NCC Environmental Students At Garden City Bird Sanctuary

Nassau Community College Students with Professor Viscovitch at the Bird Sanctuary

A cool spring didn't slow down the site preparation efforts of the Garden City Bird Sanctuary's Community Tree Planting Program being funded through a cooperative grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. In mid-March, Nassau County's Department of Public Works removed several declining maple trees along Tanners Pond Road, and the Bird Sanctuary arranged for the removal of over 70 vine infested black cherry saplings crowding the fence bordering the adjacent soccer field. "Stumps Only" from Merrick was hired to grind out and remove the many stumps, and much of the debris and impeding branches were removed from the Village fence by volunteers.

This work was assisted from two classes of environmental students from Nassau Community College taught by Professor Fran Viscovitch. Dr. Viscovitch has previously brought classes to the Bird Sanctuary for environmental studies and the students have helped clean out nesting boxes. This time, they rolled up their sleeves to dig, prune, cut, and bag remaining debris so that the area could be ready for the planned April 21 planting. NCC students included Sheen Bradshaw, Gina Zingall. Ashley Kevorkian, Wayne Hall, Keith Hoffer, David Bucknor, Jessica Cavanaugh, Katie Ruiz, Steve Lombardo, Dan Niederreuther, Liam Croutier, Howie Zimmern, Evan Potts, Kevin McAuliffe, Pete Ursendt, Brent Mollen, Dave Murillo, Bradley Cordaro, Samantha Antico, Mark Licurse, Erin Doherty, Greg Ramjohn, Stacy Beedenberdyn, Samantha Postle, Sean Raake, Dan LaLalla, Dan Berardi and Halg Baghdasserion. The nearly 30 students contributed nearly $500 in volunteer community service through their work, and that amount is credited towards the NYSDEC grant.

NCC Student Volunteers at the Garden City Bird Sanctuary

The initial plantings of native trees and shrubs such as Carolina Cypress, Holly, Winterberry, Oak Leaf Hydrangea, Eastern Ninebark, and American Yellowood trees have been ordered through Bissett Nursery Corporation in Holtsville and Cipriano Nursery and Garden Center in East Meadow. Assistance provided courtesy of Harder Trees will be provided to deliver and plant the larger trees. Rob Alvey, President of the Garden City Bird Sanctuary, has spent much of the winter researching suppliers to obtain select species of plants that are suitable for the site so that it will enhance the diversity of plants as the community nature preserve continues to develop as an educational arboretum.

Mitch from "Stumps Only" removing stumps at the Garden City Bird Sanctuary

According to Alvey, the number of participants working on the Community Tree Planting program grows each week. The Garden City High School Environmental Club is coordinating the initial planting event for Saturday April 21, followed by an employee and family day from Timberland Store in Roosevelt Field, a group from the Youth Group at the Garden City Community Church, and many students from Sacred Heart Academy.

On Saturday April 28th , the High School Environmental HOPE club is sponsoring a Walkathon at the Bird Sanctuary to raise needed funds to expand the Community Tree Planting program to another section of the site. The students have had a variety of raffle prizes donated by local businesses and will provide T-shirts to all participants that can gain pledges of at least $50 towards the program. Free refreshments and live music will be provided. All community residents are asked to participate. Enjoy the day, bring a lawn chair and enjoy the music, and enjoy a walk in the park. For information on how you can participate call 326-1720.

Clearing the Slope for New Plantings at the Bird Sanctuary

NCC Students clearing out a tree from the fence.