As LIISMA approaches the end of our field season, the breezy October days have been just what we needed to cool down after a very hot and busy summer! As we traded in our shorts and kayaks for muck boots, flannels, hand saws, and notepads, the crew got ready for a jam packed month of wetland delineation, kudzu (Pueraria montana) monitoring/control, and biodiversity surveying with our partners in local municipalities and land trust organizations.
To kick off October, Melody and Kassidy completed the final two field days of their Rutgers Wetland Delineation Certification series, in hopes to become qualified to delineate wetlands in New York alongside Abby and Bill. They trudged through northern and southern New Jersey wetlands and swamps, learning the basics of delineating wetlands, understanding hydric soil conditions and indicators, and identifying native wetland species and ecosystems. Though the class has been a rigorous task, no challenge is too great for this powerhouse of LIISMA’s leading ladies.
The bulk of our fieldwork this month focused on kudzu control and monitoring. LIISMA staff visited four locations, including one site in Huntington, and several sites in the South Shore, Riverhead/North Fork, and Baldwin areas. We were glad to report that no kudzu was detected at the Huntington and Baldwin areas, which consisted of four monitoring sites in total. Of the three sites we visited in the South Shore, our staff only detected one kudzu root crown growing at a private residential property in Sayville, and promptly removed and disposed of it. Lastly, of the four sites we visited in the Riverhead/North Fork area, kudzu was only detected at one of those sites, on a private property, in little abundance and we removed that as well. This season, we surveyed seventeen sites in total, finding kudzu at only two of those sites. A great success!
On October 11, the LIISMA team conducted an invasive species rapid assessment of the Sugar Loaf property, located in the Shinnecock Hills, Town of Southampton, in Suffolk County. The team was accompanied by Josh Halsey (Peconic Land Trust) and Denise Silva-Dennis (Niamuck Land Trust, Peconic Land Trust). The site currently consists of four adjacent parcels totaling approximately 16 acres, and has a unique, yet complex history, originating as sacred land under the protection and care of the Shinnecock Nation indigenous tribe of Long Island.
Standing on one of the highest points of Long Island, the Sugar Loaf property rests on one of the highest points of Long Island, overlooking the Peconic and Shinnecock Bays. Traditionally, the land was used by Shinnecock whalers who spied for North Atlantic right whales to feed the community. Additionally, the site served as a celebration point for feasts such as Strawberry Thanksgiving. Most importantly, the hilltop served as a sacred burial place, both for the Shinnecock people and important leaders of other neighboring tribes.
European colonization resulted in property divisions and the theft of large portions of Shinnecock land. The land was then used as grazing land for colonists’ sheep, giving rise to the name “sugar loaf,” as the hills of sheep resembled a mound of sugar. In 1990, further disturbance of this sacred place was caused, when a mansion was erected on the Sugar Loaf peak, along with the creation of a private golf course that altered the adjacent property.
Fortunately, as the Shinnecock Nation became a federally recognized tribe in 2010, the Peconic Land Trust worked with the Niamuck Land Trust to purchase back this hilltop, along with its adjoining parcels, for the purposes of restoring this ecologically and culturally significant land.
Unfortunately, due to the human alteration and disturbance of the land over a century and a half later, many non-native species and invasive species have been introduced to the site. Both land trusts aim to manage these invasive species, protect the ecological resources of the property, and work towards a goal of restoration to its ecological origins.
The LIISMA team observed evidence of several ecological communities at Sugar Loaf, including maritime grassland, maritime shrubland, maritime oak forest, pitch pine-oak-heath woodland, and successional old field. These communities often transition into one another and exist ecologically as disturbed or historical remnants. The team was pleased to find that throughout these historical remnants, many characteristic species of the original heritage of the sacred land remain intact, and with the help of restoration practices, could potentially see a reemergence to its former ecological integrity. LIISMA is assisting the Trusts with invasive species recommendations to assist in the restoration of this property to its historical roots.
On October 15, the LIISMA team met with Rob Longiaru, Chris, and Kate from the Town of Hempstead to conduct a survey of Twin Lakes Preserve. Twin Lakes Preserve is a 58 acre preserve under ownership of the Town of Hempstead in Wantagh. Occurrences of native species and invasive species were recorded to assess the ecological communities present within the site, and address any invasive species management and restoration opportunities.
The Town’s highest priorities for this site include promoting ecological health and preserving the access and quality of recreation for the Town of Hempstead community. The preserve is valued in the community for its hiking trails, fishing, birdwatching, and educational potential.
Accompanied by the Town of Hempstead staff, LIISMA surveyed 58 acres of the preserve, including the perimeter of Seamans, Forest, and Wantagh Ponds, mostly with a focus on terrestrial ecosystems. The team collected a biodiversity analysis of the existing vegetation, including invasive species, and ecological communities present, in an effort to assist the Town in their prioritization of future management at this site.
The team determined there to be several redeeming ecological communities present in the preserve, despite the varying conditions of human disturbance and alteration of its historic wetland origins. We found the site to consist of remnants of red maple- sweetgum swamp (ecologically rare in NYS) and coastal oak-beech forest. A lesser extent of invasive species was detected than expected, with the pleasant surprise of an abundance of many characteristic species native to these particular ecological communities. LIISMA is working alongside the Town of Hempstead to assist in guiding the restoration and management potential of the Twin Lakes Preserve.
These events conclude the October adventures in LIISMA’s 2024 field season, which will soon be winding down to an end in preparation for the authoring of our annual report, and for next year’s projects soon underway! As always, LIISMA is grateful to our many partners and community supporters for assisting us in our efforts to conserve and restore species and communities of highest quality, cultural and ecological importance, while managing high-impact and especially newly emerging invasive species where their abundance is low, and their management is feasible. Thanks for tuning in!qualified to delineate wetlands in New York State
