This June marks the end of the 14^th “Middle School Kids Go To College” program. We at the Long Island Pine Barrens Society are very proud of the fact that we’ve been able to provide Long Island middle schoolers with the opportunity to be scientists for so many years, and are immensely thankful to the National Grid Foundation for their continued support in this endeavor. “Middle School Kids Go To College” challenges sixth grade students to consider real, ongoing problems related to Long Island’s aquifer system in solution-oriented ways. They are tasked with independently studying (either as an individual or part of a team) a problem of their choosing, and present solutions to said problem. It’s one of the most rewarding things the Pine Barrens Society does, as it is only through inspiring the next generation that we can ensure that Long Island continues to be preserved and protected for years to come.

“Middle School Kids Go To College” starts in the classroom. This year, 70 sixth grade students from the Patchogue-Medford School District were taught all about Long Island’s aquifer, including the many threats to it, and the ways in which we can preserve it. These students also were taught about responsible waste management, and the nearby threat of the Brookhaven Landfill, as part of a new program. “Inspiring Youth to Protect Their Environment” is a pilot program, created thanks to the support of the Long Island Unitarian Universalist Fund, which is directly modeled after “Middle School Kids Go To College.” This new program zeroes focuses on the area around the Brookhaven Landfill, the impending closure of which represents a serious environmental challenge to Long Island in general, and the locations around the Patchogue-Medford School District in particular. This double focus this year resulted in a wide variety of student projects, as students incorporated themes and ideas from both programs, leading to a fuller understanding of Long Island’s ecological challenges. From tried-and-true topics such as the impact of PFAS chemicals, to novel ideas like the lingering effects of PPE waste from the COVID pandemic, the dozens of projects covered a dizzying array of topics.

Students first presented their projects at “Water Day,” which occurred at each of the three Pat-Med middle schools in April and May. In addition to members of the Pine Barrens Society, students also presented to their friends, parents and classmates, giving them a taste of what it’s like to be a scientist showcasing their findings. In addition to the diversity of topics, many students also used various props and visuals to demonstrate their work, making for many engaging, novel presentations.

Much like last year, this year’s program also included a hike to Fish Thicket Preserve. In addition to members of the Society, who led the hike, the students were joined by representatives from the Brookhaven Landfill Action and Remediation Group, the Society’s collaborator in developing the “Inspiring Youth” program. Thus, the hike focused not just on the ecology of Fish Thicket – including the damage dealt to it by the Southern Pine Beetle, the presence of migratory birds, and its connection to the aquifer – but also on the negative impacts of dumping, and the danger posed by the proximity to the landfill. Lots of garbage was picked up over the course of the hour-long hike, meaning the students not only had a good time outdoors, but also left the place better than they found it. If only one concept can sum up these programs – and the work of the Pine Barrens Society in general – it’s that.

On Tuesday, May 27^th, the “Middle School Kids Go To College” program fulfilled the promise of its name by bringing all the students up to Stony Brook University. There, they were treated to a lecture on Long Island water quality, and the struggles to improve it, by distinguished professor Dr. Christopher Gobler. One of the leading experts on the topic, Dr. Gobler was able to present the kids all of the information at a level they could understand, without ever dumbing things down. The kids asked a litany of questions, and came away from the lecture with a much better understanding of where the work they’ve done for the past few months fits into the wider context of the issue. After Dr. Gobler’s talk, the students presented their projects to attending members of the Center for Clean Water Technology.

As it did last year, the “Middle School Kids Go To College” program concluded with an awards celebration held at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge. Nine of the projects (three from each school) were selected as the winners of the program, and these students were presented with award plaques provided by the National Grid Foundation. Local officials such as Deputy County Executive Jennifer Juengst and Pine Barrens Commission Executive Director Judy Jakobsen spoke at the event, commending the students for their hard work and recognizing them as the future problem-solvers the county – and the country, and the world – will desperately need going forward. Also in attendance were representatives from the National Grid Foundation and the Brookhaven Landfill Action and Remediation Group, who similarly honored the students. Once more, the students presented their projects to these guests, as well as their friends and family, marking the true end of the two programs, as the students were able to showcase their knowledge one more time.

The ”Middle School Kids Go To College” program has been a staple of the Pine Barrens Society’s work for more than a decade. With each passing year, we work hard to improve the program, and now that we’re developing the “Inspiring Youth to Protect Their Environment” program using the same model, the scope of what we do is widening. With these programs, we encourage kids to think of themselves as problem-solvers, force them to study the issues independently, determine the best ways to present their findings and advocate for their solutions. In other words, we teach them to be scientists. In having them showcase their work to their community, we also teach them to be advocates. By inhabiting these two roles, students will grow up with a keener understanding of the problems facing Long Island, and what they can do to solve them. It is thanks to this that the Pine Barrens Society’s work with students will stand beside the Pine Barrens Protection Act as a core part of its enduring legacy. By preparing the youth today, we’re ensuring the health and prosperity of Long Island tomorrow.

