Letters

As stewards of the natural world, which is being diminished on the East End with every passing season, we all have an obligation to do everything within our reach to protect what is left.

The fate of Poxabogue Field is now before the Southampton Town Board [“Fate of Southampton Town-Owned Poxabogue Field, Within Sagaponack Village, Is Debated at Town Board Meeting,” 27east.com, September 10]. This rare meadow ecosystem has truly come back to life as increasing numbers of birds, mammals and pollinators are thriving there once again.

Fencing, plowing and farming this habitat is not in the best interests of the community, our priceless biodiversity, nor the long-term goals of the Community Preservation Fund. In fact, these actions would be extremely damaging to the fragile nature of the many species of this parcel.

The 8.3-acre grassland is also a critical buffer to Poxabogue Pond and the Long Pond Greenbelt, thus protecting the aquifer upon which we all depend. Only through protecting very large connected parcels of wild land can we sufficiently support the species that grace our forests and skies.

Our New York State bird, the Eastern bluebird, so iconic on Long Island, can be seen and heard among the beautiful native flowers and shrubs. It requires the type of open meadow that this parcel provides. The breathtaking mating dance of the American woodcock has been witnessed here again. Bald eagles have been sighted. Migrating birds rest and find nutrition here. Endangered Eastern mud turtles, threatened Eastern spotted turtles and our beloved Eastern box turtles all can be found here.

According to Karen Testa, executive director of Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons, aquatic turtles nest on dry land near ponds, and only one of 1,000 hatchlings survives to adulthood. Turtles eat ticks and are keystone species. Poxabogue Field provides shelter for foxes, rabbits, groundhogs and great horned owls. Beneficial insects necessary for feeding songbird nestlings have returned. Pollinators abound. Even endangered Eastern tiger salamanders find refuge here.

Biodiversity is in deep trouble worldwide. This is certainly the case locally. We witness clear-cutting for new houses proceeding unabated, pesticides killing our wildlife, and toxic lawns replacing native grasses and their diverse biology. Humans need other species as much as they need each other. Renowned wildlife ecologist, author and researcher Douglas W. Tallamy has stated that “95 percent of the country has been logged, tilled, drained, grazed, paved or otherwise developed.” He states urgently, “We must all act collectively to put our ecosystem back together again.”

Poxabogue Field is a perfect example of a parcel that must be left to the countless species that now unmistakably rely on it. Let our future generations experience this priceless habitat that makes the East End so very special and beautiful. Please change its designation to open space/greenbelt preservation.

Mary Ann Mulvihill-Decker

Sag Harbor