April 24, 2014
 
News & Events from the Peconic Land Trust 
Happy Spring! 
In this Issue
30 anniversary logo round
conservationConservation Updates  

Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm Expands by 19 Acres through Like-Kind Exchange with Al and Mary Krupski

At the end of March, the Peconic Land Trust acquired an additional 19 acres that will be incorporated into the organization's Farms for the Future Initiative at the Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm. The new acreage, located just northeast of Young's Avenue and Route 48, was owned by Al and Mary Krupski. The farmland, which includes five agricultural structures, will increase the acreage at the Ag Center to 98 acres and will be made available for leasing to local farmers through the Initiative.

The transaction was completed through a Like-Kind Exchange, with the Trust transferring ownership of a 16.8 acre parcel -- donated to the Trust by Anne and Thomas J. Hubbard -- located in Peconic, a location closer to the Krupski's current farm operation.

"To keep farming viable on the East End, farmland trades are an important part of any land holding strategy. Today, we've worked with the Krupski's to enhance both the operations of the Trust's Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm and the Krupski's farm -- we see this transaction as not only benefiting us, but also the broader Southold community," said Trust President John v.H. Halsey.

This week's Suffolk Times includes an article on the Agricultural Center, including this latest transaction. Click here for the Trust's press release.

Land Trust Community in New York Honors Trust President
John v.H. Halsey at Land Conservation Summit in West Point

The New York Land Conservation Summit, hosted by over a dozen land trusts from across the state, honored Peconic Land Trust President John v.H. Halsey for his leadership, commitment and innovation. The award was presented by Land Trust Alliance New York Advisory Board chair Seth McKee of Scenic Hudson, and former Chair Becky Thornton of Dutchess Land Conservancy. 

At the Summit's luncheon on April 11th, John was presented with a beautiful image of the Hudson Valley by noted photographer Steve Gordon, with an inscription: To John Halsey and the Peconic Land Trust for their outstanding leadership, spirit of innovation and generous support of New York's land conservation community. Together we are saving the places that New Yorker's love. And, includes the quote: "I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want to own," Andy Warhol.

The sold-out conference, with 250 land trust professionals and volunteers from across the state, featured over 50 presenters and covered topics ranging from advances in stewardship monitoring and trails management to new strategies to assure that protected farmland is accessible and affordable for farmers. Other topics included conservation easement issues regarding climate change adaptation, modifications and terminations, urban land conservation, land conservation financing, understanding the State budget and funding opportunities, fundraising and marketing.

Peconic Land Trust's Dawn Haight was the conference coordinator and was also recognized for her important role in the success of the Summit. 

Michael Gerrard, director of Columbia University's Center for Climate Change Law, was the conference luncheon keynote speaker. Read the transcript of his remarks to the conference here.

Visit our Facebook page for more photos from the Summit.  

Suffolk County Planning Commission and East Hampton Town Hold Roundtable on Agriculture  

Peconic Land Trust's John v.H. Halsey, Kim Quarty, and Scott Chaskey participated in a roundtable discussion with elected officials, local farmers, and policymakers on the future of farming on the East End. The discussion emphasized the recognition that saving farmland from development isn't enough; saving farmland for farming needs to be the priority.

The roundtable was hosted by the Suffolk County Planning Commission and East Hampton Town. Issues impacting farmers, including the affordability of farmland, approval process for farm structures, worker housing, water quality, and estate taxes were discussed. More than two dozen farmers participated, along with elected officials including Congressman Tim Bishop, County Legislator Jay Schneiderman, and East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell. The consensus at the meeting indicated
the County and the Town were interested in seeking ways to support agricultural efforts, and to help assure that protected farmland is used for agricultural purposes.

Click here for coverage of the discussion in the East Hampton Star.

Environmental Protection Fund Increased to $162 million in New York State Budget

Thank you to everyone who reached out to your local legislators in support of the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). The EPF, created 21 years ago in 1993, is the primary funding source for conservation programs in New York State, including open space and farmland protection.
The final budget saw the Fund increase to $162 million -- $9 million over the last fiscal year. This funding includes $21.65 million for open space land conservation and $14 million for farmland protection.

