Environmental Victories in 2023

We are so grateful for the support of our community this year. Because of you, the Group was able to achieve a number of environmental victories to protect the nature of the place you love. Here are just a few of the things we accomplished in 2023…

ADVOCACY
Together, we have advocated for local, regional, and even state-wide initiatives and legislation that will ensure protections for eastern Long Island for years to come. This year, we saw victories for water and land-use, including:

Sand Land — After nearly a decade of litigation to protect our drinking water, New York State’s highest court sided with the Group and a coalition of civic and environmental advocates to annul all state permits at the Sand Land mine in Bridgehampton. The facility, which sits over one of the East End’s most valuable drinking water protection areas, had been found by the Suffolk County Health Department to have significantly contaminated the groundwater aquifer. While NYS remains slow in enforcing this decision, the court’s ruling clearly validates the rights of local governments to protect our drinking water resources. 

Water Quality Restoration Act — Earlier this year, with the leadership of Assemblyman Fred Thiele, and a broad coalition of environmental, civic and business stakeholders, New York State passed the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act, which provides Suffolk County with the authority to let the public vote on its clean water future, by establishing a long-term dedicated fund to help homeowners significantly reduce the cost of septic system upgrades that will better treat our water and help restore our bays and harbors

EPCAL — After nearly a decade of sustained advocacy and coalition building with local civic leaders, the Group and its allies campaigned successfully to prevent an ill-advised commercial development of some 10 million square feet (with air cargo potential), at the former Grumman Navel Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant at Calverton, otherwise know as EPCAL. Despite its former use, the site has significant environmental value due to its extensive grassland, wetlands, and pine barrens habitats, which are home to several rare and endangered species.  

Birds and Bees Protection Act — After successful advocacy by environmental organizations and the public, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Birds and Bees Protection Act, which will limit the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics) and eliminate up to 80-90% of the neonics entering New York’s environment annually.⁠ This is incredible news for our pollinators as the toxic pesticide has long been connected to mass losses of bees, which are critical to New York’s agricultural economy and environment.

CONSERVATION
Ospreys — Thanks to the Group’s ongoing nest hazard assessment, PSEG LI has installed a number of nest deterrents on their electrified utility poles to discourage osprey nesting in areas where they and their young are at risk of electrocution. Population numbers continue to rise as the Group shifts its focus to hazard mitigation.

Habitat Restoration — The Group expanded land stewardship efforts to include Laurel Lake Preserve and Custer Preserve. At Custer Preserve, we oversaw and helped plant more native plants, purchasing the plants by means of a generous grant provided by ReWild Long Island. At Laurel Lake, our team donated plant materials used to try to stabilize an area that has eroded, using native grasses and shrubs to try to rehabilitate the area.

Bay to Sound Trails Initiative — What a summer! In phase five of this critical conservation project, the Group laid the foundation for a better future as part of the Bay to Sound Trails project. From Skipper Horton Park to Pipes Cove Preserve and beyond, the Group and other volunteers have removed invasive plants like phragmites and planted more native species. 

EDUCATION
Downs Farm Preserve — From nature-inspired art workshops to children’s events and more, we’ve spent a lot of time at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue this year. We hosted a native plant swap with North Fork Pollinator Pathway, hosted artists to teach workshops for creatives of all ages, and together with volunteers and staff, we maintained the meadow and thicket, increasing the number of native plants available for wildlife. More than 400 people attended public programs at Downs Farm Preserve this year!

Outreach — In addition to tabling events at film screenings, environmental events, and more, we enjoyed a special summer event with CAST North Fork at their new headquarters in Southold. It was a day of play and learning, engaging and inspiring the next generation of our planet’s stewards. In schools, our education teams worked with 15 schools/youth groups to teach more than 150 classes, reaching 2,500+ students!

2023 has taught us that no project is too small, patience and persistence are key, and that working to protect the nature of the place you love is more successful — and inspiring — with the support of this incredible environmental community. So, thank you for working alongside us this year. We can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together in 2024!