---

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

Now that the warmer weather is here, you may want to grab your gardening gloves and start planting, but before you run to the local flower nursery, you should try adding some native plants to your garden. Here on Long Island, we have native plants like the Pitch Pine tree and the Buttonbush as well as flowers such as the Butterfly Milkweed and the Black-eyed Susan. But what exactly are native plants? Native plants are plants that naturally grow where they once originally evolved over thousands of years. They have adapted to the local soil, wildlife, and climate of a particular area. This also means that the local insects and wildlife have co-evolved with these plants, creating a co-dependence. Without these plants, birds and other species would not be able to survive since they rely on these plants for sustenance and shelter. The plants that grow naturally in our backyards have adapted to the briny air Long Island has to offer, along with the changing seasons and conditions: from the humidity of the summer to the bitter cold days of winter. Our native plants naturally thrive in these environmental conditions, which as a result, means less watering and maintenance for you. Their roots adapt better to the soil compared to non-native plants, they will aid in soil health, and they will be better protected from garden pests. Native flowers require minimal watering and no fertilizing, and less maintenance for you!

The roots of native plants can also help prevent erosion. Their roots anchor into the soil and establish a strong network underground, creating a stable structure which ultimately reduces runoff and erosion. Here at the Long Island Pine Barrens Society, we are strong advocates for clean drinking water, which comes from our aquifer system. Native plants also contribute to water quality as they filter out pollutants, thereby acting as natural purifiers.

There are a variety of native flowers to add to your garden. As mentioned above, the Butterfly Milkweed is a great plant to start with. It is a perennial that grows approximately 1-2’and has bright orange flowers that will be hard to miss! These flowers love the sun so be sure they get plenty of light. In addition to the beauty these flowers will add to your yard, they will help Long Island’s ecosystem. Native flowers attract pollinators like butterflies and bees. Pollinators need the nectar and pollen that flowers provide, so not only will you have a lot of friendly pollinators visiting your yard, but you will also be doing them a favor, too. Without pollinators, many of our crops would not be sustained and eventually die off. This would result in food insecurities and a rise in food costs.

Native plants can be found at many Long Island nurseries and are in stock now. Happy gardening!

---

By Shannon Joy, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

Cover Photo by Suzanne Ruggles

In just a few days’ time, it will be the 55^th anniversary of Earth Day. Whether 55 years sounds like a long time or not nearly enough time at all to you, the fact is that it’s well within the span of a single human life. Thus, it’s worth taking some time to look at some of the various accomplishments in the field of environmental conservation that have happened since the first Earth Day, back in 1970.

The Pine Barrens Protection Act

Could we have started anywhere else? The Pine Barrens Protection Act was signed into law in 1993, just 32 years ago! Sometimes, the best conservation outcome is that nothing happens, and the fact that the Pine Barrens still stands strong after more than three decades is a testament to that fact. Given the growing pace of development here on Long Island, one shudders to think of how much we might have lost if not for the passage of the Protection Act. We’ve written plenty about the Protection Act and its lasting impact in the past, so why not check out some reflections on its 30^th anniversary?

The Banning of DDT

You may have heard recently quite a lot of hoopla about the “de-extinction” of Dire Wolves. That is a can of worms that is best left opened elsewhere but the bottom line is, it’s not a genuine “de-extinction,” and in this writer’s humble opinion the resources spent modifying the genetics of Gray Wolves could be better used in stopping the extinction of species that currently need the help. It’s not such an unreasonable idea. Many species of wolves, for example, were nearly driven to extinction, and only saved thanks to the last-minute passage of laws like the Endangered Species Act (passed in 1973!). But the group I want to highlight includes birds like the Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, and Osprey, which were all on the brink of annihilation at the time of the first Earth Day thanks to DDT. DDT was used everywhere prior to being banned, and one of its many harmful effects was the thinning of birds’ eggshells, resulting in a rapidly increasing number of failed hatchings. In 1972, though, DDT was banned nationwide, following on the heels of a ban first passed right here in Suffolk County, then statewide. Now, all three birds are back and doing better than they have in decades. If there had been any further delay in banning DDT, it may have been too late. That begs the question: what other things ought to be banned that haven’t been yet? And is there any legitimate reason that has prevented the necessary action from happening?

