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Enjoy the Gift of Nature: Explore Land Alliance Preserves
Enjoy the Gift of Nature: Explore Land Alliance Preserves North Shore Land Alliance preserves are free and open to the public from sunup to sundown seven days a week. Please join us at these wonderful places filled with flora and fauna and the wonders of nature. Louis C. Clark Sanctuary – 8 acres (Valentines Lane, Old Brookville) One of the most ecologically diverse preserves also happens to be one of our smallest. This 8-acre property contains a mixture of upland forest and freshwater wetlands, with trails traversing the narrow strip of forest separating Valentines Lane from the wetlands. Cedar Swamp Creek, which flows into Hempstead Harbor at Glen Cove, runs through the Sanctuary. Together with nearby James Preserve, over 100 bird species as well as several species of fish, frogs and turtles make their home in this special environment. Cordelia H. Cushman Preserve – 15 acres (Route 25A, Oyster Bay Cove) Mature hardwood forest comprises nearly all of this pristine 15-acre preserve. Chestnut and white oak trees dominate the canopy, with maple, beech and tulip trees making a presence as well. The preserve also has mountain laurel and a large variety of other native plants, 13 of which are protected by New York State. They include dwarf rattlesnake plantain, pink lady’s slipper and spotted wintergreen. Robust populations of numerous fern species, including cinnamon, New York and Christmas ferns, also are there. Cushman Woods – 28 acres (Still Road, Matinecock) This hilly, 28-acre forest is brimming with big trees. It boasts an intricate trail system that was once a popular fox-hunting route for the Meadow Brook Hunt (an event that occurred in the late 1800’s). The trail system at Cushman Woods is the largest of all our preserves and has several restored carriage trails. Many bird species, fox and other mammals make their home here. The preserve also makes up a significant portion of the Beaver Brook watershed. It contains hundreds of acres of protected woodlands, wetlands, ponds and meadows that provide invaluable habitat for wildlife. Their connectivity and their value in preserving our underground water supply are additional reasons why the Land Alliance and its partners are so actively protecting land there. Additional ecosystem services here, like recharging our groundwater, absorbing harmful carbon emissions and cleaning our air, ensure a healthier community for all that follow us. Fox Hollow Preserve – 26 acres (Near White Oak Tree Road on 25A_Laurel Hollow (parking by arrangement) This beautiful 26-acre preserve contains an unusual variety of distinct forest types. It features a diversity of oak, beech and other hardwoods, with white pine woodland and shrub layers dominated by mountain laurel and maple-leaved viburnum. The diversity attracts many different bird and other wildlife species to the preserve. Take a stroll there down the hilly trails, which contain some of the steepest sections of trail in Nassau County. Depending on the time of year, you could easily spot or hear Great Horned Owls, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, a diversity of Warblers and Red-tailed Hawks. Redcote Preserve Hope Goddard Iselin Preserve – 42 acres (Chicken Valley Road, Upper Brookville) A beautiful hardwood forest, a white pine plantation, which was planted in the 1930s, and a colorful meadow comprise these 42 acres. To make this preserve more accessible to the public, the Land Alliance upgraded the entrance in 2018. It converted a barely visible driveway and dirt parking area into a larger, more attractive lot covered with bluestone gravel and surrounded by a rustic split rail fence. Over 100 native plants, like wood fern and witch hazel, were added to the entrance. They help reflect the natural beauty of Long Island’s countryside. Stroll down the interpretive trail and you’ll not only spot or hear a variety of bird species like the Eastern Towhee, you might notice a large, out-of-place boulder called a glacial erratic in the middle of the forest. It was transported hundreds of miles to its present location by a continental glacier which covered the land 25,000 years ago and formed Long Island! Humes Japanese Stroll Garden – 7 acres (Dogwood Lane, Mill Neck _weekend hours only) This unique and historic seven-acre gem of landscape design and woodland boasts an impressive collection