The EPF also includes funding for the Conservation Partnership Program (CPP), a grant program administered by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the Land Trust Alliance to support capacity building and program development for land trusts across the State, a program that has been beneficial to the Peconic Land Trust's successes in past years -- including support for acquisition as well as our Farms for the Future Initiative. Funding for this program increased from $1.575 million to $2 million.

Please join us in thanking Governor Andrew Cuomo and our legislators for their support of the Environmental Protection Fund, including: 
  • Environmental Conservation Committee Chairs: Assemblyman Robert Sweeney and Senator Mark Grisante
  • Suffolk County Senators: Kenneth LaValle, John Flanagan, Lee Zeldin, Phil Boyle and Carl Marcellino
  • Suffolk County Assembly Members: Fred Thiele, Jr., Anthony Palumbo, Edward Hennessey, Steven Englebright, Alfred Graf, Philip Ramos, Andrew Garbarino, Michael Fitzpatrick, Joseph Saladino, Chad Lupinacci, and Andrew Raia.
 
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ConnectionsUpcoming Connections Events:  
 

Bridge Gardens is open weekends through the end of October -- and summer hours begin on Friday, May 23!  

Want a peek at early Spring? Check out these two blog essays:  
April 26: Annual Volunteer Orientation -- two locations
North Fork Stewardship EmilyNatalieinterns Center (Cutchogue) or

Bridge Gardens (Bridgehampton). 10 am to noon.  Join us for our annual orientation for volunteers and find out how you can make a difference! Learn about the variety of programs and activities the Trust organizes and the important role volunteers have in our conservation and educational work. For more information, contact Outreach Manager Kathy Kennedy at 631.283.3195 ext. 29 or email [email protected].

 

April 26: Earth Day Celebration at Downs Farm Preserve, Main Rd, Cutchogue.

10 am to 2 pm. Bring your children to this fun community event, sponsored by many local environmental organizations, and organized by Group for the East End. Plant vegetable seeds at our table, meet live animals, enjoy arts and crafts and face painting, go on guided trail walks, buy native plants, and more - all FREE! Rain cancels.  

  

May 3: 5th Annual Peconic Family Fun Day at Children's Museum of the East End (CMEE), Bridgehampton Turnpike, Bridgehampton. 10 am to noon.  A FREE carnival of hands on activities, including arts & crafts, vegetable seed planting, fish print t-shirts, guided nature walks with SoFO, and more. Music from the Bridgehampton School Marimba Band.  Rain or shine. 

 

May 10: Composting Workshop at the Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm, 3005 Youngs Avenue. 10 am to noon. Led by Frank Arnold and Sandra Menasha of Cornell Cooperative Extension -- learn how to make compost the biodynamic way. $5/person. Heavy rain cancels.  

 

May 17: Transplanting Day at Quail Hill Farm, Deep Lane, Amagansett, 10am to noon.  Join us for this annual stewardship day when we transplant this year's vegetable seedlings into the fertile soils of Quail Hill Farm. Many hands make light work - join us and develop a new appreciation for the amazing fruits and vegetables at the farm! FREE, heavy rain cancels. 

 

May 17: Composting Workshop at Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton, 10 am to noon. Led by Frank Arnold and Garden Manager Rick Bogusch - this hands-on workshop will help you learn to make compost the biodynamic way. $5/person. Heavy rain cancels. 

 

May 24: 6th Annual New Suffolk Chowderfest, at the Waterfront, New Suffolk,  

Noon to 3 pm. Join your friends and neighbors at this annual beachside event hosted by the New Suffolk Waterfront Fund - featuring locally prepared chowders, barbecue, live music, activities, games and more! Co-sponsored by the Trust, all proceeds benefit the revitalization of the Waterfront property. For tickets and information, visit www.NewSuffolkWaterfront.org. Rain date: Monday, May 26. 

 

May 31: Shellfisher Tour and Tasting,Southold, 3 to 4:30 pm. Get an insider's tour of this shellfish hatchery, led by Preserve Manager Marty Byrnes and Karen Rivara, owner of Aeros Cultured Oyster Co. Learn how shellfish are grown and planted in the bay bottom, and finish with a tasting of fresh-from-the-water oysters and local wine. $15/person, limited to 20. Reservations required. Heavy rain cancels. 

 

Visit our online calendar for more information on our Connections activities! 

