Environmentalists remove invasive plants in Pattersquash Creek near Great South Bay

Environmentalists removed invasive plants from Pattersquash Creek on Thursday in an effort to protect the Great South Bay.
They said the plants can choke the waterway.
The Long Island's Creek Defenders' mission is to rid Long Islands creeks of dumped trash, invasive species and replace native plants.
Some invasives were clipped, while others had to be removed with a chainsaw.
Long Island's creeks are considered the arteries for its bays and estuaries, supplying the water ways with oxygenated water that combats toxic algae blooms.
Planting native plants along the creeks also removes harmful nitrogen that is released from outdated septic systems.
The Creek Defender program, started by the group Save the Great South Bay, cleans up and restores over 50 creeks along Long Island's South Shore.
Walt Meschenberg grew up in the area and said he was touched by his community's commitment to conserve the environment.
Meschenberg remembers when the six creeks in Mastic were pristine.
This Saturday, the community will continue the cleanup in Mastic Beach.