Greater Understanding

This is the most amorphous development I want to discuss here, but it is perhaps the most important. In the last 55 years, our understanding of the natural world has expanded exponentially. Whether it’s the many and varied effects of climate change, the discovery of new species, or genome-mapping, there are countless avenues down which we have strode in our pursuit of knowledge. And it is with that knowledge that we can make the next 55 years even greater than the last 55 years. Even now, in a time when it seems that the progress we’ve made is being stripped away from us, we must continue to learn. We must continue to act. We must continue, so the world might continue and be mended. Let us make sure we don’t celebrate Earth Day in name only.

---

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

It was hard to miss the news on the weekend of March 8, 2025. Six hundred (600) acres of beautiful Pine Barrens land burned in what was easily the worst Pine Barrens fire in the past decade. The source for this devastating blaze? Embers carried off from the backyard firepit of a family making s’mores. So, thankfully, there was no malice involved in this sad event – which, besides seeing so many acres burn also saw at least two firefighters get seriously injured – but that doesn’t change the fact that this was an avoidable incident. There are a few different causes of this fire, both in the short term and in the long term, and this blog post aims to cover them in enough detail so we can answer the question: how do we stop the next fire, before it even starts?

Cause #1: Personal Behavior

While it might seem like common sense to avoid lighting fires in the Pine Barrens, it’s important also to be careful when lighting fires in one’s own backyard. Placing a screen over the fire is a good first step, as it helps block any embers that might leap into the air and be caught by the wind. We’ll return to the subject of the wind in a moment, but in this case it’s clear that the fire was started thanks to the wind. So, if you absolutely must have a backyard fire, keep an eye on the wind and aim for a calmer day. The same applies to humidity. Long Island has been in a state of drought for nearly half a year at this point, and thus it was primed for a massive fire. New York State has enacted a ban on the residential burning of brush until May 14^th, but there’s no guarantee that this period of aridity will stop then. If Long Island is still dealing with a drought after the ban is lifted, please consider postponing your backyard bonfire until conditions make it far less likely that it will start a devastating inferno.

Cause #2: The Southern Pine Beetle

Over a decade out from their introduction, it would be a shock if you didn’t know at least a bit about the devastating Southern Pine Beetle. These irksome insects come from the New Jersey Pine Barrens and were likely carried to Long Island by a storm. What allowed them to stay was global climate change. A slight increase in the average temperature of Long Island meant that when the Southern Pine Beetles arrived, they found a climate that was just about identical to the New Jersey Pine Barrens. But, of course, since they’re an invasive species, the Long Island Pine Barrens was not ready for them. Ever since, they’ve been a constant force, besieging the characteristic Pitch Pine, killing numerous individuals and leaving large swaths of the forest desiccated. These dried out husks, and especially the needles they drop, are the perfect kindling, just begging to be set ablaze.

So, how do we stop these awful beetles? In the short term, there are teams from various bodies which proactively chop down infected trees and those surrounding them. When the trees are down, the beetles can’t move from one to the next, and so they’ll ultimately die on the forest floor. In the long run, though, it’s essential that we implement policies that reduce, if not outright reverse, the effects of climate change to ensure that these beetles and other invasive species can’t spread further.

Cause #3: The Wind

If you remember this weekend well enough, as well as the days preceding it, you’ll recall that there were some absolutely devastating winds, which reached higher than 30 mph at their worst. Besides enabling the fire’s start, these winds were the biggest culprit in causing its moment to moment spread. As soon as firefighters put out a blaze in one area, the wind carried the flames elsewhere and started the conflagration all over again. Obviously, there’s nothing that can be done to bring an end to fierce winds but ensuring that the Pine Barrens is healthier will ensure that it’s less susceptible to the most vicious fires. From the perspective of public safety, it’s also essential that we preserve more Pine Barrens land, as that creates a buffer between any potential fires and residential areas.

The Benefits of Fire

While the March 8^th fire was especially devastating, in general, fire is actually a boon to the Pine Barrens. Dwarf pines and related species such as pitch pines, are adapted to positively respond to fire. Dwarf pinecones are serotinous, meaning they are naturally sealed with a resin-like substance that require heat from fire to open and release seeds. Then, there are epicormic buds, those little patches of needles you might see poking out of the trunk of a pitch pine. When the temperatures are sufficiently high (because of a fire) these buds are released and spread out, seeding future pitch pines in the surrounding area. Thus, fire ensures the longevity of the Pine Barrens for years to come by enabling the rapid reproduction of its staple tree species. Because of the pines’ relationship with fire, the Pine Barrens Commission and the DEC engage in prescribed burns which both improve the health of the ecosystem and allow for the clearing of dead trees that might otherwise be fuel for an uncontrolled wildfire.

