Aylus Great Neck Branch Volunteer at Jones Beach on 6/1/24.
On 6/1/24, members of the Aylus Great Neck volunteered at the Jones beach. Jones Beach used to be a lively place with two popular spots: West End 1 and West End 2. Families and friends would come here every weekend to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. But things have changed. The beach at the west end got wider because of how sand moves along the coast. This made it a long walk from the parking lots to the water, which made fewer people want to visit.
People also started to be more careful about staying in the sun too long because of health concerns. They also found it more fun to stay inside with electronic gadgets, which meant they didn’t go to the beach as much. Because fewer people were visiting, West End 2 became the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center. This is a place to learn about the environment and how to take care of it. They changed the old parking lots into grassy areas and gardens for plants and animals.
However, there’s a problem with some plants that don’t belong there, like mugwort and phragmites. They are another type of invasive species that we must get rid of since its harming other species. Our job today is to cut the mugwort and pull out the crown vetch and protect the new habitats. Overall, the changes at West End 2 show how an area can be turned into something good for nature. It’s a good example for other places to do the same and help protect the environment.
Report by: Qishen Han
Volunteers: Zoe Xia, Tiffany Zhang, Qifeng Han, Qishen Han, Adena Yang, and Carrie Zhang. (2.5 hours)
