Group For The East End, Town of Southold, And 170 VolunteersRemove 55+ Tons of Debris from North Fork Nature Preserves
1.8 Miles of New Trails Created During Phase 5 of the Peconic Bay to Long Island Sound Integrated Trails Initiative
[Southold, New York… December 2024] Group for the East End [thegroup.org] has continued its work on the long-term Peconic Bay to Long Island Sound Integrated Trails Initiative, commonly referred to as Bay to Sound, in partnership with the Town of Southold, removing approximately 55 tons of trash, debris, equipment, scrap metal, and more from North Fork nature preserves during Phase 5 of the project. As part of the initiative’s goal to create a trail network linking public parks and preserves of Suffolk County and the Town of Southold between Peconic Bay and Long Island Sound, this incredible effort was advanced by 170 volunteers who assisted with trail cleanup, maintenance, trail creation, and habitat restoration in Arshamomaque Preserve, Pipes Cove Preserve, and Skipper Horton Park.
This initiative not only creates a network of trails for the public, but also improves the ecological health of these preserves, benefitting pollinators and wildlife, as well as human health.
“Getting to work with volunteers on this project is extremely rewarding, especially the younger volunteers,” shares Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds, who has been spearheading the project. “Their enthusiasm makes working in the field so much fun! It brings something different to the day and without our community volunteers we wouldn’t be pulling as much debris and trash from these preserves. The Group is grateful to the Town of Southold, especially John Sepenoski, who has sought out and obtained the funding for this project.”
Volunteers have been critical in all phases of the project, and most recently saw a record number of 61 participants in a single day. Volunteers have included Boy and Girl Scout troops, Southold 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. During Phase 5, volunteers put in more than 1,630 hours of work, including creating 1.8 miles of new trails.
At Pipes Cove Preserve, the former site of Sill’s Dairy Farm, volunteers took down the defunct milk house and remnants of the dairy barn, and the contents of the buildings. More than 50 wheels/tires were also removed from the site, along with junk equipment such as a broken plow, sickle bar mower, multiple engines, household appliances, multiple trailers, and even a house boat.
Over the next few months, the Group is calling for additional volunteers for trail work and trash cleanup. Scout troops, school groups, libraries, and others can volunteer as a group, as well as individuals, and can contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at treynolds@eastendenvironment.org or the Town of Southold.
The Peconic Bay to Long Island Sound Integrated Trails Initiative fosters opportunities for the public to enjoy outdoors activities, such as birdwatching and nature hikes, and community groups get involved by creating and maintaining trails. Additional restoration projects within the Bay to Sound project area will continue throughout the fall and winter.
The Group applauds the Town of Southold, Suffolk County, and New York State for coming together to create funding for acquisition and preservation of public parcels.
The Phase 5 Peconic Bay to Long Island Sound Integrated Trails Initiative is funded by the New York State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund.
