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The Latest News from the Peconic Land Trust
August 2, 2016
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Preserve of the Month
Laurel Lake Preserve
Southold Town
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Walking the trails of Laurel Lake Preserve will give you a new perspective on nature. With an abundance of wildlife, a large water-filled kettle hole that was formed more than 10,000 years ago -- home to a diverse fish population including Large Mouth Bass and Rainbow Trout, 14 miles of hiking trails within a hardwood forest dominated by oaks, hickories, beeches and maples, this is a special place. The Laurel Lake Preserve was created through the protection of over 18 parcels, assembled over the course of nearly 15 years! Patience and perseverance are definitely two of the prevailing hallmarks of our conservation efforts.
 The final piece of the puzzle was the conservation of 30 acres owned by Jack and Mary McFeely in 2005 -- which brought the entire property to more than 500 acres preserved and enabled the creation of a trailhead to access the 14 miles of hiking trails around Laurel Lake between the Main and North Roads. The Trust worked with the McFeelys and and Town of Southold to finalize this important piece, creating an amazingly complex group of properties owned by the Town of Southold, Suffolk County Parks Department, Suffolk County Water Authority and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
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Woodpecker photographed by Walter Henning, Spring 2016
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In May, the Trust hosted a birding walk through some of the trails led by naturalist Frank Quevedo of the South Fork Natural History Museum. We were thrilled to spot a wide variety of birds, including downy and red-bellied woodpeckers, red tailed and fish hawks, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Winged Warbler, and even a Northern Parula, among others. Did you miss the walk in May? Visit the trails anytime you like! Click here for directions to the trail head, at 5501 Main Road in Laurel. To read more about the Laurel Lake conservation see our Fall 2005 newsletter.
This woodland would not be here if it weren't for families like the McFeelys who see conservation as an option -- one they were are inspired to pursue. We are truly grateful to the McFeelys and the hundreds of families who have trusted us to help them protect their family's land. Want to learn more about how you can conserve your family land? Contact Director of Conservation Planning Melanie Cirillo at 631.283.3195.
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Conservation
A Visit to the Sisters of St. Joseph Religious Orders Embrace Farming for their Community
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 In June, Staff and Board of the Trust enjoyed a field trip to The Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood, a religious order who has made a significant commitment to return a portion of their land to agriculture. The Sisters of St. Joseph are working with Trust staff, Dan Heston and Kimberly Quarty, on conservation and farmland programs for some of the last remaining open spaces in western Suffolk County.
The Sisters of St. Joseph are inspired to leave a legacy through the preservation of their land, and have adopted land ethics that will ensure the land will forever be open and available to the community for farming and food.
 The Sisters of St. Joseph CSA, Organic Farm, which started in 2011, is being expanded by 28.5 acres with formerly fallow farmland now being cultivated by Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc., (FREE) a non-profit agency that has served the differently-abled citizens of Long Island for over thirty years -- and new this season,
farmer Joe Corbett and Thera Farms (from Babylon, NY).
At Organic Farm, visitors and volunteers are welcome to participate in the cultivation of this diverse garden. To learn more: brentwoodcsj.org/ecology/
We look forward to sharing more news with you on the exciting programs offered by the Sisters in the coming months and years. |
Community
Meet the Strunk Family
Lorena, Kurt, Bruno and Emmanuel!
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The Strunks have been actively participating in Peconic Land Trust programs for several years -- from attending and volunteering at the Peconinic, building birdhouses, planting seeds in trays for the greenhouse, and transplanting seedlings at Quail Hill Farm, to helping pick up sticks, spreading mulch and making a holiday wreath at Bridge Gardens!
 This family is deeply involved! Kurt and Lorena believe strongly in the mission of the Trust and share with their boys their love of nature, local food and healthy lifestyle choices. This year, they're growing their own food as members of our Community Garden at Bridge Gardens!
When asked about their involvement, Lorena shared, "Through the experience of the community gardens we are learning so much more about what it takes to work the land and grow food for ourselves. All of us are enjoying the process from selecting the seeds and imagining what those seeds are going to look like, to having the kids run around Bridge Gardens exploring every corner of it.
