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The Need for Seeds: Over 6,000 Plants Grown from Seed at Our Wawapek Greenhouse
Land Alliance Planted Over 6,000 Plants from Seed at Our Wawapek Greenhouse In a world challenged by more frequent natural disasters, the need for collecting and saving native seeds grows more important every day. Collecting native seeds is important for restoring ecosystems, supporting local wildlife, creating resilient landscapes and promoting biodiversity. By using locally adapted or “ecotypic” plants, we ensure successful restoration, provide crucial food and habitat for native pollinators and animals and help mitigate environmental challenges like drought. Hundreds of seeds are generated by plants within a natural system every year and are then dispersed by wind, water and animal activity. Some of those seeds grow in the next season and some get buried and lay dormant, waiting for their preferred growing conditions. In biology the natural storage of dormant seeds within the soil of an ecosystem is called the soil seed bank. These seeds can be anywhere from one to 100 years old, depending on the species and the conditions of the land. Within a preserved piece of land, all the seeds that the ecosystem would need to be restored are already there, should it need to. However, when land is cultivated, developed or faced with natural disasters, the soil seed bank is disrupted. Those native seeds that accumulated naturally over years and years are damaged or removed. Sometimes they are even replaced by the seeds of invasive species! To try to solve the issue of soil seed bank disruption, many countries have begun creating facilities called seed banks or seed vaults. In them, seeds of all kinds are stored to preserve biodiversity. These facilities, such as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway or the Millennium Seed Bank in the UK, store seeds from around the world to protect them from extinction caused by factors like climate change, disease or natural disasters. They act as a crucial resource for future research and crop development, ensuring food security and biodiversity. The main seed vault in the U.S. is the National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation in Fort Collins, Colorado. It houses an extensive collection for U.S. agricultural purposes and is sometimes referred to as a “doomsday vault”. There are also many other, smaller regional seed banks across the U.S., including tribal ones, dedicated to preserving local or native plant diversity. Our native meadows and forests serve many purposes. They sequester carbon in their roots, they move water down through the soil and into aquifers so that we have clean water to drink and they provide habitat for wildlife. Without our native ecosystems we wouldn’t have our pollinators, and without pollinators we wouldn’t be able to grow food. Preserving seeds, not just fruits and vegetables, is essential for making sure we can have food and clean water today and in the future. Increasing the native seed population is important for every community and we, at the Land Alliance, are trying to do our part. #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 */ Planting Seeds with Succatash Gardens at Wawapek Greenhouse Vegetable seedlings for the Roosevelt Community Garden What Seeds We Grew This Season Those plants range from native wildflowers and grasses for habitat restorations on our preserves, to vegetables and herbs for the Roosevelt Community Garden. 22 species of wildflowers and native grasses were propagated this season. 14 of those species were collected from Land Alliance preserves. The remaining seven seed species were donated. Now that they have been grown and planted, they can be harvested for future growing seasons as well. Here’s where our seeds were sown this year. 1200 vegetables and herb plants went to the Roosevelt Community Garden 1272 plugs went into the Humes Meadow where invasive mugwort was removed 150 plants were used in the refurbished pollinator gardens at Wawapek 350 plants were used for our headquarters at the Tavern House (so far) 75 were planted in the woodland garden at Humes 50 plants went to the John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden We also donated plants to public libraries, newly established community gardens and a local elementary school. We will be happy to share with others as our production abilities grow. #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 */ Marigolds collected for 2026 Volunteer With Us! Do you want to work outside, meet some cool people and learn about our natural world? Do you like to help others, help our wildlife and help our planet? Do you need community service hours or want to use your time in a meaningful way? If so, the Land Alliance is always looking for new volunteers. To learn more about our volunteer program or to sign up, visit www. northshorelandalliance.org and our Volunteer Coordinator will contact you with more information.
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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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