community science studies on macroalgae, horseshoe crabs, butterflies, and amphibian species.
1,200 the removal of pounds of trash from...
10 miles of coastline
3 pollinator gardens created
7 acres of marsh and grassland habitat restored
THE SEA LIFE INCLUSIVE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Mystic Aquarium launched The Sea Life Inclusive Volunteer Program in autumn of 2023. This program aims to provide a unique opportunity for individuals with disabilities to gain and apply valuable workforce development skills in a supportive community environment.
The program began with eight participants from Lighthouse Works, a local organization that supports individuals with disabilities, and a community member who recently graduated high school.
As part of the program, participants are trained and given the opportunity to assist with various tasks that are critical to the smooth functioning of the aquarium. These tasks include safety operations, guest services, and facility upkeep.
WHERE THE CITY MEETS THE SEA
In 2023, Mystic Aquarium's Where the City Meets the Sea program celebrated its 25th year of providing quality STEM education to under-resourced communities.
Through online resources, classroom lessons, and explorations of the Aquarium and local coastline, we connect students to the Long Island Sound and its watersheds.
Evaluations show that we consistently meet our goal to inspire students in grades 3-8 to become environmentally responsible citizens by nurturing their interest in science and nature. We had a banner funding year in 2023 with more than $170,000 in grant support to educate 3,527 students.
OCEAN JUSTICE STRATEGY
Mystic Aquarium joined other key environmental leaders, including the Ocean Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund, to help draft the blueprint for the first-ever Ocean Climate Action Plan, a report created by the White House in March 2023. Subsequently, Brenda Mallory, Chair of The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), reached out to Mystic Aquarium to solicit input into its Ocean Justice Strategy.
As part of this effort, Mallory visited Mystic Aquarium in June to tour the Aquarium’s Ocean Solutions Gallery and participate in a roundtable discussion with Aquarium representatives, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community leaders, and Congressman Joe Courtney.
STEM MENTORING
Mystic Aquarium’s STEM Mentoring program aims to positively impact the social development and academic achievement of underserved youth ages 6-10 through weekly, hands-on STEM activities, with a focus on conservation.
In 2023, the program served over 1,000 mentees and 250 mentors at 48 organizations in 26 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Through the program, mentees and mentors completed dozens of hands-on activities from the STEM Mentoring curricula and participated in STEM enrichment activities such as field trips, guest speakers, and college campus tours.
Additionally, approximately two dozen STEM Mentoring sites participated in Mystic Aquarium’s environmental stewardship program, creating effective and impactful stewardship projects in their local communities. These youth-led projects included organizing beach cleanups, designing and building butterfly gardens, testing local water quality, and more. Mystic Aquarium also partnered with nine Boys & Girls Clubs in Maryland to offer a customized STEM Mentoring program for over 200 youth in the spring and summer of 2023.
EDUCATION BY-THE-NUMBERS
60,984
53,455
51,136
conservationists engaged in conservationfocused experiences.
guests visited as part of a school or youth group.
3,850 students participated in educational programming.
525
270
teens engaged in workforce development opportunities.
horseshoe crabs were tagged and evaluated by citizen scientists.
different Connecticut schools and organizations, representing 135 towns, had students participate in educational programming.
RESEARCH
Our research efforts focus on improving animal health and welfare, protecting wildlife and habitats, preserving our natural heritage, and fostering a culture of ocean conservation. Discovering new knowledge through conservation research
UNDERWATER CAMERAS
Our team recently conducted a research project at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary with the goal of understanding the diversity and abundance of apex predators in this protected marine area To gather data, we deployed baited remote underwater video (BRUV) cameras. These cameras effectively observe marine life without the need to capture and handle animals directly.
By analyzing the footage collected, we hope to gain valuable insights into the population dynamics of apex predators in this region. This information will be critical in developing effective conservation strategies to protect the delicate ecosystem of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
GROUND-BREAKING SURGERY
Mystic Aquarium’s veterinary team received recognition in 2023 for a successful brain operation on a fur seal that involved placing a shunt in the animal’s skull. The procedure, conducted in 2017, was necessary to help prevent the accumulation of fluid, which was causing seizures in the female fur seal.
The operation on Ziggy Star, as the animal is known to her caretakers, was featured in the journal Aquatic Mammals along with details from the research Mystic Aquarium has done around the procedure.
