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The Latest News from the Peconic Land Trust
March 2, 2016
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 Preserve of the Month: Wolf Preserve
In April 2003, Mrs. Lenore Wolf left an incredible legacy for the community through a testamentary gift to the Trust in her will: 20 acres of woodlands along Main Bayview Road in Southold (south of Rambler Road). Lenore's love of nature and wildlife inspired her to make this gift so that "people would have a place to breathe and renew their connection to the land." The Wolf Preserve includes habitat for a wide variety of fauna with vibrant wetlands, meadows, and woodlands. The Wolf Preserve was opened to the public in 2006 with two trails winding through the property. Click here for a trail map.
All of us at the Trust are proud to have enabled Lenore to fulfill her wish to provide her community with the Wolf Preserve as an enduring natural asset for all to enjoy. Indeed, she is a wonderful example to us all. To learn more about legacy gifts and their impact, contact Rebecca A. Chapman at 631.283.3195.
The image makes a great screen saver! Click on the photo image and save to your desktop -- and enjoy its beauty all month long. Each month we'll highlight a new preserve for you!
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Ag Capital Grant:
9 Projects Pre-Approved
Application Process is Still Open
 Since launching last summer, nine grants have received pre-approval for funding through the $1 million Agricultural Capital Equipment Grant program, which reimburses agriculture and aquaculture farm operations for investment in equipment and infrastructure. Click here for details on eligibility. Up to $25,000 in reimbursement is available per farm operation. Examples of the pre-approved projects include: - Paul McCormick of Green Gun Shellfish for a skiff and outboard motor to start an oyster farm in Moriches Bay
- Mays Farm in Wading River for converting its greenhouses from electric to fuel efficient and cost effective natural gas
- Kawasaki Greenhouse in Center Moriches to produce sedum mats for green roofing and
- Chris Wines of Riverhead for infrastructure costs related to converting his family's potato farm to a dairy farm for milk, including fencing, irrigation, a manure spreader for the cows and an 80-gallon milk tank.
Please help us continue to spread the word to your friends in the farming community. These funds can make a difference . . . apply today! For more information, contact Thomas Hobson at 631.283.3195 ext. 20. The Peconic Land Trust is administrating the grant, with funding from Empire State Development and support from the Long Island Community Foundation. |
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Lend Your Voice:
Environmental Protection Fund
Governor Proposes $300 Million Budget;
Senate & Assembly Budget Proposals Expected Soon
Thanks to the efforts of many -- most importantly you -- we are optimistic about significantly increased funding for the Environmental Protection Fund. Governor Andrew Cuomo has proposed a $300 million EPF in his Executive Budget, and we are hoping to see comparable proposals from the Senate and the Assembly.
Please let your member of the NYS Senate and Assembly know how important funding for environmental programs is to you and your family. The EPF funds vital programs that impact our environment: water quality programs, natural lands conservation efforts, farmland protection programs, enhance public access to recreational lands, community gardens, grants to land trusts, and so much more. Not only does funding provide for land protection and improved quality of life, but also provides important economic benefits across the state by supporting job growth in many industries including tourism and agriculture. Please continue to lend your voice to this important funding program:
To contact your Senator, click here for a directory.
To contact your Assembly member, click here for a directory.
Want to learn more? Contact Julie Zaykowski, Director of Administration, at 631.283.3195.
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Conservation News:
Megan and Scott Chaskey Conserve Family Land
in Corrales, NM with the New Mexico Land Conservancy
 In 2015, Megan and Scott Chaskey realized their dream and permanently protected three critical acres of irrigated farmland in Corrales, New Mexico. As you may know, Scott is our Director at Quail Hill Farm, a renowned poet and farmer. Megan and Scott's lives have been devoted to organic farming, the local farm movement, and land conservation and have been strong advocates and leaders in the community here on the East End and across the country.
The land, inherited by Megan and her brother from their father, Blair Boyd, "holds fond childhood memories of summer vacations share with her family along the Rio Grande" as expressed in a recent newsletter article of the New Mexico Land Conservancy. The land is currently in cover crop, with plans to be back in food production this season by two organic farmers from the Corrales community.
Join us in thanking Megan & Scott for their commitment to conservation both here on Long Island and in New Mexico!
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Committee Spotlight: Public Policy
 The Trust's Public Policy Committee, co-chaired by board members Nancy Goell and Herbert Stroebel, provides guidance to our staff on issues related to local, state, and national legislation -- from the federal Farm Bill to the NYS Environmental Protection Fund to the County's Farmland Preservation program, to agricultural policies and natural lands programs at each of the Towns.
A key facet of the meetings is dialogue with legislators from various levels of government and experts from different fields regarding the land and resources that are so important to our lives on Long Island. These interactive sessions provide further insight into the challenges and opportunities that we face while providing the Trust with the data we need to define and support public policies that conserve and protect what we know and love in our communities.
Would you like to get more involved in public policy? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Julie Zaykowski, Director of Administration, at 631.283.3195.
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Connections:
March Programs Highlight the Promise of Spring!
Perfect Earth Project's Toxin-Free Lawn & Landcaping Seminar
Thursday, March 3, 8:30 am to 2:30 pm
Riverhead Firehouse, 540 Roanoke Avenue, Riverhead
 Interested in learning a toxin-free approach to lawns and landscapes? Plan to join us at the 2nd annual seminar, offered in partnership with Perfect Earth Project and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County. Presentations on water-friendly techniques, making and using compost and compost tea for better soil health, and info from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation on contract and posting requirements -- this seminar is designed for both the landscape professional and the home gardener. $25/advance or $30/day of event registration. Includes breakfast & lunch. For tickets: Perfect Earth Project.
