Water Testing at Windmill Pond

Gregory Diliberto, a high school student from United Nations International School, conducted a water testing project about Windmill Pond as an intern this summer. This is part of his research: "Windmill Pond is a pond along the trails of Alley Pond Park. It is full of algae and provides a home for many insects and different kinds of animals.

Many animals have been spotted there, including dragonflies and other flying insects, turtles, many species of birds, including an egret, and even an elusive muskrat. Testing the dissolved oxygen, as well as the pH and air and water temperature for this pond will help give insight into how well this pond can support wildlife, and what kind of wildlife it can support." If you would like to read his entire report, it is available from the Education Department at APEC.

 

Summer High School Volunteers

Dyan Freiberg, APEC's Volunteer Coordinator, reports that over 40 high school volunteers participated in APEC's volunteer program this summer. The sessions were from 10 am – 1 pm and 1 pm – 4 pm. These volunteers were extremely helpful with the animals, arts and crafts, poster making, picture mounting, assisting with educational programs and helping the Ed Department prepare for the Fall school programs. Thanks go to:

Julia Anastos	Francesca Bello	Marty Bolger	Amina Carbone
Bayard Carmiencke	Clara Chang	Anne Chen	Andrew Chiu
Amani Choudhury	Delphina Feige	Milyza Flores	Sal Greco
Lisa Greco	Daniel Halpern	Elizabeth Ji	Alexia Komada-John
Jennifer Kopp	Jasmine Kyon	Christine Lee	Despina Leontiadis
Shirley Lin	Glenn Liu	W. Douglas Lombardi	Maureen MacIntosh
Sarah McKendry	Jessica Merkl	Andrew Mitchel	Bryant Moy
Lauren Murphy	Anna Rose Petinos	Mary Grace Petinos	Kevin Pierro
Alexander Sabatino	Nicholas Scherl	Danielle Shtab	David Singler
Kimberly Strempel	Amanda Tenorio	Ciara Tomlinson	Brianna Torres
Mehak Thurkal	Alvin Wong	Sarah Wu	Andrew Zheng
Kenneth Zheng	Emily Zhou

 

Reintroduction of native brook trout to APEC’s fresh water streams

Trout in the Classroom is a national program of Trout Unlimited that aims to reintroduce native freshwater trout to local waterways. A grant from Trout Unlimited provided APEC with equipment, and the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery periodically provides APEC with brook trout eggs for this program.

APEC raises the trout in a tank in our exhibit hall, and our field biology interns release them into fresh water streams on the property. The project incorporates studies of water quality and stream ecology, and education materials for APEC’s visitors. Trout Unlimited is monitoring the results of this effort.

 

Start-up Funds for an on-going project

Dr. Andrew Kolodny and T.J. Tu present APEC with start-up funds for an on-going project to remove invasive plant species from sections of the wetlands of Alley Pond Park. Represented here by Executive Director Irene V. Scheid, Board President Rita Sherman and Board Members Bill Nieter, Barbara Friedman and Theresa Bonavolonta, Alley Pond Environmental Center is hoping to continue and expand this work in Biodiversity. Additional funds are needed to sustain this undertaking. A crew of volunteers will be assembled and trained to work in the field shortly.
Please contact the Center in order to:

Contribute additional funds to this venture

Receive an application to join volunteers to remove invasive plant species in the wetlands of Alley Pond Park

Call APEC at 718-229-4000 if you wish to become involved in this important project.

Reintroduction of native brook trout to APEC’s fresh water streams

Trout in the Classroom is a national program of Trout Unlimited that aims to reintroduce native freshwater trout to local waterways. A grant from Trout Unlimited provided APEC with equipment, and the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery periodically provides APEC with brook trout eggs for this program.

APEC raises the trout in a tank in our exhibit hall, and our field biology interns release them into fresh water streams on the property. The project incorporates studies of water quality and stream ecology, and education materials for APEC’s visitors. Trout Unlimited is monitoring the results of this effort.

Examining the feasibility of introducing native amphibian and aquatic turtle life to APEC’s Windmill Pond

The NYC Department of Parks and Recreation is interested in establishing a native population of amphibians in APEC’s windmill pond. It is first necessary to determine the number and species of turtles living in the pond, because of the presence of red eared sliders, a more aggressive non-native pet species, that is often abandoned in the pond.

