About Our Association

The Fresh Pond Neighbors Association (FPNA) is a charitable 501 C(3) organization committed to the health of Fresh Pond, Shelter Island’s largest freshwater lake.

We actively partner with other community associations and the town to advocate for improving the quality of the water on Shelter Island.

We are Islanders and others who visit to swim, kayak, paddle-board, fish or photograph the egrets at sunset. We came together in 2016 after we noticed changes in the water quality, seeking answers. We joined the New York State Federation of Lake Associations in 2018. 

Spring through fall each year, our citizen scientists head out in kayaks and canoes to gather water samples as part of  the Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program. We send the samples to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s laboratories giving us long-term data on the pond’s health that helps to guide our work. 

With the Town, County, and State, we have co-sponsored studies to learn how  Fresh Pond can again be a clean and healthy ecosystem for year-round recreation.  By cleaning Fresh Pond from both the top-down and bottom-up we are working toward permanently restoring the health, safety, and natural beauty and improve water quality in the aquifer while removing contaminants flowing through our pond into our creeks and bays.  

Our association raised money for the town to hire lake managers to harvest decaying lily pads each year to convert to mulch, removing some 10,000 pounds of lily pads and algal mats in the last two years. In response, the surface clarity of Fresh Pond waters increased to levels only seen decades ago. We need to do more work in the deeper parts of the pond.

In 2022, our town and consultant engineers have developed detailed plans to guide long-term pond restoration. In Spring 2024 the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation approved those plans and granted permits. In 2025, we applied for and were awared grants for $325,000 grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Suffolk County for installation of equipment and startup operation begining in 2026.

Our most important source of funding for cleanups and the long-term solution is you, Shelter Islanders who love Fresh Pond and see value in a healthy ecosystem and aquifer.

If you would like more information, please contact us at freshpondsi@gmail.com.

FPNA Officers

James Eklund, Peter Grand: Co-Presidents

Deborah Grayson: Secretary

Jerri Mayer: Treasurer

Erland Zygmuntovich: Officer at large

FUND RAISING/ORGANIZERS

Lucy Singh

Mustafa Singaporowalla

Jerri Mayer

Erland Zygmuntovich

Anne Danforth