Carnivorous Plants with Matt Kaelin
 Saturday, March 12, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton
Carnivorous plants are found around the world and many call Long Island home. Join us as we host author, artist and carnivorous plant specialist Matt Kaelin for a presentation that includes his stunning photographs that depict their rich colors and macabre beauty. Matt's upcoming book, The Sinister Beauty of Carnivorous Plants, is scheduled for release by Schiffer Publishing in May.
$10/person. Free to Bridge Gardens members. Space is limited. Registration required.
Long Island Natural History Conference
March 18 through 20
 Berkner Auditorium, Brookhaven National Laboratory,Upton, NY
We are pleased to once again be a sponsor for the largest forum on Long Island's natural environment. Perfect for anyone interested in the sciences, this symposium covers up-to-the-minute research from the fields of biology and natural history -- and features fantastic field trips. For more information, including the full schedule of workshops, presenters and fields trips, visit www.LongIslandNature.org
Starting Seeds at the Farm Saturday, March 19, 10:00 am to noon  Quail Hill Farm, Deep Lane, Amagansett
Extra hands are needed! Join us for our yearly visit to our Quail Hill Farm to work alongside Scott Chaskey and Layton Guenther as they prepare the seed trays for this year's crops. A fun program for the whole family! Free! Rain or shine.
 Avalon Park & Preserve: Movie & a Reading Thursday, March 10, 7:00 pm Avalon Barn, 200 Harbor Road, Stony Brook, NY
Take a trip to this stunning park and preserve in Stony Brook and stay for an insightful evening on seeds, with a screening of M. Sean Kaminsky's Open Sesame: The Story of Seeds
followed by a reading by Scott Chaskey from his latest book Seedtime: On the History, Husbandry, Politics and Promise of Seeds.
Space is limited. To reserve, email:
 Watercolors at Bridge Gardens: For all our artist (and budding artist) friends, Lois Bender will continue to offer watercolor classes on Saturdays in March. Join us in the garden house at Bridge Gardens -- it's a great way to spend the afternoon -- to develop your drawing and painting skills, and get a peek at the late winter and early spring blooms as they emerge throughout the garden. Lois' classes are great for all levels of artists. For more information, and to register, please visit her website at www.GardenSpiritsNY.com.
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JOIN TODAY:
Quail Hill Farm Summer Memberships Now Available!
This is the perfect time to Join Quail Hill Farm for the 2016 Summer Season. Shareholders harvest from the farm stand and the fields from June through October. With over 500 varieties of vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit grown on 35 acres of fertile soil in Amagansett, it's a great way to get out on the land, get your hands in the soil, meet new friends and enjoy fresh, local organic produce all summer long.
Bridge Gardens Opens for the 2016 Season on April 2
Bridge Gardens opens for the season on April 2! Help us keep the gardens blooming by becoming a member. Covering five acres in the heart of Bridgehampton, Bridge Gardens is not only a beautiful garden to explore and enjoy, but also provides educational programs and demonstration areas that focus on sustainable lawn and landscaping -- all of which can be applied to your home garden.
PS: The Community Gardens at Bridge Gardens are currently all full for 2016, but we do have a waiting list. Call Thomas Hobson at 631.283.3195 if you would like to learn more.
Community Gardens at the Ag Center at Charnews Farm
In the Southold area? The Community Gardens at the Ag Center -- now in their 7th season -- is a great place to learn about growing your own food and getting your hands in the soil. The Ag Center offers raised and in-ground beds -- from 4'x12' to 20'x30' protected by deer fencing, and with irrigation and access to a communal shed with gardening tools. Staff from the Ag Center are on hand to offer advice in addition to the peer-to-peer mentoring available from your fellow gardeners.
Want to learn more? Contact Denise Markut at 631.734.5630. Orientation for the community gardeners at the Ag Center will be on Saturday, April 30 at 10:00 am. We hope you will join us!
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SOLD OUT!
Long Island Grown: Food & Beverage Artisans at Work Stay Tuned: A Recap Video of the Program
Will be Available Soon
Our annual spring lecture series at Bridge Gardens, featuring lively discussions with the dynamic women and men growing, creating, and producing amazing local food, wines, beer and more is sold out!
Thanks again to our moderator Laura Donnelly -- pastry chef, and food writer for the East Hampton Star -- and our media sponsor Edible East End.
Speakers include: Vaughan Cutillo of Montauk Brewing Co., Michael Kontokosta
of Kontokosta Winery, Chef Noah Schwartz of Noah's, Nadia Ernestus of Hamptons Brine, Mirijana Ujkic of Wild Feast Foods, Chef Tom Schaudel of The Petulant Wino, Patty Gentry of Early Girl Farm, Richie King of North Sea Farms, Chef Joseph Realmuto of Nick & Toni's, Ed Tuccio of North Quarter Farm, Alexander Damianos of Duckwalk Vineyard, Patricia DiVello of Patty's Berries and Bunches, and Tom Wickham of Wickham's Fruit Farm.
Watch Now: Volunteer Geoffrey Wells produced a wonderful video essay on the 2015 Long Island Grown Series . . . and will be producing a new video for 2016!
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Peconic Land Trust conserves Long Island's working farms, natural lands and heritage for our communities now and in the future.
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.
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