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Red Cote Preserve Expansion Becomes a Reality
Pulling Campaign Update: Red Cote Preserve Expansion Becomes a Reality In January 2026, the Land Alliance received exciting news that we had been awarded a $1.285M grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (through its Water Quality Improvement Project program) for the acquisition of the 5-acre Pulling property in Oyster Bay Cove. When combined with the contributions from community members, we now have the funds to both purchase the property and care for it far into the future. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this achievement possible. Our community’s commitment to conservation has ensured the permanent protection of a treasured part of Long Island’s natural heritage for generations to come. This project is a powerful example of what partnership and community action can accomplish. The acquisition of the Pulling property marks a rare and significant conservation win for our community. It enables us to continue to safeguard groundwater quality within New York State’s designated Special Groundwater Protection Area, expand the adjoining Red Cote Preserve and preserve a cherished local landscape in perpetuity. It will also strengthen connections to nearby protected lands and help us conserve woodlands, vernal pools and open meadows. They are homes to pollinators, birds, box turtles and other native wildlife. Following the acquisition, the Land Alliance will begin stewardship planning and initial improvements, which include tree pruning, selective fence removal, invasive species management and the creation of a native pollinator garden. We give eternal thanks to our community, which stepped up to help us acquire this beautiful land. A celebration will be planned once the deal has closed. #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-1 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-1 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
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Hoyle Jones Wildlife Corridor
The Hoyle Jones Wildlife Corridor The Land Alliance Board and Staff are very pleased to announce the dedication of a beautiful and environmentally significant seven-acre parcel along Frost Mill Road in Mill Neck in honor of Board Chair Emeritus Hoyle Jones. Hoyle’s unwavering support for local land conservation drove his Land Alliance leadership for eight years. Generous contributions from the community will enable the Land Alliance to improve the quality of the parcel to a standard of which Hoyle would have been proud. Improvements will include construction of a new entrance and trail extension with boardwalk, removal of invasive shrubs and vines and installation of beautiful native understory plantings. The project will begin as soon as our DEC permits are in hand. Invasive species removal will occur on about an acre, mostly outside the wetland core (where highly invasive burning bush, Japanese holly and Asian bittersweet vine have taken hold). A diversity of native plantings will be added to these areas, which will be protected with back country deer fencing. Our plant list includes for starters: spicebush (Lindera benzoin) summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) swamp azalea (Rhododendron viscosum) sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) red maple (Acer rubrum) red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) royal fern (Osmunda regalis) sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis) soft rush (Juncus effusus) We are incredibly grateful to Hoyle for his commitment to local land conservation and also to Nazee and Roddy Klotz and the Paul & Maxine Frohring Foundation for setting us on our way. For additional information and/or to learn more about how to support the Hoyle Jones Wildlife Corridor, please call the Land Alliance at 516-922-1028.
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Celebrating the 9th Season Opening of Our Community Garden
Celebrating the Ninth Season at the Land Alliance Roosevelt Community Garden Nine years of planting seeds have grown into something far beyond soil and harvests. Our Community Garden has become a vibrant place for learning, growing fresh, locally grown food, building community and caring for people, land and wildlife. The Garden gets better every year because of the support and engagement of our members and the surrounding community. The season has started with incredible momentum. We reached full capacity early, welcoming 12 new members, one new group and 28 veteran gardeners into our growing community. This level of enthusiasm reflects more than just an interest in gardening—it speaks to commitment, the resilience of our program and the strong desire of the community to connect with the land. Highlights of our 2026 spring activities : Theta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Seed-starting workshop #gallery-2 { margin: auto; } #gallery-2 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-2 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-2 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ On Saturday, March 28th, we welcomed the Theta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® to the Garden for the first time. Their Enhance Our Environment, Home & Community Garden Committee, led by Co-Chair Tyra Abrahams, kicked off the season with a seed-starting workshop. They used upcycled materials such as egg cartons and takeout containers. The seedlings are being nurtured at home and will soon be transplanted into their plot. Earth Week Activities #gallery-3 { margin: auto; } #gallery-3 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-3 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-3 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ On Tuesday, April 14th, the Land Alliance, alongside Valley Stream Community Garden and Succotash Garden, participated in a panel discussion at Hofstra University titled “The Civic Benefits of Community Gardens”. The discussion highlighted how community gardens address food insecurity, build community resilience, connect neighbors and support wildlife and the environment. We are grateful to Professor J. Bennington and Hofstra University for recognizing the value and impact of community gardens and for hosting such an inspiring event. On Tuesday, April 22nd (Earth Day), volunteers Stacey, Jim and Mark spent the day enriching the soil in our donation plots—an important