How help endagered species? There is a large piece of land near me (4 acres of grass a small man made pond, then about 20 acres (maybe more) of woods, and a large natural pond pretty big, around 400 feet by minimum of 240 feet) and the owners are willing to help out and help some endagered species/enviroment. Its located on Long Island, more specifically manhasset. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to help out the enviroment?

Best Answer

Although that piece of land may seem large in light of the exorbitant land prices in that area, it is in reality very small in relation to the needs of most wildlife. It could however provide a good resting area for migrating species and support a small population of some of the smaller resident species.

The first thing that should be done is to get a %26quot;Conservation Easement%26quot; put on the land to prevent future development. Otherwise a government %26quot;Development Authority%26quot; may condemn it and sell it to developers to provide more tax money to the local government.

The habitat should be restored to the native species of vegetation for the area if the species composition has been subjected to exotic ornamental plants or otherwise modified .

Getting %26quot;activist%26quot; groups involved will limit the options of the landowner an perhaps force activities which may not be in the best interest of the wildlife. Unfortunately many activists are naive %26quot;know-it-alls%26quot; who are in the game for personal recognition, politics and %26quot;power%26quot;. Instead of seeking advice from government agencies or activist groups, it is better to contact someone at a local university who teaches something along the lines of %26quot;Field Ecology%26quot;. If that individual can use the property to enhance his/her teaching or perhaps to do some research their input will be free and valuable. Have Ph.D. in biology and extensive experience in environmental impacts of industrial development. Have seen a city try to condem a lake so it could be filled to make a parking lot in order to attract a mega-store to increase sales tax revenue. Have seen Fish and Wildlife Service appoint an officer (who had come from a non-biological background) to be in charge of a National Wildlife Refuge even though he had never before even seen a muskrat on land (ie. not swimming).

Asker's Rating:

Thanks!

Other Answers (2)

• Well, try getting onto local experts on what plant species are rare, and what is an environmental weed,( IN THE AREA, that is) plant the first as see fit, and pull out the second as able.
  
  If there are any water or land living animals, insects ect that are endangered, try to find out how you can meet their habitat needs in that space. Usually the biggest problem with species is loss of habitat.
  
  A local group may be operating to support such species, ask around, they may be able to stock some to your pond ect.
  
  Good luck
• they could donate the land to an environmental group to get a taxable benefit allowance ,look into groups such as Ducks Unlimited,WWF,make sure the group is accredited and has the funds to maintain the property indefinitely last thing needed is to have the property expropriated because taxes not paid and a developer get there greedy little paws on it