Environmental EducationSummer Camp Project
Environmental Education
Pond StudyPeconic Dunes is blessed with a multitude of diverse ecosystems, one of which is Great Pond. This resource contains a wide variety of fresh water species only found in a similar, healthy functioning pond. The food chain and food web in this body of water includes a multitude of macro invertebrates, plants and phytoplankton, micro invertebrates, oxygen producing plants, crustaceans, turtles, snails, and fishes such as black crappie, large mouth bass, sunfish, pickerel, and the ever-popular yellow perch.
The presence of many fresh water ponds on Eastern Long Island deserves our attention as stewards since these natural resources require periodic monitoring to prevent the intrusion of unwanted and undesirable runoff, deposition, fertilizers, pesticides, toxin, and animal waste.
The protocol for monitoring a fresh water resource is relatively uncomplicated. Campers will have an opportunity to conduct water quality testing on a number of “east end” ponds.
We will conduct testing primarily on Great Pond and Laurel Lake. Nutrient levels will be assessed, along with Ph, dissolved oxygen, and water temperature as needed, as well as changes in algae growth and construction of changes in land use adjacent to these resources.
Data will be collected and entered into a database for future study and additional data will be added and retrieved when required.
Campers will have a unique opportunity to try their luck at catching a fish in these resources. Time permitting, additional field trips will be initiated at other selected fresh water pond locations.
Other Stewardship Projects
