What have we been doing?
 
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SHARING WITH OTHER NOT-FOR-PROFITS....
THE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY of Staten Island joins the GCLBC
on the CAMERON CLUB BEACH 
 In 2019 , we partnered with the "Natives" for a day at the beach.Members were taken on rowboat rides around the lake to see the flora and fauna that abounds. Visitors also took turns raking up the invasive  weeds that were plaguing the lake that year. They were encouraged to take the algae home to be used as compost for their gardens.  It was a beautiful event  
 In 2021and 2022 , we did it again!
 The Grasmere and Cameron Lakes Bluebelt Conservancy  were able to host the Native Plant Society of Staten Island again for multiple events. WE LOVE THE "NATIVES" !

POSSIBLE LECTURES COMING TO BRADY'S POND

.... LEARN ABOUT LAKES. What's a Secchi disc and what does it  tell us? Why is dissolved oxygen important and how do you measure it? What is in a lake besides FISH? How does temperature effect life underwater in a freshwater  pond?..... Join us for a hands on course planned to teach you  some lake fundamentals. 
A lake " doctor" is a limnologist.  Would you like to be one?
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2019-Bubble Brunch on the Beach

​ June 21, 2019 .....BUBBLE BRUNCH on the Beach
Sponsored by the Conservancy and the Cameron Club, guests celebrated our new Full Lake Aeration system with delicious brunch and raffle on the Beach.
Beautiful weather and a beautiful event.
Bubbles Everywhere!

​2018-Lecture...Aeration and Fishkill... One effects the other.

Stephen Galdi was once again here for his third lecture in our Sunday Morning Lecture on the Beach. Stephen, a doctoral candidate at Stanford University , California is specifically studying wastewater and stormwater..
His topical lecture for us was titled" BUBBLES:AERATION FOR A HEALTHY LAKE'. We presented a number of issues to the group including the new planned Full- Lake Aeration System for Brady's Pond. Die Hard lake lovers attended the lecture and discussion  in the rain.  The lecture was held at the  Cameron Club Beach, 2 Lakeside Place, Staten Island, NY  10305.
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September 9th, 2018


 A rainy day but a good day for a lecture.
​Sunday Morning Lecture  on the Beach
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After the unusual occurrence the day before , our lecture expanded to a discussion on FISHKILL. On Saturday September 8th,2018  Brady's Bond experienced  its largest fishkill. ever. A combination of extremely hot weather,  unusually warm  lake  water  (  thus containing less dissolved oxygen), an algae bloom and a sudden 20 degree cold  snap and cold rain  contributed to our disaster.  The sudden cold shocked and killed the   growing algae , which died and  proceeded to decay in the warm  water.It used  much of the available dissolved oxygen in the water.The fish and decaying algae were in competition of the the available dissolved oxygen. The Fish  lost. We had a  huge  fish kill.

Thousands of sunfish, catfish, bass,pickerel and perch suffocated from lack of oxygen.
This was a perfectly natural occurring event.  Surprising that we had never experienced anything like that in the past...  
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How can we  help prevent this from happening again... more complete AERATION of the  Brady's Pond.
So our lecture brings us full circle.. our topic is also our SOLUTION. 
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​Our 2017 Lecture with Stephen Galdi...
STORMWATER
Sunday,
SEPTEMBER 17,2017
at  11 am
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In 2017, we were able to return to the Beach at the Cameron Club....

 Last years lecturer,Stephen Galdi  was able  join us  for our second lecture and spoke on STORMWATER as it applies to Brady's Pond and its environs.

We learned more about  specific Stormwater Issues... especially the drain off from the Expressway. 

Our group was updated on the cleanup project  by the DOT across the lake alongside the Staten Island Expressway. A coffer dam was set up with sand bags. Water was pumped out via a pump truck and mud suckers . Silt  and debris  was a removed by shovel  from around the drainpipe. A significant amount was accomplished. However; the DOT left the  sand bags  they used to create the dam in the lake thus creating a  distinct  shelf surrounding the drain off area. This now is a problem of its own. .

​ An appreciative crowd of around 25 people joined us for the lecture on a sunny September Sunday . Donuts and muffins, tea and coffee were shared with all who attended  
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Stephen Galdi and Adrienne Ferretti, President of GCLBC.

 A learning experience...on the beach 
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A lovely way to spend a Sunday morning.... on the Beach with friends, a cup of coffee and and an interesting lecture!
2016- Our first lecture
                 Tuesday August  30th ,2016-
"Brady's and, a bit of History, a look at today's   challenges and a vision for the Future " was presented by Stephen Galdi . 
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Stephen is a Cornell University, Summa Cum Laude Graduate in Environmental Engineering. Headed to Stanford University to    pursue his doctorate. 
His personal Knowledge of Brady's Pond made him an ideal choice for our first lecturer.

An interesting lecture , an appreciative crowd

Many thanks to the 20 plus people who came to our first meeting and lecture of the Grasmere and Cameron Lake Bluebelt Conservancy.
The lecture presented by our young lecturer, Stephen Galdi was well presented and  well  received. all in attendance

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Just the Beginning...

Discussions about the "state of the lake" and our plans for the future were discussed.... investigate  DOT spill off  of silt,  contact local politicians for possible grants, more  aerators for the lake...