Dear Otter Creek Neighbors, Friends, and Supporters,

Thank you for your sustained support of Otter Creek Preserve!

Autumn migration is upon us. Every night, millions of birds take to the sky on their journeys to their wintering grounds. Saltmarshes and wetlands like Otter Creek Preserve along the Atlantic Flyway are critical stopover sites for migrating birds each fall and spring. It’s another reason why the Preserve is special.

Protecting places like this is why Westchester Land Trust exists, and why your commitment to our work is so important.

We’re finally seeing relief from the mosquitoes. We’ve stuck to our plan—and permit from the State. Since July 1, we’ve had 12 applications of Bti larvicide to date. The report from our licensed applicator from Labor Day weekend was very positive: he didn’t observe mosquito larvae at any of the ponds. He will continue to monitor and treat the Preserve regularly through the end of October.

Our job is not done. We’re planning for next year’s mosquito season, as well as all the habitat management and visitor experience projects for the Preserve. (And if you haven’t already checked them out, we installed two bat boxes last month to encourage bat predation of mosquitoes.)

We are genuinely thankful to everyone who has connected to us regarding the care of Otter Creek Preserve. Places like Otter Creek matter because they are embedded into the fabric of the ecological community and our human-made community. The Preserve provides refuge for wildlife and buffers against storms. It also serves as a refuge and buffer from the busyness of life.

Together, we care for the land and people.  

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