If you’ve paid any attention to the Long Island Pine Barrens Society these past two years, you’re sure to have heard of “The Best of the Rest” initiative. This campaign seeks to complete the promise of the 1993 Pine Barrens Protection Act by preserving another 3,800 acres of land. If you’re curious as to the status of the campaign, head on over to this page on our website. While preserving untouched land for its own sake is all well and good, today we’re going to highlight some of the animals which can be found in these “The Best of the Rest” properties, and why preserving their habitat is crucial for their wellbeing.
Monarch Butterflies
Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are a beloved insect, and for good reason. Their beautiful coloration sets them head and shoulders (proverbially speaking) above the rest of the insect world. Although on a global scale the species is faring well, the migratory populations (such as New York’s) are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning they’re the most at-risk species we’ll be discussing today. Of course, the main source of these butterflies’ decline is the decline of suitable sources of nutrition. Wildflowers like milkweed (which you can, and should, plant in your own backyard) are crucial for this. Another such flower is known as Butterfly Weed, and is prominently found in the Rocky Point area we are seeking to protect. Nineteen (19) of the 60 acres that are included in “The Best of the Rest” plan are currently eyed by the DEC, but if all 60 acres are preserved it would go a long way in preserving this vital resource for monarch butterflies, creating a safe harbor for them on Long Island.
Grasshopper Sparrow
While the IUCN lists the Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) as one of Least Concern, it is a species with a range covering most of the continental United States and stretches south into Mexico. Thus, there are numerous subspecies and populations, many of which, taken on their own, are threatened. Here in New York, the species is listed as one of Special Concern, as the local population has declined considerably in recent years. As the name suggests, this species of sparrow is fondest of grassland habitats, and specifically can be found on the EPCAL property. This extensive grassland is owned by the Town of Riverhead; it is as of yet entirely unpreserved. Along with the Shoreham forest and the Rose-Breslin properties, this is one of the chief areas of interest for The Best of the Rest” initiative.
Eastern Meadowlark
Sticking with the EPCAL property, another beautiful bird species that can be found there is the Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna). Throughout the year, this bird’s range can extend from Canada to Mexico, and from Texas to the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Yet, it is listed as a Near Threatened species by the IUCN, due to population decline caused by loss of habitat. The DEC specifically highlights Long Island as a location where development is impacting the population. As the name suggests, meadowlarks prefer wide open grasslands, much like the grasshopper sparrows, and so the preservation of the EPCAL property is crucial in maintaining one of Long Island’s quintessential ecosystems, and the creatures that inhabit it.
This was just a brief glimpse of some of the animals whose conservation status would be improved should the entirety of “The Best of the Rest” properties be preserved. If you’re not already, consider following the Long Island Pine Barrens Society’s Facebook and Instagram accounts where, in the coming weeks, we’ll be discussing these species, and many more that “The Best of the Rest” initiative seeks to protect.
By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society
