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Williams Ridge Preserve Update
We are off to a good start this spring at Lattingtown’s 4.5-acre Williams Ridge Preserve. We made irrigation upgrades and installed native shrubs, sedges, warm-season native grasses and wildflowers along the pond edge and across the adjoining upland. Also, a meadow was revamped and seeded just after Thanksgiving. We are overhauling the formal garden area next to the meadow as a demonstration planting area of native wildflowers and grasses that will help visitors learn about deer-resistant plants and converting some lawn areas to wildlife-friendly spaces. We were delighted to witness the expansion of spring ephemeral trout lily alongside the creek this spring and multiple snapping turtles, largemouth bass and a muskrat in the pond. A house wren was observed nesting in a log that had fallen into the water, showing what value dead trees can provide wildlife. Our volunteers continue their vine removal, weeding of planting areas, maintenance of the stone staircase and conducting wildlife survey. We continue to be challenged by an emerging invasive aquatic species called parrot feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) at the pond; native to South America, it can form dense mats, reducing biodiversity. It is something to be on the lookout for in calm waterbodies. Those of you who have not yet visited Williams Ridge are in for a treat when you do go! The location of the preserve entrance may require some explanation, so please contact us here at the office at 516-922-1028 so we can direct you. This habitat restoration is supported by funding from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program (NYSCPP) and New York’s Environmental Protection Fund. The NYSCPP is administered by the Land Trust Alliance, in coordination with the state Department of Environmental Conservation. We remain grateful to Mary and Tim Williams for their generous donation of this charming respite from our hectic life pace and, more and more, a haven for wildlife.
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Carter Rogan – 2024 O’Neil Conservation Steward
We are pleased to welcome back Carter Rogan as he returns as an Intern in the 2024 O’Neil Conservation Steward Program. We’re excited to welcome Carter our 2024 O’Neil Conservation Steward program, where he’ll continue making an impact in conservation. Carter returns to the Land Alliance for a second summer after receiving his master’s degree in environmental science from SUNY-ESF. For his master’s capstone, Carter focused on treatment of beech leaf disease at one of the Land Alliance’s properties. He is excited to come back this year to see if the treatment done last year was successful. About the William C. and Joyce C. O’Neil Conservation Steward Program Thanks to the Joyce C. and William C. O’Neil Charitable Trust, North Shore Land Alliance launched a formal internship program. Through this competitive program, qualified college students gain valuable conservation-related skills, including writing management plans for preserves, mapping trails, organizing volunteer and fundraising events, managing invasive plants, installing a woodland trail at Wawapek and educating the public about conservation. Contact Us! To learn more about the O’Neil Conservation Stewards summer internship program, visit us online at www.northshorelandalliance.org/oneil-stewards/ or contact us at 516-922-1028 or info@northshorelandalliance.org.
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Christina Larson – 2024 O’Neil Conservation Steward
Christina Larson Joins the Land Alliance 2024 O’Neil Stewards We are delighted to welcome Christina Larson to our 2024 O’Neil Stewards program. Christina is a student at SUNY ESF working towards a bachelor’s degree in Conservation Biology. Christina has prior experience working with NYS DEC as a Forest Health Intern, detecting Southern Pine Beetle populations throughout the Central Pine Barrens as well as monitoring beech leaf disease and removing Kudzu within local communities. About the William C. and Joyce C. O’Neil Conservation Steward Program Thanks to the Joyce C. and William C. O’Neil Charitable Trust, North Shore Land Alliance launched a formal internship program. Through this competitive program, qualified college students gain valuable conservation-related skills, including writing management plans for preserves, mapping trails, organizing volunteer and fundraising events, managing invasive plants, installing a woodland trail at Wawapek and educating the public about conservation. Contact Us! To learn more about the O’Neil Conservation Stewards summer internship program, visit us online at www.northshorelandalliance.org/oneil-stewards/ or contact us at 516-922-1028 or info@northshorelandalliance.org.
