The scars left by the southern pine beetle in the Quogue Wildlife Refuge may soon begin to heal, thanks to a new forest restoration grant from New York State.
The Refuge announced in mid-September that it been awarded $224,869 through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Invasive Species Grant Program, funded by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund.
Pictured Above: Boy Scouts planting trees in areas of pine beetle damage in the refuge. |. Nate Siderow photo courtesy Quogue Wildlife Refuge
The Refuge says its project is part of a multi-year effort to address damage caused by the southern pine beetle, focusing on the removal of hazardous, beetle-killed trees, debris clearing, and the replanting of native pitch pine trees to restore forest health and improve long-term ecosystem resilience.
“A primary goal of this effort is to restore safe public access to the Refuge’s trail system, including reopening the western section of the the popular green trail which encircles Old Ice Pond and is currently closed due to SPB damage,” according to the Refuge, which receives more than 100,000 visitors annually. “The trails serve as a vital resource for outdoor recreation, environmental education, and community well-being.
The project will include community engagement through volunteer planting efforts, educational programming, and public outreach, in order to foster long-term stewardship of this rare pine barrens ecosystem.
From top left: Tagging damaged trees, a new sapling, damage along the Refuge’s trails and Deer Pond, with a healthy stand of trees to the left and a stand damaged by the beetles to the right. |. photos courtesy Quogue Wildlife Refuge
This grant is part of a statewide initiative that awarded more than $5.1 million to projects focused on controlling invasive species and restoring damaged habitats across New York State.
“Managing invasive species and mitigating their negative impacts to our lands and waters is essential to the environment, public health, and quality of life,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton in the announcement of the funding. “Investing in science-based management and strong local partnerships is strengthening New York’s efforts to combat invasive species, protect biodiversity, build more resilient ecosystems, and protect our forests, waters, farms, and communities.”
Several other local organizations also recently received DEC Invasive Species Grant Program funding.
The Niamuck Land Trust received $96,000 to restore and enhance ecological resiliency at the Sugarloaf and Sillerman Preserves, both sacred sites for the Shinnecock community that have been impacted by invasive species.
The Research Foundation for the State University of New York at Stony Brook also received $95,615 for a project to collaborate with the Shinnecock Nation to map invasive tree species present on, or likely to encroach upon, Shinnecock tribal lands.
The Stony Brook research foundation also received $176,954 to “integrate automated lake-survey tools… to improve the mechanical and hand harvesting of aquatic invasive plants,” and Save the Great South Bay received $65,750 for an outreach, education and voluntary watercraft inspection program at up to nine publicly owned bout launches.
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