Friends of Lake Lily

Make A Difference In Your Community Today

2026-2027 Friends of Lake Lily Renaissance Campaign

Greetings from Cape May Point!

I am writing to report the progress made over the past year in our mission to improve the health and beauty of Lake Lily, a place where families gather, neighbors connect, and wildlife thrives. Maintaining this special place requires ongoing care and investment, and we are grateful to our supporters who make this work possible.

We are also appreciative of our collaboration with the Cape May Point Commissioners, the Department of Public Works, and the Cape May Point Taxpayers Association. By working cooperatively with them, Friends of Lake Lily has made good progress in implementing our plans to restore the natural beauty and health of the lake.

The water-circulating bubblers and non-chemical enzyme treatments are combatting muck accumulation, thus decreasing the phosphorus levels that could cause dangerous algae blooms. The installation of trial muck mats, in consultation with Rutgers University and Dr. Stephen Souza, succeeded in slowing the growth of unwanted vegetation in the placement areas.

We continue to support the planting and maintenance of the lovely garden beds along West Lake Drive, and we are grateful to the volunteer bedfellows who keep them healthy and strong for our bees, birds, and butterflies.

Environmental conservation and habitat protection underpin our every effort to stabilize the shoreline and to optimize the ecological health of Lake Lily. We are delighted to report that this spring we were able to complete Phase One of our Island Restoration Project, clearing the island and covering it with a tarp to prevent regrowth (a tarp that stayed in place during the tornado!). Dense invasive vegetation strangles the native plants that welcome and support our wildlife. This removal of the invaders was essential for protecting both local and migratory species.

An in-depth explanation of the two-day operation, illustrated with photos, is available at www.friendsoflakelily.org

The next step will be to design, select, and install the island’s new plants, native species chosen specifically to provide food and nesting cover for local and migratory birds. Our work protects the health and beauty of Lake Lily. As a supporter of Friends of Lake Lily, you can be part of a community dedicated to preserving this treasured resource.

Every gift, regardless of size, directly supports our work to make Lake Lily healthy, beautiful, and accessible to future generations. Your tax-deductible contribution will ensure that as the seasons change, the island and lake will remain a vibrant, healthy and beautiful sanctuary for the thousands of birds and wildlife that call the Point home.

There are different ways for you to donate: by US mail; send your check to Friends of Lake Lily at PO Box 32 Cape May Point, NJ 08212. You may click the DONATE NOW button on the top right side of the page to donate online via Zeffy.

Thank you for considering our request for the funding that will allow us to continue our work.

Tom Reilly, President (tomreilly@friendsoflakelily.org)

Click the DONATE NOW button on the top of the page to go to our donation page.

ABOUT

Friends of Lake Lily Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Corporation in Cape May Point, NJ, focused on natural resources conservation and protection, particularly regarding Lake Lily.

The Friends of Lake Lily, along with other organizations like the Borough of Cape May Point, New Jersey Audubon, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have been involved in restoration efforts at Lake Lily, including invasive species removal and native plant planting.

We as a community take great pride in the history and preservation of Lake Lily and as such, work with the Borough of Cape May Point to keep the lake as a pristine haven for all of the wild life that lives here and for those that pass through.

09Apr

Lake Lily Island Restoration

From the Borough of Cape May Point, August 26, 2026

By the Friends of Lake Lily: If you’ve taken a stroll along Lake Drive recently, you’ve likely noticed that the island is undergoing a significant transformation. Restoration is a process of adaptation, and we wanted to share an update on the latest steps being taken to protect this vital Cape May Point sanctuary.

Adapting to Nature’s Timeline

Our primary goal is to remove the dense, invasive brush and Phragmites that have long choked out native growth. Initially, we partnered with the New Jersey Division of Forestry to attempt a controlled burn. However, Lake Lily’s healthy water levels had other plans—the island proved to be too wet for the burn to take hold effectively.In conservation, you have to be as resilient as the land itself. When the "fire" phase didn't work, the Borough of Cape May Point stepped in with a direct, mechanical strategy to keep the project moving forward.

A Clean Slate for the Island and the Lake

The Borough is currently executing a thorough restoration of the island’s footprint and the surrounding waters:

Deep Clearing: All overgrown vegetation is being cut back, and the dense root mats and underbrush are being removed. This "root-level" work ensures that invasives don't simply bounce back in the spring.
Sub-Aquatic Management: To control vegetation in the water without using harsh chemicals, the Borough has installed "lake mats." These benthic barriers naturally suppress invasive aquatic growth by blocking sunlight, keeping the waterways open for our resident turtles and waterfowl.

Your Impact: Planting the Future

While the Borough handles the heavy clearing, the Friends of Lake Lily are focused on what comes next: The Rebirth. Ongoing efforts to restore the island include:

Native Replanting: Once the clearing is complete, we will begin planting native species specifically chosen to provide food and nesting cover for migratory birds.
Regular Maintenance: To ensure the invasives don't return, the Borough and the Friends have committed to a rigorous long-term maintenance schedule.

How You Can Help

These restoration efforts are a true community partnership. Donations to the Friends of Lake Lily directly and the Cape May Point Taxpayers Assoc. fund these plantings and the ongoing care of the island. Your support ensures that as the seasons change, the island remains a vibrant, healthy, and beautiful sanctuary for the thousands of birds and wildlife that call the Point home.To learn more, volunteer, or make a tax-deductible donation go to donation page at www.Friendsoflakelily.org

Starting the attempted burn by the Division of Forestry

Almost, but not quite....

Placement of the Lake Mats

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30Mar

Birding Cape May Point

Join CMBO naturalists for 2 hours of birding around beautiful Cape May Point! The “shoulder season” in Cape May is a wonderful time for birding and there’s no better place to do it than the Cape May Point State Park. With its diversity of habitat – beach, dunes, ponds, forest, and marsh – it’s the perfect spot for migrating waterfowl, songbirds and shorebirds to stop and refuel as the push of spring migration begins. We’ll travel the trails, check out CMBO’s Northwood Center and other surrounding hotspots on The Point, as we soak up the wonder of this annual phenomenon of Nature. Join us every Saturday for 2 hours of birding at the Cape May Point State Park and let us share with you the wonder of this special time of year. We may walk up to 1.5 miles, over generally level, sometimes muddy or sandy terrain. Some trips involve walks over jetties. PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED.

COST: $8 - $13.53

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-cape-may-point-tickets-1985396495363?aff=erelexpmlt