ELODF Recent Projects

2021

We are hard are work finishing up the data input stage of our Shoreline Feasibility Study. Using GIS data we are able to see shoreline changes and compare rates of hardening form 2015 to data from 2020. This information will allow us to see the percentage of shoreline changes over this narrow window of time.

2020

In 2019, ELODF received a $30,000 NYS Non-Agriculture Nonpoint Source Planning Grant for a Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Wetlands Area: Shoreline Resiliency and Feasibility Study. Upon funding approval in 2020, they will begin identifying natural/non-hardened vrs developed shoreline within the project area and creating a database, then assessing alternative shoreline protection and restoration measures. We will coordinate stakeholder engagement and outreach through workshops and publications.

2016

Piping Plover Protection on Eastern Lake Ontario

In 2016, The Foundation helped fund a piping plover stewardship program for the summer season. The funds wee requested by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation – Central Region for sandy Island Beach State Park Natural Area and the DEC Lakeview Wildlife Management Area, Montario Point.

Nesting piping plovers returned to the low dunes on the southern spit of the Sandy Pond Shoreline. They had not been seen nesting in the area for 30 year. The funds provided  were used to protect the nesting sites. Scope of the steward’s work included providing public outreach and education, installing and maintaining protective snow fence, designing signage and interpretive materials, conducting shoreline beach cleanups, engaging partners and volunteers, mapping and removing invasive species, assisting in dune grass plantings, and reporting emergencies and problems to DEC law enforcement and monitoring for the federally endangered piping plover.

ELODF funds were used for volunteer t-shirts, supplies for a volunteer appreciation event and purchasing snow fence, signage and publications.

2015

Sandy Island Beach State Park – Bird Sanctuary

In 2105, the designated Bird Sanctuary on the south peninsula on North Pond was in need of repair. Established in 1990 when the beach was originally purchased by The Nature Conservancy, it had since become covered in dune building process ( a very good thing) and also destroy by weather and human vandalism. The designated trail leading to the high point lookout was not longer present.

The Foundation paid for and delivered many rolls of snow fence for use in reestablishing this important migratory bird habitat and observation post. The enabled  Parks personnel to build this visitor enhancement before the busy beach season began.