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Spectacle Island Working Group I: Protected Area. EEOS 324: CZM Kate Aversa, Amber Hewes, Alexandra Emslie, Ryan Norton. Objective:. To conserve Spectacle Island for the enjoyment of the community, wildlife, and to protect the overall Boston Harbor ecosystem. Why should we conserve?.
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Spectacle IslandWorking Group I: Protected Area EEOS 324: CZM Kate Aversa, Amber Hewes, Alexandra Emslie, Ryan Norton
Objective: • To conserve Spectacle Island for the enjoyment of the community, wildlife, and to protect the overall Boston Harbor ecosystem.
Why should we conserve? • Species protection • Greater good of community • Intrinsic value of natural beauty • To protect harbor ecosystem/coastline • Historic and cultural value • One of few remaining undeveloped areas • Preserve water quality/curb pollution • Preserve harbor views
Boston Harbor Species • 521 species in 99 plant families on 32 islands • Widespread native trees in the harbor include gray birch, hackberry, eastern red cedar, big-tooth aspen, quaking aspen, and black oak • Native shrubs and vines include bayberry, stag horn sumac, wild red raspberry, and poison ivy • 136 species, 67 of which were suspected of breeding including Double-crested Cormorants, Herring Gulls, and Great Black-backed Gulls • 73 Common Eider nests making Boston Harbor one of the largest, southernmost nesting areas for this species on the western Atlantic Ocean • 7 wading bird colonies including Black-crowned Night-Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Glossy Ibis and Little Blue Heron • 49 species of land birds nested on Boston Harbor islands • 50 species of migratory birds
How can we conserve? • Public awareness/advocacy • Focus on the educational and environmental value • Community center to highlight historic and Native American cultural significance • Seasonal educational (Island Alliance’s “Harbor Connections”) and recreational events • Organize community clean-up and planting projects • Increase public access • Ferry system • Improve walking/biking paths • Designate picnic area/enforce fire restrictions • Beach access
Environmental advocacy • Land use/erosion control • Restrict beach access • Increase trees/foliage: 2,400 trees currently in place • Boating regulations: designate public/private areas, maintain one main pier • Scientific surveys (terrestrial/marine) for species documentation, environmental indicators • Lobby for industrial reform/stricter regulations and designate other locations for industrial uses • Involve environmental and policy groups such as the Arbor Association, Audubon Society, National Parks Service, EPA, MWRA, etc. • Donations
Development Research • Zoning/Building restrictions • Transportation problems • Water resource • Septic system • Power source • Sub-surface surveys: is the land even stable enough to build on?
Budget/supplemental funding • Currently in place: government, philanthropy, use fees, commercial operations, and revenue-generating activities. • Operates under the requirement that federal funding for the park be matched by nonfederal funding • Private investors: residents of surrounding communities, concerned citizens • Shipping industry advocates • Native American preservation societies
Resources • http://www.mass.gov/dep/public/press/hubline.htm • http://www.bostonislands.org/manage/manage_admin_finance.html • http://www.bostonislands.com/site/site_aboutus.html • http://www.bostonislands.org/learn/learn_teach_theme4.html • http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1656%2F1092-6194(2005)12%5B49%3AVFAPCO%5D2.0.CO%3B2
Common eider • http://www.gdphotography.com/1216.htm
Distribution of Common eider (Somateria molissima) www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=38