The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk invites the community to join a conservation effort created by local teens to help keep Long Island Sound free of marine debris.
Through ECHO (Education, Conservation, Heritage, and Outreach) Choice, a rewards program developed by the Aquarium’s ECHO Teen Volunteer Corps, residents and visitors can earn perks for making everyday choices that help protect local waterways.
ECHO Choice partners with local restaurants in South Norwalk to encourage simple actions that reduce single-use plastics and marine debris.
Joy Weng, Eva Palacios, and Soleil Dennebaum engage guests at a marine debris activity cart as part of ECHO Choice, a sustainability initiative created and led by The Maritime Aquarium’s ECHO Teen Volunteer Corps.
Through the free Stamp Me mobile app, customers earn digital
stamps whenever they make a sustainable choice, such as declining a straw, bringing a reusable beverage container, or using reusable bags or food containers. After collecting five stamps, participants receive a complimentary ticket to any one of the Aquarium’s cruises.
What sets ECHO Choice apart is that the program was conceived, designed and implemented by teens.
“It has been incredibly inspiring to support our teens as they have brought the ECHO Choice program to life, taking ownership of every aspect of the initiative, from developing the brand and recruiting restaurant partners to engaging community members in sustainable actions,” said AnnMarie Lisi, associate director of interpretation at the Aquarium. “Watching them grow into confident advocates gives me hope that we are not only addressing a global ocean challenge but also empowering the next generation of environmental leaders.”
The project grew out of a previous NOAA Marine Debris Program grant awarded to The Maritime Aquarium’s teen volunteer program. Through community beach cleanups across Fairfield County, interactive marine debris prevention activities at the Aquarium, and outreach events throughout the region, ECHO volunteers collected and cataloged more than 6,600 pieces of debris and educated thousands of visitors about the impact of marine litter.
In the process, they discovered that many of the most common items were associated with takeout food, including plastic bags, straws, cutlery, and food containers. Surveying more than 200 Aquarium guests, the teens also found strong public interest in a rewards program that would encourage more sustainable
dining choices.
After participating in community engagement and advocacy training, the volunteers transformed their research into a solution. They approached local restaurant owners, shared their findings, and helped create the framework for what would become ECHO Choice. Funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program and the Aquarium Conservation Partnership enabled the program to move from concept to reality.
Since the program’s launch, 14 ECHO teen volunteers have helped design materials, recruit restaurant partners, train fellow volunteers, create educational activities, and represent ECHO Choice at community events. An additional 80 teen volunteers have supported marine debris prevention and sustainability education efforts with Aquarium guests.
“I enjoy being an ECHO teen because it allows me to connect with a bunch of peers that have similar interests to me and allows me to branch out and speak to people I wouldn’t be able to do without this program,” said Soleil Dennebaum, who attends Staples High School in Westport, Connecticut, and has been volunteering for a little more than a year.
Launched in 2021, the ECHO Teen Volunteer Corps is The Maritime Aquarium’s year-round volunteer program designed exclusively for teens ages 14-18 who are currently enrolled in high school. Participants
learn about Long Island Sound, including its ecological importance, ongoing conservation efforts, and its role in the cultural heritage of the region. The teens also develop public engagement and communication
skills, empowering them to share their knowledge and inspire others to protect the environment.
In 2024, the program received the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Top Honors for Volunteer Engagement, recognizing the Aquarium’s innovative approach to youth leadership and conservation education.
Participating ECHO Choice locations include:
• Credo Ok!
• Eco Evolution
• Lazy Sister
• Oishi Sushi & Izakaya
• O’Neill’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
• Pokélicious
• SoNo Harbor Deli & Cafe
• Cascade Café at The Maritime Aquarium
• Sound Bites Café at The Maritime Aquarium
ECHO Choice is free to participate in and is funded through the NOAA Marine Debris Grant Program and led by the Aquarium Conservation Partnership, a coalition of aquariums committed to conserving ocean and freshwater ecosystems and advancing sustainable practices.
For more information about ECHO Choice, visit maritimeaquarium.org/echo-choice. To read more about the teens and their activities, follow the Aquarium’s Instagram and Facebook channels.
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk works to ignite a connection to Long Island Sound and the ocean to enrich the lives of all people and inspire action to protect our blue planet. The Aquarium is home to more than 8,000 animals of hundreds of species including seals, sharks, rays, jellies, turtles and meerkats. Additionally, it offers sensory-enhanced 4D movies, educational programs for schools and families, and leads conservation activities to better protect the wildlife and natural habitats of the Sound. The Maritime Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and receives support from the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Tourism. For more information, visit www.maritimeaquarium.org.