Restore Rockland Pond in Short Beach
Donation protected
Situation
Rockland Park pond and subjacent land in Short Beach (across from the sailing club) have gone through many changes in the last 30 years. Long-time neighbors fondly recall a time when the pond was a neighborhood treasure. However, over the years, the pond area has deteriorated following a sewer line placement through the area many years ago. This made the pond vulnerable to plants like phragmites. These invasive plants became dominant which caused a decrease in the pond's biodiversity.
Past owners have not able to address the rapid invasion of non-native plants, but in the summer of 2020, a family of muskrats moved into the pond. The muskrat family alone cleared a decent size area in the pond and new wildlife started to arrive, such as mallard ducks. One family of muskrats can only do so much, but their efforts have shown that if we clear the rest of the phragmites and restore the pond with native flora, we will attract a diverse spectrum of native wildlife, provide local vegetation for the muskrats, and return the pond again to a neighborhood treasure.
With habitat restoration as a goal, a group of Short Beach neighbors are currently raising funds to restore the pond for our neighborhood. We have applied and received a permit from the Inland Wetland Commission of Branford, CT as of 12/20/21 and are actively working with both the IWC with the support of a soil scientist to remove all invasive species including the phragmites. We are excited to plant native plants with an eye toward ideal planting zones and to create a pollinator pathway.
The goal of this GOFUNDME page is to raise $5,500 to restore the pond. We hope that when the project is completed, neighbors will enjoy a pond which will be a thriving nature preserve.
What we plan to do
We have a proposal from ALL HABITAT SERVICES who specialize in phragmites removal while preserving wildlife and wetlands. The proposal is a 3-year restoration project which includes safe removal of phragmites without disturbing wildlife and their habitats.
All Habitats Proposal for 2021-2023
Activity Timing Cost
Dormant Season Mow December 2021-March 2022 $800
Early Season Treatment May/June (2022) $400
Late Season Treatment July/August (2022) $400
Dormant Mow Nov 2022-March 2023 $500
Early Season Treatment May/June (2023) $350
Late Season Treatment July/August (2023) $350
$2,800
We will also spend an additional $1,800 to mulch, tarp, plant native plants, and pay for any necessary permits. We have also set aside $1,000 to handle any required surveys, soil scientist reports, or additional requirements. And we will be utilizing neighborhood volunteers to help with these activities.
Current Invasive Plants in Pond
Phragmites, Japanese Knotweed, English Ivy, Mugwort, Japanese Honeysuckle, Norway Maple, Tree of Heaven, Burning Bush, Garlic Mustard, Multifloral Rose
Bringing in Native Plants
Elderberry, Winterberry, Various Viburnums, Marsh Mallow, Blueflag iris, Fleabane, Blacked Susans, Hyssop(agastache), Red Cedar, Joe Pye, Boneset, Red Osier, Pickerel Weed, Pond Lily and more
The total cost of this restoration is estimated at $5,500 over a 3-year period.
Our goal is to start right away.
Please contribute $1, $5, $25, $100, $500 or whatever you can or wish.
Together, we can restore the pond and create a native wildlife habitat that the neighborhood can enjoy for years to come.
THANK YOU!
Rockland Park pond and subjacent land in Short Beach (across from the sailing club) have gone through many changes in the last 30 years. Long-time neighbors fondly recall a time when the pond was a neighborhood treasure. However, over the years, the pond area has deteriorated following a sewer line placement through the area many years ago. This made the pond vulnerable to plants like phragmites. These invasive plants became dominant which caused a decrease in the pond's biodiversity.
Past owners have not able to address the rapid invasion of non-native plants, but in the summer of 2020, a family of muskrats moved into the pond. The muskrat family alone cleared a decent size area in the pond and new wildlife started to arrive, such as mallard ducks. One family of muskrats can only do so much, but their efforts have shown that if we clear the rest of the phragmites and restore the pond with native flora, we will attract a diverse spectrum of native wildlife, provide local vegetation for the muskrats, and return the pond again to a neighborhood treasure.
With habitat restoration as a goal, a group of Short Beach neighbors are currently raising funds to restore the pond for our neighborhood. We have applied and received a permit from the Inland Wetland Commission of Branford, CT as of 12/20/21 and are actively working with both the IWC with the support of a soil scientist to remove all invasive species including the phragmites. We are excited to plant native plants with an eye toward ideal planting zones and to create a pollinator pathway.
The goal of this GOFUNDME page is to raise $5,500 to restore the pond. We hope that when the project is completed, neighbors will enjoy a pond which will be a thriving nature preserve.
What we plan to do
We have a proposal from ALL HABITAT SERVICES who specialize in phragmites removal while preserving wildlife and wetlands. The proposal is a 3-year restoration project which includes safe removal of phragmites without disturbing wildlife and their habitats.
All Habitats Proposal for 2021-2023
Activity Timing Cost
Dormant Season Mow December 2021-March 2022 $800
Early Season Treatment May/June (2022) $400
Late Season Treatment July/August (2022) $400
Dormant Mow Nov 2022-March 2023 $500
Early Season Treatment May/June (2023) $350
Late Season Treatment July/August (2023) $350
$2,800
We will also spend an additional $1,800 to mulch, tarp, plant native plants, and pay for any necessary permits. We have also set aside $1,000 to handle any required surveys, soil scientist reports, or additional requirements. And we will be utilizing neighborhood volunteers to help with these activities.
Current Invasive Plants in Pond
Phragmites, Japanese Knotweed, English Ivy, Mugwort, Japanese Honeysuckle, Norway Maple, Tree of Heaven, Burning Bush, Garlic Mustard, Multifloral Rose
Bringing in Native Plants
Elderberry, Winterberry, Various Viburnums, Marsh Mallow, Blueflag iris, Fleabane, Blacked Susans, Hyssop(agastache), Red Cedar, Joe Pye, Boneset, Red Osier, Pickerel Weed, Pond Lily and more
The total cost of this restoration is estimated at $5,500 over a 3-year period.
Our goal is to start right away.
Please contribute $1, $5, $25, $100, $500 or whatever you can or wish.
Together, we can restore the pond and create a native wildlife habitat that the neighborhood can enjoy for years to come.
THANK YOU!
Organizer
Yin Ho
Organizer
Branford, CT