Land conservation can take several forms. They range from an outright gift of land to the purchase of land to the donation of a permanent, voluntary deed restriction on land called a conservation easement. The parties can include individual landowners, estates (in the case of a post-mortem conservation easement), corporations and partnerships. Some transactions are motivated by a donor’s love for their land and a desire to never see it developed. Others hinge upon tax deductions or are requirements of municipal approvals. Each conservation transaction is unique, and all good ones must be based on the conservation value of the land.
Conservation values may differ. They can range from lands that host native species or are located within critical watersheds and from sacred sites to community parks and preserves. In the more densely populated areas of Long Island, almost all natural habitats possess conservation values. Furthermore, land uses can change. For example, a golf course today could become a forest or a grassland tomorrow. And, on Long Island’s south shore, where the impacts of climate change (like sunny day flooding) are occurring, grasslands and wetlands can serve as important buffers to protect residents from the harm caused by increasingly severe storms.
In 2017, the 114-acre Woodmere Country Club (located in the hamlets of Woodmere and Woodsburgh in the Town of Hempstead) was sold for development. The original agreement required that the property be maintained as a golf course until 2022. After that time, the developers planned to transform the club into a residential community featuring 284 single-family homes.
However, the proposed project faced opposition from community members. Some were concerned about the impact increased residential development would have on the local infrastructure, such as schools, roads and public services. Others mourned the loss of a beautiful open space that had brought them joy for many years.
Residents from adjoining, though sometimes disparate, communities came together to organize a formal opposition effort. They valiantly attended public meetings to voice their concerns and invested time and resources in what turned out to be a multi-year process. Early on, the community invited the Land Alliance to act as an advisor and a potential partner in the conservation of a portion of the land.
Ultimately, after building moratoria and lawsuits, the community and the developers worked together to formulate a plan that met the needs of most parties. This involved the establishment of a Coastal Conservation District which the villages of Lawrence and Woodsburgh approved last year. The new plan would significantly reduce the number of houses that could be built. The nature of the development would change from single-family homes to an age restricted 55+ community. And at least 50 acres would be protected as a community preserve! If the plan is successful, the Land Alliance would oversee the conversion of the golf course into a maritime grassland and potentially own and manage the land. Restoration efforts and ongoing maintenance would be funded by the developer.
It is important to note that the fate of the Woodmere Country Club ultimately rests on the decision-making process of the local authorities. The proposed development would require zoning changes, environmental assessments and additional public hearings before it can proceed. The next public hearing is scheduled for this December.
While the outcome at Woodmere is yet to be determined, we at the Land Alliance are inspired by communities such as this. No one knows a community better than those who live there. Community conservation projects are often the most successful because they tap into the knowledge, perspectives and experiences of those who live in and depend on the area’s natural resources. Studies have shown that when communities are included in decision-making, conservation efforts become more effective and sustainable. Moreover, engaging communities fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, motivating individuals to actively participate in protecting their environment.
Woodmere is just one example of ongoing community conservation efforts. Here are some other notable efforts:
Municipal Conservation – Over the past year, Garden City elected officials have designated 26 village-owned properties as parkland under New York State law. The designation adds a layer of protection to the properties, increasing the probability that these parcels will remain parks for future generations. Any effort to overturn this designation would be considered parkland alienation. Overturning the designation would require that a bill be passed by the New York State legislature and signed by the governor to change the use.
Grassroots Efforts – Residents of the Village of Halesite have united around an effort to protect a heavily wooded and sloped eight-acre property in their community, with the intention of creating the Nathan Hale Nature Preserve. The property contains an extensive collection of noteworthy Rhododendron and Azalea shrubs. It also is home to an abundance of wildlife. It was purchased for development in 2020, and a development plan has been submitted to the Town of Huntington. Residents are working tirelessly to protect this property. Their valiant efforts include applying for acquisition by the Town of Huntington Environment, Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee, attending Town meetings and engaging the advice of counsel. At this time, the property owners are not willing to sell.
We have also heard about some churches and schools contemplating placing conservation easements on their lands and a different community looking to raise funds to purchase a golf course for conservation purposes.
We applaud all these efforts and are inspired by the sense of community that drives them. While the Land Alliance’s scope does not include opposing development projects, we stand ready to help with conservation solutions.
