When people think about land conservation, they often picture vast preserves or large working farms. But here on Long Island, every acre counts — and sometimes, protecting a five-acre parcel can make an enormous difference. That’s why the Land Alliance is committed to permanently preserving not only large tracts of land, but also smaller properties that play vital roles in our local community and in the environment. One such property is in Oyster Bay Cove — the beautiful and ecologically important Pulling Property on Yellow Cote Road.

For the past year, we have been conducting a grassroots campaign to acquire the property which is adjacent to the Red Cote Preserve, for conservation purposes. We are proud to share that over 100 local families and foundations have joined the effort thus far, raising nearly $1M of the $1.52M needed for the Land Alliance to purchase and permanently protect this land.

You may be asking yourself, why are so many in this community investing in a relatively small plot of land? Besides its significant historic and nostalgic value (just one family has owned the land over the last 100 years), it also has considerable value for the health of our natural environment.

A Haven for Nature – On an island where open space is rapidly disappearing, a five-acre parcel of wood, meadow, or wetland can provide a critical refuge for wildlife. The Pulling Property offers habitat for native plants, birds and pollinators. It also serves as a vital green connection between other conserved lands. By protecting this property, the Land Alliance will help maintain biodiversity and ensure that wildlife continues to thrive along the North Shore.

Protecting Our Water – Long Island’s drinking water comes from a single underground aquifer — what happens on the surface above directly affects what we drink. Conserving the Pulling Property will allow natural soils and vegetation to filter rainwater before it seeps down to replenish our groundwater. Permanent protection of this parcel will also help reduce runoff and safeguard the health of both nearby wetlands and Oyster Bay’s coastal waters. Moreover, this property is particularly significant as it sits within the Oyster Bay Special Groundwater Protection Area, as designated by New York State.

Strengthening Climate Resilience – As our communities face stronger storms and rising seas, natural areas like the Pulling Property that are on high ground offer invaluable protection. Trees and native vegetation on this land absorb stormwater, reduce flooding and store carbon — small but powerful contributions to a more resilient future for our region.