November 15, 2016
For Immediate Release
Contact: Lori Ensinger, President
914.234.6992 ext. 20, lori@westchesterlandtrust.org

Westchester Land Trust Helps to Improve the Health of Long Island Sound
Recent Grant Award Funds Forest Restoration at Otter Creek Preserve

MAMARONECK, NY — Westchester Land Trust (WLT) is one of twenty-five New York and Connecticut-based community groups awarded a grant through the Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF). The grant program pools funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. WLT will use LISFF monies to restore 12-acres of coastal forest at the Otter Creek Preserve in Mamaroneck, which will create or improve wildlife habitat for 100 species of migratory and forest-dwelling birds.

The LISFF 2016 awards announcement was made at a November 14th press event at the Mamaroneck Town Center Courtroom and brought together conservation partners and leaders from the local, state and national level, including representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, as well as U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel (NY – 16th District), and U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey (NY – 17th District).

“Estuaries like the Long Island Sound are among our nation’s most precious natural resources,” said Congresswoman Lowey. “Since 2005, the Long Island Sound Futures Fund has provided millions of dollars for projects to protect the Sound, restoring valuable habitats, and cleaning polluted waters.”

LISFF grants have supported local initiatives designed to improve water quality, restore habitat, enhance living resources, and educate and engage the public with the ultimate goal of protecting and further restoring Long Island Sound. This year, a total of $1.3 million will be distributed among the 25 funded projects. LISFF grantees are required to supply a significant match contribution to their project. WLT’s individual award of $55,000 will be matched with approximately $33,000 of the organization’s own resources.

According to LISFF administrators, 2016 grants will collectively reach more than 395,000 citizens through environmental and conservation education programs; and treat one million gallons of water pollution with water quality improvement projects, including more than 700 pounds of nitrogen reduced, and 6,000 pounds of floatable litter and debris collected.

ABOUT OTTER CREEK PRESERVE — The 35-acre Otter Creek Preserve is the largest privately owned tidal wetland designated and protected as a nature sanctuary in Westchester County. Located along a three-mile stretch of coastline on the Long Island Sound, Otter Creek has long attracted birdwatchers and wildlife lovers. The vibrant mix of coastal waters, marsh, wooded wetlands and uplands makes the Preserve an important site for migratory birds, marine life, insects, reptiles and amphibians, fish, and mammals.

“Otter Creek is home to a tremendous amount of wildlife,” said Westchester Land Trust’s Director of Stewardship, Tate Bushell. “Support from the LISFF will allow WLT to enhance an area of extraordinary conservation significance by restoring the coastal forest.”

The LISFF grant will provide WLT with the resources to strategically remove non-native invasive plants and introduce native trees, shrubs and herbs. This will create or improve habitat and directly benefit the abundance and diversity of wildlife. The grant will also give WLT the capacity to engage local school groups and other community partners in hands-on programming designed to help reverse the early stages of habitat degradation and fragmentation and teach young people to become active stewards of the land.

Otter Creek was designated a Geologic Area of Particular Concern by the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation in 1978, and shortly thereafter, the Village of Mamaroneck declared it a Critical Environmental Area. WLT acquired Otter Creek Preserve in April of 2015 as part of a transfer from The Nature Conservancy. It is the most ecologically diverse of the organization’s 29 land-holdings and is WLT’s largest preserve in Southern Westchester. Otter Creek is open to the public year-round at no cost and offers unique passive recreation opportunities along its ¾-mile long loop trail.

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The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and its funding sources. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and its funding sources.