It’s important to point out that the Pine Barrens is not exclusively a forested ecosystem, either, despite the name. Grasslands, such as those yet to be preserved at EPCAL, are in an earlier stage of ecological development, known as succession. After an ecological disaster (such as a massive wildfire) certain species are more inclined to settle into the devastated area first. Grasses precede trees, and thus grasslands are formed by fires. These habitats are then populated by species that prefer them to thick forests, and so in the case of the March 8^th fire there is room to hope. Although the blaze was devastating, new life will emerge from the ashes, and with time, the ecosystem will return to its original state.

Though at the time of writing the March 8^th fire was an accident, it was a horrific accident that should never have occurred. In harming both the local ecosystem and more than a few people, it made clear that Long Islanders need to be more responsible with fires. What was meant to be a fun evening in the backyard turned into 600 burned acres and two seriously injured firefighters, to say nothing of the dozens of departments who had to work day and night over the weekend to fight the blaze. Becoming a more cautious community and enacting policies to fight the root causes of this devastating fire (i.e. climate change) are crucial to ensure that no lives (human, animal, or plant) are needlessly lost moving forward. Please be sure to respect New York State’s burn ban, and remember to continue to practice responsible behavior after May 14^th. Also remember that in general fire in the Pine Barrens is not something to be feared but embraced. Like storms, earthquakes, and tornadoes, these are natural phenomena that ecosystems are adapted to. But we humans must be careful that our mistreatment of the planet does not exacerbate these phenomena, or else we’ll have played the role of Dr. Frankenstein, creating monsters we can’t control, which could easily destroy us and all the things we love.

---

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

Cover photo by John Turner, LIPBS Board Member

If you haven’t been keeping up with the Long Island Pine Barrens Society’s “The Best of the Rest” initiative, you may have missed that the Initiative’s webpage has received updates in the last few weeks. These changes reflect first and foremost the steady progress being made to preserve several parcels we’ve marked for the initiative. Perhaps the most gratifying change was noting that over one-third of the Initiative’s 3,800 acres are at some stage of preservation, as compared to one-quarter a few months ago. While progress has, perhaps, been slower than some of you attentive followers might like, it is happening, and with these various updates it seemed to be as good a time as any to clear up some misconceptions about the Long Island Pine Barrens Society, The Best of the Rest, and the process(es) by which the land is preserved.

Who Preserves the Land?

Given that the Pine Barrens Protection Act of 1993 was a piece of New York State legislation, meaning the land preserved by the Act was protected against development by the State, it would be logical to assume that the same would be true of the 3,800 acres in The Best of the Rest initiative. However, while the DEC is currently considering several properties, and is in active negotiations regarding the preservation of the Shoreham Forest – the largest parcel by far at 850 acres – other parcels have been or are in the process of being preserved by other levels of government. Suffolk County, for example, is currently in the process of acquiring the 65-acre property just off of Fresh Pond Road, in Calverton, and has recently received a grant to purchase its companion property, totaling 111 acres. The largest piece of preserved Best of the Rest land, totaling 152 continuous acres, was purchased and preserved by the Town of Brookhaven, while a handful of other parcels have been preserved by the Peconic Land Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving land. With all of these different groups in play, it might be hard to see the bigger picture. But despite the various players involved, the fact is that each of the parcels included in The Best of the Rest initiative is a valuable piece of Pine Barrens land, which will fill in gaps left behind in 1993.

What Role Does the Long Island Pine Barrens Society Play?

Every so often, we receive a cantankerous comment on our social media pages that can best be summed up by one example (which has since been deleted by the commenter): “stop wasting my money.” Leaving aside the fact that using tax dollars to fund clean land and water is more than worthwhile, there is a simple misconception here that’s worth clearing up: the Long Island Pine Barrens Society does not purchase the land. Land isn’t cheap! The aforementioned grant for the 111-acre property is around $5 million. Purchasing land for the purpose of preservation is something that is usually done with the power of the public purse, either with money that local government has on hand, or else provided by grants from higher levels of government like the State.

So, if we’re not buying the land, what are we doing? Well, most obvious of all, we’re the ones who led the charge for the creation of the Pine Barrens Protection Act and created The Best of the Rest initiative! It was the LIPBS that identified these parcels and have been loudly proclaiming their value for years. We meet with members of the government to inform them about the Initiative, the parcels we’re looking to see acquired, and the various reasons why that’s a good idea. We also bring this information to you, the folks at home. You are all advocates for the Pine Barrens, too. Whether that’s through supporting the LIPBS through monetary donations, voting for things like the Drinking Water Protection Act, or simply by letting your voice be heard (or read) on social media, you’re contributing to the effort to preserve The Best of the Rest. It’s a tired cliché, but none of this work could be done without the support of all of you reading this. Land preservation is something that benefits all Long Islanders, whether that’s by improving the purity of our drinking water supply, by reinforcing public health, by creating new avenues for recreation, or simply by preserving natural beauty in its purest form. Since it’s an act that benefits all Long Islanders, it is thus only fitting that all Long Islanders have a role to play in it.

