Great Pond Restoration

Phragmites cleanup volunteers, Summer 2025

Restoring Great Pond

Phragmites is all over the East End, wreaking havoc on saltwater and freshwater wetlands. As with many invasive species, it prevents native plants from growing and displaces wildlife. For years, this tall, aggressive grass has been choking our 33-acre pond.

In 2019, partnering with Group for the East End (GFEE), we received a grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to remove three acres of phragmites from the pond. A contractor removed much of the water-based phragmites, while K/McCBCA and community volunteers, supported by GFEE staff, cut down the land-based invasive plants. We replaced the phragmites with native plants like swamp milkweed, blue flag iris, buttonbush and summersweet to help stave off phragmites regrowth.

In 2025, we are continuing Great Pond’s restoration, supported by a new round of funding to battle phragmites awarded to Southold Town by a Long Island Sound Futures Fund, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant. Please join us in this great community effort!

Here’s what we’re up to. Please join us!

  • Cutting phragmites

    Using hand shears, cut stalks to 6-12”.

    A brush cutter may be used to manage larger, dense areas; take care to cut only phragmites and leave other native plant species.

  • Disposing of phragmites

    Remove and collect seed heads in a black plastic bag. Place bag in a sunny spot for a few weeks to solarize and break down.

    Stalks and solarized seed heads will be accepted free of charge at the Southold Town transfer station. Let the scale operator know your material is from the Great Pond Community Pride project and fees will be waived.

    Stalks and solarized seed heads may also be left in the marked collection area at Lake Court. IMPORTANT: Please contact us when dropping material at this location so we can arrange to have it hauled.

    DOWNLOAD PHRAGMITES HOW-TO'S

  • Encouraging and re-planting native species

    Phragmites cutting gives beneficial native species a better habitat to thrive.

    As we did during the first round of restoration, we will be re-planting native species to supplement those re-appearing from the seed bed after decades of dormancy.

    Sign up for updates and join us in re-planting and encouraging native species.

Submit volunteer hours here.

Please let us know your time spent cutting phragmites and/or planting native species along the shoreline.

Want to join the effort?

Stay informed about Great Pond and get involved in restoration efforts. Join our list or get in touch here!