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SCA and TNC target invasive growth in park

27east - East Hampton News | Sept. 20, 2008

Ridding Cedar Point County Park of eight invasive plant species is the goal of The Nature Conservancy, Suffolk County and the Student Conservation Association.

Their targets: tree of heaven, garlic mustard, Japanese knotweed, Japanese barberry, oriental bittersweet, autumn olive, Japanese honeysuckle, and black locust. The effort is part of a campaign to cut the numbers of invasive plant species found throughout Long Island’s natural areas.

John Pavacic, the county’s parks commissioner, and Marcie Bortman, director of The Nature Conservancy’s conservation programs, discussed the campaign at a press conference and demonstration last Tuesday, September 23, at Cedar Point Park. The park is located in East Hampton Town’s Northwest area.

“It’s wonderful that we have all come together in partnership to eliminate invasive species,” said Ms. Bortman. “We could not have accomplished this hard work without the dedication of Suffolk County, funding from New York State and the hard work of the Student Conservation Association.”

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) “seasonal crew” is a nationwide non-profit group that gives high school and college students hands-on experience promoting conservation in the field. The Nature Conservancy hired the SCA, using a state Environmental Protection Fund grant to fund SCA’s work.

The SCA crew received formal training in plant identification and invasives management before it began work at Cedar Point. The crew is working alongside Suffolk County Parks workers to eradicate the targeted invasives.

An invasive plant is one that has been introduced to a place outside its native or natural range. Once established, it can cause environmental and economic damage by overrunning and displacing native plants and wildlife. Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to Long Island’s native plants and wildlife, Ms. Bortman said, and have already caused millions of dollars of damage. Their overall economic impact in the U.S. is $35 billion a year, according to The Nature Conservancy, including losses and control costs associated with invasives in agriculture and rangeland.

“Invasive plants are the second biggest threat to the natural environment of Long Island, after habitat loss,” according to Kathy Schwager, invasive species specialist for The Nature Conservancy on Long Island. “Invasive plants and animals hurt economies, thwart recreational activities like boating and kayaking and even threaten human well-being.”

The 607-acre Cedar Point County Park lies within the Peconic Bay system watershed overlooking Gardiners Bay. It is dominated by an oak-hickory coastal forest, freshwater wetlands, salt marsh and more than four miles of shoreline.

“Creating and carrying out an invasive plant management plan for Cedar Point County Park is an important priority for Suffolk County,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy commented in an announcement released by The Conservancy. “Eradicating the invasives here will improve the park’s ecological health and recreational value. Areas currently covered in invasives will revert back to a diverse community, providing more habitat and food options for wildlife. Not only will this benefit the ecological health of the system, but the increase in use by birds and other wildlife will also make recreational opportunities like bird watching and hiking more enjoyable.”

County Legislator Jay Schneiderman commented, “My family and other county residents have visited this beautiful park for years. Ecosystems are a delicate balance, a choreography of plants and animals that all depend upon each other for survival. When an invasive species comes in, it throws that balance off.” He added he was committed to working with the legislature and the Invasive Species Advisory Board “to make sure invasive species stay out of our parks.”

In 2007, both Suffolk and Nassau counties passed legislation stopping the commercial sale, introduction, and propagation of 63 plant species that are deemed non-native and invasive on Long Island. Japanese barberry is a common ornamental sold at nurseries.

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