The Latest News and Upcoming Programs from the Peconic Land Trust.

For a full calendar of upcoming programs, visit our website.

May 1, 2015

Recognition:

US EPA Champion Award and SCHS Living Treasures Award

Peconic Land Trust's Conservation Work Honored in April

US Environmental Protection Agency: Champion Award (Region 2)

What a wonderful surprise! Thank you to Congressman Lee Zeldin for nominating us and to Region 2 Administrator Judith Enck and the staff at the US Environmental Protection Agency for this important recognition. Each year, the US EPA awards organizations and individuals from Region 2 (New York, New Jersey, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) with its Champion Award -- the EPA's highest recognition presented to the public for outstanding commitment to protecting and enhancing

environmental quality and public health.

We were thrilled to join over 50 individuals, businesses and organizations this past Friday for the awards ceremony in New York City -- including our friends at Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, Watershed Agricultural Council, Michael Reichel/Riverhead Sewer District among many others. Read more . . .

Suffolk County Historical Society: 1st Annual Living Treasures Award

On Sunday, April 26, the Suffolk County Historical Society presented its first Living Treasures Awards, in recognition of individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to Suffolk County in the arts, culture, history, and preservation thereby enhancing the heritage of Suffolk County and the quality of life of its citizens.

Peconic Land Trust's founder and President, John v.H. Halsey was among the inaugural recipients, alongside Dr. Richard Wines, Dr. John Strong, artist David Ebner, and the Association of Suffolk County Historical Societies.

Thank you to both the US EPA and the Suffolk County Historical Society for their recognition of the Peconic Land Trust's Conservation Work! We are fortunate to be among the many inspiring individuals and organizations recognized by both organizations.

Grant News:

Peconic Land Trust Receives NYS Conservation Partnership Program Grant through the Environmental Protection Fund

Grant will fund Trust's work with Southampton Town to Update

Town's Strategy for Farm and Farmland Preservation

The Trust's Dawn Haight with NYS DEC's Joe Martens and Southampton Town Councilwoman Bridget Fleming at the grants announcement.

Creating new tools to assure a future for working farms and the business of farming in Southampton in the face of rising property values and intense development pressures, a new grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation -- through the Conservation Partnership Program -- will support the Trust's work to update Southampton Town's Strategy for farm and farmland preservation.

"The Peconic Land Trust has been a remarkable partner to the Town in assisting with the development of strategies and programs to protect the farming industry on the East End. Like all good policy, these programs and approaches must be re-evaluated from time to time in response to changing conditions and needs, and this grant offers a timely opportunity to do so in a comprehensive way with the assistance of a highly capable and well-informed organization," said Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst.

"I am pleased that the Town of Southampton has the opportunity to continue our beneficial relationship with the Peconic Land Trust, as we continue to explore critically important strategies to keep our local farms in food production. We hope and expect that others throughout New York State can learn from our experiences and planning as we face the realities of supporting farms and the business of farming in the face of significant pressure toward development because, after all, "farm" is a verb," said Southampton Town Councilwoman Bridget Fleming.

The grant is funded through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund.
Read more . . .

Quail Hill Farm

Join Today and Become a Member of One of the

First CSA Farms in the Country

With over 30 acres of prime agricultural soil in cultivation, Quail Hill Farm is under the direction of poet/farmer Scott Chaskey. Over 500 varieties of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers are grown in the fields, offering members an amazing variety of fresh produce each week.

A truly unique experience, members of the farm participate in the harvesting - offering a perfect place to introduce your children, grandchildren, family and friends to where their food comes from . . . an idyllic,

pastoral place with magic in the air. Summer Shares run from June through October -- when Winter Shares become available and run into early February. New this year: a limited number of Summer Box Shares for members who are unable to harvest in the fields.

Want to learn more? We are hosting a transplanting day on Saturday, May 16. This is a great opportunity to come and join Scott, Layton, the apprentices, and volunteers as we move the

seedlings from the greenhouses into the fields. We meet at the farm at 10 am. To RSVP call 631.283.3195 or email to Events@PeconicLandTrust.org.

For more information on the farm, and farm shares, visit our website or call 631.283.3195.

We hope to see you in the fields of Quail Hill this summer!

Farms for the Future: Meet the Farmers

Both New and Returning Farm Operations are Underway at the

Trust's North and South Fork Hubs

We are excited to welcome both long-time partners and new farmers at our agricultural preserves on both the North and the South Forks.