---

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

With the first 12 for 12 of 2025 coming in just one more week (a hint for you loyal blog readers: it’s at a preserve in Ridge), now seems like the perfect time to look back at the 12 preserves we visited in 2024. From tiny town preserves, to some of the largest New York State parks, 12 for 12 has covered a diverse array of locales. Each one has something special that makes it worth visiting, and that’s what this blog post aims to highlight. And, hopefully, this post will inspire you to explore all of the wonderful environments Long Island has to offer.

Most Stunning Views: Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge

Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge doesn’t look like much when you first pull into the parking lot. It’s a tucked away little place a few minutes out from Sag Harbor, and at first it seems like any other park. But as you walk down its mile-long trail, you’ll see dense forests, packed with birds of all kinds, stunning grasslands where Osprey nests crown solitary trees, and then, finally, the world opens up and you find yourself standing on the shore of Peconic Bay. With a beach that stretches for miles and a clear view across the bay to the North Fork, Elizabeth A. Morton is sure to leave you breathless.

Most Educational: Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park

If you’re anything like me, you’d like to sharpen your tree identification skills.  Alas, I struggle to pay attention to the shapes of leaves, and when it’s wintertime and the leaves have gone, one tree looks the same as any other. Maybe if I visited Bayard Cutting Arboretum more often, I’d be better off. With the carefully curated paths, the informative placards, and the small tree “museum” at the front of the park, you’re sure to learn something on a visit to this staggeringly unique park.

Best Full-Day Hike: Connetquot River State Park

Picture this: you and several other friends have finally managed to line up your schedules. You have an entire day to hang out and go exploring, and ideally, you’d like to visit a park that will allow you to while away hours on end, where you can hide from all those nagging responsibilities that have a way of creeping up on you on your days off. No place is better for a full-day journey than Connetquot River State Park. Not only is it the largest state park on Long Island, but there’s a healthy variety of things to do. The trails stretch on through miles and immerse you in some wonderful forests. You can buy fish food at the hatchery and see all the different species go wild for it, which is enjoyable for the whole family. The park even allows horseback riding! Between the sheer scale of the place, and the variety of activities it offers, there’s no better place to spend a whole day in than at this state park.

Best Quick Walk: Swan River Preserve

Now picture this: you’ve got barely forty-five minutes between the end of your workday, and the start of your favorite show. But you feel bad about being lazy and spending all your free time watching TV, so you want to get out into nature. Just for a little bit, anyway. Swan River Preserve is the perfect bite-size park. It takes just ten minutes to walk the loop, but in those minutes, you’re likely to see warblers, herons, and various other birds, as well as lizards and some beautiful butterflies. It’s the perfect way to get some steps in, get some fresh air, and immerse yourself in Long Island’s environment.

Most Accessible: Blue Point Nature Preserve

One’s physical abilities should not prevent them from enjoying Long Island’s natural splendor, and few parks demonstrate that better than Blue Point Nature Preserve. It’s neither too long, nor too short, has well-maintained paths, ramps leading up from the parking lot, and plenty of benches around the premises to allow for a good sit. Its accessibility doesn’t mean it sacrifices pleasing views or varied birds. The preserve, despite its small size, is made up of sweeping grasslands, and to date it’s the only place I’ve ever seen the elusive Savannah Sparrow.

Best New Park: Patriots Park Preserve

Though it’s just a little over a year old, Patriots Park Preserve has already established itself as a remarkably fine place for recreation and for some quick ecological immersion. Nicely paved paths are perfect for walking, running, or biking. There’s a playground for kids, and a nice assortment of habitats, from a central pond that’s home to turtles and ducks, to patches of grassland and full-on forests. Just because it’s not as well-established as the other parks we visited in 2024, doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time.

Best Place to Recreate: Belmont Lake State Park

Belmont Lake State Park is the perfect place to go if you want to have fun. Whether that comes in the form of walking the trails, biking, fishing, or taking advantage of the wide-open areas to play catch or practice your swing, I saw it all on my trip to Belmont.

Most Well-Rounded: Heckscher State Park

If you want some interesting environments, some accessible, well-paved paths, enough open space to recreate in a variety of ways, and stunning views of the Great South Bay, you’re asking for quite a lot from a single park. Most parks do only a handful of things exceptionally well, but Heckscher manages to do them all with grace and elegance. From basketball hoops to walks on the beach, from picnic tables to bike paths, there’s truly something for everyone here.

