Environment DEC
From the October 2006 issue
Big Cleanup Fills Four Dumpsters with Debris from a Tidal Wetland in New York City Area
From September 11 to 14, more than two dozen AmeriCorps members from the Student Conservation Association (SCA) Hudson Valley Conservation Corps came to Staten Island to help DEC Region 2 staff on a tidal wetlands enhancement project at Mt. Loretto Unique Area. Over three of the four days, crews removed 29 tires and filled four 30-yard dumpsters with debris from the tidal wetlands that included trees, docks and telephone poles. In addition, a local tree service and staff from Pouch Boy Scout Camp helped out with the wetlands project on one of the three cleanup days.
The group removed enough debris to fill four 30-yard dumpsters from the shoreline during the cleanup effort
Cleanup Restores Wetlands/Reduces Hazards
During storms, large timber, tires and plastic bags are deposited in the Mt. Loretto wetlands from surrounding areas. The debris causes intermittent blockage of the tidal inlet that connects the wetlands to Raritan Bay, impeding normal flushing of the tidal wetlands. Debris removal restores salinity to the tidal wetland system, aiding in the reduction of phragmites, an invasive species. Debris removal also enhances tidal wetland habitat and protects boaters and the public from the hazards of debris that floats back into the bay.
This project was the result of months of planning by DEC and SCA Hudson Valley Conservation Corps staff. Each year, SCA's AmeriCorps members plan and implement a major service project with DEC or the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation-SCA's major partners in the Hudson Valley program. AmeriCorps is the network of local, state, and national service programs that connects more than 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet our country's critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment.
Boy Scouts Help Too
AmeriCorps members stayed in cabins at Pouch Boy Scout Camp for the week. In return for the lodging, the members offered a presentation and activities for Boy Scouts to earn their nature badge, fulfilling 4 of 10 requirements for the badge. A local tree service and staff from Pouch Camp helped out on the wetlands project.
Besides tackling the labor-intensive work, SCA/AmeriCorps members had the opportunity to learn more about environmental topics during the project. They attended an invasive species presentation focused on the Asian longhorned beetle, learned how to surf fish and how to teach students to fish with the I FISH NY staff. Another highlight was venturing to lower Manhattan for a guided tour of the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), gold-certified, luxury residential high-rise in North America.
