Join Pleasant Bay Stewards to help reduce pollution and protect Pleasant Bay!
Field Guide
Pleasant Bay is home to a variety of both land and aquatic wildlife. Observing the natural ecosystems of Pleasant Bay is an essential responsibility of being a steward and community scientist. Pleasant Bay Action website encourages use of iNaturalist to document scientific discoveries that can contribute to a greater understanding of our shared water basin.
What you didn't know about trees...
Trees are an essential part of Pleasant Bay's ecosystem for more than one reason; while trees provide habitat for wildlife and and oxygen to our atmosphere, they are also one of the best water filters on the planet.
Trees and shrubs of Pleasant Bay improve water quality mainly by slowing down storm water pollution and harmful run-off. When there is a big storm with heavy rainfall, water pollution can often be one consequence. When a lot of water hits the ground forcefully, creating a small stream, it can grab and transport harmful lawn fertilizers, oils, chemicals, and other litter straight to our main waterways. When rain is intercepted or offset, the risk of pollution or erosion is less likely.
Tree leaves and forest canopies capture rain as it falls which decreases the risk of erosion to the land below. By planting more trees and plant life around our waterways, we can help reduce the threat of erosion as sea levels continue to rise and the impacts become more urgent.
When the trees collect the water, they can gradually release it into the ground through their roots. This slow process means that the soil can absorb some of the nutrients from the water that would otherwise flow directly into the streams, ponds, and bay. As a result, the water is cleaner and more suitable to flow back into our waterways.
More information can be found here. Click on the visuals below to identify species or view more wildlife at PBCB's iNaturalist page.