Best Park to Gain Experience: Caleb Smith State Park Preserve

Hiking might seem like a simple enough activity – you walk along trails and look for things that interest you – but there are subtler things that, if you know them, you’ll be able to maximize your experience in the field. First and foremost, it’s important to recognize your own capabilities. Not everyone is able to do an hour-long walk through the thickest forests and marshes. The park has plenty of smooth, paved paths, gravel paths that shift a bit under foot, and dirt paths leading through some remarkably thick brush. And that’s not even mentioning the shifts in elevation! Caleb Smith is the perfect place to go again and again if you want to strengthen your legs and try out some trickier trails before heading out into some of the harder, denser locales.

Most Ecologically Exciting: Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge

While every single preserve is ecologically significant, Wertheim NWR stands apart as a true tour-de-force for Long Island’s natural environment. Walking along and around the Carmans River means you get a sense of the diversity that can exist within just a short distance from one of our Island’s two most important waterways. Innumerable animals inhabit a wide variety of habitats, and the simplistic trails mean it’s easy to get lost in your observations. The perfect place to take a sketchbook or a camera!

Best Hidden Gem: Fish Thicket Preserve

Fish Thicket Preserve seems to not want anyone to find it. The only clue as to its location is a single sign with small, slightly faded text right off Woodside Avenue. If you chance to spot it, and take a stroll down into the preserve, you’ll find yourself transported into a dense forest with sizable, winding trails that are perfect for hiking, biking, birding and more! Just because a park is obscure, doesn’t mean it is so for a good reason.

Most Pine Barrens-y: Wading River Marsh Preserve

True, “Pine Barrens-y” isn’t a word, or a phrase, but if it were, it would fit Wading River Marsh Preserve like a glove. If you follow the LIPBS closely enough to be a reader of this blog, then you would know that we’re working tirelessly to preserve a set of 3,800 acres that we call “The Best of the Rest.” You may also know that the largest parcel of land as part of those 3,800 acres is the Shoreham forest and marsh. That parcel lies adjacent to the Wading River Marsh Preserve, so there are few better places to go to get a sense of the natural beauty that we’re working to protect.

---

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

Tomorrow, it will be the first day of winter, the season whose frigid gales blow us into the new year. Whether your 2024 has dragged on and on, or whether you still wake up thinking it’s March, now is a good time to stop, rest up, and reflect on the year gone by. We did something like that last year at around this time, and it seems only right to do it again.

Of course, when it comes to preserving land and water here in Suffolk County, the biggest occurrence was the passage of the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act. We already did a whole blog post reflecting on that momentous piece of legislation, which you can check out here. Still, it’s worth reiterating that we at the LIPBS were but one of many groups advocating for this act, and it’s very rewarding that the work of so many paid off.

Rewinding to the first half of the year, the LIPBS once again brought its Middle School Kids Go To College program to the Patchogue-Medford school district. Sixty students were taught all about the water quality issues plaguing Long Island and they created projects showcasing inventive solutions to these problems. In addition to bringing them to Stony Brook University for a lecture from Dr. Christopher Gobler and Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge for their awards ceremony, we also brought the students to Fish Thicket Preserve for a mid-semester hike, a first for the program! If you’re looking to find out more about this year’s program, we check out our June blog post recapping it. And if you’d like us to bring this program to your school district, check out our page about the program here and email info@pinebarrens.org. We’re really proud of the expansion of the program this past year, and we’re hoping to bring this program to even more students across Long Island.

As has been the case for the last two years, our chief focus this year was in advocating for the purchase of “The Best of the Rest” parcels, and we’re pleased to say that there has been progress made on a few. The county’s purchase of the 65 acre parcel adjacent to the DEC property in Calverton is about to close, and (insert info about the 111 when we learn). Negotiations are also going smoothly regarding the Shoreham property, and we’re optimistic about that property finally being preserved in the coming year. If that happens, we will see 850 acres permanently preserved, which will represent roughly a quarter of all of the 3,800 acres we consider “The Best of the Rest.” Slow and steady wins the race, as they say, and though it’s been years in the making, we’re confident we’ll win this race!

All in all, 2024 proved to be a good year for the LIPBS. We’ve made some progress on The Best of the Rest, we’ve tried new and exciting things with our Middle School Kids program, and we attended several fairs at Stony Brook University, Cold Spring Harbor Hatchery, Brookhaven National Lab, and more, spreading the good word about the Pine Barrens. There’s always more work to do, though, and come 2025 we’ll be ready to face all the challenges that come with fighting for a healthier, happier, more naturally beautiful Long Island.