PENGUIN POOP PROFILE
With support from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Conservation Grants Fund, Mystic Aquarium scientists developed a new way to non-invasively study the health and determine the sex of the endangered African penguin. They established a “ poop profile” that includes information on reproductive status, metabolism, and stress.
They were also able to determine the sex of the penguin utilizing their poop. These samples can be collected from wild penguins without having to get hands-on and will provide crucial information on their health.
BELUGA MICROBES
Scientists at Mystic Aquarium have made an interesting discovery about beluga whales. They found that each beluga whale has a unique set of tiny living organisms, called microbes, in their blowholes. Furthermore, the microbes in the water surrounding them are quite different from those found in their blowholes. A healthy microbial colony is known to protect against pathogens, and the research team is now studying how different types and amounts of microbes affect beluga health. By doing so, they hope to improve our understanding of how respiratory infections occur in whales and how the environment affects the microbes in belugas. These studies are crucial to ensure that beluga whales in aquariums remain healthy.
ALASKA BELUGA SKIN BIOPSIES
Mystic Aquarium scientists have collected skin biopsies from Cook Inlet belugas, an endangered population, as well as healthy belugas found in Bristol Bay and the Chukchi Sea. This research was made possible by funding from the North Pacific Research Board. The team extracted DNA and RNA from these samples to study which genes are being expressed and identify differences in gene expression between the endangered and healthy whale populations. The team can also determine which body systems are affected. The results of this study can provide some insight into why Cook Inlet belugas are not reproducing at a rate that is sustainable for their population.
SUSTAINABILITY
Walking the walk toward a sustainable future
Our dedication to sustainability isn't just a statement — it's a way of life at Mystic Aquarium. We are proud to implement eco-friendly practices and lead by example to achieve a more sustainable future.
CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES
Mystic Aquarium is committed to increasing its campus-wide sustainability practices, reducing its carbon footprint, and cutting down on waste. Our Campus Sustainability Strategy for 2022-2026 aims to make us a leader in sustainability by integrating impactful messaging and initiatives
We plan to achieve a 45 percent greenhouse gas reduction from 2019 to 2026, with campus-wide Energy Savings Plan initiatives that include lighting upgrades, new HVAC units, and an environmental control system.
CURRENT SUCCESS & RECYCLABLES
We have eliminated single-use plastic bags and straws throughout campus, and now our gift shop is becoming a showcase of sustainability Thanks to these efforts, 70 percent of items in the shop are free of single-use plastic. We also feature plush toys made from 100 percent recycled plastic.
Even the benches and waste receptacles are made from recycled materials, and we plan to reduce waste diversion to landfills by 50 percent from 2019 to 2026
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS
1,401.1 Gallons of gasoline SUSTAINABILITY BY-THE-NUMBERS or 17,513.21 KWHs Total energy
28,021.14
Metric lbs of CO2 saved which equals CO2 Emissions from:
13,643 Pounds of coal burned
Greenhouse gas emissions avoided by:
Carbon sequestered by:
15.762
Acres of U.S. forests in one year 3.503 Tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled
2023 FINANCIAL INFORMATION
PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL
Robert Valenti (Chairman) President, Valenti Ford
Robert Billington, Ed.D. President, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
Christopher P. Bruhl
Melinda Carlisle Real Estate Broker Randall Realtors
Lou Carrier President Distinctive Hospitality Group
Kurt Harrington CEO, Something Fishy, Inc
Thomas Liguori Attorney, Cherenzia & Associates
Fatima Matos, Ph.D. Retired, Pfizer, Inc.
Bill Middleton Owner, Cannonball Management Group
Joanne F. Moukawsher Vice President Import Auto, Utd.
Robert J. O’Shaughnessy Retired, Connecticut State Police
Robert J. Patten Senior Vice President
Morgan Stanley
Peggy Roberts
Elisse A. Rosen Consultant
Jennifer Schwindt
Tony Sheridan President Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut
Karen E. Strasshofer, CPA
Deb Gros Torraca, DPT, MSPT, CCRP Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Emeritus Wizard of Paws
Sandra Worth President & Owner
Mystic Transportation
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
George M. Milne, Jr., Ph.D. (Chairman) Senior Partner, Radius Ventures, LLC
Tom Marra (Vice Chair of the Board) Symetra Financial Corporation (Retired)
Tom Mosey (Vice Chair of the Board) President & CEO, Mini Melts, Inc.
