Bay Buddies

About Back to the Bays InitiativeBack to the Bays is an initiative of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County's Marine Program. Our mission is to increase stakeholder engagement in our water quality protection initiatives, habitat improvement projects, shellfish research and restoration, and youth and community education experiences. We encourage everyone to get involved, give back, and get back to the bays! Learn more atbacktothebays.orgAbout CCE Marine ProgramOur waters are an integral part of life for us, making Long Island a desirable place to live. The Marine Program, which became part of CCE Suffolk in 1985, is known and respected nationally and internationally. Its mission is to protect our waters, providing a clean environment for our fish, fowl, and plants.Our researchers and educators inform Long Islanders how we can each do our part to safeguard our environment. Projects have been designed to bring back our once thriving eelgrass and shellfish populations, ensure our commercial fishing industry continues to thrive while limiting bycatch, provide public education about the environmental consequences of stormwater runoff, and introduce our young people to marine sciences and marine life on Long Island.Cornell Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer. Cornell Cooperative Extension is funded in part by Suffolk County through the office of the County Executive and the County Legislature. Learn more atCCESuffolk.org/Marine.Federal Tax ID #11-6081424