---

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

The end of election season is always a welcome thing. No more incessant political ads, no more shrieking talking heads, no more anxiety over what the outcome of any given race may or may not be. But this year, here in Suffolk County, we have a very great reason to feel good about this past election, as the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act was passed. As part of a larger coalition – which included other groups like The Nature Conservancy and Group for the East End, among many others – we at the Long Island Pine Barrens Society worked hard to raise awareness of the ballot proposition, and urged our followers (including you – yes, you!) to vote YES. And when the dust settled, we woke up on November 6^th to see that the measure had passed with about 72% support! While we’re not about to tell you that the passage of this lone ballot proposition means that Long Island’s very own Eden has been restored, or that the fight to protect its land and water has ended, we will say that this was a tremendous, crucial step in the right direction.

As a brief aside, if you want to get a sense for why this act is so important, and what problems it’s aiming to solve, check out last month’s blog! This month, though, it’s time to look forward, to get a sense of what’s to come, and when it’s coming.

If you’ve only been affording a passing glance to news about the Water Quality Restoration Act, you might see certain news sources referring to it more broadly (and with an agonizingly negative slant) as a “tax.” While this is true in the strictest sense of the word, it vastly overstates the cost of this incredible piece of legislation. The tax that has been approved is a whopping eighth of a percent on sales tax. Not income tax, not property tax. Sales tax. One eighth of a percent. That’s an eighth of a penny per dollar spent. Hardly a noticeable hit to the wallet. And if you’re really pinching those pennies, then it’s an encouragement not to spend as much on frivolous purchases (an encouragement which we all could use now and then, right?). The tax will go into effect in March of 2025, thus beginning the collection for the fund.

The fund won’t be accessible until 2026, at which point the county can begin upgrading its wastewater infrastructure, and the next phase in the work to improve Long Island’s water quality begins. We’ll surely keep everyone posted regarding the progress of this initiative as we move through the next two years and beyond. The estimate now is that this sales tax – one eighth of one penny – will provide future funding for these wastewater infrastructure projects. In addition, this approved proposition will result in the continuing support of the Drinking Water Protection Program through 2060. This program has been the source of land acquisition for over 30 years. Personally speaking, I struggle to envision next Thursday, let alone 35 years from now, and so it’s no small comfort to think that one single vote, one small ballot proposition, will hold the line for Long Island’s water quality for that great a time. But, of course, it is still just one proposition, just one act.

To paraphrase Jane Goodall, the work to preserve planet Earth – its natural beauty, its diverse array of critters, the health and well-being of its populace – is one great, big puzzle. It’s such a big puzzle, in fact, that all any of us can do is work on filling in our own little piece. And when one piece is filled, there’s always – always – another piece that needs filling. The passage of the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act marks the filling in of a very large piece of Suffolk County’s puzzle, but there’s always more to do, and we at the LIPBS hope you’ll stick with us as we continue the work.

---

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

Here at the Long Island Pine Barrens Society, we talk a lot about water quality. And why shouldn’t we? We are human after all. Other than the air we breathe, water is the most important resource we need not just to survive but thrive. And we are limited to a sole-source aquifer as our source for water. We drink it, of course, and we clean our bodies and our cars and our homes, but we also have a slowly recovering fishing economy, a diverse array of wildlife, and engage in countless acts of recreation such as boating, swimming, and more. A healthy Long Island requires clean water, and unfortunately our water isn’t as clean as it could be.

Chief among the contaminants that seep into Long Island’s waters is nitrogenous waste. When a body of water becomes oversaturated with nutrients like nitrogen, this is a process called eutrophication. Eutrophication, in turn, can trigger the appearance of vast harmful algal blooms (HAB), which can cause mass die-offs of fish, and can contaminate filter feeders (i.e. shellfish like clams, scallops, and mussels) with toxins. Thus, not only is the local economy severely impacted, but human health is, too. Eating contaminated shellfish can result in serious illnesses, and even death if the toxin produced by the algae is severe enough. When HAB events occur, it necessitates the closure of beaches, cutting off one of the best avenues for recreation. No aspect of human life is thus unaffected by nitrogen pollution.

An influx of nitrogen into the ecosystem can happen in a few different ways. It can be caused by runoff from developed land that uses a lot of fertilizer, as many fertilizers tend to contain a lot of nitrogen. Residential areas, golf courses, and farms can thus all contribute to nitrogenous runoff. Even more severely, perhaps (since it is so widespread) is the fact that untreated sewage contains nitrogen and, thanks to old, outdated infrastructure, much of this can leach into the surrounding environment. Thus, the most straightforward approach Suffolk County can take to improving the quality of its water (and thus, the quality of its citizens) is to improve the quality of its sewage systems and septic tanks.

