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Jon Kachmar first came to love the sea through his work as a boat captain, sailing instructor and yacht rigger, but it was his experience navigating the complex realms of marine policy and conservation that led him to The Nature Conservancy, where he leads a pioneering three-state program to protect Long Island Sound. Nature.org caught up with Jon in his Connecticut office to discuss the rewards and challenges of protecting an ecological wonder nestled within one of the East Coast’s most highly developed regions.
nature.org: How did you first become interested in marine conservation?
Jon Kachmar: Although I grew up sailing and fishing on Long Island Sound, I never realized how degraded it was at the time. The experience of enjoying this resource as a child, and then coming to realize that it faced a huge array of threats, inspired me to pursue a career in marine conservation and coastal policy.
nature.org: Was there a moment when you realized that you wanted to work for The Nature Conservancy?
Kachmar: I always respected the Conservancy’s work, but the organization was focused largely on land, and my heart belonged to the sea. When the Conservancy launched its Global Marine Initiative, that really sparked my interest.
I knew that the organization’s entry into this field would bring critical resources to marine conservation at a pivotal time — both by attracting experts, but also by bridging science and management with policy. You really can’t think of these as separate fields — they are two halves of the same bridge..
nature.org: What experience prepared you most for this job?
Kachmar: Before coming to the Conservancy, I worked as ecological restoration specialist for the Gulf of Maine Council, where I administered over 80 restoration projects for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). We focused primarily on restoring salt marsh and migratory fish habitat, as well as some subtidal habitats such as eelgrass and shellfish beds. There’s a tremendous need for this kind of restoration in the Sound. Right now, shellfish and eelgrass seem to be the bright spots where the Conservancy is best poised to help.
nature.org: What’s the most exciting project you’re working on?
Kachmar: I’m very excited about the potential to build on the Conservancy’s good work to protect subtidal lands. Preserving these lands is a challenging task since there are few precedents for this kind of work. But in 2004, the Conservancy acquired 13,000 acres of underwater land in Great South Bay, Long Island. Since then, we’ve been able to “seed” nearly two million clams in the Bay.
Shellfish play an essential role in filtering water and can help to buffer coastal areas against rising sea levels and storms. The Conservancy recognizes the importance of sustainable management of these natural resources for their economic benefits as well as their ecological ones.
nature.org: What would surprise most people about Long Island Sound?
Kachmar: Many people are not aware of the huge variety of species that live within and migrate through this ecosystem. The Sound is frequented by four different species of sea turtles — animals that many people associate with tropical climates.
The Sound is also critical for migratory fish like Atlantic salmon and sturgeon, which journey up the Connecticut River to spawn. The connection between the Sound and this great river cannot be overstated. The river provides the Sound with approximately 80 percent of its fresh water and gives rise to coastal areas where fish, birds and other wildlife come to breed and feed. The Sound is one of the most important estuaries along the Atlantic Coast.
nature.org: Many local organizations are working to protect the Sound. What added value does the Conservancy bring?
Kachmar: One of the Conservancy's greatest strengths is that we seek collaborative approaches with other organizations that often result in innovative solutions to common challenges. We also have a proven track record in science-based conservation and land protection that will be instrumental in safeguarding the Sound. Best of all, our conservation planning process is adaptive — we can adjust our conservation strategies and actions according to the latest developments in policy and science.
nature.org: How would you describe your vision for the Sound?
Kachmar: For me, it’s a restoration story — at least that’s what I want it to be, what I’m working toward. In such a heavily developed area, it is unlikely that we’ll ever achieve a pristine state, but we owe it to this resource to strive for healthy, diverse natural communities that are managed in a sustainable way — both for the viability of native species and for the enjoyment and use of people.
We’ve identified the habitats and species that will make for a vibrant marine system that can accommodate both current and future pressures. This is a living resource for which we all need to take responsibility sooner rather than later. I see the Conservancy’s Long Island Sound Program as an essential piece in achieving a brighter future for this national treasure.
Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Jerry and Marcy Monkman (Aerial view of the mouth of the Connecticut River in Long Island Sound); Photo © TNC (Jon Kachmar), Photo © Jerry and Marcy Monkman (Sandpipers on the beach of Griswold Point Preserve in Long Island Sound).
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