Bay to Sound Trail Project in Southold

Creating a trail network from Peconic Bay to Long Island Sound

Preserving and maintaining open space has become critically important for the survival of local river otters, bald eagles, ospreys, migratory shorebirds, songbirds, horseshoe crabs, and many other species.  

In partnership with the Town of Southold, the Group has been working on the long-term  Peconic Bay to Long Island Sound Integrated Trails Initiative (Bay to Sound) project since 2007. The goal is to create a trail network linking Suffolk County land and Southold Town land, and preserves between Peconic Bay and Long Island Sound. The project fosters ecotourism opportunities such as birdwatching and nature hikes, and community volunteers get involved by creating and maintaining trails, combatting invasive plant species and planting native species.

Over the years, the Group has been successful in recruiting numerous volunteers to maintain trails and pick up trash in the preserve. The community has been essential to making this project a success. The Group has had support from Boy and Girl Scout troops, local ROTC students, Mattituck High School students, Southold Elementary School fifth graders, Peconic Community School students, Southold Peconic Civic Association, library groups, and the general public. 

Current project sites include Arshamomaque Preserve, Pipes Cove Preserve, and Skipper Horton Park. 

What You Can Do

Volunteer with the Group! Whether you’re a teacher looking to get your students involved in habitat restoration, a scout troop that needs community service hours, or an individual that wants to make a difference, every helping hand makes an incredible difference! 

Email Group director of outreach Taralynn Reynolds for volunteer opportunities at taralynn@thegroup.org. 

Work conducted on the Bay to Sound Trails Phase 5 project is being funded by the New York State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund.