Allison McChord joins The Maritime Aquarium’s Board of Trustees

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has welcomed Allison McChord, one of the visionary founders of the non-profit Manresa Island Corporation, to its Board of Trustees.

McChord, along with her husband Austin McChord, is leading the effort to transform Norwalk’s Manresa Island from the site of a decommissioned, coal-fired (and subsequently oil-fueled) power plant to a 125-acre public park that celebrates and protects the vibrant natural beauty of the Long Island Sound coastline, and offers the public unique and varied ways to enjoy that beauty.

“Allison is a true visionary, with a goal to bring nature and the community together, and to see Manresa Island not only as a place of respite and recreation, but as a hub for research, conservation, and education,” said Jason Patlis, President & CEO of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. “With our own focus on Long Island Sound through exhibits and activities, educational programs, and research and conservation initiatives, we are honored and delighted to have Allison join the Board and help us deliver on our own goal to become an ‘aquarium without walls.’”

“Allison brings unparalleled passion and vision to the Board of Trustees of the Aquarium,” said Clay Fowler, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Given that the Aquarium was named the first official partner of the Manresa Island Corporation last October with the public announcement of the initiative, there’s no better way to strengthen this partnership than by Allison joining us as a Trustee.”

“As an animal lover and admirer of The Maritime Aquarium, I’m proud to be joining the Board,” said Allison McChord. “This is a great opportunity to help create places where people can connect not just with each other, but with the extraordinary wildlife and ecosystems along our shoreline.”

McChord is the Founder and Principal Architect at Dwellop, where she merges beauty and function in her design. Growing up in New England, McChord had been around animals since she was a child, and is an avid animal lover. She was introduced to the Aquarium in 2020 during a private tour as the Aquarium was re-opening after the pandemic. The McChords had the inspiration to transform Manresa Island into a public park while kayaking around the island, and seeing up close and from the water, the promise of the island as a natural haven and a public oasis from city and suburban life.

Since that kayaking trip, the McChords purchased the island, established Manresa Island Corporation, hired a team to develop a master plan soon to be released, engaged in public stakeholder meetings, and began remediation with the removal of the three oil tanks. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk was announced as the first formal partner of the Corporation and is developing programs and activities centered on education and conservation through that partnership.

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Allison McChord joins The Maritime Aquarium’s Board of Trustees