Environmental Victories in 2025
Thanks to this incredible community, the Group achieved a number of environmental victories that will help protect the nature of the place you love. Here are just a few of the things we accomplished in 2025…
ADVOCACY
Horseshoe Crab Protection Act is Signed into Law — In December, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the New York State Horseshoe Crab Protection Act into law! Tens of thousands of horseshoe crabs will now be saved every year from being harvested for bait or biomedical purposes. It’s also great news for many other species, including vulnerable shorebirds who rely on horseshoe crab eggs for their own survival. This victory is the result of a two-year collaborative effort with fellow dedicated conservation organizations and sustained grassroots campaigns, working together to speak up for the protection of a species that has inhabited the earth for more than 350 million years.
Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Fund is Established — Earlier this year, a fund dedicated exclusively to clean water infrastructure in Suffolk County was established, and has already collected nearly $40 million in revenue! On the East End, this fund will provide tax-free grants for homeowners who replace their failing septic systems and support major clean water infrastructure projects, significantly reducing the nitrogen pollution that’s been choking our bays and harbors for decades.
Sand Mine Amortization Law is Passed — The Group—working alongside fellow environmental organizations, civic groups, and the public—successfully advocated for the adoption of Southampton Town’s new Sand Mine Amortization Law. For more than 50 years, nonconforming sand mines have been operating in residentially-zoned neighborhoods, and are completely at odds with the town’s current zoning. Now, they will be phased out over a period of one to seven years.
East Hampton House Size Limit is Established — Recognizing the stress on the environment and threat to community character from oversized homes, the Group worked alongside civic associations, community members, and other environmental organizations to support a new East Hampton Town law that now limits the size of houses on residential properties, which reflects the established goals of the town’s adopted comprehensive plan.
CONSERVATION
Ospreys Continue to Thrive
Expert birders and volunteers joined the Group this summer to conduct our triennial osprey monitoring survey, counting 385 active nests and 386 fledglings across East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton, and Southold. Despite lower numbers from our last survey, the population remains strong. Our osprey talks for local community groups and libraries were some of our most popular events!
Acres of Invasive Species Removed from Great Pond — More than 40 volunteers joined the Group, Kenney’s/McCabe’s Beach Civic Association, and Southold Town to begin removing two acres of phragmites, an invasive species, from Great Pond in Southold. Managing invasive species like phragmites is crucial to restoring the ecological balance of natural areas, allowing native plants, which provide food and shelter for wildlife, to thrive once again.
Volunteers Maintained Bay to Sound Trails — As part of the Group’s long-term partnership with Southold Town on the Bay to Sound Trails project, volunteers helped remove16,703 pounds of trash and debris from North Fork preserves and maintain hiking trails. One volunteer alone put in 144 hours of work! Volunteers included Boy Scout troops, Southold ROTC students, Mattituck High School students, Southold Elementary School fifth graders, Peconic Community School students, Southold Peconic Civic Association, and individual community members.
Monarch Waystation are Dedicated on the North Fork — On the North Fork, the Group had helped install two native plant gardens, which were designated as Monarch Waystations this year by MonarchWatch.org. Waystations provide critical habitat for the millions of monarch butterflies that migrate from the United States and Canada to central Mexico each year. The meadow at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue was installed in 2022 with the help of volunteers, and the native plant garden at Custer Preserve in Southold was planted with ReWild Long Island’s North Fork chapter, Southold Peconic Civic Association, and volunteers, including Southold Elementary School. Southold Town supported both of these important conservation efforts.
EDUCATION
Nature Outings and Events Reached New Audiences — It’s all about community! The Group’s collaborative partnerships inspired people to get outside. Here are this year’s highlights:
Native plant swaps with North Fork Suffolk Alliance Pollinators and Cornell Master Gardeners
Summer camp program at the East End Seaport Museum
Shelter Island Library Friday Night Dialogues
Nature-inspired art programs with environmental educator Tony Valderrama
Family-friendly events at Downs Farm Preserve
Students Learned About Nature In and Outside the Classroom — In schools, our education team worked with 14 schools/youth groups to teach more than 140 classes in and outside of the classroom, reaching 2,270 students!
Interns Lead in the Field — Our summer interns were busy with habitat restoration projects, osprey monitoring, and advocacy. The Group offers college students pursuing degrees in environmental studies the opportunity to gain real world experience. Where? In the field, of course! By nurturing students’ interest in these fields, we help set this next generation of conservation leaders up for success.
Since 1972, the Group has been protecting the East End’s land, water, and wildlife through advocacy, conservation, and education. But we cannot do this work alone. We’re so grateful for this environmental community of caring individuals who love, appreciate, and work to protect our land, water, and wildlife across the East End. We cannot wait to see what we can accomplish together in 2026!
