WONDERFUL NEWS: FUNDS SECURED FOR MEADOW RESTORATION AT CROTON POINT

Murphy secures funds for largest conservation project in Hudson River eagle flyway 4/7/16 - read the entire press release -- lots of photos and comments from leading environmentalists - at the link below:

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY - A major conservation project will soon be underway in Westchester. In addition to securing a historic $300 million funding level for the Environmental Protection Fund in this year's budget, State Senator Terrence Murphy further secured a $500,000 appropriation for a critical meadow restoration project at Croton Point Park, he announced today.  The funding will be used for grasslands design and management specifications on the constructed meadow cap of the old Croton landfill and comes from state Department of Environmental Conservation's Aid to Localities program.

"Funding this project is key to the ecological health of the capped Croton landfill for both the park itself and its year-round habitat for our Hudson River bald eagles," Senator Murphy said. "I worked hard to get this into the budget so we can keep Croton Point Park beautiful for future generations, expand recreation opportunities, support key economic drivers like Eagle Fest and protect our Hudson River Estuary from invasive species with this money. I'm proud to partner and fund one of largest conservation projects in the history of Westchester County."

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino said, "When Croton landfill was originally capped, the idea was to utilize it as a habitat for grassland birds. We recognize that vision is now threatened, and by partnering with Senator Murphy, together we continue to deliver for our parks and the environment. Westchester County will now be able to undertake restoration of the largest meadow in the lower Hudson flyway."

Dr. Greg Schmidt, mayor of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, said "The Village of Croton and its residents have long valued and protected the ecological resources within our community. The restoration of the grasslands at Croton Point Park will further this priority by providing enhanced habitats for nesting birds in the Lower Hudson Valley flyway corridor, while also protecting the area from invasive plant species like phragmites, which continue to threatened the delicate  balance of our local environment.  I thank Senator Murphy and the Westchester County Soil & Water Conservation District for this important investment."

The project was only recently conceived by Larry Weaner, a nationally renowned landscape architect, in a report on potential grassland design and management specifications for the area that was funded by Friends of Westchester County Parks.  READ MORE HERE http://bit.ly/1WhpFSG