Carting Island facts for kids
Carting Island is the biggest of four islands owned by the town of Stratford, Connecticut. You can find it in the Housatonic River, located between two major highways, I-95 and the Merritt Parkway. It's a quiet place, mostly visited by people who enjoy fishing, watching birds, or hunting ducks. The only way to get to the island is by boat, as no one lives there permanently.
Where is Carting Island?
Carting Island is in a busy part of the Housatonic River. It sits north of the Moses Wheeler Bridge. If you look east, you'll see Peacock Island (Connecticut). To the southwest are Long Island (Connecticut) and Pope's Flat. The island is also south of Fowler Island in Milford and the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Bridge.
- Its exact location is 41°12′48″N 73°6′48″W.
- The island is quite low, only about 3 feet (1 meter) above the water.
Helping the Island's Nature
Starting in 2011, Carting Island became part of an important project. Several groups worked together to help the island's wetlands. These groups included the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, NOAA, and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Their main goal was to get rid of a plant called Phragmites. This plant is an invasive species, which means it's not native to the area and can take over, harming other plants and wildlife. By removing it, they helped the island's natural environment become healthier.
