Species Benefiting From Restoration:
   • Black Mangroves (Avicennia germinans)
   • White Mangroves (Laguncularia racemosa)
   • Buttonwood mangroves (Conocarpus erectus)
   • Red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle)

Acres of Habitat To be Restored:
Approximately 8 acres

Project Summary:
It is the intent of this project to clean and restore the Red Hook salt pond and to reverse many of the negative impacts that have occurred over many years of abuse and neglect that have severely degraded the pond, damaged many mangroves, degraded the habitat of spawning fish as well as the habitat of many water birds. The pond will become a focal point of the town of Red Hook, where it is located, as an educational hike for the local school children as well as residents and visitors to our island. Water quality testing as well as strong support from a wetlands expert will be the guiding factor in this project. Monitoring the rejuvenation of the pond by local volunteers including local youth education organizations will be a large component of the project.

Project Objectives:
It is a hope of our organization to clean the pond of debris and to hire a wetland expert to consult with on the adequate way to restore the pond to bring back the habitat of the mangrove, the water birds and the spawning fish. One main goal is to provide an excellent educational experience for our local school children and youth by installing wheelchair accessible boardwalks, a viewing platform or two, and, if funds permit, a floating dock for the center of the pond where various bird life can nest away from shore-side predators. It is a goal to reverse the negative impacts the pond has suffered over for many years.
Cars that have parked along the pond for many years will no longer be allowed to do so as per the new ferry terminal construction permits. This will allow our organization to clean the area thoroughly and construct a boardwalk where the parked cares once existed. Main objective of this project is to dramatically improve the ponds condition, to protect it from any further degradation and to create a beautiful rejuvenated environmental site for protection of the wildlife that live there and for the enjoyment and education of future generations.

Community Involvement:
Local school children at the Public High School in the area where the pond is located will volunteer to assist with this project as well as the local chapter of Rotary Club. Main volunteers will be from the membership of the Red Hook Community Alliance.