Phragmites: Get Involved

Get Involved

Everyone on Fishers Island has a role to play in protecting our wetlands. While professional management of Phragmites australis is carried out by The Pond and Lake Connection, community members can help by learning, observing, and supporting this long-term restoration effort.

Learn to Identify Phragmites

One of the most powerful steps you can take is simply recognizing what Phragmites looks like:

  • Grows up to 18 feet tall

  • Forms dense walls of reeds, often with stems packed just an inch apart

  • Topped with large, fluffy seed heads in late summer and fall

When you know what to look for, you can start spotting where it’s spreading around your property and across the island. Understanding the problem is the first step toward solving it.

What You Can Do as a Property Owner

  • Look around your property for tall reed stands that may be Phragmites.

  • Reach out for guidance – the Conservancy has been a long-time partner with The Pond and Lake Connection, and we can help start the conversation for you.

  • If you’re off-island and want to arrange treatment during the fall season, we can help coordinate.

  • Or connect directly with The Pond and Lake Connection for on-site consultation and treatment options.

The Pond and Lake Connection
1112 Federal Road
Brookfield, CT 06804
1-800-305-3277
Main Office 203-885-0184
Fax 203-885-0873
pondconnection@gmail.com

Why Professional Management Matters

Controlling Phragmites is not simple. While it may be tempting to cut it down yourself, the plant’s deep rhizomes and rapid spread make it extremely difficult to control without specialized equipment and experience. The Conservancy works with The Pond and Lake Connection, whose trained staff use techniques like:

  • Marsh Master amphibious equipment that can reach sensitive wetland areas safely

  • Precise herbicide applications with the minimum necessary chemicals, applied only by licensed professionals

  • Integrated approaches (mechanical cutting, targeted spraying, controlled flooding) that reduce chemical use and increase long-term success

This professional approach ensures the job is done effectively and responsibly, protecting wildlife and water quality.

Support the Work

Your contributions make it possible to bring specialists to the island, cover treatment costs, and track recovery. Donations are vital to sustaining this effort.

Donate to FI Conservancy