Press Release and Press Advisory

Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Environmental Advocates, Federated Conservationists of Westchester County, Inc., Friends of Marshlands, Hudson River Audubon, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. League of Conservation Voters, Westchester Division, Natural Resources Defense Council, New York Audubon, New York Public Interest Research Group, Regional Plan Association, Riverkeeper, Save Davids Island for the Citizens, Save the Sound, Scenic Hudson, Sierra Club, Lower Hudson Chapter, Teatown Lake Reservation, Westchester Land Trust

Contact: Edna Sussman
Federated Conservationists of Westchester County, Inc.
(914) 422-4053
August 12, 2002

Davids Island Acquisition Urged By Environmental Community
Press Conference: Tuesday, August 13 at 11:15 am at Glen Island Park with a wonderful view of Davids Island at the Glen Island Harbor Club, formerly the Casino ( stay left at the fork after the bridge) .

With a decision expected soon by the Westchester County Board of Legislators, environmental groups will be kicking off a campaign in support of the acquisition of Davids Island for parkland . The acquisition was announced by County Executive Andy Spano and New Rochelle Mayor Tim Idoni. A letter writing campaign and calls to county legislators will be initiated.

"The time has come to ensure the future of Davids Island by preserving it forever as parkland," said Edna Sussman, Executive Director of Federated Conservationists of Westchester County Inc., an organization which has been in the forefront of the struggle to preserve Davids Island for over a decade and has just released a study of the compelling reasons for the acquisition. "Davids Island is unique in so many ways. It is a 78-acre jewel in the making and would make an extraordinary addition to our park system. The island fulfills virtually every guideline for acquisition of open space and will provide recreational opportunities, access to the waterfront and scenic views."

The Save Davids Island For the Citizens Group active 10 years ago has reconstituted itself to ensure the acquisition. "We are so glad the time has finally come to end this recurring struggle waged by environmentalists and local citizens over Davids Island. This acquisition presents the opportunity to forever eliminate the specter of inappropriate development on the island." remarked Teddie Weber, who has been active for years on protecting the island.

Tom Andersen, Westchester Land Trust's projects director and author of the recently-published book This Fine Piece of Water: An Environmental History of Long Island Sound affirmed the importance of the acquisition, saying that "Davids Island would create an unusual and spectacular opportunity for people to enjoy the outdoors in an island setting where you can really "get away from it all". Its unique features would serve to attract people from all over the county. It would be the Ward Pound Ridge of Southern Westchester."

Pollution issues are also a critical factor in any discussion of the future of Davids Island. "While improvements have been made, Long Island Sound remains stressed and polluted. Hypoxia is a recurring problem and development on Davids Island would exacerbate the situation. Preserving Davids Island is an integral part of preserving the Sound"said Robin Kriesberg policy analyst at Save the Sound Inc., a group central to protecting the Sound.

There are over 2,491 species in the Long Island Sound ecosystem and Davids Island is part of a recognized waterfowl flyway identified by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. "Preserving Davids Island would be an important step in preserving the richness of the wildlife in Long Island Sound, an estuary of national significance, and will advance current efforts to create a Long Island Sound Stewardship System", said Robert Pirani, Director Environmental Programs at the Regional Plan Association.

George Klein of Sierra Club, Lower Hudson Chapter remarked on the importance of smart growth in the county. "Revitalizing the southern part of the county is essential to preserving the environment in Westchester and diminishing the development pressures on watershed lands. Quality of life improvements with additional recreational opportunities are central to attracting people and businesses to the south; Davids Island as a park would be a very significant additional resource. "

"Open space has been one of our priorities for years and it is time for the legislators to make the final push and complete this important acquisition of Davids Island", summed up John Kirkpatrick, president of the League of Conservation Voters, Westchester Division.

For more information or to share your ideas as to how Davids Island should be developed as a park, call Edna Sussman at Federated Conservationists of Westchester County, Inc. at (914) 422-4053 or e-mail FCWC@law.pace.edu

Davids Island:
A Crucial Acquisition

by Edna Sussman, Exectuvite Director, FCWC