Groton — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced winners of its Campus RainWorks Challenge and recognized the University of Connecticut’s Avery Point for its "efforts to mitigate stormwater pollution into Long Island Sound,” according to a Tuesday news release.

The national competition “engages college students in the design of on-campus green infrastructure solutions to address stormwater pollution.” The University of Connecticut was a Region 1 winner, earning second place in the master plan category.

"The Master Plan category examines how green infrastructure can be broadly integrated across campus while the Demonstration Project category focuses on how green infrastructure can address stormwater pollution at a specific site on campus," the release states.

“The 'Ecologic L.I. Sound' entry redesigned the university’s Avery Point campus to mitigate the effects of stormwater pollution on the terrestrial and marine ecology of Long Island Sound,” according to a description. "Selected green infrastructure practices emphasized the importance of native species that represent the distinctive character of coastal plant communities. In addition to protecting public health, water quality, and local ecology, the design would create collaborative educational spaces that invite students and the public to learn about the role green infrastructure can play in stormwater management and coastal resilience."

"EPA New England is proud to recognize UConn's Avery Point campus for their innovative project that helps mitigate stormwater pollution into the Sound using green infrastructure," EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash said in a statement. "The Sound is an essential ecosystem that supports many communities, economies, and habitats throughout the region, and we thank UConn for helping to fulfill our mission of protecting human health and the environment."

A video about the team’s design is available at youtube.com/watch?v=PSfdZSkOtJE.