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About The Mecox Bay Conservancy
Our Mission
The Mecox Bay Conservancy is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of Mecox Bay's water quality. Mecox Bay is a vital ecosystem supporting diverse marine life and serving as a recreational haven for locals and visitors alike. Unfortunately, over recent years, the health of Mecox Bay has been in decline due to various environmental stressors.
Our Approach
The Mecox Bay Conservancy works to reverse the damage and ensure a thriving future for Mecox Bay. Through collaborative efforts with residents, businesses, and local government, we are committed to implementing innovative solutions to improve water quality, restore habitat, and safeguard the bay's ecological balance for generations to come.
Our Partnerships
At The Mecox Bay Conservancy, we believe that collaboration and partnerships are essential to driving progress and advancing scientific research. We work closely with academic institutions, governmental partners, and other organizations and stakeholders to support our efforts to improve and protect water quality.
Fundraising Goals
The Mecox Bay Conservancy depends on the generosity of donors in order to have the necessary funds to conduct scientific research and design projects to restore the bay to proper health. Local, State and Federal grants are available to improve water quality, but these funds are often reserved for “shovel ready” projects only. To access these funding sources, the Mecox Bay Conservancy works with scientist and other professionals to study the causes and develop science-based solutions to the issues affecting the bay.
About the Bay
Mecox Bay and its tributaries comprise a vital ecological system containing abundant shellfish, finfish and waterfowl, including two endangered bird species. Mecox Bay is a fragile brackish marine environment consisting of 1,100 acres of surface waters surrounded by approximately 300 residential waterfront property owners, several commercial businesses and large tracts of farmland. It is a recreational resource for boaters, kite surfers, paddle boarders and swimmers as well as a source of income for baymen. Mecox Bay, like many other surface water bodies, has been adversely impacted by pollution, largely from nitrogen contamination originating in the sanitary discharge from thousands of homes within the Mecox Bay watershed.
The Watershed
The Mecox Bay Watershed is extensive and includes multiple water bodies including:
Mecox Bay, Philips Pond, Little Jule Pond, Jule Pond, Channel Pond, Burnett Creek, Little Burnett Creek, Meyers Creek, Mill Creek, Mill Pond, Flax Pond, Mud Creek, Hayground Cove, Calf Creek, Kellis Pond, Swan Creek, Sam’s Creek
Nitrogen Pollution
Did you know that the cesspools on your property could be contributing to nitrogen pollution in Mecox Bay? Nitrogen pollution occurs when excess nitrogen from various sources, including human waste, finds its way into water bodies like Mecox Bay.
Cesspools, although a common method of wastewater disposal for many households, can leak and release nitrogen into the ground and eventually into groundwater and surface water. When nitrogen levels in the bay rise, it can lead to harmful algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and other negative impacts on aquatic life.
To help combat nitrogen pollution and protect our bay's ecosystem, consider upgrading your wastewater disposal system to more modern and efficient alternatives, such as septic systems with advanced treatment technologies.
The Mecox Bay Conservancy is happy to meet with you and discuss the process and available grant monies. We can assist with the entire process from design to implementation.
By taking action to reduce nitrogen pollution from cesspools, we can all play a part in preserving the health and beauty of Mecox Bay for future generations.
The "Cut"
Mecox Bay is a managed Salt Pond where the sandbar separating the main water body from the ocean is periodically mechanically opened to allow bay water to exchange with ocean water. The opening is known historically as the “Cut”. The “Cut” has been managed since pre-colonial times by the indigenous people of the region, and for the past 300 years by Southampton Town Trustees who own the bay bottomland. MBC works closely with the Southampton Town Trustees, the Southampton Town Board, the Stony Brook School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SOMAS), the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, the US Depart of Fish and Wildlife, and other agencies and stakeholders to advance the long-term ecological health of Mecox Bay and its watershed. MBC advocates for proper funding for management of “the cut” in accordance with the Mecox Bay Management Plan. MBC seeks to build a strong sense of community responsibility for the health of Mecox Bay among all its users and stakeholders. ut your business here.