10th Anniversary Update
By Kim Quarty, Executive Director, Friends of Georgica Pond
2025 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Friends of Georgica Pond Foundation (FOGP). At their Annual Meeting on July 13th, Dr. Christopher Gobler—Director of the New York Center for Clean Water Technology, Endowed Chair at Stony Brook University’s School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences, and Science Advisor to FOGP—presented the annual State of the Pond.
Dr. Gobler reported encouraging progress in restoring Georgica Pond’s water quality, including: a significant reduction in toxic blue-green algae blooms; successful introduction of oysters to improve water filtration; and expanded monitoring of PFOS (“forever chemicals”) and nitrogen in groundwater
At the same time, he stressed that the work is far from finished. Excess nitrogen remains the pond’s greatest challenge, and the single most impactful step homeowners can take is upgrading to an innovative/alternative (I/A) low-nitrogen septic system.
Other practices that make a difference include: replacing antiquated septic tanks, maintaining vegetated buffers along the pond’s edge and reducing fertilizer use and limiting irrigation.
Beyond these homeowner actions, FOGP continues to advance restoration through aquatic vegetation harvesting, land conservation, dredging, phragmites management, and stormwater runoff mitigation.
FOGP is collaborating with local residents in the newly formed Coalition to Stop the Wainscott Commercial Center. The Coalition opposes the proposed 50-lot commercial subdivision at the pond’s headwaters which poses a serious threat to water quality and traffic. The application has been deemed incomplete, requiring the submission of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Once it is filed, there will be another public review period—and we will call on you to make your voices heard.
In addition, FOGP has been working closely with the Peconic Land Trust, the Town of East Hampton, and the Village of East Hampton to protect 5.5 acres on Georgica Cove. This important preservation effort is anticipated to close this fall and will further safeguard the pond’s fragile ecosystem.
This past year brought significant changes to FOGP. They mourn the loss of their founding board member and president, Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright, whose vision and leadership were instrumental in shaping FOGP. He is deeply missed.
They are grateful to welcome Larry Cantwell, former East Hampton Town Supervisor and East Hampton Village Administrator, as their new board president. In addition, Susannah Smetana Kagan, the Science to Policy Director for the Urban Climate Change Research Network (UCCRN) who previously practiced environmental law, has joined their board.
Finally, after years of dedicated leadership, Sara Davison has retired, and FOGP is pleased to announce Kimberly Quarty as their new Executive Director. Kimberly brings more than 17 years of conservation experience, most recently with the Peconic Land Trust.
As FOGP celebrates their 10th anniversary, they look back with gratitude for the progress made and forward with renewed determination to protect and restore Georgica Pond for generations to come.