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Campaign to Grow Red Cote Preserve
Campaign to Grow Red Cote Preserve On June 8, 2025 neighbors and friends gathered in the garden at the Pulling Property in Oyster Bay Cove to launch a community effort to acquire nearly five acres of very important land adjacent to the Red Cote Preserve. Land Alliance President Lisa Ott welcomed guests and noted, “We have been presented with a rare opportunity to conserve a historic open space, protect our water supply in the Village of Oyster Bay Cove and ensure that this beautiful corner of our world will be protected in perpetuity, for the benefit of our community today and for generations to come.” The Land Alliance has moved quickly to work with the Pulling family, which has lovingly cared for this land for 100 years! In February, we signed a one-year option agreement with the family. The agreement gives the Land Alliance time to gather the community support needed to purchase this special parcel. To date, with the support of foundations and the Land Alliance Board, we have raised $600,000. Why is the protection of this land so important? Its undeveloped natural areas ensure continued groundwater recharge at a time when the state of our underground aquifers is challenged by saltwater intrusion. Its meadows and forest provide important habitat for plants and animals amid a worldwide biodiversity crisis. These areas also sequester large amounts of carbon, preventing harmful emissions from entering the atmosphere and worsening the impacts of climate change. Its trails expand recreational opportunities for our community and allow people important access to nature. Its historic character strengthens our community’s connection to the past and the successful protection of this land will instill a sense of pride in the future. The Land Alliance is grateful to the Pulling family for its commitment to preserving the local places and their stories that define the special character of our North Shore community. Now we are turning to you, the members of our community, to help us protect this vital place. Please join our community and help us grow Red Cote Preserve. Click here to make a donation or contact Deb Wiener at deb@northshorelandalliance.org to learn more.
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Important Sands Point Conservation Easement Closes at Year-end
The Land Alliance is pleased to announce our newest conservation easement in Sands Point. We applaud Joanna and Will Morgan on their successful effort to protect the natural habitat and sustainability of this part of their community. The conservation values of this nearly 4-acre easement are abundant! The protected area lies on East Creek, a tributary to Hempstead Harbor. East Creek’s extensive tidal wetlands support a large diversity of wildlife. The State has designated much of the Sands Point area of Hempstead Harbor a Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat (SCFWH). SCFWH areas are indispensable to a diversity of wildlife, including many species that are economically valuable such as oysters and clams. Wetlands act as natural water purifiers, filtering sediment and absorbing many pollutants in surface waters. In some wetland systems, this cleansing function also enhances the quality of groundwater supplies. The enhanced protection of local wetlands already has led to a major increase in water quality in Hempstead Harbor. Oyster harvesting reopened in 2011 after being closed for 40 years! In 2024, 731,042 oysters were seeded and 76,000 are being raised in the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor’s oyster-gardening program. Protection of the Morgan property is a wonderful example of how important easements are as a conservation tool. When landowners utilize conservation easements, they share in the collective impact of preserving the quality of land and water in their community. The Land Alliance would like to share the story of your commitment to conservation. Contact us at (516) 922-1028 to learn more about conservation easements!
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The State of the Birds in the United States
The State of the Birds in the USA As spring migration nears its peak, we remain concerned about much of the data identified in the 2025 State of the Birds report. It was generated by the North American Birds Conservation Initiative. The report confirmed that 1/3 of US bird species need conservation action. 1/3!! Many of these are described as tipping point species: those species that have lost more than half their populations in the last 50 years. Habitat loss is the number one threat to birds (and other wildlife). Because many species are dependent on a single habitat for survival and are therefore indicators of habitat health, the study evaluates bird populations into the following categories: Shorebirds Grassland birds Aridland birds Western forest birds Eastern forest birds Waterfowl and waterbirds Seabirds Hawaiian birds Of these, Shorebirds have the most (19) tipping point species of any group in North America – particularly at migratory staging areas. The areas are along the Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Nova Scotia, and also on the Gulf Coast. The report urged strengthening of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Area Network and Important Bird Area (IBA) program (including the Oyster Bay Area IBA) to protect critical shorebird sites. Funding and protection should be increased further in areas where shorebirds are hunted on wintering grounds. The news is not all doom and gloom and there are success stories. One of these is tied to the American Oystercatcher, familiar in these parts with its black and white coloring and distinctive long, orange bill. 15 years ago oystercatcher populations were in decline along the Atlantic coast. Recognizing that the species was in trouble, a combination of state, federal and private partners launched the American Oystercatcher Recovery Initiative in 2009. It featured collaborating on funding and management strategies across 16 states from Maine to Texas. The shift from isolated conservation projects to joint efforts led to a 43% increase in the regional breeding population! At this time, with attacks on federal programs like the Endangered Species Act, the future of birds is unclear. What you can do: As mentioned earlier, habitat loss is the number one threat to birds (and other wildlife). Supporting the protection of our land and water resources and letting your elected officials know how valuable they are have never been more critical. Other factors contributing to bird population decline include predation by cats, window collisions and bright lights encountered during migration. You can make a huge difference to birds’ success by keeping your cats indoors, adopting bird-friendly window practices and turning off outdoor lights (or using dark sky approved lighting products). To learn more about the State of the Birds in the USA, visit North American Birds Conservation Initiative website.