of North American and Asian plants. They constitute a beautiful Japanese landscape and impart a meditative experience. The landscape was inspired by a mountain setting by the sea. A stunning stepping stone path is one of the defining features and was inspired by the intimacy of a mountain path. A gentle climb through the woodland part of the garden will lead you to a “mountain peak”. There you will meet the gravel path representing a stream that will guide you to an authentic pondside tea house. Humes Preserve – 40 acres (Oyster Bay Road, Mill Neck) The property consists of meadow, woodland and freshwater wetlands and includes preserved land owned by Nassau County. The Humes Preserve is at the heart of a corridor of 150 protected contiguous acres of open spaces that also includes the adjoining Shu Swamp, Francis Pond conservation areas and the Humes Japanese Stroll Garden. These conserved areas and surrounding lands are the headwaters to a series of rivers, lakes and waterways (both freshwater and tidal) that eventually reach the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the Long Island Sound. The conservation of this property helped complete one of the most important wetland and open space corridors on the North Shore of Long Island. Red Cote Preserve – 30 acres (Yellow Cote Road, Oyster Bay Cove) This property boasts a beautiful mix of woodlands and sweeping meadows. White pine dominates the woodland area in the southern part of the property. A mixed deciduous forest with some large oaks is between the fields and in the forest on the eastern side of the preserve. Three mature red cedars stand sentinel over the middle of the western meadow. The large field is mowed once a year in early spring, which optimizes habitat by allowing for all bloom and leaving the dead remains of wildflower stalks to provide refuge for small mammals and songbirds in winter. Shore Road Sanctuary – 8 acres (Shore Road, Cold Spring Harbor) This eight-acre parcel in Cold Spring Harbor was once an ExxonMobil fueling site. It has been transformed into a thriving grassland preserve boasting a beautiful shoreline, salt marsh and wet meadow (where you will find standing water after rainstorms and ice in winter). The grassland, first seeded in 2011 following the property’s remediation, is dominated by four native warm season grasses. It provides invaluable wildlife habitat for foraging and breeding. A pollinator garden was added in 2015. The sanctuary provides significant conservation values not only to the natural upland habitat but also to Cold Spring Harbor, a New York State Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat. These habitats are known to offer maritime beach bird nesting habitat and waterfowl wintering areas, as well as highly productive nursery and feeding areas for marine finfish and shellfish. The beach is an important nesting site for horseshoe crabs. The property has also served as a field trip location for the students of the Land Alliance’s popular Long Island Water Education Program. And throughout the winter, volunteers steadfastly conduct weeekly waterfowl surveys at the shore line. Tiffany Creek Preserve – 200 acres (Sandy Hill Road, Oyster Bay Cove) A mix of ecological communities can be found on this spectacular parcel of land. It includes old growth woodlands and oak forest, extensive fields, freshwater wetlands and a large pond (which was acquired by Nassau County with Environmental Bond Act funding). The preserve lies within the Oyster Bay Special Groundwater Protection Area, Nassau County’s largest SGPA. Protecting undeveloped land, whether at this preserve or at any of our preserves, is critical to protecting Long Island’s sole source aquifer of drinking water. This property is surrounded by an additional 250 acres of privately protected lands, which enhance its conservation values. Upper Francis Pond – 25 acres (Oyster Bay Road, Mill Neck) This 25-acre preserve is an integral part of a corridor of 150 contiguous acres of protected open space in the Beaver Brook watershed (which includes the Humes Estate and Japanese Stroll Garden and the North Shore Wildlife Sanctuary’s enchanting Shu Swamp). The trail from the parking area skirts a field before entering the forest. It leads to a large, treasured pond, situated in the center of the preserve. The site is a popular spot for River Otters. The corridor also provides vital breeding habitat for Brook Trout and a large variety of