FLOATING WETLAND ISLANDS LAUNCHED

Meet the newest addition to Highland Lakes geography! A group of volunteers met at Lakes 3 and 4 to help plant and launch two floating wetland islands under the careful supervision of Chris Alber of the Highland Lakes Conservation Club. Covered in a variety of native aquatic plants, the purpose of the islands is to extract phosphorous, nutrients, and contaminants from the water through their roots. The plants roots spread throughout the island and down into the water. The islands also create habitat for aquatic wildlife and insects on the lakes’ surface and below.

The floating islands are made from recycled water bottles with pre-cut ports for the plantings. The islands’ ports and tops are covered in coconut coir to help the plants take hold and create a natural look. Iris, iron sedge and pickerelweed were among the plants and grasses chosen for the islands. Both islands are now in the water, planted, and with goose fencing around them. Kevin and Steve from Maintenance assisted with material handling, launching the islands, and anchoring them in place.

Chris explained that a number of plants remained after completing the islands, so she and Jason Tribiano planted New York Ironweed and Swamp Milkweed in the rain garden at the Clubhouse, where they should both hopefully flourish. They planted Fringed Sedge along the shore between the inflow pipes by the rain garden and the left pier of the boat ramp – they should really grow well there and should overtake the nonnative water forget-me-nots that are there now. They should also create a root system to hold the soil in place better than the forget me nots. The remaining Pickerelweed and Soft Rush were planted on the silty, grassy island that has developed in the inflow stream at Crayfish Run (where Winetka meets Lakeside Dr West). Chris added ID posts at these locations so that members can easily identify the new plants. More informational signs may be added there in the future.

Lastly, Chris would like to give a shout out to “all of our maintenance team, who are amazing, and all of our volunteers, who were also amazing!!” The volunteers who worked over all 3 days we planted are:

• Tom LoSasso
• Jackie Haley
• Lissette Marrero
• Rick & Kathy Piazza
• Marcia & Glen Letizia
• Jason Tribiano
• Paula Walk
• Joni Danaher
• Eric Card

-Joan Danaher