Peter Delany from New Hyde Park Scout Troop 298 takes a break removing invasive vines. The Garden City Bird Sanctuary's Make-A-Difference Day program gathered a spectacular flock of over 200 volunteers for the national day of community service. This was more than just a local event, but included student volunteers from Chaminade High School, Mineola High School, New Hyde Park Memorial High School, Sewanhaka HS, as well as Garden City.

Participants ranged from Peter Delaney working on a scout eagle project with members of New Hyde Park Troop 298 to Tom Vita with a different eagle project by Garden City scout troop 55, families, St. Joes' CCD class, St. Anne's GCHS health class students, and cub pack 7 as well as a visiting group from Oceanside. If you've noticed the huge mountains of debris stockpiled on Tanners Pond Road the last few Monday mornings, you'll also be impressed with the improvements at Garden City's community nature preserve.

"Presidential Tree Care" under the direction of Rich Torres and Ryan Santelli began an effort to prune and remove unwanted "weed trees" that have grown through the fence over the years. A grant from the New York State Parks Department will be used to replace some of the rusted chain link fencing with quality estate style fencing. Over 500 spring flowering bulbs were planted and walking trails were pruned. Additional planting beds were prepared for a Christmas planting fest by Garden City High School HOPE group with members of the newly established Mineola High School Environmental Club. These two groups combined to paint some of the new trellis's built at the site by Garden City High School student Andrew Nanyakkara.

Tom Vita and volunteers installing a solar powered pump and pond at the sanctuary. Thanks are extended to New Hyde Park Memorial High School and Sewanhaka who had their photography clubs come for the day. The students worked with many GC folks and volunteers in addition to taking photos of the site. Directors Rob Alvey, June Fay, John Cronin, Ryan Santelli, Stephanie Bird, Marge Nucito, Charlie and Pat Oliver were on hand to help folks sign in and organize the activities.

Volunteers Tom and Caroline Rechner from Garden City Garden City High School students volunteers at the Bird Sanctuary GCHS HOPE Environmental Club put in extra hours at the Sanctuary The Los Kamp family: Suzie, Claire Matt, Perry, Mason, with KC and Rob Alvey Teacher advisor Sue Kennedy helped Mineola HS students paint trellises Cub scout crew planted bulbs by one of the benches. Presidential Tree's Rich Torres and Ryan Santelli with GCHS students helped trim down weed trees Cutting down saplings that interfere with the fence. A favorite activity - using the tractor to cart branches to the street Bird Sanctuary Directors June Fay, Marge Nucito, Stephanie Bird, John Cronin and Rob Alvey