Conservation Efforts in Ash Creek Ash Creek Conservation Association, Inc.
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Conservation Efforts in Ash Creek
Ash Creek Conservation Association, Inc.
Our Mission
To preserve and protect one of the few remaining tidal estuaries in an urban area in the United States that provides an important habitat for migratory shorebirds, oysters and other shellfish, and an opportunity to educate the public about this amazing, fragile, and extraordinarily beautiful ecosystem which has been self restoring itself for more than 50 years.
Our Objectives - #1
To educate the public and Bridgeport/Fairfield residents of the significance of tidal estuaries such as Ash Creek in their crucial role as delicate environments for the maintenance of bird, fish, and plant life
Our Objectives - #2
To educate about the potential source of pollutants whenever there is human activity in the area. For example, marinas and boat usage increase toxins, affect nutrients, and have an impact on the ecology of the Creek.
Our Objectives - #3
To advocate for the restoration and protection of the Ash Creek tidal estuary from ill-planned encroachments and development which could significantly harm the ecological balance of nature in the area.
Our Objectives - #4
To work for identification and designation of especially sensitive areas in the Ash Creek tidal estuary for special protection.
Our Objectives - #5
Obtaining designation of the Ash Creek estuary as an Important Birding Area (IBA).
Our Objectives - #6
To develop sites and a trail along the Ash Creek tidal estuary for visitor observations of the variety of species of birds that visit and nest there each year.
Our Objectives - #7
To encourage ecologically friendly uses of Ash Creek and aesthetic enjoyment for the people who live, work, and play in and around it, including kayaking, canoeing, bird watching, photography, painting, walking or hiking and discourage destructive uses of Ash Creek, including power boating and docks.
History and Background
To understand our organization’s mission and objectives, we need to take quick trip back in time to the early 1900’s…
Ash Creek Wasn’t Valued in the Past
“Upriver to the Post Road bridge, is an estuary-traversed marsh, of no good to anyone. If this area could either be made into a safe inland pond or a suitable yacht basin, people innumerable, from both neighboring communities would be benefited.”
Bridgeport Telegram, 1952
Notice that the tidal wetlands have been eradicated completely…
Great Marsh Island as a “Rich Man’s Paradise”
Replacing the tidal estuary with an inland lake…
Inland Lake with Dam
1977 Aerial View of Ash Creek
First Ash Creek Association
Formed in 1967 to preserve natural shoreline of Ash Creek and prevent fill and water pollution, preserve the remaining marshlands as a home for wildlife
They were catalyzed into action by a zoning permit on Livingston Avenue to fill in part of Ash Creek
Gathered the support of legislators and conservation groups throughout state
The first Ash Creek clean up…
Removed 28 Tons of Trash from Ash Creek
The entire community pitched in…
We Owe a Lot to Their Efforts
Active for about 20 years (1967 to 1987) Like us they…
Worked closely with the Connecticut Audubon Society and CT Conservation Association
Fought long legal battles with state agencies
Without their efforts, we would not have an Ash Creek to protect today
Thanks to Their Efforts
Ash Creek is one of the last healthy tidal estuaries in an urban area in the United States
It has been self-restoring itself for the past 50 years because of the clean ups and prevention of fills & development
Serves as a defacto wildlife sanctuary for nesting and migratory birds, shellfish, and finfish
Did You Know…
Ash Creek is one of the key stopover areas on the Eastern seaboard for palearctic shorebirds
Some migrate from the Arctic Circle to Argentina
Mudflats provide the food Natural surroundings provide rest – afraid of
docks and development
Ash Creek is one of the last 15 stopovers for migratory shorebirds left in Connecticut
Did You Know…
Oysters have a high mortality rate – easily smothered by silt stirred up by powerboats
Commercial oyster growers rely on Ash
Creek for seed oysters – very rare to find shallow water oyster bed – Bureau of Aquaculture considers Ash Creek to be a precious resource for seed oysters
Lower part of Ash Creek is a state designated natural oyster bed
Present Ash Creek Association
16 year interval between associations
April 2003, the Ash Creek Conservation Association (ACCA) was formed
The group was catalyzed into organizing by Ganim’s plan for a 50’ dock on Ash Creek
ACCA believed the delicate ecological balance that exists in lower Ash Creek could be disrupted by the presence of docks and powerboat activity
Why We Fight Docks in Ash Creek
Shoreline equivalent of urban sprawl – development destroys the fringing tidal wetlands and the natural beauty we all enjoy
Given the shallowness and small size of this tidal estuary, the impact of powerboats have more impact than in other settings
Presence of manmade structures along with noise and motion from powerboats disturb migratory and nesting birds
Dock Accomplishments
Reduced Ganim 50’ dock to 31’ Reduced Mears 85’ dock to 35’ DEP initially denied 60’ Toner dock and
made a historic ruling that the DEP must now consider the use of docks in making its decisions, i.e. powerboat usage Update: after denying dock as a result of DEP
Adjudication Hearing process, DEP agreed to go to mediation with Toner and allowed the 60’ dock
Other Accomplishments…
Great Marsh Island ownership transferred from developers to land trust & open space
Prevented utility bridge across Ash Creek (cables went underground)
Habitat repair of Ash Creek sand spit after dredging destroyed vegetation, ACCA volunteers planted 32,000 beach grass plugs
Ash Creek Clean Ups – Spring & Fall since 2003 Appointed to Rooster River Watershed Steering
Committee (2013) & Fox Street Pedestrian Bridge Committee (2013)
Ash Creek Master Plan…
86-page Ecological Master Plan developed for the Ash Creek Tidal Estuary in 2012 by Steven Danzer, Ph.D., who has his doctorate in Natural Resources and is also a Soil Scientist as well as Professional Wetland Scientist and Bryan Quinn, RLA of One Nature, LLC, ecological services and design. Provides scientific data and ecological recommendations. Funding for this project was provided by: The Watershed Assistance Small Grants Program, conducted in association with
the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. The small grants program is administered by Rivers Alliance of Connecticut.
