Celebrate Earth Day in Jamaica Bay

The American Littoral Society, Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers and the Broad Channel Civic Association are inviting everyone to “join us for ‘Earth Day in Jamaica Bay’, a fun day of educational and community service events in Broad Channel.”

In a release about the planned Saturday, April 26, event, the three partnering groups said, “Bring your children, friends and family to help make our community spaces greener, help our salt marsh habitats thrive this year. We need you to make this day a success!”

Some of the activities will include: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Walk – 10 a.m.

Explore the natural wonders of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge with an ecology walk led by Don Riepe, noted local naturalist and Northeast Chapter Director of the American Littoral Society. Participants will hike around the West and East Pond to look for spring migrating birds such as tree swallows, warblers and egrets while learning about the ecological importance of Jamaica Bay. Sunset Cove and American Park Community Cleanup – 12 p.m.

There will be a community cleanup of Sunset Cove and American Park, which is located just west of the Cross Bay Bridge toll plaza. At 12:15 p.m. there will be a short talk about the Marsh Restoration Initiative, a multi-year Jamaica Bay project co-led by the American Littoral Society and the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers, whose mission is to restore two badly degraded marsh islands, along with news about future habitat restoration initiatives that they hope to achieve with everyone’s help!

All cleanup volunteers are eligible to win two free concert tickets to see Jack Johnson, perform at Jones Beach Theatre on Saturday, June 7, courtesy of Skraptacular and the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, (/allatonce.org).

To be eligible, you must register in advance for the cleanup and check-in at the registration desk on the day of the event. The ticket winner will be announced on the Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/alsnyc.”

Schedule of Events:

10 a.m. – 12 noon: Spring Migration Birdwalk at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge with Don Riepe of the American Littoral Society’s Northeast Chapter. Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center onCross Bay Boulevard in Broad Channel.

12 noon: Check-in for Community Cleanup of Sunset Cove and American Park. All volunteers are required to sign volunteer waivers. Meet at the American ballfields parking lot on Cross Bay Boulevard in Broad Channel.

12:15 p.m.: Venetia Lannon, Regional Director of NYS DEC Region 2, Dan Mundy Sr. and Dan Mundy Jr. of the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers and Elizabeth Stoehr of the American Littoral Society will present a short talk about the Marsh Restoration Initiative.

12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Cleanup begins. Bring gloves, water, insect repellant, sunscreen and wear appropriate shoes. Long pants recommended.

For questions, please email the American Littoral Society at NEChapter@littoralsociety.org or call the office at 718-474-0896.