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Land Alliance Identifies Priority Conservation Areas on Long Island
Land Alliance Identifies Priority Conservation Areas on Long Island What if the fate of nature wasn’t tucked away in state and national parks, but rather in the very neighborhoods and backyards you drive past every day? Private landowners in the United States own about 60 percent of all land, yet only 3 percent of that land is permanently protected. Of the unprotected land, roughly 1.5 million acres are developed each year, a number that continues to rise. To put that in perspective, it is equivalent to developing an area twice the size of Suffolk and Nassau Counties, the entire State of Delaware or the entirety of the Everglades National Park every single year. Locally, the imbalance is even more pronounced. About 90 percent of Long Island land is privately owned, but only 2 percent of it is protected. As our region continues to grow, development pressure intensifies, putting increased stress on native ecosystems. Private land conservation offers a critical tool for organizations like the Land Alliance to help relieve that pressure and protect what remains. For much of American history, the focus was to conserve huge swaths of land, filled with sweeping vistas of mountains, clear lakes, lush forests and rugged wilderness. And rightfully so these areas are biodiversity hotspots and deserve our attention. But this focus on “wilderness” can overshadow the value of nature in our own backyards. Author William Cronon writes, “The tree in the garden is no less worthy of our wonder and respect than the tree in an ancient forest. The tree in the garden could easily have sprung from the same seed as the tree in the forest. Both trees stand apart from us; both share our common world.” By boxing up “wilderness” and confining it to parks, we risk overlooking the biodiversity right in front of us. On Long Island, where most land is in private hands, this challenge is even more pronounced. This is where the Land Alliance steps in. To identify private parcels of high ecological value, we developed a matrix that synthesizes characteristics. They include proximity to wetlands and other protected lands, canopy cover, acreage, steep slopes and potential habitat for rare and endangered species. The resulting priority map below highlights areas of significant conservation value. Using this tool, the Land Alliance has identified more than 8,000 Long Island acres worthy of protection. Once these conservation aeas are identified, the real work begins. The Land Alliance uses a tool known as a conservation easement to protect private land permanently. A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement between a landowner and a land trust that preserves the property’s natural features. Landowners enter into easements for many reasons, but the most common is simple: they love their land. Without protection, future owners could subdivide or develop it, changing its natural character. With an easement, the land’s open space, history, wildlife habitat, scenic views, water resources and family legacy are safeguarded forever. Easements keep ownership private, allow for the land to be sold or passed on to future generations and do not require public access. They may also offer potential tax benefits when donated. To learn more about conservation easements, contact the Land Alliance Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, at (516) 922-1028 or info@northshorelandalliance.org. You can also visit www.northshorelandalliance.org/private-land-conservation.
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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 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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