 "I feel I have found a piece of home in that piece of land and I can't thank enough Peconic Land Trust for letting my family be part of your conservation efforts, and for guiding us in our own efforts to protect and love our community," added Lorena. "Gardening with Rick and meeting other gardeners has made our first experience working the land a real treat. Rick's generosity and warmth, and the camaraderie of our fellow gardeners will certainly make our vegetables taste even richer!" |
Connections
Summer Fun!
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 Thursday, August 4, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Let's Talk Propagation!
Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton
If you've ever been intrigued about using cuttings or grafting your favorite perennials to create new plants for your expanding garden, this workshop, in partnership with the Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons, is for you. Dr. Mark Bridgen, Professor of Horticulture and Plant Breeding at Cornell University's Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center, will lead a talk about the do's and don'ts of all types of propagation, and demonstrate techniques for success. Program will include a guided walk with Dr. Bridgen and Garden Manager Rick Bogusch.
$5/person, free to members of Bridge Gardens and HAH. Space is limited, reservations are required. Rain or shine.
 Wednesday, August 10, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A Visit to Catapano Dairy Farm
33705 North Road (Rt 48), Peconic
Bring the kids and meet us at the goat farm to watch a milking demonstration, taste several varieties of delicious goat milk cheese and fudge made on-site, and have a chance to enjoy a pony ride. While there, visit the Delicate Doe Goatique to buy your freshly-made goat cheese, luscious body creams and fragrant soaps. All children will receive a child-sized bar of their very own goat milk soap to take home.
$8/single, $15/duo, $20/family of 3, $25/family of 4, $30/family of 5, etc. Optional pony ride is $2/child. Reservations requested. ****Please note there is no restroom at the farm. Rain cancels.
 Saturdays, August 13 & 27, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Botanical Sketching and Watercolor Workshops
Ag Center, 3005 Youngs Avenue, Southold
Learn to capture the beauty of our local farms and gardens in drawings and watercolors with certified botanical artist Barbara Stype. Barbara will help you develop your artistic skills, all levels welcome.
$20/person. Pre-paid registrations required and a material list will be provided for you to purchase your supplies prior to class.
 Saturday, August 13, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Happy Hour at the Waterfront
First and Main Streets, New Suffolk
Bring your friends and come down by the water for a beautiful, casual summer Happy Hour at the New Suffolk Waterfront! Enjoy the beautiful water views while sampling Greenport Brewery draft, local wine, light bites from Lombardi's Love Lane Market, and more. Live music will entertain you during this summer evening by the beach. The Peconic Land Trust is proud to be a co-sponsor of this event, with proceeds to benefit the continued renovation of the New Suffolk Waterfront.
Watercolors at Bridge Gardens:
 For all our artist (and budding artist) friends, Lois Bender will continue to offer watercolor classes from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every Friday through August. Please 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 learn to capture the luscious beauty of summer blooms throughout the garden.
Lois' classes are great for all levels of artists. For more information, and to register, please visit her website atwww.GardenSpiritsNY.com Lois will continue her classes on Saturdays this fall! Bridge Gardens' Fridays at 6
Music Nights . . . Join us on August 19 for Joe Hampton & the Kingpins
Bring your friends, a blanket & chairs, and a picnic and enjoy the magic of a summer evening in the lush surroundings of Bridge Gardens. Music begins at 6:00 pm and concludes at dusk.
$15/person. Free to Bridge Gardens members. Parking provided on premises.
 Don't Forget: Wednesday 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!
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Save the Date for these Upcoming Programs . . .
- Tuesday, August 16: Beach Seining at south end of Ponquogue Bridge, Hampton Bays with educators from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
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Saturday, August 20: Harvesting and Drying Herbs from the Garden at our Agricultural Center in Southold with Heather Cusack
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Friday, August 26: Fridays at Four, Tasting and Tour at Bridge Gardens, Bridgehampton featuring the wines of Wolffer Estate Vineyard
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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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