Celebrating Grassland Symposium

Celebrating Grasslands: Protecting and Growing This Critical Habitat

Thursday, October 26, 2023
9:00 am – 12:30 pm – Symposium
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Grassland and Meadow Project Visits

The Barn at Old Westbury Gardens
71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, NY 11568

Join us for a symposium dedicated to highlighting the significant work occurring on Long Island to protect and establish grasslands and ways we can grow more biodiverse landscapes.

Click here to preview the flyer

Free, but advanced registration is required!

For more information, contact the Land Alliance at 516-922-1028 or [email protected].

Event Schedule:

9:00 am – Coffee and Conversation

9:15 am – Keynote Address
Dwayne Estes, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Southeast Grasslands Initiative, Professor of Biology and Director of the Austin Peay State University Herbarium

10:00 am – The Long Island Connection
Rob Longiaru, Habitat Director, Friends of Hempstead Plains

10:15 am – Panel #1 Discussion – Local Stories: Large Initiatives and Public/Private Partnerships
Moderator: Polly Weigand, Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning & Policy Commission

Panelists:
Sue Feustel, Caumsett Foundation
Rob Langiaru, Friends of Hempstead Plains
Stephane Perreault, Greentree Foundation
Rusty Schmidt, Nelson Pope Voorhis

11:15 am – Panel #2 Discussion – Smaller Scale and Building Habitat at Home
Moderator: John Turner, Seatuck Environmental Association

Panelists:
Rick Cech, New York City Butterfly Club
Jane Jackson, North Shore Land Alliance
Anthony Marinello, Dropseed Native Landscapes
Frank Piccinnini, Spadefoot Design and Construction

12:15 pm – Lunch (Pre-ordered box lunch available for $25.  Must select during registration.)

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Explore one, or more, of these local grassland and meadow projects:
Caumsett State Park, Lloyd Neck
Greentree Foundation, Manhasset *
Hempstead Plains, Garden City
Humes Preserve, Mill Neck
Shore Road Sanctuary, Cold Spring Harbor
Schedule and directions to follow with registration.
* Advance registration required

Partnering Organizations (list in formation):
Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning & Policy Commission
Cooperative Extension – Suffolk County
Dropseed Native Landscapes
Greentree Foundation
Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District
Nelson, Pope Voorhis
New York City Butterfly Club
New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
North Country Garden Club
Old Westbury Gardens
Seatuck Environmental Association
Sisters of St. Joseph
Spadefoot Design and Construction

2023-10-26 09:00 2023-10-26 09:00 America/New_York Celebrating Grassland Symposium

Thursday, October 26, 9:00 am – Learn about the work occurring on LI to protect and establish grasslands and ways we can grow more biodiverse landscapes.

The Barn at Old Westbury Gardens [email protected]