Water Chestnut News

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service continues efforts to protect our Northeast waters

The Service and its partners continued to survey the Connecticut River watershed this year for the invasive water chestnut plant. Volunteers and staff, including Youth Conservation Corps crews, removed thick mats of the hardy, emerald green plants from waters in hopes to protect other wildlife in need of the sunlight blocked by this rampant aquatic invasive. Mechanical harvesters and aquatic herbicides have been used to try to control large populations, but it's difficult to ensure complete removal of the European plant

Audio, NPR story 2011: Hunting for the Invasive Water Chestnut
News story, Patch 2011: Water Chestnuts Creeping South
Website, Connecticut River

Sandy Point News

Landowners protect the beach and the birds of Sandy Point Island
Audio, NPR story 2011: When Biologists Protect One Bird From Another
Video, Sandy Point 2010: A Habitat We Share (.mov - allow time to load)
News release, October 2010: Partnership on Sandy Point Island Successfully Balances Recreation and ConservationSandy Point Press Release

Long Beach West News

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by the President is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st Century.

The Southern New England-New York Bight Coastal Program received nearly $1 million dollars for the removal of abandoned cottages and the restoration of the important barrier beach and dunce complex of Long Beach, Connecticut.

PDF 2010: Long Beach Cottage Removal Project
Website, Department of the Interior Long Beach West Restoration Project
Audio, NPR story 2010: Tearing Down Buildings for Wildlife

Partners that led the 35-acre restoration of Stratford's Long Beach West were honored with a 2011 Environmental Achievement Award from the Department of the Interior. These awards honor extraordinary commitment to sustainable practices and environmental remediation at Department of the Interior sites.

News release, 2011: Fish and Wildlife Service Honored for Restoration, Sustainability Efforts
Website: Department of the Interior, Environmental Awards
PDF 2011: Award images (see page 13)