Dear Otter Creek Neighbors, Friends, and Supporters,

Thank you for your continued support of Otter Creek Preserve. The Preserve remains one of my favorite protected places because of its dynamic tidal marshes, and its vibrant mix of coastal waters, vernal pools, wooded uplands, and edge habitat. It’s special and unlike any other preserve Westchester Land Trust cares for.

Protecting places like this is why Westchester Land Trust exists.

We remain steadfast in our care for the land and the people. That includes taking on the responsibility to secure a State permit and contracting with a licensed applicator to apply the mosquito larvicide (VectoBac G Biological Larvicide Granules to be exact, or Bti, for short). Bti only targets mosquito, fungus gnat, and black fly larvae, making it a safer choice for both the ecosystem and people.

We received our permit (Permit No. AI-3-26-006) on June 22, 2026. The first application of Bti was on July 1, with subsequent applications on July 4, July 8, July 10, July 15, July 22, July 30, August 6, and August 13. The contractor monitors and treats the preserve regularly and will continue to do so through the end of October.

This summer’s heat and humidity are a perfect storm for mosquitoes.  Mosquitoes are mobile creatures with the capacity to fly up to three miles and no regard for property boundaries. We’re doing what we can, where we can.

Nature also seeks balance. We’ve observed a healthy dragonfly population at the preserve—dragonflies hunt mosquito adults and larvae. We’re also installing bat boxes this month to encourage more predation of mosquitoes.

Thank you to everyone who has connected with Westchester Land Trust regarding our thoughtful care of Otter Creek Preserve. Your commitment to our work and support of it reminds me why places like Otter Creek matter. Not simply because they protect wildlife, but because they enrich people’s lives. They offer quiet places to walk, opportunities to discover nature, and a reminder that healthy communities depend on healthy landscapes.

That is what caring for the land—and people—is ultimately about,

Janelle Robbins | Vice President of Conservation, Westchester Land Trust
janelle@westchesterlandtrust.org | 914-234-6992 ext. 16

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About Westchester Land Trust

Westchester Land Trust works with public and private partners to preserve land in perpetuity and to enhance the natural resources in Westchester and eastern Putnam counties—a densely populated region under persistent threat from the pressures of development. Founded in 1988, WLT has preserved 9,622 acres of open space. More than 1,360 acres of land are owned by the organization which are free and open to the public year-round. WLT was one of the first land trusts in the nation to receive accreditation through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.