Throughout the East End, invasive phragmite reeds have choked the views of wetlands for decades, but it’s not just the views that they impact. They also crowd out a host of native species.
Pictured Above: Great Pond resident Bridget Rymer and Group for the East End’s Aaron Virgin cutting phragmites at Great Pond in 2020.
A community-driven effort is underway to restore Great Pond in Southold, an ecosystem just inland from the Long Island Sound adjacent to Kenney’s Road, near Little Fish (the former Elbow East).
On Saturday, Aug. 23, a consortium of community groups, including the Group for the East End, the Kenney’s/McCabe’s Beach Civic Association and the Town of Southold, is hosting volunteers from 9 to 11 a.m. to clean up the Great Pond Preserve, kick-starting the removal of two acres of phragmite reeds, to be replaced by native plant species.
“Managing invasive plant species, like phragmites, is crucial to restoring the ecological balance of our natural areas,” said Group for the East End Director of Outreach Taralynn Reynolds in an announcement calling for volunteers to participate. “Native plants not only support wildlife by providing food and shelter, they are best suited for our local conditions. We’ve seen a significant increase in native plants returning where phragmites has been cut back.”
The partnership with the Kenney’s/McCabe’s Beach Civic Association and the Town of Southold began in 2019, when the Group received a grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to remove phragmites, also known as common reed, from Great Pond.
Three acres of phragmites were removed from the perimeter and within the pond by hydro-rake, a process that removes plants and root systems from the water without the use of chemicals.
After the phragmites were removed, native plants, including swamp milkweed, swamp rose mallow, blue flag iris, and sweet pepperbush, were then planted to compete with the phragmites and restore this important habitat.
Photos courtesy Group for the East End
This August, the Group, Kenney’s/McCabe’s Beach Civic Association and the Town of Southold will begin a second round of phragmites removal, using funding the town received from a Long Island Sound Study grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Great Pond resident Bridget Rymer says the partnership with The Group began in 2017.
“After sharing our vision of removing invasive phragmites and allowing native plants to regenerate and create beneficial habitat for wildlife, birds, and pollinators, the team enthusiastically agreed to work with us,” she said. “They got to work, successfully gaining a NYSDEC grant to support phragmites removal and native re-plantings, overseeing phragmites removal and working with us on volunteer efforts, outreach and education. Now, in the next phase of our project, we are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Group, Southold Town, and the community to build on our shared success.”
“The Great Pond restoration project illustrates the importance of partnerships and support from civic associations and municipalities when tackling restoration initiatives,” said Group Director of Conservation Advocacy Jennifer Hartnagel. “It sets the stage for long-term commitment, which ultimately leads to positive changes that help preserve the environment.”
On Saturday, August 23 at 9 a.m., volunteers are invited to meet for coffee at Lake Court (off of Lake Drive), learn about the project, including best practices for removing phragmites, and then get to work at the pond.
The rain date is August 24.
Details for the cleanup, including registration, are available at thegroup.org/nature-outings.
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