Kids & Family

East Meadow Eagle Scout Completes Construction of Bat Houses in Veterans Memorial Park

With the help of the Town of Hempstead, Christopher Sommella built bat houses in Veterans Memorial Park to stop the growth in population of mosquitoes.

Christopher Sommella, an East Meadow Eagle Scout, has completed his Eagle Project, which was the construction of five bat houses at Veterans Memorial Park.
 
Sommella worked directly with Councilman Gary Hudes and Hempstead Town park officials in his effort to support the environmental benefits of bats and guard against the growth in population of mosquitoes in his community.  

“We are proud that Christopher decided to craft his Eagle Scout project to benefit his fellow neighbors at one of our town parks,” Town Supervsior Kate Murray said. “This young man is helping neighbors and our planet.”

“It was an honor to work with Christopher in his pursuit of the Eagle Scout rank,” Hudes said. “His project not only helps reduce the mosquito population, but also educates people on the positive impact that bats have on our environment."

Bats eat thousands of mosquitoes daily to help reduce the mosquito population and reduce the spread of deadly illnesses like the West Nile Virus. 

The West Nile Virus was responsible for the death of one of Sommella’s neighbors a few years ago. Knowing that the risk of contracting the disease could be reduced through proper mosquito control, Sommella based his Eagle Scout project on an effort to prevent the deadly disease from affecting his community.
 
Hempstead Town officials guided Sommella through the initial approval process and provided him the help of several town workers and equipment to help install each house, which needed to be installed 15 to 20 feet above the ground to properly attract bats. 

“I congratulate Christopher Sommella on achieving scouting’s highest rank and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” Murray said.


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