birds, fish and other wildlife species. Wawapek Preserve – 32 acres (Mowbray Lane, Cold Spring Harbor) Perched above the historic hamlet of Cold Spring Harbor, this stunning 32-acre preserve was once being considered for development into 13 house lots. Mature hardwood forest, which comprises over 60 percent of the preserve, protects air quality and provides erosion control throughout its steep ravines. Native trumpet honeysuckle was planted in 2018 to replace wisteria at the preserve’s trellis. An assortment of highbush blueberry bushes are laden with delectable fruit in summer. A pollinator garden that attracts a variety of indigenous insects, a historic yew round and specimen trees complete the formal garden, while woodland trails allow visitors to explore the forests on site. Take a stroll and you might catch a glimpse of some of the animals that live there, like foxes and state-protected Box Turtles. In 2022, the property’s entrance underwent an expansive habitat restoration. In addition, the Ralf Lange Garden was created and restoration of the greenhouse was launched. Click here to learn more about these nature preserves. Adirondack chairs
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2023 Walks in the Woods & Other Cool Things to Do Outside
Our Walks are as popular as always, limited only by parking/access restrictions at the delightful, often off-the-beaten-path locations. New locations this year include Sound View Dunes Park, Quogue Wildlife Refuge, Laurel Hill Farms and Hofstra University. Some of you may have already experienced our new protocol of delaying registration for each walk until 2 – 3 months prior to, so they don’t all get filled up before our calendar brochures reach members’ mailboxes. 70 attendees enjoyed walks in our first quarter, shown in photos here. Join us for these upcoming Walks in the Woods. Advance registration is required and events are subject to change. To register or for more information, visit our website at www.northshorelandalliance.org/events. Thursday, June 29th, 6:00 pm Youngs Farm, Old Brookville Led by Tim Dooley Tim will lead us on a tour of one of Nassau County’s most treasured family farms. Saturday, July 15th, 10:00 am Quogue Wildlife Refuge, Quogue Led by Matt Kaelin Quogue Wildlife Refuge is home to all three of the types of carnivorous plants found on Long Island. Matt will introduce us to these and other curious species with a presentation on carnivorous plants and their habitats and a tour of the bog at the Refuge. Saturday, August 5th, 10:00 am Hallock State Park, Riverhead Led ByMaryLaura Lamont In partnership with Long Island Botanical Society MaryLaura will introduce us to the 18 species, some now very rare, of native Long Island wildflowers planted in Hallock’s garden. They all attract a huge variety of pollinating bees, butterflies and other insects. We will then stroll to the Sound for a look at the beach and cliff plants. ($8.00 parking fee) Tuesday, August 29th, 7:00 pm (rain date: Wednesday, August 30) Humes Preserve, Mill Neck Led by Peter Martin When the full moon is nigh, Peter will lead an exploration across Humes’s meadow. We may find migrating birds, crepuscular and nocturnal mammals and who knows what else? Saturday, September 23rd, 6:00 pm Wawapek, Cold Spring Harbor Led by Meghan Leverock Meghan, who resides at and manages the property, will tour its habitat restoration and formal garden areas whose dramatic improvements she has overseen, then lead us through the preserve’s woodland. The tour will end at our newly installed Ralf Lange Garden and restored greenhouse. Saturday, October 7th, 9:00 am Laurel Hill Farms, Cove Neck Led by Enrico Nardone, In partnership with Seatuck Environmental Association Join Seatuck’s Enrico (and friends!) for a walk at Laurel Hill Farms. It includes some of the best North Shore deciduous forest in Nassau County. The changing foliage of early autumn and the fall bird migration should provide plenty of interest, and the topography will ensure some exercise! Saturday, November 18th, 11:00 am (rain date Nov. 19) Muttontown Preserve, East Norwich Led by Glen Malings Afraid you’re relying too much on GPS? Want to practice your map reading skills? Orienteering is like a treasure hunt in the woods using a map to find controls (box shaped flags) hanging from trees. We’ll give instructions and then you can go out alone or with friends. The course should take about an hour, if you don’t get lost.