The Fairfield County Community Foundation In-kind donations from Dr. Steven Danzer and Bryan Quinn, RLA
Events Sponsored in 2013…
March 4 – Ecohistory of Ash Creek (using aerial photos from 1938 to the present scientific investigators will discuss the changes to Ash Creek over the years based on historical records)
April 20 – Spring Clean Up of Ash Creek September 21- Fall Clean Up at Ash Creek October 6– Audubon Bird Walk at Ash Creek –
migratory shorebirds and birds of Ash Creek
Events Sponsored in 2012…
April 7– Spring Clean Up at Ash Creek October 6– Fall Clean Up at Ash Creek December 5– Ecological Master Plan for Ash Creek -
Two ecological consultants presented the their findings and recommendations - Steven Danzer, Ph.D., a Soil Scientist as well as Professional Wetland Scientist & Bryan Quinn, RLA of One Nature, LLC, ecological services and design. Funding for this project was provided by: The Watershed Assistance Small Grants Program, conducted in association with
the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. The small grants program is administered by Rivers Alliance of Connecticut.
The Fairfield County Community Foundation In-kind donations from Dr. Steven Danzer and Bryan Quinn, RLA
Events Sponsored in 2011…
April 9 – Spring Clean Up at Ash Creek September 17 – Fall Clean Up at Ash Creek
October 19 – Why Ash Creek Matters at Fayerweather Yacht Club, discussion forum with Milan Bull (Senior Director of Science & Conservation at Connecticut Audubon), Dr. Jennifer Mattei (Professor of Biology at Sacred Heart University), and Dr. Steve Danzer (soil and wetlands scientist). Panel was moderated by Dr. Kraig Steffen of Fairfield University (Vice President of the Ash Creek Conservation Association)
Events Sponsored in 2010…
February 28 – New Neighbors Social at the Fayerweather Yacht Club, Speaker: Lisa Miro, Conservation Director for City of Bridgeport
March 27– Spring Clean Up at Ash Creek August 19 – Great Marsh Island Shorebird Hike at
Ash Creek (with Aspetuck Land Trust & led by Milan Bull of CT Audubon)
September 25 – Fall Clean Up at Ash Creek
Events Sponsored in 2009…
March 15 – New Neighbors Social at the Fayerweather Yacht Club
April 18 - Beach Grass Plantings at Ash Creek May 12 – Audubon Bird Walk at Ash Creek with Milan
Bull May 16 – Clean Up at Ash Creek July 18 – Victory Party at Harborview Market September 19 - Clean Up at Ash Creek November 18 – Fall Event at Fayerweather Yacht Club
w. Prof. Mark Beekey, Sacred Heart University on horseshoe crabs & migratory shorebirds
Events Sponsored in 2008…
February 2 – New Neighbors Social at the Fayerweather Yacht Club featuring Charles Brilvitch on the history of Black Rock
April 26 – Spring Clean Up at Ash Creek May 15 – Audubon Bird Walk at Ash Creek with Milan
Bull May 17 – Project Limulus at Ash Creek September 20 – Fall Clean Up at Ash Creek October 7 – Public Hearing on Toner Dock October 25 – Beach Grass Plantings at sand spit
Events Sponsored in 2007…
March 19 – Ash Creek/Rooster River Watershed seminar presented by Professor Kraig Steffen, Fairfield University at Black Rock Arts Center
March 21 – Ash Creek/Rooster River Watershed seminar presented by Professor Kraig Steffen, Fairfield University at Connecticut Audubon Society in Fairfield
March 24 – New Neighbors Social at the Fayerweather Yacht Club featuring Charles Brilvitch on the history of Black Rock
May 5 – Spring Clean Up of Ash Creek
July 26 – Audubon Bird Walk with Milan Bull
Events Sponsored in 2006…
January 28 – New Neighbors Social at the Fayerweather Yacht Club featuring Dr. Art Samuelson on the history of Black Rock.
