By Dirk Langeveld

NORWALK — A new initiative from the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, spearheaded by its teen volunteers, is rewarding visitors at select eateries when they make more eco-conscious choices.

Dubbed ECHO Choice after the aquarium’s ECHO Teen Volunteer Corps, the effort partners with restaurants in South Norwalk to encourage people to take simple actions that can help to reduce the use of single-use plastics and cut down on marine pollution in Long Island Sound. The entire initiative was conceived, designed, and implemented by members of the corps.

Customers can participate by downloading a free StampMe mobile app and earning digital stamps when they make a sustainable choice at a participating restaurant. These options include declining a straw or bringing in reusable bags, cups, or food containers.

Once a person has collected five stamps, they can redeem them for a complimentary ticket to one of the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s cruises.

“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.”

A common theme to marine debris

The initiative grew out of the ECHO Teen Volunteer Corps’ previous effort to clean up beaches across Fairfield County, using a grant from the NOAA Marine Debris Program. Volunteers collected and catalogued more than 6,600 pieces of debris as part of these cleanups, which also educated people about the impact of litter on marine ecosystems.

Many of the most common pieces of litter found on Long Island Sound beaches were associated with takeout food. These included plastic bags, cutlery, straws, and food containers.

ECHO volunteers also surveyed more than 200 guests at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, discovering that there was strong support for the idea of a rewards program to encourage more sustainable dining choices. After participating in community engagement and advocacy training, they approached local restaurant owners to share their findings and encourage their support.

Fourteen teens have helped to design materials, recruit restaurant partners, train volunteers, create educational opportunities, and promote ECHO Choice at community events. Another 80 supported marine debris prevention and sustainability education efforts at the aquarium.

ECHO Choice was implemented in part through funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program

and the Aquarium Conservation Partnership.

Participating restaurants

Nine restaurants are currently participating in ECHO Choice, including:

• 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

More information on participating locations can be found at maritimeaquarium.org/echo-choice.

Celebrating five years

The ECHO Teen Volunteer Corps was launched in 2021 and serves as the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s year-round volunteer program for high school students between the ages of 14 and 18. Participants learn about Long Island Sound’s ecological and cultural significance, as well as ongoing conservation efforts. The program also works to develop public engagement and communication skills, allowing participants to share their newfound knowledge and inspire others.

“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,” says Soleil Dennebaum, a student at Staples High School in Westport.  

The program received the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Top Honors for Volunteer Engagement honor in 2024.

Dirk Langeveld

^{_{Dirk Langeveld has worked as a news reporter, content marketing specialist, and freelance writer. He is the author of “The Artful Dodger: The 20-Year Pursuit of World War I Draft Dodger Grover Cleveland Bergdoll” and has contributed to several books on Connecticut history.}}