Audubon Society Support

The New York City Audubon Society has strengthened their stand on protecting the Ridgewood Reservoir by adding a section to their "Get Involved" webpage. In their latest newsletter they called on their membership for assistance:

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Help Save Ridgewood Reservoir!

The natural area within the former Ridgewood Reservoir is a thriving mosaic of bird habitat. Although plans are currently on hold, New York City Parks and Recreation intends to build ballfields within a portion of the basins. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will soon be reviewing the site to determine whether the wetlands that have formed on the site qualify as protected under state regulations.

As part of Highland Park, Ridgewood Reservoir lies between Brooklyn and Queens and was last used as a water source during the drought of the 1960s. The reservoir was drained and decommissioned in 1989 after the expansion of New York City's Catskill and Delaware water systems. A stopover for migratory songbirds and seasonal shorebirds, it is also home to a variety of non-migratory and breeding birds. To date, over 150 species of birds have been recorded at the reservoir.

NYC Audubon is asking you to support the protection of Ridgewood Reservoir. Please go to our website for more information about how you can help.

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The webpage includes a sample letter to the Commissioner of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Visit their website here.

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