Quail Hill Farm/Deborah Light Preserve/Town Lane Preserve: Amagansett

Balsam Farms: vegetables, herbs, flowers and more. CSA & farmstand & farmers markets.
Amber Waves Farm: vegetables, herbs, flowers and more. CSA and farmers markets.
Bees' Needs: Mary Woltz, beekeeper. Find her honey at local farmstands and farmers markets.
Amagansett Sea Salt: salt from our local oceans, with local herbs. Local shops and farmers markets.
Bhumi Farms: vegetables, herbs, flowers and more. CSA and farmstand.
World Wide Le Lapin: rabbits.
Blue Chestnut Hop Farm: hops.

Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm: Southold

Sang Lee Farms: Asian vegetables and more. CSA and farmstand.
Invincible Summer Farms: heirloom tomatoes, peppers and more. CSA and online farmstand.
From Scratch Farm: pasture-raised chickens. CSA.
Akio Shoji: Japanese vegetables.
KLM Mushrooms: mushrooms. Online and farmers markets.
The Growing Seed: vegetables and home gardening services.
Wild Feast Foods: vegetables and custom catering.
The Farm Beyond: cover crop trials this summer. Future plans for vegetable CSA.

For more information on our Farms for the Future Initiative, contact Dan Heston, Senior Manager of Agriculture Programs, or Luke McKay, Project Manager, at 631.283.3195.

Bridge Gardens 2015 Season

Sustainable Gardening Programs, Peconic Estuary Program's Reward Program, Free Lawn Advice, and New Notecard Series

Changes are happening at Bridge Gardens! The season is officially underway, and improvements to the grounds, planting beds, entrance and rose garden continue to be made. Come visit, or become a member! Garden Members have complete access to the gardens throughout the season to stroll with a friend, and take it all in at their leisure.

Anytime you visit, please seek out Garden Manager Rick Bogusch . . . he's always available to answer questions and offer advice on gardening practices. Our community gardeners are just getting started, and the demonstration turf beds that were installed in the fall are starting to come to life. Come see how the four different types of lawn seed are growing.

We are also pleased to welcome back Ed Hagmeyer, who

has returned this spring to work with Rick. Ed has worked as a native plant gardener and on an organic farm before joining us at Bridge Gardens -- where he makes the daily commute from Rocky Point "which is so worth it once I get here," adds Ed.

Among his favorite places in Bridge Gardens are the vegetable gardens, but more specifically, the new community gardens. "The fact that people are coming here and gardening -- alongside Rick and I -- is really fun and exciting. The community gardens are bringing Bridge Gardens to the next level of engagement with the public. It is great to see people gardening here," said Ed.

Paul Wagner of Treewise Organics and Soil FoodWeb New York has also returned to Bridge Gardens to provide homeowners and landscapers with free Expert Advice on sustainable lawn care and landscaping. Paul will be at the gardens every Wednesday from 2 to 5 pm. Stop in to visit with your questions or email him at LawnExpert@PeconicLandTrust.org.

Check out our Connections calendar for more educational programs at the garden, offered all season long. Our educational program is in partnership with Perfect Earth Project, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, and the Peconic Estuary Program.

Did you know? The Peconic Estuary Program has a rewards program for homeowners in the Peconic Estuary watershed area who remove turf and pavement and add native vegetation areas and/or rain barrels to their properties. Homeowners can earn up to $500 to offset the expenses. Want to learn more? Click here.

NEW: Bridge Gardens Notecards. With images from Jeff Heatley's series on Bridge Gardens, this delightful 8-card set features images of both a sense of place and botanicals from each of the 4 seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Makes a great gift -- and an ideal way to remember your visits to Bridge Gardens all year long. $12/set of 8 cards. Visit our website or call 631.283.3195 to get your set today!

~~~~~~~~~~

A Special Thank You to RB Irrigation for

joining Bridge Gardens

as a corporate sponsor for 2015!

For information on how you can join RB in sponsoring

the Gardens this year, call us!

Thank you also to Goldman Sachs and Macy's -- both organizations will be sponsoring Corporate Volunteer Days at Bridge Gardens this Spring! We look forward to working with their teams at Bridge Gardens.

~~~~~~~

Did you renew your membership to Bridge Gardens for 2015 yet?

Now is the perfect time to renew or join Bridge Gardens as a member!

We offer individual, family and corporate memberships.

Help us continue to sustain Bridge Gardens . . . bring a friend

to explore the garden with you throughout the season.

The Gardens are open weekends from April through October,

with additional open days and hours between Memorial and Labor Days.

To learn more, call us at 631.283.3195 or visit our website.

Upcoming Connections . . .

May & June Connections: Hope to See You!