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Conservation Easements 101
If you ask conservation easement expert and tax attorney Stephen J. Small why people choose to place conservation easements on their land, he will give you the same answer every time. They love their land, they love their land and they love their land! While some may be impressed by the possible tax deductions, most just want to see their land protected and leave a legacy of sorts for future generations. Private conservation is critical to achieving both NYS and the nation’s goal of protecting 30% of our lands and waters by 2030. To do our part in achieving this important goal, the Land Alliance put together our own 30 x 30 Community Conservation campaign. We have identified more than 8,000 acres of conservation worthy land in our community that may be eligible for private conservation. Thus far, the Land Alliance has notified over 250 residents in 12 villages about the conservation value of their land. We think it would be useful to give our members a brief explanation of conservation easements. They are one of the best ways to protect our land and water and options you or a family member might want to consider. Landowners who wish to protect their land for its scenic, historic and/or natural qualities can use a conservation easement to restrict the type, amount and location of future development. The easement agreement is private and voluntary. It is a more permanent way to protect land than relying on existing government regulations such as zoning and critical environmental area designations. A conservation easement can be an essential tool for passing land to the next generation. By removing the land’s development potential, the easement lowers its market value, which in turn lowers the estate tax. This can make a difference in an heir’s ability to keep the land intact. A qualified conservation easement may also be eligible for a significant federal tax deduction. What is a Conservation Easement? A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement to preserve land in perpetuity. The easement agreement spells out a landowner’s commitment to protect the existing conservation values of some or all of their property by restricting specific development and future use. With an easement in place, the landowner still owns and controls the property, with only the specific uses/rights that protect the encumbered area as restrictions. A landowner may sell the land, but the conservation restrictions will remain in place forever. A conservation easement may be held only by a qualified land trust or governmental entity. It does not give the public any rights to the land unless the landowner decides to include such rights in the easement. How to Place a Conservation Easement There are several steps in creating a conservation easement. In our community, they begin with a landowner’s discussing their intent to preserve their land with the Land Alliance. As a preliminary step, our team will visit the property to evaluate the potential easement’s conservation value and discuss the landowner’s goals. If it makes sense, the next step is for the Land Alliance’s Board of Trustees to approve the project. Assuming Board approval, an outline of the remaining process is as follows: 1. Landowners should discuss the transaction with their advisors. The Land Alliance facilitates the transaction, but the landowner retains their own advisors, such as an attorney, accountant, appraiser and surveyor. The Land Alliance is not allowed to give tax or legal advice, although we can provide a donor with potential scenarios for both Federal and State tax benefits. 2. Once the landowner and the Land Alliance have reached an agreement, the landowner and/or their counsel should do the following: Find an accurate survey of the property or hire a surveyor to make one. An accurate survey will be important for the appraiser to determine the metes and bounds of the land to be conserved. Retain a qualified appraiser to determine the current market value of the land and the value after the easement is placed. Under IRS regulations an appraisal must occur no earlier than 60 days prior to the date of the contribution of the easement and no later than the due date of the income tax return on which a deduction for the gift is first claimed or reported. Initiate a title search to ensure there are no encumbrances on the donor’s land. The landowner’s attorney or the Land Alliance can initiate a title search. Any mortgage on the property must be subordinated to the conservation easement so that the provisions of the conservation easement cannot be eliminated if the mortgage is foreclosed. 3. Preparation of the first draft of the conservation easement agreement. The Land Alliance or the donor’s counsel may prepare the draft conservation easement. The Land Alliance will prepare baseline documentation. Baseline documentation includes boundaries, important natural resources, structures, clear descriptions of reserved rights and prohibited uses. The baseline establishes the ecological value and condition of the property at the time of the gift and becomes an exhibit to the conservation easement. It is required by tax law. The landowner will sign this document at closing. 