Per the County itself, around three-quarters of Suffolk residents rely on outdated cesspools and septic systems, which thus discharge roughly 40 pounds of nitrogen per year per system. These old systems were never designed to remove nitrogen, but today there are systems that are designed to do just that. These are called Innovative and Alternative Onsite Water Treatment System (I/A OWTS if you want something catchy) which, as the name suggests, use new methods of water treatment at the site of contamination – i.e., your home. While there are a handful of different kinds of I/A OWTS out there, the main idea is consistent across them all. One of nature’s most important biological cycles is the nitrogen cycle, wherein nitrogen is phase changed. Thus, by using certain strains of bacteria which convert the nitrogenous waste into a gaseous form, the nitrogen is released harmlessly into the atmosphere. So, the I/A systems reduce the burden on Long Island’s aquifer, rivers and bays to contain all that nitrogen, thus improving Suffolk County’s water quality and the quality of life for its residents.

Besides these new-fangled septic systems, Suffolk County also needs to expand the coverage of its sewer system. Where septic tanks treat water in or near residences, accounting for only a handful of citizens per system, the sewage treatment plants handle the wastewater of whole communities. Treatment on this grander scale opens up another avenue to reduce nitrogen pollution: water reuse. While sewage treatment plants do a fair job of living up to their name, the wastewater they treat still retains enough nitrogen to cause problems if the water is discharged into the ecosystem. By using this water at places that need a lot of water which doesn’t necessarily have to be potable – such as golf courses and farms – the nitrogen in the water can be used by the plants and stay out of Long Island’s waterways. Expanded sewer systems will provide a greater amount of reusable water that will keep more nitrogen out of the ecosystem.

While these I/A systems and sewers sure sound like exactly what Suffolk County needs, there’s one question remaining: how are we to pay for this? Modern septic tanks and sewage systems don’t grow on trees, after all. Well, on Suffolk County ballots this year, we can vote Yes on Proposition 2, aka the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act. This measure, if passed, will introduce an eighth of a penny increase on sales tax, the proceeds of which will go to just this purpose. While that might not seem like a huge increase in tax (because it’s not) the cumulative result of this tax will allow the county to improve and replace its outdated wastewater infrastructure. So, if you want to do your part in improving our county’s water supply, vote YES on Proposition 2.

---

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

We’re just a little over a month away from the Long Island Pine Barrens Society’s biggest annual event: the gala! At the gala, we’ll celebrate the LIPBS’s 47^th anniversary, raise awareness about what we’ve done this past year, and put a period at the end of this year’s sentence, so we can get ready to get back to work next year. But if you’ve never seen our gala before, where do you start? How do you participate? What’s in it for you? Those are the kinds of questions we’ll answer in this month’s blog post.

The Gala

Odds are, if you’re reading this blog, you passed by the home page of our website, and so have seen the Save the Date card for this year’s gala. In case you haven’t, though, the 47^th gala will be held on Thursday, October 24^th, at 7 pm. As it has been since 2020, the gala this year is a virtual event. So, at the specified date and time, the gala will premiere on our Facebook page and YouTube channel. If you don’t want to mark this off on your calendar (but why wouldn’t you?), then be sure to pop into all our social media platforms over the next month, as we’ll be sure to remind you!

Watching the gala is only part of the experience, though! If you want to support the LIPBS financially, you can participate in the gala with one of a handful of donations. There are different tiers which will secure one, two, or as many as ten party boxes for you and your friends! These boxes are filled with all sorts of goodies, most of which are sourced from local, Long Island-based businesses. If you’ve gotten a party box in past years, don’t expect to get all the same stuff this year. We’ve changed things up, and we’re really excited about some of the inclusions we’ve made.

Speaking of local businesses: if you have one, we want to hear about it! Each year, we publish a journal coinciding with our gala. In addition to discussing the work of the past year, the gala is the place for us to highlight our relationship with all sorts of local businesses! We print quarter, half, full, and cover page advertisements, the proceeds of which all go to supporting the Society! If you’re interested in advertising your business in our journal, follow the link here. Or, if you want to participate or contribute to the gala, click either here or here.

The Silent Auction

After the great gala event, the LIPBS will begin its silent auction! This is another way for you to support the Society, while also nabbing some really cool things! While we of course don’t want to spoil anything, there will be a wide range of available items, from sports memorabilia, to tickets to different events and experiences – there’s something for everyone at the LIPBS silent auction!

What Happens After

While the annual gala is our grandest, most significant yearly event, the fight to protect the Pine Barrens neither starts nor ends there. Each day is just another step towards our goal of preserving “The Best of the Rest” and ensuring that Long Island’s drinking water supply remains pure for generations to come. Whether you’re an honored contributor, a participant, an advertiser, a bidder, or a viewer, we’re excited and grateful for your interest in the Long Island Pine Barrens Society and our gala, and we hope you’ll stick with us for years to come.

---

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society