by chip wendler, vice president
In recent years, Caruso Island has been under assault from a combination of severe weather events along with increased boat and foot traffic to the point where it has lost much of its topsoil, a number of its trees and most of its ground cover. If you look closely, the root systems of many of the remaining trees are exposed putting these trees at risk too. The island is now in a place where it is increasingly vulnerable to accelerating deterioration if we do not take action.
The Moose Pond Association has been working with a landscape architect, the LEA and several other contractors to scope out a two-phase project to revitalize Caruso Island. The cost of the project is approximately $20,000 and we already have commitments for more than half of that amount from a core group of generous donors.
Phase 1 is stabilizing the base of the island and adding soil/erosion-control mulch. Phase 2 involves planting new trees and vegetation. If you want join with us in support of this important project, please send a check made payable to Moose Pond Association (PO Box 674 Bridgton, ME 04009) with “Save Caruso” in the memo line or send contributions via our go-fund-me site. The web address of that site is gofundme.com then search for “Caruso Island Restoration Project”.
We ask that you consider this an extra/one-time donation that is separate from your annual funding of the Moose Pond Association’s work to control the introduction of invasive species to our lake.