4. Once the terms of the easement are agreed to, the landowner must provide the Land Alliance with copies of an appraisal and survey. The Land Alliance will provide the landowner with a copy of the baseline for their review. Once all documents have been agreed upon a formal closing will be scheduled. 5. After the signing and recording of the conservation easement the Land Alliance begins its stewardship program. A trained member of the Land Alliance staff will visit the property at least once each year and document that the terms of the easement are being upheld. The Land Alliance is required by law to have the resources necessary to uphold the terms of the conservation easement restrictions. We generally ask the donor to make a one-time, voluntary contribution to the long-term stewardship of the property. On average, the amount is $10,000, but amounts may vary depending on the size and complexity of the easement. 6. After closing, the easement agreement will be recorded with the appropriate governmental agencies. If the landowner intends to seek tax benefits, they must file necessary tax forms. The person making the contribution must file an IRS Form 8283, Non-Cash Charitable Contributions, along with their tax return for the year in which the gift was made and together with a copy of the appraisal dated no earlier than 60 days prior to the date of the contribution. Both the Land Alliance and the appraiser must sign the IRS Form 8283. In order to ensure the accurate representation of the value of gifts, the Land Alliance will not sign the IRS Form 8283 if it has reservations about the stated value of the donation. We hope this brief explanation of conservation easements and the process of creating such is helpful in your consideration of ways to protect our natural areas while keeping land in private hands. For further questions please contact the Land Alliance and we would be pleased to provide more detail. As easement propertyFederal Income Tax Benefit Scenario Federal Income Tax Benefits Assume a landowner has a 10-acre property in a village that is zoned for 2-acre subdivision. The owner chooses to place a conservation easement on the vacant 8-acre parcel. The parcel has conservation value because it is in the middle of the special groundwater protection area (as designated by the State of New York) and is immediately adjacent to already preserved parkland. Two appraised values must be determined: The current value of the entire property (existing fair market value) = $5,000,000 The value of the property after the easement is in place = $1,000,000 The value of the conservation easement = $4,000,000 (the difference between 1. and 2.) Under current law, there is a federal tax deduction for donating a conservation easement. Under the enhanced conservation easement incentive, the donor is allowed to deduct the entire conservation easement value, up to 50% of the landowner’s adjusted gross income, from federal income tax in a given year, and can carry forward any remaining deduction for a total of 16 years. A simplified example follows: Conservation Easement Value = $4,000,000 Landowner/Donor’s AGI = $500,000 50% of AGI =$250,000 Under the existing conservation easement incentive, a donor is able to deduct $250,000 of the $4,000,000 conservation easement value the year of donation and will be able to carry forward the remaining deduction of $3,750,000 over an additional fifteen years. Assuming the donor’s AGI stays the same over the next 15 years, the donor would continue to be able to take $250,000 in deductions each subsequent year which, in this example, generates the full value of the easement donation.
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Long Island Water Quality Update
The summer of 2022 felt like a long string of bad news. Scientists from SUNY Stony Brook published their 2022 assessment of water quality in Long Island’s estuaries in 2022. The news is not good. During the months of June through September, every major bay and estuary across Long Island experienced fish kills, algal blooms and oxygen-starved dead zones. Last year, Nassau County and the U.S. Geological Survey completed a Subwatershed study that analyzed surface and groundwater pollution with updated watersheds maps. The study found that excess nitrogen from outdated septic tanks and cesspools is the main cause of harmful algal blooms and fish kills in our bays and harbors. Nitrogen in household sewage seeps into groundwater and ultimately into bays, harbors and estuaries (or, in some cases, is directly discharged into surface waters). We are extremely concerned by septic system pollution, as we all sit on top of underground aquifers where fresh water replenishes into a deep recharge aquifer. Any untreated water that flows into the aquifer will eventually make its way into our drinking water. Based on the study, select subwatersheds on the north shore of Nassau County will need to reduce nitrogen by 60% to hit water quality goals. These much-needed nitrogen reductions can be achieved by upgrading 20,000 existing septic systems with clean water technology. Clean water septic systems convert nitrogen in wastewater into a harmless gas by harnessing natural processes. These systems are so effective they can remove up to 95% of nitrogen from wastewater when compared to conventional septic tanks. Removing excess nitrogen from the environment will help restore our commercial fishing, boating and recreation industries and improve drinking water for generations to come. If you would like