Save Glenmere Lake

To the Editor: Very few people are aware how fragile the Glenmere Lake ecosystem is. The tiny northern cricket frog is getting some press, but there are other New York State-listed endangered species associated with the Glenmere habitat, including the bog turtle and the short eared owl, among others. In addition, Glenmere is home to birds which are now New York State-classified as threatened: the pied-billed grebe, the least bittern, bald eagle, northern harrier, king rail, and sedge wren. This very unique Lake, which is made up of open water and a huge bog, also boasts unusual floating islands and carnivorous plants (the purple pitcher plant, the bladderwort, and the sun dew) that enhance its mystery and appeal. It is my hope that a nature conservancy or the Orange County Land Trust will take the endangered Glenmere Lake and lands under its wing and save it from the needless damage and destruction of encroaching development. New houses and wildlife can live in harmony if the units are built outside the Glenmere wildlife area. This is a plea to all life-minded people to help support the survival of Glenmere Lake and keep it thriving as the beautiful and complex ecosystem it is today. Sherry Rosso Village of Florida