Steven Perrelli (Vice Chair of the Board) Vice President Sales Center Operations Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Northern New England, Inc.
Patrick L. Green, FACHE (Treasurer) President & CEO, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital and Westerly Hospital Executive Vice President, Yale New Haven Health
John Holstein (Secretary) Principal & CEO, First H&M Corporation
Peter B. Barr, D.B.A Glenville State College (Retired)
Rodney Butler Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
Edward W. Cassidy CEO, Saybrus Partners
Peter G. Drakos Attorney, The Law Office of Peter Drakos, LLC
Veronica Dowling COO & CFO, Dowling & Hales, LLC
Joli Lyn Gross SVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary United Rentals, Inc.
Cecilie Heidenreich Jedlicka President, Heidenreich Enterprise L.P.
Richard M. Katz, M.D. Griffin Hospital (Retired)
Sarah E. Kelly, Ph.D. Owner, TGIR Consulting (Retired)
Peter W. Kuhn CEO, North America OML, Inc
Michael P. Lech President, READCO Portfolio
Alex Marku Owner, A Beautiful Company and Buon Appetito Ristorante
B. Michael Rauh, Jr. Chelsea Groton Bank (Retired)
Jason Richard Reese Principal, Alinea Strategic Solutions
Antonio Roberto Connecticut Innovations (Retired)
Paul O. Robertson Deputy Commissioner / COO Connecticut Department of Economic & asdCommunity Development
Tan Hee Teck Chairman & CEO, Resorts World at Sentosa Pte Ltd
Robert Williams, Jr. Senior Managing Director JH Whitney Capital Partners
TRUSTEES EMERITUS
Terry D. Garcia CEO, Exploration Ventures
Carolyn P. Kelly Attorney, Suisman Shapiro
Daniel C. Verdier Cirrus Construction Company, Inc. (Retired)
IN MEMORY OF
Estate of Dr. Helmut and Dr. Leonore Adler
Evelyn Agostini
Dannielle Becker
Buddy Bycoski
Tonya Jacobs
Martin Mahoney
Joan and Frank Burchell
Patti Worzalla
Alderic Doucet
Diane Crowley
Bruce Guadliana
Eileen and Paul Boslaugh
Marguerite Boslaugh and David Guadliana
Morris Later
Linda Piascik
Susette Tibus and Chuck Sneddon
IN HONOR OF
Diana Bortolin
Eileen O’Keefe
Ayana and Mark Melvan
Resources Legacy Fund (NOPC)
Kara and Michael P. Lech
Eliot Gersten
Rivkah Guskin and Scott Soloway and
Stephanie Chan
John and Lee Holstein
Barbara and Marc Ginsberg
Peggy Friest
Annie and Logan Chittenden
IN-KIND GIVING
Abbot’s Lobster in the Rough Anonymous
Athletic Brewing Company
The Captain Daniel Packer Inne Restaurant and Pub
Christopher and Lindsay Colucci
Connecticut Sun
Kim Donahue and Mark Spano
Great Neck Country Club
Grey Sail Brewing Company, LLC
Kellogg Marine
Rajmonda and Alex Marku
Marcelle Miner
David Moyer
Allison Tuttle
Alan Merritt Ross
Michael Ross
Jeffrey Walker
Deanna Hartley
Vivian and Joseph Palsa
Karin Whittemore and Peter Kepple
Anthony Wetmore
Lucie Blakeney
William and Sylvia DeMore
Richard Hayes
Mizzy Construction
Beth Molloy
Daniel Molloy
Sarah Delano Scholarship Fund
Lux Bond and Green
Susette Tibus and Chuck Sneddon
Susan and Kevin Reardon
Daniel Schosser
Lisa Loret
August Wolf
Jennifer Cimilluca
Laurie and Tom Green
Barbara Freeman
Heidi Shuman-Dugas
Kimberly Jorge
Mango’s Wood-Fired Pizza
The Misquamicut Club
Mystic Luxury Cinemas
New York Puzzle Company
Debra and Jim Niziolek
Michelle and Steve Pagella
Shelter Harbor Golf Club
Virginia Shugrue
Starbucks Coffee Company
Toast + Tonic Creative Kitchen
Weekapaug Golf Club
ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORTERS
$1,000,000 +
Connecticut Humanities
US Department of Justice
$500,000 - $999,999
Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
US Fish and Wildlife Service
$100,000 - $499,000
Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation
Lawrence + Memorial Hospital
Mini Melts, Inc.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
The Schmidt Family Foundation
$50,000 - $99,999
Environmental Protection Agency
Foxwoods Resort Casino
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
Rhode Island Department of Education
All Course Network
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts
$25,000 - $49,999
Charles River Laboratories
Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority
Kitchings Family Foundation
SBM Charitable Foundation
$10,000 - $24,999
Avangrid Foundation
Barnes Foundation
Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
The Edward and Mary Lord Foundation
Event Network
Eversource Energy Foundation
Heidenreich Enterprises
Hilton Mystic
Holstein Foundation
Katherine Matthies Foundation
Laura J. Niles Foundation
Mystic Transportation
North Pacific Research Board
Pfizer
Rhode Island Foundation: Program for Animal Welfare
Stifel Financial Corp
Stoneridge Senior Care, LLC
Utility Service New England, Inc.
