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Our Long Island Water Education Program Surpasses 10,000 Students Served
After a pandemic year+ of postponement and a second year of remote learning (with supplies packed and delivered to schools) educator Karen Mossey finally returned to the classroom (with some interruptions!) during the 2021/2022 school year. And an exciting year this was with the total number of students served since the program’s inception surpassing 10,000. Enterprising as always and like educators everywhere faced with dramatic changes the pandemic required, Karen managed to add new school partners (Hewlett and Ogden in the Hewlett-Woodmere school district and St. James in the Smithtown school district). She nimbly adapted to remote learning. She did this by creating a video of the “build an aquifer” session and distributing a set of supplies for EACH student to the schools. Her efforts were carried out while getting her own school-age children through remote learning at home. Cheers to you, Karen, and educators all over.
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Season Five Has Begun at the Roosevelt Community Garden
We are pleased to kick-start the fifth growing season at the Roosevelt Community Garden. This year we are partnering with new organizations, hosting more activities and educating more people. Our overarching goal is to help connect more youth to nature and better understand their role in protecting our environment. Annual Garden Members’ Orientation and Garden-to-Table Presentation On Saturday, March 19th, we hosted an educational presentation led by Master Gardener Charlie Kemnitzer at the Roosevelt Public Library. Participants learned how to start a vegetable garden and maintain their raised-garden plots and tips to care for their crops in a sustainable and healthy manner. Earth Day Celebration On Saturday, April 23rd, more than 50 volunteers and garden members participated in our Annual Earth Day event. Together we accomplished a lot, from removing debris and weeds to refilling plots with soil and replacing garden hoses in preparation for our annual Planting Day in May. We are grateful for all our volunteers, especially our newest friends from Bank of America, Girl Scout Troop #4703 and Rojah Peck. Special thanks to Claire DeRoche, Barry Nobel and other members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, who started volunteering last year, and to Bagel Chalet of Merrick for donating bagels for our breakfast. Members from the Universality Unitarian Congregation at Shelter Rock Bank of America Staff Annual Planting Day and Square Foot Gardening Demonstration On Saturday, May 21st more than 80 people, including Garden members, volunteers and visitors from throughout Nassau County, joined us to learn how to grow food using the Square Foot Gardening method. After the presentation led by Master Gardener Reese Michaels, Garden members and youth from the Roosevelt Prevention Coalition Roots Club and Girl Scout Troop #4703 worked together to plant vegetables and fruits. It was a pleasure to work alongside these students and watch them learn to grow their own food. Healthy food makes for more productive and healthier students! One World Girl Prosperity Project We were also pleased to work with the One World Girl organization again this year on their Prosperity Project. This awesome group of young people planted native wildflowers and shrubs throughout the Garden to help attract beneficial insects, create a stopping place for Monarch butterflies and provide food for birds. We hope to attract some new species for our pollinator project in June. Special thanks to Atlantic Nursery in Freeport and Long Island Natives for donating a portion of the plants. One World Girl Volunteers at the Roosevelt Community Garden
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Olivia Larocchia – 2022 O’Neil Conservation Steward
We are pleased to present the 2022 class of O’Neil Conservation Stewards. Olivia Larocchia is a senior graduating from Binghamton University with a BS in Environmental Science. She is very passionate about taking care of the planet so that all living beings, whether people, plants or animals, can thrive today and far into the future. She will be continuing her education after this summer at Binghamton University and will receive an MS in Sustainable Communities in May 2023.
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Meg Rumplick – 2022 O’Neil Conservation Steward
Meg Rumplick – 2022 O’Neil Conservation Steward Meg Rumplick, an Islip native, is a junior at Vassar College majoring in Environmental Studies focusing on Plant Biology and Geography. Meg has a keen interest in preserving the environment. After working at Vassar’s ecological preserve and herbarium last semester, Meg knew working for the Land Alliance would be the perfect way to prepare for a future in conservation, while familiarizing herself with Long Island’s beautiful landscapes.
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Lily Fallar – 2022 O’Neil Conservation Steward
After considering many qualified candidates, we are pleased to welcome Lily Fallar to the 2022 class of O’Neil Conservation Stewards. Lily Fallar is a rising junior at Binghamton University. Lily is majoring in environmental science (with a concentration in earth science and natural resources) and is minoring in health and wellness. She is a Long Island native and is very dedicated to environmental research and conservation.
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