Group for the East End Celebrates 50 YearsOf Protecting Land, Water, and Wildlife
GROUP FOR THE EAST END CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF PROTECTING LAND, WATER, AND WILDLIFE
(East End of Long Island, New York… November 2022) Since 1972, Group for the East End (groupfortheeastend.org) has fought for the protection of the local environment through advocacy, conservation, and education. Their work has resulted in some of the most critical conservation victories for the East End. As they take on the most pressing environmental issues of our time, the Group will mark this milestone by hosting several nature outings and special events, including its 50th anniversary Swing into Summer benefit.
“Fifty years ago, Group for the East End’s founders understood that the protection of the area’s most significant natural resources would be the cornerstone of a sustainable future,” shares Group for the East End president Bob DeLuca. “They also understood that unbridled development would destroy everything that made this place special to begin with, and that the work would not be easy.”
Founded as an environmental defense office in 1972, Group for the East End took on a number of environmental advocacy projects that would pave the way for what the East End looks like today—mapping the natural resources on the South Fork; developing a land preservation strategy that has saved thousands of acres; establishing the Peconic Estuary Program; advocating for legislation resulting in more than $2 billion for land and water protection; bringing the osprey population back from the brink of local extinction; fighting for the passage of septic improvement laws to save our bays and harbors—the Group has played a critical role in protecting and restoring the East End.
Partnerships have always been critical to this work. The actions taken by civic and environmental groups, elected officials, businesses, farmers, fishermen, and engaged individuals have proven that dedication and determination results in meaningful change.
In addition to advocacy and conservation, the Group understood the importance of building the next generation of conservation leaders, and in 1985, introduced children’s environmental education programs in local schools. To date, the Group has educated more than 90,000 kids over the last 35 years.
“Through our dedicated and professional staff, the Group has become one of the most accomplished conservation organizations in New York State,” DeLuca says. “Focusing on land preservation, water quality, and innovative community planning strategies to protect our natural resources, the Group has championed countless environmental action campaigns. We’ve taken great care to assure that this special place will never become just any place.”
While the Group’s list of environmental victories is long (see supplemental document), their continues. Some of the Group’s current initiatives include:
Developing a county-wide wastewater management district and securing a long-term funding stream to help Suffolk County residents replace antiquated septic systems
Advocating for Plum Island’s designation as national monument as part of its overall conservation plan
Advocating for the protection of a 600-acre parcel of undeveloped land in the Pine Barrens
Working with the Southold Town Board to implement its recently-passed comprehensive plan
Advocating for restrictions on using gas-powered leaf blowers
Expanding the newly established North Fork Dark Sky Coalition (northforkdarksky.org)
Monitoring and collecting data on the osprey and horseshoe crab populations
Building and improving trails from Peconic Bay to Long Island Sound as part of the Bay to Sound Trail Project with Southold Town
Offering innovative, nature-based educational programs for the public at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue through a long-standing partnership with Southold Town
Expanding children’s environmental education programs in public and private schools
ABOUT GROUP FOR THE EAST END
Group for the East End leads the way in protecting and restoring the environment of eastern Long Island through education, conservation, and advocacy. We fight for the protection of our land, water, and wildlife, we inspire children to become stewards of the environment, and we engage the community to embrace a conservation ethic and take action.
