A fireworks show is planned over Lake Ronkonkoma — and we need you to speak out NOW to protect eagles nesting less than 90 feet from its shore!

Right now is BABY SEASON. Fireworks can cause nesting birds to panic, abandon nests, or suffer fatal stress myopathy. Every year after fireworks displays, we see traumatized wildlife, displaced pets, and animals literally dying from stress.

Lake Ronkonkoma is also part of our DRINKING WATER supply. Fireworks dump heavy metals and phosphorus directly into the lake — fueling algae blooms and harming aquatic life. You cannot “clean up” phosphorus after it enters the water.

And the barge used for fireworks poses another major threat:
INVASIVE SPECIES. One contaminated vessel can introduce destructive plants or organisms that undo decades of environmental restoration.

This isn’t stewardship.
This isn’t respect for wildlife.
And turning Memorial Day week — a solemn remembrance of fallen service members — into an explosion-filled spectacle is deeply inappropriate, especially for veterans living with PTSD and families with sensory-sensitive loved ones.

We can celebrate community WITHOUT harming wildlife, polluting our water, or traumatizing people and animals.

Protect the eagles.
Protect our water.
Honor Memorial Day with dignity.

Speak up NOW before it’s too late.

More ways to help: 

1) Sign our open letter to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services (USFWS) and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. 

2) Join us this Thursday, May 28th, at 6 PM to speak up at the Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board meeting at the Rose Y. Caracappa Auditorium in the William H. Rogers Building at 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788. Suffolk County Legislator Trish Bergin, who is organizing this event, is co-chair of the Advisory Board.

3) Join us for a protest this Saturday, May 30th at 6 PM at Lake Ronkonkoma Beach at 299 Rosevale Ave, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779!