March 27 – Backyard Birding & the Ash Creek Ecosystem by Professor Tod Osier from Fairfield University
April 29 – Spring Clean Up of Ash Creek June 17 – Great Marsh Island Celebration for the preservation of
Great Marsh Island by the Aspetuck Land Trust and Town of Fairfield with refreshments and a walking tour of Ash Creek led by Milan Bull.
October 6 – Utility Bridge public meeting with CL&P and Black Rock/Fairfield community. Slide show and mock ups by CL&P. Slide show by ACCA. Q&A followed.
September 16 – Fall Clean Up of Ash Creek November 13 - DEP Public Hearing on Utility Bridge December 5 – Victory Party at Harborview for Utility Bridge
Events Sponsored in 2005…
January 27 - Winged Migration large screen showing of DVD at Connecticut Audubon Society Center in Fairfield – open to public
April 30 – Spring Clean Up of Ash Creek -for the first year the clean up on both sides of Ash Creek was coordinated
September 7 – Bird Tour of Ash Creek was held at 7 PM along Ash Creek by Professor Kraig Steffen
September 17 - Walking Tour of Historical Black Rock and Black Rock's maritime past by Charles Brilvitch will be held at 1 PM this Saturday starting at Harborview Market
September 24 – Fall Clean Up of Ash Creek which we also coordinated with Mill River Wetlands Committee
Events Sponsored in 2004…
January 23 – Coastal Habitat Restoration in Black Rock – presentation by Charles Brilvitch at Burroughs Community Center
March 18– Establishing National Wildlife Refuges in Connecticut presentation by William Kolodnicki, Refuge Manager, Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS) at Burrough Community Center
April 24 – Spring Clean Up of Ash Creek
September 18 – Fall Clean Up of Ash Creek
November 19 – Ash Creek’s Importance as a Migratory Flyway presentation by Milan Bull of Connecticut Audubon Society at Burroughs Community Center
Events Sponsored in 2003…
April 19 – Spring Clean Up of Ash Creek
June 10 – Ash Creek Tidal Estuary as a Habitat for Nesting and Migratory Shorebird presentation by Milan Bull, CT Audubon, and Ecological History of Ash Creek presentation by Ed Jones, Fairfield Department of Conservation, at Burrough Community Center
September 13 – Ash Creek Bird Walk led by Milan Bull, CT Audubon
October 18 – Ash Creek Photography Exhibit & Sale - fundraiser at Burroughs Community Center
Grants Received in 2012
2012 – $5,000 Fairfield County Community Foundation Grant for Phase I of Ecological Master Plan for Ash Creek.
2012 – $5,000 The Watershed Assistance Small Grants Program, conducted in association with the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. The small grants program was administered by Rivers Alliance of Connecticut. Grant for Phase I of Ecological Master Plan for Ash Creek.
2012 - In-kind donations have also been provided by two ecological consultants: Steve Danzer of Steven Danzer Ph.D. & Associates LLC, a professional wetlands scientist, and Bryan Quinn, a specialist in ecological habitat restoration for Phase I of Ecological Master Plan for Ash Creek.
Grants Received in 2004
2004 – $5,000 The Watershed Assistance Small Grants Program, conducted in association with the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. The small grants program was administered by Rivers Alliance of Connecticut. Grant for public watershed education of Rooster River/Ash Creek watershed RESULT – Created public watershed education road show with
PowerPoint presentation and handouts, including information on stormwater runoff and what residents can do to prevent further pollution. Program was readapted for use at St. Ann’s School in Black Rock.
Grants Received in 2003
2003 – $2,000 NE Grassroots Environmental Fund to organize and participate in DEP hearings against the construction of a 50’ dock in the Ash Creek Tidal Estuary RESULT – Precedent setting ruling by DEP to not only reduce size of
dock, but to allow window of time during high tide when boat is allowed to access the dock
Some Memorable Moments…
Bird Tours
2004 Blue Heron Ball
Ganim Dock…
Ash Creek Art Fundraiser…
2006 Blue Heron Ball…
2006 Utility Bridge Fight
Utility Bridge Victory Party…
2008 Project Limulus…
Ash Creek Clean Ups - Spring and Fall Since 2003…
ACCA Communications
e-Newsletter (sign up on our website) Website www.ashcreekassoc.org YouTube FaceBook
Click here to sign up for Ash Creek e-Newsletter
Ash Creek e-Newsletter
Ash Creek Website
www.ashcreekassoc.org
Click here to go to Ash Creek YouTube videos
Ash Creek YouTube Videos
Click here to become a fan Ash Creek FaceBook Page
Ash Creek FaceBook Page
Key ACCA Presentations…
Ecohistory of Ash Creek Ash Creek Master Plan It’s not too late to download the
presentations in video or PDF format, see next two slides
Ecohistory of Ash Creek
Video of presentation Ecohistory of Ash Creek – Part I & Part II
Ash Creek Master Plan 2012
86-page scientific study of Ash Creek – 2012 (Available for download: Ash Creek Tidal Estuary Master Plan )
Thank you
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