Saturday, May 2: 6th Annual Peconic Family Fun Day, 10 am to noon

Children's Museum of the East End,
376 Bridgehampton Turnpike, Bridgehampton

Join us for a family day at CMEE! Games, arts & crafts, vegetable seed planting, guided walks, music from the Bridgehampton Schools' Marimba Band and more! Free. Sponsored by CMEE, Peconic Land Trust, Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt, South Fork Natural History Museum (SoFo), Sylvester Manor Educational Farm, Ross School, Group for the East End, and Peconic Estuary Program.

Friday, May 8: National Public Gardens Day! 10:30 am to 4 pm

Have you visited the three public gardens found on Eastern Long Island recently? Please join us to experience the wonders of these three special places. Free one-hour tours are scheduled at the following:

LongHouse Reserve starting at 10:30 am in East Hampton
Madoo Conservancy starting at 1:00 pm in Sagaponack
Bridge Gardens starting at 3:00 pm in Bridgehampton.

All tours and visits are free in celebration of National Public Gardens Day. Reservations for the tours are requested at 631.283.3195 or Events@PeconicLandTrust.org

Unable to make the scheduled tour time? Admission is free all day at each of these gardens for you to enjoy the gardens at your own pace.

Also, Southampton Town's Flanders Community Garden is having an open house on Saturday, May 9 from 9:00 am to noon. All are welcome. 655 Flanders Road, Flanders.

Saturday, May 9: The Herb Garden with Heather Cusack, 9:00 to 10:30 am

Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm, 3005 Youngs Avenue, Southold

Join us for part 1 of a season-long series of garden workshops led by herbalist Heather Cusack. This month explore the magical world of wild and cultivated herbs, starting with a walk to the herb garden. Learn to identify culinary and medicinal herbs. We'll look for wild herbs, harvest some edibles, sample herb teas and learn how to make a tincture and flower essence. You will leave with your own herb plant.

$20/person. Materials included. Reservation required at 631.283.3195 or Events@PeconicLandTrust.org

Saturday, May 9: Signs of Spring on the Peconic River, 9:30 am to noon

South River Road, Riverhead

Join us for a paddle along the Peconic River with wildlife biologist Mike Bottini. Mike will guide us on a 2.5-mile nature paddle to explore the scenic portion of Long Island's longest river. Kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals are available. Rain cancels. $10/person (without rental). Call to reserve today - 631.283.3195 or Events@PeconicLandTrust.org

Saturday, May 9: Building Your Soil from Compost to Fertilizer, 10:00 am to noon

Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton

Healthy soil is critical to healthy plants. Meet Paul Wagner of Soil Foodweb New York and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist for a presentation on the differences between compost and fertilizer, and learn how to make your own compost and compost tea.

$5/person, free to Bridge Gardens members. Rain or shine.

Monday, May 11: Chocolate Talk and Tasting to Benefit the Trust, with Hampton Chocolate Factory, 4:00 to 5:30 pm

La Parmigiana's Wine Bar, 48 Hampton Road, Southampton

Join us for an afternoon of learning and deliciousness with Hampton Chocolate Factory's Caroline Gappelberg. Taste some of their amazing artisan chocolates and learn more about chocolate from around the world. Chocolate will be for sale -- with 15% donated to the Peconic Land Trust. Wine by the glass will also be available for purchase.

Free to attend. Space is limited, and reservations are requested at 631.283.3195 or Events@PeconicLandTrust.org

Also, save the date for these upcoming programs:

May 16: Can Nature Always Provide Free Pollination Services? At the Ag Center in Southold
May 16: Transplanting Day at Quail Hill Farm in Amagansett
NEW: May 23: Photography Lecture with Dency Kane, sponsored by the Southampton Rose Society, at Bridge Gardens in Bridgehampton
May 23: New Suffolk Waterfront Fund's Annual Chowderfest, New Suffolk
June 6: NoFo Spring House and Farm Tour in Cutchogue
NEW: June 6: Secrets of Growing a "Queen of Show" Hybrid Tea with Peter Bertrand. This program is sponsored by the Southampton Rose Society, at Bridge Gardens in Bridgehampton
June 13: Pests and Diseases of the Lawn and Landscape at Bridge Gardens in Bridgehampton
June 20: Part II of the Herb Garden with Heather Cusack at the Ag Center in Southold

For more information on Connections programs,

visit our website or call 631.283.3195 or email to Events@PeconicLandTrust.org.

also for budding and experienced artists . . .

Watercolor at the Gardens with
Lois Bender at Bridge Gardens

Artist/educator Lois Bender returns to Bridge Gardens with her series of watercolor classes on May 9, 16, and 23. Why not join in and develop your inner artist? Classes continue through the summer.

For more information and to register, visit Lois website at www.GardenSpiritsNY.com.

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, email to info@PeconicLandTrust.org 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.

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 JSchutt@PeconicLandTrust.org.

Thank you for all you do in support of conservation in our communities!