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The Latest News from the Peconic Land Trust
May 17, 2016
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Preserve of the Month
Nature's Preserve
North Sea, Southampton
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On October 24, 2009, the Peconic Land Trust joined with the Southampton Trails Preservation Society, the Group for the East End and the Town of Southampton to celebrate the life of Kurt Billing (known as Nature to many of his friends) and honor his memory with the dedication of the Kurt Billing Memorial Trailhead at the Tuckahoe Hills Preserve and with the dedication and the renaming of the Trust's Big Fresh Pond Preserve to Nature's Preserve.
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Kurt, second from the left, with Trust staff December 2006
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Nature's Preserve -- a 1.1-acre freshwater wetland and upland on Big Fresh Pond -- was conserved in 1986 due, in large part, to Kurt. Only in his late twenties at the time, Kurt took out a personal loan to assist in the purchase of this property, an inspiration to other Nature lovers. Over the course of many years, Kurt led the charge to preserve Tuckahoe Woods, the pristine wetlands, woodlands, streams and creeks that make up the natural lands surrounding Big Fresh Pond. He engaged numerous public and private agencies in his efforts to promote the beauty and fragility of the area and ultimately garnered the support necessary for its protection. The conservation of over 160 acres would not have been possible without his unswerving dedication and commitment.
This weekend is a perfect time to get out and explore . . . and take a moment to remember Kurt and his dedication to our natural lands. Click here for a trail map of Tuckahoe Woods provided by the Southampton Trails Preservation Society.
Do you know a property in your neighborhood that could be protected? Contact Melanie Cirillo, Director of Conservation Planning, to learn more about all of the possibilities!
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Conservation News
Russ McCall Protects Farmland for Food
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Russell C. McCall of McCall Wines has protected 29 acres in Mattituck for growing food by donating additional restrictions on the land to the Trust. "All of us at the Trust thank Russ for his commitment to conserving Long Island's working farmland," said John v.H. Halsey, President, Peconic Land Trust.
 "As a landowner and a farmer, I feel an obligation to respect the land and to help ensure, when possible, that it is available for food production for future generations. By applying these additional restrictions to the farmland, our hope is it serves as a model for other landowners to use in their preservation efforts," said Russ. "This direction for farmland preservation, where land use can be voluntarily specified for future use, is a direction we hope to promote." To learn more about the land and Russ' donation, and the new conservation tools being used to protect land for food, click here.
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Southold Town Protects 35+ Acres of Farmland this Spring
with 2 Farm Families: Biggane and Calabrese
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Earlier this spring, the Trust assisted the Town of Southold and two local families with the protection of two farmland parcels in Cutchogue that have added to important assemblages of protected farmland in the community: 
- 18.592 acres with John C. and Margaret B. Biggane -- through the purchase of development rights of the productive farmland (pictured right). The Biggane farmland is located on the Eastern-most area of the expansive Oregon Road farm belt.
- 16.577 acres with John and Joanne Calabrese -- through the purchase of development rights which was in part funded by a grant from New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The land, which is mostly in vines, is off Main Road to the west of Bridge Lane. The Calabrese farmland is one of the last unprotected properties off the Main Road and is adjacent to a large assemblage of protected farmland.
Thank you to the Calabrese and the Biggane families for your decisions to further conservation of farmland in Southold and to the Town for its commitment to preserve its agricultural heritage. The Trust is proud to have worked with the Town for many years on farmland preservation projects, including both Biggane and Calabrese.
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$30,000 Grant to Assist Riverhead in the
Revitalization of its Farmland and Open Space Preservation Programs
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 During Earth Week, the Trust received the news that we were awarded a grant to work with the Town of Riverhead to help jump start its preservation efforts, with a specific eye toward the revitalization of the Transfer of Development Rights program. The Trust will also help to identify opportunities for private funding for future preservation efforts. There are hundreds of acres of unprotected working farms and natural habitat, including woodlands and wetlands, that could be protected and have a positive impact on the overall community -- residents and visitors alike.
 "There is still much work to be done in the Town to preserve the important farmland and natural lands that support our economy in so many ways, including jobs and tourism. We need to be creative and forward thinking in our approach to protecting our farmland and open spaces, especially as funding through the Community Preservation Fund is limited in our town. We look forward to working with the staff at the Peconic Land Trust to develop new strategies that can leverage private funding and to revitalizing our transfer of development rights program for the long-term benefit of our residents," said Supervisor Sean Walter.
The grant is funded through the Conservation Partnership Program of the New York State Environmental Protection Fund. This program is administered by the Land Trust Alliance in coordination with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. For more information, click here.
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Farms for the Future
Farmers Leasing in 2016
Ag Center, Deborah Ann Light & Town Lane Preserves
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We are looking forward to a great growing season here on the East End, and are excited that many of our farmers are returning to the Ag Center as well as our Deborah Ann Light & Town Lane Preserves -- along with a few new ones with innovative farming plans!