to see clean water technology at work, stop by the Land Alliance’s new HQ where a Wastewater Works, Inc. system will be installed before year end. Upgrading your current septic system may be easier than you thought. In Nassau County, grants are available to cover up to 95% of the costs needed to upgrade septic tanks and cesspools with clean water septic systems. Through the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District S.E.P.T.I.C. program, you may be eligible for as much as $20,000 to upgrade. For more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit nassaucountyny.gov/SepticReplace. Community members who have already installed new clean water septic systems have good things to say. Liz Stanton of Bayville reports “Our system is better than we could have hoped, and we have peace of mind knowing we are doing our part in keeping Bayville’s water clean”. New 2022 map shows record number of fish kills, dead zones and toxic tides that intensified with the heat of summer
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Preview our 2023 Walks in the Woods
2023 Walk in the Woods Preview Saturday, January 21st, 1:00 am – Sisters of St. Joseph Brentwood Led by Abby Bezrutczyk, Bill Jacobs and Melody Penny Join the Long Island Invasive Species Management area to learn about winter tree and shrub identification as we explore the diversity of both native and invasive plants along the property’s cosmic trail. Sunday, February 19th, 2:30 pm – Shore Road Sanctuary, Cold Spring Harbor Led by Gwen Ugan Don your citizen scientist hat and join Gwen the weekend of the Great Backyard Bird Count to survey winter waterfowl in Cold Spring Harbor. Saturday, March 25th, 11:00 am – Matheson Meadows, Lloyd Neck Led by Richard Weir and Lisa de Guzman Visit Matheson Meadows with a dynamic duo when you will find egg cases – first discovered here by Lisa – for an insect unusual in these parts. Richard, a marvelous teacher and expert horticulturist, will enlighten you about the Meadows’ diverse plant community. Saturday, April 29th, 9:30 am – Williams Preserve, Lattingtown Led by Peter Meleady and Jane Jackson Peter and Jane will lead a tour of our newest preserve – a charming 4.5-acre property consisting of mature native trees, emerging meadow and freshwater pond – and discussion of habitat restoration underway. Saturday, May 12th, 9:00 am – Sound View Dunes Park, Southold Led by John Turner Explore Sound View Dunes Park’s 57 acres of beach, dune, wetland and forest habitats with one of Long Island’s most loved and respected naturalists. The focus will be on birds during their spring migration. Friday, June 16th, 6:00 pm – Hofstra Arboretum, Hempstead Led by Mike Runkel Explore Hofstra University’s plant communities as Mike discusses how a warming climate plays into decisions about shifts in heat hardiness zones and what species to plant here on Long Island. Thursday, June 29th, 6:00 pm – Youngs Farm, Old Brookville Led by Tim Dooley As harvest time approaches, Tim will lead us on a tour of one of Nassau County’s most treasured family farms. Saturday, July 15th, 10:00 am – Quogue Wildlife Refuge, Quogue Led by Matt Kaelin Quogue Wildlife Refuge is home to all three types of carnivorous plants found on Long Island. Matt will introduce us to these and other curious species with a presentation on carnivorous plants and their habitats and a tour of the bog at the Refuge. Saturday, August 5th, 10:00 am – Hallock State Park, Riverhead Led by MaryLaura Lamont in partnership with Long Island Botanical Society MaryLaura will introduce us to the 18 species, some now rare, of native Long Island wildflowers planted in Hallock’s garden. They all attract a huge variety of pollinating bees, butterflies and other insects. We will then stroll to the Sound for a look at beach and cliff plants. $8.00 parking fee Tuesday, August 29th, 7:00 pm – Humes Preserve, Mill Neck Led by Peter Martin When the full moon is nigh, Peter will lead an exploration across Humes’s meadow when we may find migrating birds, crepuscular and nocturnal mammals and who knows what else? Saturday, September 23rd, 6:00 pm – Wawapek, Cold Spring Harbor Led by Meghan Leverock Meghan who manages the property, will tour its habitat restoration and formal garden and then lead us through the preserve’s woodland. The tour will end at our newly installed Ralf Lange Garden and restored greenhouse. Saturday, October 7th, 9:00 am – Laurel Hill Farms, Cove Neck Led by Enrico Nardone, in partnership with Seatuck Environmental Association Join Seatuck’s Enrico (and friends!) for a walk at Laurel Hill Farms, which includes some of the best North Shore deciduous forest in Nassau County. The changing foliage of early autumn and the fall bird migration should provide plenty of interest, and the topography will ensure some exercise! Saturday, November 18th, 11:00 am – Muttontown Preserve, East Norwich Led by Glen Malings Afraid you’re relying too much on GPS? Want to practice your map reading skills? Orienteering is like a treasure hunt in the woods using a map to find controls (box shaped flags) hanging from trees. We’ll give instruction and then you can go out alone or with friends. The course should take about an hour, if you don’t get lost. Events are subject to change. Please check our website (www.northshorelandalliance.org/events) for updates.
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