I'm Helping to Preserve Plum Island

By Paul Stoutenburgh

While growing up on the East End of Long Island I have always thought of Plum Island as a giant mysterious laboratory where scientists created bizarre animals.  During my summer internship with the Group for the East End, I have done some research and found that the majority of the island is actually pristine wildlife habitat, and currently 90% percent of the island remains undeveloped.  In 2009 the federal government passed a law that will allow for the sale of Plum Island to the highest bidder.  Many organizations, businesses, and even agencies have become concerned about what the sale of the island could mean for the diverse wildlife populations on Plum Island.

There have been several notable recognitions that emphasize Plum Island’s ecological importance.  The US Fish and Wildlife Service have labeled the Plum Island as a “Critical Natural Resource Area”.  The New York State Department of State has recognized the island as a “Coastal Significant Fish and Wildlife Habitat”.  Just off the southeastern section of the island you can find the second largest haul-out site for Harbor and Grey Seals in New England.  The most critical ecological function of Plum Island is its role as a diverse bird sanctuary.

The 100 or more bird species that nest and winter on Plum Island have very little threat because of the absence of substantial predators to many of the bird species.  In recent bird counts, 12 of the 39 species that are currently on the Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species of New York State list have been spotted on Plum Island.  One of these species is the federally endangered Roseate Tern whose second largest breeding population occurs in the stewardship area which consists of Plum Island and the Gull Island complex.  It is obvious why Audubon New York designated Plum Island as an Important Bird Area.

Local naturalist and author John Turner is leading the Preserve Plum Island Coalition in an effort to convince the federal government to create a Plum Island National Wildlife Refuge. In addition to this action, we can try to express our concerns to the Town of Southold, who can put conservation zoning on the island to preserve the extraordinary wildlife habitat there.

YOU CAN HELP!

To join the Coalition contact Stella Miller at trickiwoo63@yahoo.com or 516-682-597.

To sign the petition go to http://www.hobaudubon.org/ and choose “click here to sign.”