Under the leadership of former science teacher Peggy Dickerson, students from Cutchogue East Elementary School spent weeks learning about Plum Island and wrote letters to Governor Cuomo, detailing all the reasons he should work to protect the island.
Save the Sound’s New York natural areas coordinator, Louise Harrison, led the students through a visioning session to brainstorm ideas for future uses of Plum Island.
Top ideas included a wildlife refuge, state park, hiking, camping, research facilities, museum, marine biology center, and animal hospital.
Check out some more of the students’ brainstorming ideas below!
“Plum Island should become a wildlife refuge. Several studies by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have shown that refuges are very popular places. Public access and fishing, allowed in many refuges, as long as the activities are compatible with management goals, help support local economies.”
—Bailey Shannon, Cutchogue East student
