Friends Of Burlington Island

DURING THE YEAR 2021, THE FRIENDS OF BURLINGTON ISLAND (FOBI) WORKED DILIGENTLY TOWARDS OUR GOAL OF SAFELY OPENING THE ISLAND FOR SANCTIONED EVENTS. THE FOLLOWING LIST PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF OUR WORK TOWARD THAT PURPOSE: PROVIDED WATER TRANSPORTATION OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT TO AND FROM THE ISLAND (INCLUDES THE LOAN OF A MOTORIZED DR BRUSH-HOG FOR CLEARING TRAILS AND TWO POLARIS ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES TO PULL IT). CONTINUED TO OBTAIN SIGNATURES FOR OUR PETITION THROUGH THE DIGITAL PLATFORM AND IN-PERSON IN SUPPORT OF STOPPING DREDGE SPOILS DUMPING ON BURLINGTON ISLAND. PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION SERVICE TO MOVE A 70-HP OUTBOARD MOTOR FROM A BOIM BOAT TO PHILADELPHIA BOAT SUPPLY (PBS) FOR REPAIR. REMOVED NAILS FROM 4 LENGTHS OF 30' TUG BOAT ROPE (4") AND TRANSPORTED TO CITY LAUNCH AND FROM THERE TO THE CITY GARAGE ON THE ISLAND. LOANED TWO STIHL CHAINSAWS FOR TREE WORK ON THE ISLAND. MAINTAIN LOANED EQUIPMENT. DONATED TWO GAME CAMERAS FOR CITY GARAGE. FORGED 2.5 MILES OF TRAILS AT THE REQUEST OF BOIM. ASSISTED IN MAINTAINING AND REESTABLISHING ALL TRAILS ON THE ISLAND. PURCHASED AND POSTED 6 "LEAVE NO TRACE, CARRY IN, CARRY OUT" SIGNS, INCLUDING POSTS AND HARDWARE. SOLICITED DONATIONS, PURCHASED, AND POSTED 60 NEW TRAIL MARKER/SIGNS FOR NEW TRAILS AND THE REPLACEMENT OF MISSING SIGNS OF OLD MARKERS, INCLUDING POSTS AND HARDWARE. PURCHASED COMPREHENSIVE FIRST AID KIT AND BACK/NECK BOARD. THE KIT IS SECURED IN A DRY BAG AND CONTAINS, AMONG OTHER ITEMS, AN AED, TORNIQUET, AND CPR MASK $2500. FOBI LOANS THIS EQUIPMENT TO THE BOIM FOR THEIR EVENTS ON THE ISLAND. DONATED A METAL SINGLE-GARAGE DOOR AND LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE OPEN GARAGE BAY AT THE CITY GARAGE ON THE ISLAND. MONITORED LAKE WATER QUALITY AND COLLECTED DATA TO BE USED IN FUTURE REMEDIATION EFFORTS AFTER THE DEP ISSUED AN ALGAE WARNING ALERT. DONATED TWO KAYAKS TO MONITOR THE LAKE WATER QUALITY AND STORED THEM IN A CHAIN-LINK CAGE THE BOIM PROMISED TO SECURE - KAYAKS AND SECCHI DISK READER STOLEN DUE TO THE BOIM NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH ON THEIR AGREEMENT TO SECURE THE FENCING. TRANSPORTED THREE CANOES FOR BOIM FROM A DONOR WHICH REQUIRED SUBSTANTIAL DIFFICULTY BECAUSE THEY WERE IN BARELY ACCESSIBLE WOODS. ASSISTED IN EVERY ISLAND CLEAN-UP. INITIATED THE ONLY SUCCESSFUL YOUTH TRIPS TO THE ISLAND FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES - AND SOME FUN. PROVIDE WINTER STORAGE FOR NUMEROUS BOIM VEHICLES AT NO COST. REMOVED SIX DEEP-CYCLE BATTERIES FROM CITY GARAGE, HAD THEM REFURBISHED ON THE MAINLAND AND RETURNED TO GARAGE TO RUN SECURITY CAMERAS. PROVIDED CONSULTING FOR SECURITY MEASURES FOR THE CITY GARAGE. INTRODUCED SCOUTS TO THE POTENTIAL OF PROJECTS FOR MERIT BADGES INCLUDING HIGHEST HONOR AWARDS. PARTICIPATED IN EVERY PUBLIC EVENT OPEN TO US IN BRISTOL AND BURLINGTON TO EDUCATE CITIZENS OF THE HISTORY AND VALUE OF THE ISLAND. DEVELOPED PRESENTATIONS TO EDUCATE GROUPS ON THE HISTORY AND CURRENT STATUS OF THE ISLAND WHICH WE HAVE GIVEN TO HUNDREDS OF LOCAL CITIZENS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER. PROVIDED THE HISTORICAL DATA TO MICKEY FRANZ FOR USE ON HIS VIDEO ON BURLINGTON ISLAND WHICH SERVES TO FURTHER EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO SAVE THE ISLAND FROM DREDGE SPOIL DUMPING. STRESSED AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY THE IMPORTANCE TO THE RIVER TOWNS OF OPENING THE ISLAND. WORKED DILIGENTLY TO BUILD A CONSTITUENCY TO ENABLE PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENTAL REPRESENTATIVES, INCLUDING GREEN ACRES, A SOLID UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISLAND'S VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY IN AN EFFORT TO OFFSET THE DREDGE SPOILS ISSUE. SEND PRESS RELEASES WHENEVER THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF TO KEEP AWARENESS OF THE ISLAND IN THE PUBLIC EYE. CONTINUE TO UPDATE AND EXPAND OUR WEBSITE OFFERINGS AND INFORMATION, INCLUDING SOCIAL MEDIA. ESTABLISHED MERCHANT SERVICES USED IN ONLINE MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS AND COLLECTING CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD T-SHIRTS AND OTHER ITEMS THAT SUPPORT OUR GOALS. CREATED A STRATEGIC PLAN. APPLIED FOR GRANTS. PROVIDE A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER TO FOBI MEMBERS. OBTAINED NEW JERSEY HERITAGE REPORT ON ALL FLORA/FAUNA ON THE ISLAND, WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT SPECIES ARE ENDANGERED. DEVELOPED RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS AND INFLUENCERS, INCLUDING SCHOOL STAFF.