Valenti Auto Mall
The Whaler's Inn Mystic
$5,000 - $9,999
The Artac Seel Company
Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc.
Carlin Construction Company, LLC
Chelsea Groton Bank
CohnReznick, LLP
Comcast Community Impact
General Dynamics Electric Boat
Green & Sklarz, LLC
Immotion Group
Jaguar Land Rover Fairfield
Liberty Bank
New York Puzzle Company
The Patten-Wright Group at Morgan Stanley
Petit Family Foundation
Pochal & Pochal, LLC
Professional Planning Group
Simply Majestic
Spicer Plus Inc
The Woman’s Seamen’s Friend Society of CT, Inc
$2,500 - $4,999
A Beautiful Company, General Contractors, LLC
ASA Environmental Products, Inc
Asahi / America Inc.
Bob's Discount Furniture, LLC
Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
Cannonball Management Inc
Equinor
Greenpages Technology Solutions
The Hillery Company
Nicholas & Allison Moore Fund
PC Restoration
$1,000 - $2,499
Amazon Smile Foundation
Ann Luedke Lobdell Family Foundation
Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT, Inc.
Dell Dixon Family Charitable Fund
Edward Jones Investments
Ericson Insurance Advisors
Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce
Grey Sail Brewing Company, LLC
Import Auto, UTD
Lancer Hospitality
Ledes Foundation
Merwin Memorial Free Clinic for Animals
Mystic Financial Group
Nick And Kate Kishfy Fund
North American Sea Glass Association
Oak View Group
Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce
READCO Property Management, LLC
Resources Legacy Fund (NOPC)
Something Fishy, Inc.
Starbucks Coffee Company
Y-Risk, LLC, A Company of The Hartford
$500 - $999
ABC Photo Lab
The Aegis Group, Morgan Stanley
Anthony J's Bistro
Body By Bliss Pilates
Boyden
BWX Technologies
Cargill, Inc.
Christopher Hibbard
Dicin Electric Company, Inc.
