Blog
Funding for Invasive Species Removal
By Julia G. King
More invasive species are on their way out of the Broad Cove Preserve. The Peconic Land Trust recently received a $93,622 grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Invasive Species Grant Program. We will use this funding for invasive remediation in a portion of the 15-acre meadow.
This funding complements private funding and a Long Island Community Fund (LICF) grant we received earlier this year for improvements to the preserve. With the preserve spanning 100 acres, it will take a lot of time and resources to remove the invasives that have taken root and plant native species in their place.
This multi-step process was aided by an invasive species review in 2022 with our partners, Long Island Invasive Species Management Area (LIISMA) and Peconic Estuary Partnership (PEP). Data collected during the assessment informed the site’s management plan.
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Tree of Heaven stumps being removed from the Broad Cove Preserve this past Fall. Tree of Heaven hosts the invasive Spotted Lanternfly.
The invasive species review found pristine native grasses in the meadow at Broad Cove. Thanks to this funding from the NYSDEC, we will focus on a 4.5-acre section of the meadow where multiple invasive species including, Autumn Olive, mile-a-minute, and Tree of Heaven, have been established. Removing and containing these invasive species will protect the native grasses in the larger meadow area.
Contact Jessie McSwane, Senior Stewardship Manager to learn more about this project.
