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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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Protecting Land Through Good Local Ordinances
Environmental laws exist at every level of government, but some of the most important and impactful are our local town and village ordinances. These regulations can be far more specific and nuanced than state or federal laws, often differing from village to village. More often than not, they help uphold important environmental practices. In Mill Neck, for example, local ordinances regulate lighting, ensuring it isn’t excessive and that it is directed downward. While this regulation was initially enacted with human quality of life in mind, it also has incredible secondary benefits for wildlife. Properly regulated lighting reduces the impact on nocturnal animals such as birds, bats, and insects, which are far less affected by downward facing light than by broad, scattered illumination. Mill Neck also prohibits feeding waterfowl, which, while seemingly harmless, can lead to poor nutrition, pollution, delayed migration and the spread of disease as the town code explains. Over in Old Brookville, there are also numerous pro-environment ordinances in place. Extensive wetland protections go above and beyond the regulations set by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The village also tackles invasive species issues, to the extent that property owners may be charged with trespass if an invasive species migrates from their property to a neighboring one. Good town and village ordinances can have a positive impact on the environment. However, these laws are not set in stone and can be subject to change. A prime example is the Town of Huntington’s regulations regarding steep slope development. In 2005, the town enacted critical codes designed to protect both the environment and the community from the adverse effects of development on steep slopes. At that time, a steep slope was defined as any slope of 10% or more across a 25-foot stretch. Now, there is a push to redefine what qualifies as a “steep slope.” Depending on the proposed changes, this could have drastic implications for the environment. The environmental importance of steep slope regulations cannot be overstated. Steep slopes are highly vulnerable to erosion, and development only exacerbates this issue. Vegetation removal and soil disturbance during construction make it much harder to prevent natural erosion from stripping away valuable topsoil. With increasingly intense storms, the impact on slopes becomes even more pronounced. When heavy rain washes away topsoil, it can take decades to regenerate. The loss of topsoil also leads to the loss of fertile land and microorganisms, which are essential for growing healthy vegetation and maintaining natural habitats. Furthermore, removing plants and trees that are critical for stabilizing the soil with their root systems leaves these areas even more vulnerable to landslides and further erosion. The ecological consequences extend beyond the immediate site. Erosion from steep slopes can pollute nearby water sources and disrupt local ecosystems. Steep slopes often also represent ecotones, where distinct ecosystems or elevations meet. These areas are vital for biodiversity and serve as transition zones for migration. By allowing development in these sensitive regions, we risk fragmenting populations and disrupting the natural flow of ecosystems. If the definition of steep slopes is reduced in the Town of Huntington, it could open up a significant portion of the town to development. Under the current definition, nearly 60% (37,000 acres) of the Town is classified as steep slopes. If the definition changes from 10% to 15% or, even worse 25%, an additional 8,000 to 18,500 acres could be open to development. Please see Figures 1-3 with the steep slopes shaded in brown. The environmental impact of this much development alone would be severe. It would be even more so when the potential erosion and ecological damage that could result from building on these specific sensitive areas is considered. The good news is that these laws don’t change without public input. They require the support of the community. Together, we can raise our voices to protect these vital areas. Ways to get involved include attending town council meetings, organizing letter writing campaigns and commenting at public hearings. Even engaging with and educating your neighbors can have a lasting impact. When we stand united, we can emphasize the importance of protecting our environment through strong, sustainable ordinances.
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North Shore Land Alliance Re-accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission
We are proud to announce that the Land Alliance has been awarded renewed accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission! Board Chair Hoyle Jones explained that “the multi-year process was rigorous and thorough in reviewing all project transactions, policies and financials since the first accreditation approval in 2015.” Accreditation is awarded to land trusts meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence. The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction in land conservation. Each accredited land trust completes a rigorous review process and joins a network of organizations united by strong ethical practices. Each member of this trusted network of land trusts has demonstrated fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership, sound transactions and lasting stewardship of the lands they conserve. Nonprofit organizations, including land trusts, are increasingly called on to demonstrate their accountability to the public. Accredited land trusts have voluntarily submitted their organizations to an external, independent review of their practices. As a result, accreditation provides the public with the assurance that the land trust displaying the accreditation seal meets established standards for organizational quality and permanent land conservation. Land trusts help conserve land that is essential to our health and well-being. When land trusts agree to protect land for the benefit of the public, in most cases they do so by promising that the protection is forever. The accreditation program verifies that the land trust has the policies and programs in place to keep this promise, either by caring for the land itself or transferring the land to an entity that can. As of April 2025, there are 479 accredited land trusts in 46 U.S. states and territories. Accredited land trusts protect 84% of land and easements held by all land trusts which total over 51 million acres of land. When asked about the process, Lisa Ott, President and CEO, said “Accreditation is about assuring our work can live up to the important goals of conservation in perpetuity. We find it easier to grasp the meaning of perpetuity when we see the excitement of a child visiting our preserves or the pride exhibited by our stewardship team and volunteers when native habitats have been restored. Thinking about the impacts these places will have on their lives, that these places will be protected for generations to come, we can’t help but be inspired to strive to do more and do it well.” It is estimated that the Land Alliance team spent more than 700 hours completing the process. With many thanks to them and our pro-bono legal counsel (Lisa’s husband, Gil Ott).
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