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Vianca Hinds – 2024 O’Neil Conservation Steward
Vianca Hinds Joins the Land Alliance 2024 O’Neil Conservation Steward Program We are delighted to welcome Vianca Hinds to our 2024 O’Neil Conservation Steward program. Vianca is a recent graduate of SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry (ESF) with a degree in wildlife science and is excited to begin her career. Having grown up in Huntington, New York, Vianca is extremely passionate about Long Island’s native species and hopes to conserve and protect many of Long Island’s ecosystems and habitats. About the William C. and Joyce C. O’Neil Conservation Steward Program Thanks to the Joyce C. and William C. O’Neil Charitable Trust, North Shore Land Alliance launched a formal internship program. Through this competitive program, qualified college students gain valuable conservation-related skills, including writing management plans for preserves, mapping trails, organizing volunteer and fundraising events, managing invasive plants, installing a woodland trail at Wawapek and educating the public about conservation. Contact Us! To learn more about the O’Neil Conservation Stewards summer internship program, visit us online at www.northshorelandalliance.org/oneil-stewards/ or contact us at 516-922-1028 or info@northshorelandalliance.org.
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KANPAI! An Evening of Sushi, Saké and Serenity
KANPAI! An evening of sushi, saké and serenity in the John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden with the Heritage Committee The Heritage Committee is back and better than ever! On Thursday, June 27th, in what was an enchanting early summer evening, we gathered for the much-anticipated Kanpai Night at the beautiful John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden. This cocktail party under the bamboo brought together around 60 young conservationists to celebrate the spirit of stewardship and honor our esteemed founding members: Tim DiPietro, Malcolm Dorson, D.R. Holmes, Dave Knott and Max Stenbeck (posthumously). As guests strolled across charming bridges and along wooded pathways, they were welcomed by the glow of paper lanterns and tea light candles illuminating the Tea House. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and community as we raised our glasses in a celebratory toast — kanpai — to the founding members while introducing a new generation of conservationists eager to carry on the mission. Attendees enjoyed an array of delectable sushi, saki (generously donated by our friends at Cold Spring Harbor Wine Shoppe), Japanese beer and wine, all set to the lively tunes of DJ Charlie Clarke, creating a vibrant backdrop for the evening’s festivities. We were thrilled to welcome several new junior committee members who stepped up 34 as Event Chairs, with special thanks to Tanner Kellan for organizing an exceptional group of young conservationists. During the evening, Land Alliance President and CEO Lisa Ott addressed guests from the steps of the Tea House, sharing insights on key Land Alliance initiatives and how our local preserves play a pivotal role in conservation efforts. Board Member D.R. Holmes reflected on his journey from a founding Heritage Committee member to a current Board Trustee, inspiring guests with his commitment to our shared mission. The highlight of the night came when Lisa and Gina DiPietro presented an engraved boulder to commemorate the founding Heritage members, now proudly displayed just outside the Education Annex at the Humes Preserve. For many guests, this was their first visit to the Japanese Stroll Garden, making the evening particularly memorable, especially for those who grew up in the area. We look forward to nurturing this Heritage tradition and continuing to celebrate the passion and dedication that young conservationists bring to protecting our natural spaces for generations to come. Thank you to everyone who made this event unforgettable We can’t wait to see you at the next Heritage Committee gathering! Co-Chairs: Laura Clarke * Jamie Gardiner * Milena Holmes * Tanner Kellan Event Committee: Becky Zoller and Bertie Cator * Emma and Will Copp * Ashley Banker and Pablo de Rosas Julia and Danny de Roulet * Rem and Tim Dooley * Lily and Duncan Ferguson Robert and Carter Leachman * Fifi and Scott Leachman * Emily and Roly Morris Danielle and Brendan O’Kane * Kimberly and John O’Kane * Laura Ott * Lily and Frank Sanders Caroline and Larry Schmidlapp * Will Shea * Asia and Ben Stokes * Fern Senior and Kristin Thomas #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-1 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-1 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
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