Group for the East End Advances Bay to Sound Trail Project + Other Planting Initiatives on the North Fork
GROUP FOR THE EAST END ADVANCES BAY TO SOUND TRAIL PROJECT + OTHER PLANTING INITIATIVES ON THE NORTH FORK
Invasive Species Removed from Preserves in Southold Town
(Southold, New York… September 2023) Group for the East End (groupfortheeastend.org) has continued its work on the long-term Bay to Sound Trails Initiative, in partnership with the Town of Southold, removing and cutting back invasive species to make room for native plants to thrive. As part of the initiative’s goal to create a trail network linking Suffolk County park land and Southold Town between Peconic Bay and Long Island Sound, the Group’s recent work through the spring and summer has made great advances in improving the ecological health of these preserves, benefitting pollinators and wildlife, as well as our own health. Volunteers have been critical in the recent phase five of the project.
“The Group’s ongoing partnership with the Town of Southold is imperative in working to restore, as much as possible, the ecological health of our preserves,” shares Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds, who has been spearheading the project. “It’s a concerted effort to combat invasive plant species, replant with native plants that support wildlife, and to invite our community to take part by volunteering with us in the field.”
At Skipper Horton Preserve in Greenport, Phragmites, also known as common reed, was cutback significantly to create a line of sight and to give native plant species a chance to regrow. Multiflora rose, Tartarian honeysuckle, and autumn olive were also removed from the area. While the main goal over the last several months was to cut back and remove, when possible, invasive species, the Group also planted sensitive ferns and will add additional plantings in the area in the coming months.
Separately from the Bay to Sound work, the Group also did an incredible overhaul removing countless weeds and invasive species with the help of volunteers at Downs Farm Preserve. Non-native grasses, star of Bethlehem, chickweed, and oriental bittersweet growing within the meadow were among the species removed. This fall, the Group plans to host volunteer planting opportunities to enhance the native plan meadow, which was first installed last year, adding new plants and species to support pollinators and other wildlife.
The Bay to Sound Trail Project fosters opportunities for the public to enjoy outdoors activities, such as birdwatching and nature hikes, and community groups get involved by creating and maintaining trails. Additional restoration projects within the Bay to Sound project area and at Downs Fame Preserve will continue throughout the year.
The Group applauds the Town of Southold, Suffolk County, and New York State for coming together to create funding for acquisition and preservation of public parcels. Volunteer support is critical to making this project a success. Individuals interested in helping out can contact Taralynn at treynolds@eastendenvironment.org.
Work conducted on the Bay to Sound Trails Phase 5 project is being funded by the New York State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund.
ABOUT GROUP FOR THE EAST END
Since 1972, the Group has led the way in protecting and restoring the environment of eastern Long Island through education, conservation, and advocacy. We fight for the protection of our land, water, and wildlife, we inspire children to become stewards of the environment, and we engage the community to embrace a conservation ethic and take action.