Ag Center, Southold:
. . . and at the North Fork Stewardship Center in Cutchogue, Peconic Escargot, new snail farmers!
Deborah Ann Light & Town Lane Preserves, Amagansett:
- Balsam Farms: vegetables, herbs, flowers and more. CSA, farmstand and farmers markets.
- Bee's Needs: honey. Farmers markets.
- Amber Waves Farm: vegetables and grains. CSA, farmers markets.
- Bhumi Farms: vegetables, herbs, flowers and more. CSA and farmstand.
- World Wide Le Lapin: rabbits.
- Three Sons Farmers: vegetables.
- Amagansett Sea Salt: salt from our local oceans, with local herbs. Local shops and farmers markets.
- Juliana Duryea: vegetables and herbs.
- Summerhill Nursery: trees, shrubs, plants and landscaping services.
We are also leasing to Peter Dankowski (potatoes and corn) at Hayground Farm in Bridgehampton, to the Ludlows and Harvest Acre Nursery in Bridgehampton, and to the Noank Aquaculture Cooperative at Shellfisher Preserve in Southold.
We wish everyone a bountiful growing season! For more information on our farmland leasing program, contact Dan Heston, Senior Manager for Agricultural Programs at 631.734.5630.
These are only a few of the farm operations on Long Island -- the Long Island Farm Bureau and Edible East End both have great resources on farmers markets and farmstands on their websites. Check them out!
We have a number of Connections programs this summer with a few of our farmers -- join us! Check out our online calendar and we look forward to seeing you in the fields this summer and fall.
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Celebration
Save the Date: Through Farms and Fields
Sunday, August 7, 2016
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Please Join Us At "Through Farms and Fields"
when we will honor two individuals
who have had a remarkable impact on our work,
Margaret de Cuevas and her father John de Cuevas.
Since the 1990s, John and Maggie have each played significant roles conserving the land and places that define Amagansett and beyond. We are looking forward to a wonderful evening celebrating all we know and love on Long Island.
painting by Susan D'Alessio
Please join us for this very special supper as we host
Through Farms and Fields
in the Town of East Hampton for the first time at our
Quail Hill Farm in Amagansett.
The festivities start at 4:00 p.m.
Supper by Honest Catering featuring Nick & Toni's
Master of Ceremonies Chef George Hirsch
Sponsors
The Corcoran Group
Bridgehampton National Bank, Bridge Abstract
Markowitz, Fenelon & Bank LLC, Summerhill Landscaping, Herrick Hardware,
Artisan Mortgage Company, Town and Country Real Estate, GreenLogic LLC
list in formation . . .
Committee
Nancy Gilbert & Nancy Goell -- Co-Chairs
Jane Iselin, Carol Ahlers, John Erwin, Patty Orban, Sally Van Erk, Michael Daly,
Emma Clurman, Linda Lacchia, Rand Stoll, Nancy Grady, and staff members
John v.H. Halsey, Kathy Kennedy, Lisa Pepe & Yvette DeBow-Salsedo.
To join us as a sponsor for the evening, please contact Yvette DeBow-Salsedo at 631.283.3195 ext 12. For more information, visit us online:
To purchase tickets, contact Robin Harris at 631.283.3195 ext. 19.
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Volunteer
There Are Many Ways to Lend a Hand This Summer . . .
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Didn't have the chance to join us in April for our annual orientation? Not to worry, there's still time to join us this summer and get involved. We have many programs happening across the East End and would love to have you join our team!
For more information contact Kathy Kennedy at 631.283.3195, ext. 29.
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Connections
It's May, and a Great Time to Get Outdoors!
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 Saturday, May 21, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Stewardship Day at the Farm
Quail Hill Farm, Deep Lane, Amagansett
Come and join in the fun as we help transplant this year's seedlings from the greenhouse to the fields with Scott Chaskey and Layton Guenther. Great day to spend with children getting to know where your food comes from!
Free. Please park on Deep Lane and join us at the greenhouse. Moderate to heavy rain cancels.
 Saturday, May 21, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Keeping Backyard Chickens
Ag Center, 3005 Young's Avenue, Southold
If you are interested in raising chickens, this is the workshop for you. Nicole and Jared Jeanotte of From Scratch Farm will share their knowledge about raising chickens for meat and eggs. This dynamic couple, who are participating in the Trust's Farms for the future Initiative at the Ag Center, have raised backyard birds for 5 years and are now doing so commercially.
$5/person. Reservations requested. Rain or shine.
 Saturday, May 28, 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
8th Annual New Suffolk Chowderfest
New Suffolk Waterfront, New Suffolk Ave & First St
Join your friends and neighbors at this annual beach-side event hosted by the New Suffolk Waterfront Fund. Locally prepared chowders, barbecue lunch, music, children's activities, Chinese auction, and even a plant sale. All proceeds to benefit the continued restoration, revitalization and public enjoyment of the waterfront property.