step in preparing for our planting day in May. We also extended our impact beyond the Garden by supporting hands-on learning and gardening activities for children at the Roosevelt Public Library by sharing seeds, soil and gardening tools. On Friday, April 24th, members of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County worked side by side to help prepare and care for their plot. Their energy and teamwork made a meaningful impact and reminded us how the Garden brings people together. We wrapped up our Earth Week celebration on Saturday, April 25th with our 9th Annual Earth Day Event and Season Kickoff at the Garden. Despite the threats of rain, approximately 50 participants helped steward the Garden plots. It was a wonderful way to close out the week. #gallery-4 { margin: auto; } #gallery-4 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-4 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-4 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ Annual “Big Planting Day” and Master Gardener Workshop #gallery-5 { margin: auto; } #gallery-5 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 100%; } #gallery-5 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-5 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ On Saturday, May 16th, approximately 70 participants attended our vegetable gardening workshop led by Master Gardener Dr. Kathy Gaffney, and to help plant during our “Big Planting Day #gallery-6 { margin: auto; } #gallery-6 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-6 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-6 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ Thank you to everyone who participated and helped to make each event a success, and special thanks to the following organizations for their support: Atlantic Nursery (Freeport) Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County Cornell Cooperative Extension Nassau Hofstra University and Professor J. Bennington Lutheran Church of the Epiphany of Hempstead Roosevelt Historical Society Roosevelt Public Library Theta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Valley Stream Community Garden To register for an upcoming event at the Garden, visit www.northshorelandalliance.org/events.
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Where Did All the Oysters in Oyster Bay Go?
Where Did All the Oysters in Oyster Bay Go? For generations, Oyster Bay has been both a geographic landmark and a promise – one rooted in abundance, heritage and the intimate connection between land and sea. But today, its name raises an increasingly urgent question: Are there still oysters in Oyster Bay? The answer is complicated. A Bay Once Defined by Oysters Long before Long Island’s suburban development, Oyster Bay was one of the most productive shellfish estuaries on the East Coast. Indigenous communities harvested oysters sustainably for centuries, relying on their abundance as a vital food source. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the bay had become a cornerstone of New York’s shellfish industry. The ecosystem itself thrived – oysters acted as natural water filters, improving clarity and supporting a diverse web of marine life. What Happened? Over time, the ecosystem began to unravel. Population growth brought increased development, and with it ,overharvesting and new environmental pressures. As forests and wetlands were replaced with roads, lawns and buildings, the natural systems that filtered water were diminished. Rainfall that once soaked into the ground now runs off hard surfaces, carrying fertilizers, pollutants and sediments into local waterways. This runoff fuels harmful algal blooms, including the notorious “brown tides” that have plagued Long Island’s bays since the 1980s. HABs are fueled primarily by excess nitrogen – a byproduct of fertilizers, septic systems and wastewater discharge. For oysters – which thrive on clean, well-oxygenated water and sufficient light for the growth of eelgrass habitats – the consequences have been severe. At the same time, pathogens and contaminants introduced through stormwater and wastewater have forced our shellfish beds to be repeatedly closed. Even when oysters are present, they are often unsafe to harvest. The Ripple Effects of Decline The decline of oyster populations is not just a loss of a single species – it is the unraveling of an entire ecosystem. Oysters are ecosystem engineers. A single adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, removing excess nutrients and improving water clarity. Without healthy oyster populations, water quality further declines, creating a feedback loop that makes recovery increasingly difficult. How Land Preservation Protects Water While these challenges may seem overwhelming, there is a powerful solution: protecting the land. Preserved open spaces – forests, wetlands and meadows – act as natural filters. They absorb rainwater, reduce runoff and prevent pollutants from entering our bays and harbors. Every acre of preserved land is an investment in cleaner water. This juncture is where the mission of the Land Alliance becomes essential. Land conservation is not just about protecting scenic landscapes – it is about safeguarding the health of our entire ecosystem, from upland forests to underwater habitats. Signs of Hope Despite the challenges, there are reasons for optimism. Restoration efforts across Long Island are working to reintroduce oyster populations through aquaculture and reef-building projects. Improvements in wastewater management and growing awareness of nitrogen impacts are beginning to address some of the root causes of nutrient pollution. Community engagement is also increasing. Residents, scientists and nonprofit organizations are working together to monitor water quality, restore habitats and advocate for sustainable practices. These efforts remind us that recovery is possible – but it requires sustained commitment. A Name Worth Protecting Oyster Bay is more than a name on a map. It reflects what this place once was – and what it could be like again. Restoring healthy oysters to Oyster Bay will not happen overnight. It will take coordinated action, informed policy and a shared understanding that what happens on land directly impacts the water. So, are there oysters in Oyster Bay? Yes – but not as many as there should be. The real question is: will we do what’s needed to ensure their numbers grow and thrive?
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