Waterston champions ocean conservation
Photo by Angela George

Waterston champions ocean conservation

In 2016 an annual review from the Australian Institute of Marine Science read, “A decade ago, the general narrative was that coral reefs face an uncertain future under climate change. Now, as evidence from observational and experimental research is mounting, providing more signal to the noise, the narrative focuses increasingly on the consequences for society…"

Climate change has had a profound impact on ocean life, from rising sea temperatures to the loss of vital aquatic habitats. Founded in 2001, Oceana, an ocean conservation nonprofit led by actor Ted Danson, has lobbied for marine preservation, particularly in regard to halting overfishing, offshore drilling and wind farms. On Friday, June 2, The Salisbury Forum will welcome Academy Award-nominated actor and Chair of the Board of Oceana Sam Waterston to Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village, Conn., to discuss the organization’s conservation efforts to save our oceans.

During a phone interview from his home in Litchfield County, Conn., Waterston remarked that he grew up in New England believing the ocean was an endless expanse that would limitlessly provide. “Then I was reading the newspaper on the beach in Rhode Island in the ‘70s and learned the cod fish industry had collapsed. It was simply unbelievable, impossible…” he said. “The sea was not inexhaustible. I became more at more aware of how the environment was suffering because of our treatment, and carried this fear for Earth with me, and didn’t know what to do with it.”

Waterston’s talk is ahead of International World Ocean Day on June 8. Since its official recognition by the United Nations in 2008 the annual event has had a theme, with 2023’s announced as “Planet Ocean: Tides Are Changing.” Streaming live with presentations by UN representatives and celebrities, we can only hope they tell us the change is for the better.

Latest News

Frederick Wright Hosterman

KENT — Frederick Wright Hosterman passed away peacefully in his home in Kent on April 16, 2025. Born in 1929 in Auburn, Nebraska, he was the son of farmers. He attended a one-room schoolhouse just outside of Brownville, Nebraska, adjacent to his family’s farm. The little brick schoolhouse is still standing! After graduating from high school, Fred attended the University of Nebraska (Lincoln), eventually earning a master’s degree in agronomy. He took a job with Monsanto in Buffalo, New York, where the company was a pioneer in applying biotechnology to agricultural sciences. In Buffalo, Fred met his future wife, Dorothy. Fred and Dorothy moved to New York City for several years in the early 1960s, before settling down in Norwalk. In Norwalk, Fred and Dorothy had three children. The family later moved to Kent. In 1980, Fred and Dorothy divorced, and Fred bought a large tract of land on Carter Road in Kent. He built a house there, largely by himself, which he maintained until his death at age 95. After taking early retirement, he spent the following decades working on his property, adding various buildings, woodcrafting, landscaping, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nancy (Case) Brenner

CANAAN — Nancy (Case) Brenner, 81, of Canaan, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, following a long illness on Good Friday, April 18, 2025.

Nancy was born on April 10, 1944, to the late Ray Sargeant Case Sr. and Beatrice Southey Case. She was the second youngest of five children, predeceased by her three brothers, Ray S. Case Jr., David E. Case and Douglas C. Case, and her sister Linda (Case) Olson. She grew up in New Hartford and Winsted, where she graduated from Northwestern Regional 7 High School.

Keep ReadingShow less
Adam Rand

SHEFFIELD — Adam Rand, 59, of Sheffield, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in his home on April 22, 2025, after a long battle with ALS.

Adam was born on April 6, 1966, to Lee and Charles Rand II of Boston, Massachusetts. Adam spent his early childhood in Nantucket, where his love of fishing and water was born before moving to Sharon. It was here where he made many lifelong friends and later graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in 1984. He attended Hiram College in Ohio before settling in Connecticut.

Keep ReadingShow less