For tickets and more information visit
or call 631.566.0806. Rain Date is May 30. Parking with shuttle from Wickham's Fruit Farm, 28700 Main Road, Cutchogue.
 Saturday, May 28, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Art & Fashion -- a benefit for the Peconic Land Trust
Eileen Fisher, 26 Newtown Lane, East Hampton
Plein Air Peconic painter Casey Chalem Anderson's beautiful landscape art will be on view at Eileen Fisher in East Hampton from May 24 through May 30 -- and a portion of all sales of art will be donated to the Trust by Casey. Also, stop by on May 28, when Eileen Fisher will donate 10% of all sales in the store to the Trust that day -- and from 4-7 p.m. they will have a reception to celebrate Casey's beautiful art.
Store hours are 10 am to 6 pm. For more information, call 631.324.4111.
Watercolors at Bridge Gardens:
 For all our artist (and budding artist) friends, Lois Bender will continue to offer watercolor classes on May 14 and 21 and June 4, 11, 18 and 25. 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 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.
Special: Pop-up Art Show and Sale Memorial Day Weekend . . .
. . . featuring works by Lois and her students! Stop in on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29 between 11 am and 5 pm to visit with the artists and perhaps take home a beautiful piece of art for your home. A portion of sales will be donated to the Peconic Land Trust.
 Don't Forget: Wednesdays is Free Advice Day at Bridge Gardens when you can get Lawn and Landscape Care Tips from Perfect Earth Project expert Paul Wagner of Greener Pastures Organics.
Stop by the gardens between 2 and 5 pm with your questions for Paul!
And Garden Manager Rick Bogusch is always available to answer questions at the gardens. Look for him during your next visit!
Save the Date for these June Programs . . . - Saturday, June 11: Rain Gardens and Native Plants for a Beach-side Landscape: Harpers Preserve, Southold
- Saturday, June 11: Foraging: Finding Forgotten Vegetables at The Farm Beyond, Ag Center, Southold
- Saturday, June 11: What's a Buffer Garden and Why Should I Care with CCE's Tamson Yeh at Bridge Gardens, Bridgehampton
- Saturday, June 18: Permaculture, Ecological Practices for Today and Tomorrow at Quail Hill Farm
- Friday, June 24: Fridays at Four Tasting and Tour at Bridge Gardens in Bridgehampton, featuring wine by Channing Daughters
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Tips from Connections
Pruning Your Evergreens and Hydrangeas
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 Pruning Evergreens and Deciduous Trees and Shrubs with Jackson Dodds -- Why prune?
- for safety.
- to maintain the size of a plant.
- to remove deadwood, as it encourages insect and disease problems.
- for shape, as in topiaries or branches that rub together.
- And finally, Know When to Stop! Keep the shape balanced and allow air circulation. Don't overdo it, there's always next year!
 Hydrangeas with Brendan O'Dwyer and Tom Volk of Summerhill Nursery -- When to prune?
#1 take away from the day: Know which kind of hydrangea you have before pruning! Some bloom on old wood, some on new, and pruning at the wrong time will eliminate most of your blooms for the season!
- Nikko Blue, Lace Cap, and Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood, so best to cut back right after they flower so as not to disturb next year's blooms (late summer).
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Paniculata hydrangeas bloom on new wood, and tend to be more forgiving if pruned in late winter.
- The Endless Summer variety blooms on both old and new wood and can be pruned carefully in the fall or late winter.
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If you have Hydrangea Annabelle, tip the new growth mid-May which makes the shrub sturdier so flowers stand up and are less likely to fall over from the weight of the flower.
- Other tips? Be sure to remove dead wood from the interior of your hydrangea and cut out branches that conflict with each other near the base of the shrub to improve circulation. This keeps them healthy and disease-free. Also, hydrangeas cannot be cultivated by splitting them - they are a shrub and have one root ball.
- A soil test will determine your soil pH, important to know if you want to control the color of your blooms. Your local nursery may sell products to add to the soil to give you more vibrant blue, pink or other colors!
Note: Climbing hydrangeas look beautiful against a structure or house.
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Join In . . .
Quail Hill Farm and Bridge Gardens Memberships are Still Available
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Quail Hill Farm Summer Memberships
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 organically grown produce all summer long.
Individual, Family and Box Shares are Available.
Bridge Gardens Opened for the 2016 Season on April 2
Bridge Gardens is open and welcoming visitors! 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 lawns and landscaping -- all of which can be applied to your home garden. Members receive discounted or free admission on programs.
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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, Donor Services Manager, at 631.283.3195 ext. 24 or email her at JSchutt@PeconicLandTrust.org.
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