Dog Watch Cafe
Eastern Connecticut State University
Elsie A Brown Fund, Inc
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
Hartford Healthcare at The William W. Backus Hospital
Henry B. duPont III Advise And Consult Fund
Mystic Diner
The Ninigret Foundation
Power Posse Productions, LLC
Stepney Elementary School
Toast + Tonic Creative Kitchen
Trebisacci Law Associates, LLC
United Theatre
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS
$250,000 +
Carol and George Milne
$25,000 - $75,000
Anonymous
Pamela and Brad Horn
Rajmonda and Alex Marku
Joanna and Robert M. Williams
$10,000 - $24,999
Stephanie Ackler and Peter Chapin
Jung Ja and Scott DeBisschop
Adriana DeGabriel and Edward Cassidy
Sharon Vanover-Freeman and Scott Freeman
Joli Lyn Gross
Fran and Craig Haines
Muriel N. Hinkle
Deborah Holmsen and Brian Leedom
Cecilie and Mike Jedlicka
Dr. Sarah Kelly and Ken Sigel
Kara and Michael Lech
Alisa Macneille and Peter Kuhn
Dr Fátima Matos and Dr Hans Rollema
Christine and Peter Naktenis
Jason Reese
Elisse Rosen
Melissa and Daniel Verdier
$5,000 - $9,999
Christopher J. Berman
Shonah and Peter Drakos
Lynn Eglington and Todd Brady
Suzanne and Eugene Gorab
Sarah Green and Adam Milne
Matan Kurman
Ann and Martin MacKay
Pauline and John Mendez
Bill Middleton
Amy and Brad Morris
Julie and Thomas Mosey
Michelle and Steven Pagella
Karen and Daniel Strasshofer
Susette Tibus and Chuck Sneddon
$2,500 - $4,999
Guy Carver
Victoria and Rob Christian Lorna and Michael Gallagher
Marjorie and Jeffrey Geiger
Abbey and Harry Boardsen
Nicole and Michael Jordan
Kristen and Del-Bourree Bach
Elizabeth Leaming and Dean Calderoni
Dan Wu and Michael C. Linhares
Blakeley and Brian Maggi
Mary Barravecchia
Heather and Andrew Champagne
Julie Rubenstein
Carol and Edward Sauers
Amy Schumer
Dr. Karen Walters
Sandra and Brian Worth
$1,000 - $2,499
Kimberly and Robert Anderson
Ricky and Supawan Au
Barbara and Vincent Bernardo
Marcela and Carlos Bledt
Molly and Stephen Boyle
Kathy Calkins
Carly and Matthew Callahan
Ysidra and Kevin Carroll
Annette DeSilva and Michael Rauh
Jackie Desmond
Marion and Steven Dodd
Kimberly Dreier and Julianna Rick
Carol and William Dunn
Joseph Fatone
Leandra and Anthony Fatone
Sandra and Terrence Fedors
Heather and Campbell Field
Barbara and Marc Ginsberg
Lisa and Richard Giovanelli
Diane and Matthew Gordon
LaNece and Patrick Green
Donna and Paul Gricus
William J Griffin IV
Elisabeth and Lee Harrell
Lynn and Stephen Hazard
Barbara Holland-Emberton
Mary Ellen and Jeffrey Jay
Holly and Michael Johnson
Gary Kilberg
Donna Leake and Anthony Dvarskas
Rebecca and Jim Loree
Rita Madison
Andrea and Bart Martin
Kathryn Greene-McCreight and Matthew McCreight Lenore Milner
Britta and Denis Nayden Thomasina and James O'Boyle William A. Petit
Susan and Mark Pochal Katie and Jason Quinlan
Kathryn Rush and David Thurlow Candace and Thomas Sanford
Susan Schussler
Rachel Schwartz and Chris Marra
Sandy Senior-Dauer and Keith Dauer
Alicia and Thomas Settle
Margaret and Thomas Sheridan
Jeffrey M. Sklarz
Karel Steiner
Susan Steiner and John Drew
Catherine and Michael Stephenson
Karen Stone and David Schulz
June and Alan Strunk
Sky and Alan Todd
Carol and Mike Toner
Deborah and Anthony Torraca
Deborah and Robert Valentine
Lindsay and Tyler Van Buren
Karin Whittemore and Peter Kepple
Theresa Wilson
Jennifer and Adam Wronowski
$500 - $999
Amanda Arling and Evan Carlson Ruthann and Paul Ballasy
Laura Batt and Daniel Hungerman Wendy Benchley Marguerite Boslaugh and David Guadliana
Martha and John Bradshaw
Dr. Ann C. Bucklin
Ellen and Richard Cartun
Jonathan Duncklee
Eleanor and Jack Faller
Eliot Gersten
Chione and Keller Giacomarro
ELizabeth and William Haas
Karen and Edward Havrilla
Susan M. Higgins
Lisa A. Mondani
Narita Jung Hee and Dennis O'Connor
Geraldine O'Shannon Jill and Robert Patten Caroline Plantz
Jeffrey Possick
Denise and Mark Raymond Courtney Rose Melissa and John Sapia
Sallie and James Schwartz
Marcella and John Schweizer
Lynette and David Snow
Viola and Stephen Tagliatela
Margaret and Michael Van Vranken
Jane C and Norman R Wainwright
Tara and Scott Watson
Ellen and Howard Weiss
Susan Wiedmann