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The 2025 Season Has Begun at Our Community Garden
The 2025 growing season began long before the first signs of spring. In February, residents from throughout Nassau County began registering for raised-garden plots for the upcoming season (April – November). We are thrilled to see that many of last year’s garden members have returned, joined by some exciting new participants. We’re also proud to announce that all garden plots have been sold, setting the stage for a vibrant and productive season ahead. On March 28th, under the leadership of Darcy McDowell, Associate Director of Stewardship, and Carter Rogan, Volunteer Coordinator, volunteers and staff gathered at the Wawapek greenhouse to assist with starting seedlings. Crops such as tomatoes, collard greens, peppers and thyme were planted and will be transferred to the Garden during our Annual Planting Day in May. On April 25th, after rescheduling due to rain, we officially welcomed the season with our annual Earth Day event in the Garden. 30 dedicated volunteers joined us for a successful garden cleanup. From weeding to tidying up garden beds, the hard work and enthusiasm of the volunteers were instrumental in getting our community garden ready for the growing season. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who contributed their time and energy—your support makes all the difference in the continued success of our garden! We hosted our Annual Square Foot Gardening demonstration and Annual Planting Day on May 10th. Led by Master Gardener Reese Michaels from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County, participants learned how to divide their garden space into 1-foot by 1-foot squares, each dedicated to a specific plant. This method is ideal for maximizing space, conserving water and minimizing weeding. After the demonstration, garden members dug in by planting the seedlings started in our greenhouse. We’re looking forward to another bountiful season of food, learning and community, never forgetting the vital connection between protecting land and our food sources.
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Building Environmental Awareness through the Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly
Building Environmental Awareness through the Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly Butterflies are some of the most beautiful insects in the world. These enchanting creatures seem to float effortlessly through the air. They undertake a remarkable multi-generational migration, with some traveling up to 3,000 miles from breeding grounds in the northern United States and southern Canada to overwintering sites in central Mexico. They come in all sizes and colors and show up in the mythology and folklore of many cultures around the world. Butterflies were believed to move between worlds, bringing messages and guidance, representing transformation, rebirth and hope. Today, over 60 butterfly species are endangered. In 2024, the US Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposed rule to list the Monarch butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, accompanied by a critical habitat designation. Further, a recent publication indicates substantial probability for “quasi-extinction” of the Eastern Monarch butterfly migratory population within 20 years if ambitious habitat restoration and conservation goals are not achieved. To bring awareness of the plight of this flagship species, we are declaring this the summer of the Monarch butterfly. We will mark the occasion with a series of programs and initiatives chock-full of lessons to be learned from the Monarch. First, Monarchs are pollinators and need the same habitats (native milkweed and other nectar flowers) as many other pollinators and other wildlife. Monarch butterflies fill the role of the canary in the coal mine, if Monarchs are threatened because of habitat loss many other pollinators and wildlife that share their habitat are in jeopardy as well. Second, the declining Monarch population parallels other declining pollinator populations. This in turn impacts human food systems, illustrating that Monarchs and other pollinators are part of a food web and ecosystem. Providing enough habitat, like milkweed for Monarchs, is essential in maintaining a balanced food web within the ecosystems that are critical in sustaining us. Third, Monarchs carry out a unique migration, which inspires interest in the natural world across the entire continent. The fact that these insects, weighing no more than a paperclip, travel for thousands of miles to a destination unknown to them, is a phenomenon that deserves protection for its own sake. Their dramatic migration also serves as an amazing way to teach the next generation about science and caring for the environment. If you’ve ever seen a monarch caterpillar pupate, or an adult emerge from its chrysalis, you too know how amazing their metamorphosis is, and the excitement it generates in kids and adults alike. Fourth, the threats to Monarchs presented by habitat loss, global warming, pesticides and predators are real. The availability of safe and quality feeding and breeding habitat is essential for populations but that is becoming increasingly hard to find. Every year approximately 1 billion pounds of pesticide is used across the country. An estimated 70 million pounds of that are used for purely cosmetic purposes on people’s lawns. Humans are making it difficult for pollinators to survive. Yet, thanks to increasing awareness about the plight of this charismatic species, there is hope that by working together we can take the actions necessary to protect the Monarch and, in turn, the future of our planet.
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