Dear NYS Birders,
I realize this is a bit off topic, but this is an issue of importance regarding bird conservation, and we are hoping to rally the birding community into lending support to our efforts to preserve Plum Island’s important bird habitat and protect it from development. All we ask for is your signature on our petition and if time permits, that you write a letter to your state senators (see below). The 840 acre Plum Island is located off the tip of Orient Point, Long Island. It is perhaps most famously known as the home of the Plum Island Animal Disease Control Center where research takes place to better understand transmittable livestock diseases. What many do not know is that the Island is also a natural gem, with about 85-90% of the island containing important undeveloped wildlife habitat. It is a designated Important Bird Area, with over 120 species of birds documented as either breeding or utilizing the island. Breeding birds include the Piping Plover, Osprey, American Oystercatcher, Common Terns, Bank Swallow, and many others. Common Eider may also breed there. The island hosts a multitude of wintering waterfowl off its shoreline and is a major stop-over point for migratory songbirds as they fuel up for their long journeys ahead. The island also plays host to the largest seal haul out site in southern New England, with grey and harbor seals making up the majority of the seals documented. Key habitats include maritime dune; a 90-acre wetland complex including tupelo-maple swamp, a cat-tail swamp, grassland, open water and numerous wet-land shrubs; and extensive coastal forests. Unfortunately for conservationists and birders alike, a 2008 act of Congress requires the sale of this publicly-owned island to the highest bidder. The proceeds of the sale are to be used to construct a new animal disease research lab in Kansas. As a first step in this process, the U.S. General Services Administration is preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement to assess the environmental impact of several development scenarios. A number of groups have joined to form the "Preserve Plum Island" Coalition, from international and national organizations to smaller, local entities. The mission of the Coalition is to have Congress reverse course on Plum Island by passing legislation which protects the Island by designating it as a National Wildlife Refuge administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We have the support of over 40 organizations, what we need now is YOUR voice to make us a stronger and truly formidable force. As birders, we all have a vested interest in this island. Please help us to preserve Plum Island’s important bird habitat by signing our petition at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/preserve-plum-island/ Once you have signed, please forward the petition to as many people as you can. We need our voices heard loud and clear! For more information on the resources of Plum Island, to view the coalition list, read our case statement and learn more about the efforts of the Preserve Plum Island Coalition, please visit our website at www.preserveplumisland.org. Here, you can also download a letter of support to send to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand as well as Congressman Bishop. If you have any questions, please email me privately so that we do not clog up the listserv, and I will be happy to answer them! Thank you!!!! Sincerely, Stella MillerPresident, Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society Spokesperson, Preserve Plum Island Coalition "When all the dangerous cliffs are fenced off, all the trees that might fall on people are cut down, all of the insects that bite have been poisoned...and all of the grizzlies are dead because they are occasionally dangerous, the wilderness will not be made safe. Rather, the safety will have destroyed the wilderness." R. Yorke Edwards "God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools." John Muir -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