 

 

Bridge Gardens Annual "Conversations with . . . "
Concludes on April 27 with "Fruits of the Sea"


Thank you to everyone who has joined us this spring for the series, Long Island Grown: Food and Beverage Artisans at Work. We've had sold out attendance at each of our programs. The four-part series, which showcased dynamic and innovative growers and producers, concludes this Sunday, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with "Fruits of the Sea" featuring a conversation with Karen Rivara of Noank Cooperative, Sean Barrett of Dock to Dish, and SPAT grower Joe Tremblay. Chef/Author Laura Donnelly will be our moderator. Light refreshments will be served following the program.  Media sponsor:  Edible East End. Tickets are: Bridge Gardens Members: $20 per member; $25 per non-members. Space is very limited and prepaid reservations are a must.

 

Open Spaces: Plein Air Peconic  

Ashawagh Hall, Springs   

Mother's Day Weekend: Friday, May 9 through Sunday, May 11  

Meet the Artists Reception: Saturday, May 10, 5 to 8 pm.   

 

         

 Paintings by: (left to right): Keith Mantell, Aubrey Grainger, Gordon Matheson  

 

View a collection of new works by the artists of Plein Air Peconic, including outstanding larger works, and featuring places both near and far. The show offers a looser interpretation of the art form, with expressionist and abstract styles in addition to the painterly realism often associated with the group.  All work is for sale and a percentage of all sales will be donated to the Peconic Land Trust by the artists. For more information, visit www.PleinAirPeconic.com.  

 

 

For more information on Connections programs, visit our online calendar or call Kathy Kennedy at 631.283.3195, ext. 29. For reservations, email Robin Harris at [email protected] or call 631.283.3195 ext. 19.

  

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antiquesSAVE THE DATE!


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memberships2014 Memberships:
Quail Hill Farm CSA
Ag Center Community Gardens
Bridge Gardens

It's that time of year! Now is the time to join, openings are available for:

Quail Hill Farm's CSA: 2014 will be the 25th anniversary year for one of the oldest  CSAs in the country. Offering over hundreds of varieties of vegetables, fruits and flowers on 30 acres in Amagansett, Quail Hill Farm's CSA is unique with a mix of pick-your-own and farm stand. Summer CSA share season begin in early June. For more information, contact Robin Harris at 631.283.3195 ext. 19.

Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm's Community Gardens: Now in its 5th season, the Ag Center's Community Gardens in Southold offer a variety of plot sizes for you to grow your own vegetables, flowers and fruits -- and meet new friends and learn about gardening. For more information, contact North Fork Stewardship Manager Denise Markut at 631.734.5630.

Bridge Gardens: This unique public garden in the heart of Bridgehampton offers memberships for individuals and families. Support the Gardens' growth by joining today and visit often. Membership also includes discounts to the many talks, workshops and music nights held at the gardens over the season -- including our Conversations with series currently underway. For more information, contact Thomas Hobson
at 631.283.3195 ext. 20.  


To keep up to date with the Peconic Land Trust


Like us on Facebook: 
www.Facebook.com/PeconicLandTrust
www.Facebook.com/QuailHillFarm
www.Facebook.com/BridgeGardens
www.Facebook.com/Agricultural-Center-at-Charnews-Farm

Follow us on Twitter: 
 @PeconicLandTrus 
      

For more information about news and events of the Trust,

visit our website at  

www.PeconicLandTrust.org or call 631.283.3195. 

         

Consider donating today to our 2014 Annual Fund.
Your gift supports the conservation of the farms and natural lands you enjoy!  
Please help us further reduce our carbon footprint. 
If you change your address, or would like to receive all (or some) of your communications from the Peconic Land Trust by email, let us know!  
Contact Janet Schutt, Systems Manager, at 631.283.3195 ext. 24  
or email her at [email protected].  
Thank you for all you do in support of conservation in our communities!

Peconic Land Trust conserves Long Island's working farms, natural lands, and heritage for our communities now and in the future.

To learn more, call us at 631.283.3195 or visit us online at www.PeconicLandTrust.org.
  
Financial Disclosure Statement: A copy of the last financial report filed with the New York State Attorney General may be obtained in writing to: New York State Attorney General's Charities Bureau, Attn: FOIL Officer, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271 or Peconic Land Trust, PO Box 1776, Southampton, NY 11969.