The red eared slider population could endanger native turtles like the painted and spotted turtle as well as introduced amphibians. An inventory of the turtle population is being completed by Wild Metro.

Porcelain Berry Removal

Students from the Biology and Geology Department of Queensborough Community College have taken on a Porcelain Berry Removal Project in Alley Pond Park. The students have been coming to APEC to work in teams with Aline Euler, APEC Education Director, to clear trails and free some of the trees from takeover by this non-native, invasive vine.

According to the National Park Service, porcelain-berry is a vigorous invader of open and wooded habitats. It grows and spreads quickly in areas with high to moderate light. As it spreads, it climbs over shrubs and other vegetation, shading out native plants and consuming habitat.”

Reestablishing the blue bird population at APEC

The blue bird is a native of New York State, and the state bird. APEC is partnering with four local organizations to attract a new breeding population to the park.

The New York State Blue Bird Society provides APEC with blue bird nesting box kits and advises APEC on habitat needs. A local elementary school, PS 169 Q, helps to assemble the boxes.

The Queens County Bird Club assists APEC with installation of the boxes, and local Eagle Scouts regularly clear and enhance the habitat area.

Inventorying Native and Non-native Plants Along our Trails

Dr. Andrew Greller, a renowned botanist and professor emeritus of the Queens College Department of Biology, along with the Torrey Botanical Society, the Long Island Botanical Society and Alley Pond Environmental Center conduct field trips to survey and record the plants—both native and non-native invasives—in Alley Pond Park and around nearby Oakland Lake. The New York Natural Heritage Program also is involved in plant research in Alley Pond Park. The State program is recording plant biodiversity information in various ecosystems of parks statewide. APEC plans to collate these reports into a comprehensive inventory that will support grant-funded projects for removing the invasives and restoring native habitats in the park. Many visitors and program participants come to APEC to walk the trails, and restoration will provide them with a more authentic experience and a wider understanding of native plant habitats

Enhance Ecological Character Of Wetlands And Improve Access

In spring and fall semesters, faculty and students from service-oriented courses at St. John’s University in Queens work throughout the wetland preserve to improve access for visitors and to enhance the ecological character of the preserve. Efforts include controlling invasive species, building walkways, improving trail and trail-side conditions, encouraging native planting and wildlife, and repairing the scars from years of neglect and development. Pictured here is the 2009 fall planting as part of the NYC Million Trees program, where volunteers planted 1,400 shrubs and saplings along Northern Boulevard.

Saving Urban Biodiversity Forum

On April 27, 2001, the Alley Pond Environmental Center held a Saving Urban Biodiversity – Young Peoples Forum. The forum addressed the variety of issues involving biodiversity in our community.

Keynote speaker Councilman James Gennaro and two expert panels discussed concerns such as Saving Urban Biodiversity – Defining the Issues and what is being done? What remains to be done? According to Bill Nieter chairman of the event "The purpose of the forum was to propose ways that we can protect and even increase natures wealth within our community. As part of the forum a Salute to Biodiversity – Photography Contest was held.

Young people ranging in age from 8 to 21 years old captured digital images that reflected NYC's wildlife, flora or a natural landscape. Winners were selected and their images were displayed at the Forum. The contest was hosted by the Alley Pond Environmental Center and Central Veterinary Associates generously supported cash prizes. APEC and Central Veterinary Associates congratulate the following winners..

 

	BIO-DIVERSITY CONTEST WINNERS
8-13 YEAR OLDS
FLORA
FOTIS ANTONATOS	1ST PLACE
ANDREA CADORNIGARA	2ND PLACE
LANDSCAPE
LAURA TOSCANO	1ST PLACE
KAYLA ROCHE	2ND PLACE
WILDLIFE
NICOLE CHIU	1ST PLACE
JILLIAN PARRINO	2ND PLACE
14-17 YEAR OLDS
FLORA
KARIN BACKERT	1ST PLACE
CHYNNA LORENZO	2ND PLACE
LANDSCAPE
JAMIE RUSSO	1ST PLACE
CARISSA STEIN	2ND PLACE
WILDLIFE
KARIN BACKERT	1ST PLACE
CYNTHIA ACEVEDO	2ND PLACE