The Marion Lake Story: Defeating the Mighty Phragmite

Shot over a seven year period, The Marion Lake Story tells the compelling story of how a community on the east end of Long Island, N.Y. came together to clear their lake of the highly invasive phragmite reed. They educated themselves, raised money, hiredwetlands biologist Steve Marino to plan the eradication, and eventually got out to “weed the communal garden.” Years later, a bio-diverse habitat for native birds, plants and rare turtles is returning; and the phragmite reed is in retreat. Human intervention here is not to shape nature to one’s aesthetic taste, but rather to restore nature so that it can take its own course. Lori's triumphant story demonstrates the power of civic engagement and the age-old motto that "everybody can do something." The result... an inspirational grassroots model for environmental restoration in action that leaves audience members wanting to get out and partake in ecological restoration- wherever they live.