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photo by Michael Halsband   

The Latest News from the Peconic Land Trust
September 1, 2016
In this issue: 
  • Preserve Spotlight: Silver Beech Preserve, Amagansett
  • Conservation: Community Preservation Fund: Extension & Water Quality 
  • Community: What Matters to You? 
  • Volunteer Spotlight: VA Project at the Ag Center
  • Community: We're Renovating
  • Community: The Barns in Amagansett 
  • Thank You for a Great Summer: Through Farms and Fields 
  • Connections: Jump into Fall with Gardening, Local Food and More . . .  
Preserve of the Month
Silver Beech Preservenaturepreserve 
Amagansett
  

In February 2003, the Trust received a spectacular gift of land from cousins Margaret de Cuevas and Deborah Carmichael -- Silver Beech Preserve, 189.3-acres of mature forest featuring American beech, white oak, red maple, sassafras and flowering dogwood which provides valuable habitat and sits above the deepest part of our sole source aquifer in Amagansett.

"We have known and loved this land since we were children in the 1960s," said Maggie in a profile in the Trust's 2003 Summer newsletter speaking about why she and her cousin Deborah took the initiative to protect the land. "Taking a walk through the woods was a big adventure back then, and we took many walks to visit the great big trees that grow out of the deep kettleholes in the Silver Beech Preserve. The landscape of the South Fork has changed so much since then -- species diversity has declined and water quality has become a problem in many areas. We wanted to help preserve what's left." 

interactive map East Hampton The woodlands in the North Amagansett area of which Silver Beech Preserve is part -- approximately 600 acres preserved -- is critical for the bio-diversity of the forest, offering habitat for a wide variety of sensitive species including red-shouldered and broad-winged hawks, ruffed grouse, great horned owls, innumerable migrating birds, Eastern box turtle, and three species of salamander. Equally important, the preserve land is part of the Town of East Hampton's Water Recharge Overlay District, sitting above the deepest part of the aquifer, our sole source of drinking water. Through land conservation, we are all working together to improve the quality of our precious water resources. See our online map for more information about conservation efforts in East Hampton and throughout Eastern Long Island

Interested in hiking the preserve? Check out the map and information from the kiosk before heading out! 

To read more about Maggie and Deborah's donation, including the land's history and environmental importance, see our Summer 2003 newsletter.

This expanse of woodland would not be here if it weren't for families like Maggie and Deborah's -- including Evan Frankel, the Potter family, Mary and Peter Stone, Andy Sabin, William Lange, Drs. Robert Abel & Helen Carter, and Deborah Light -- who believed that conservation outcomes were possible. We are truly grateful to them and the hundreds of families who have trusted us to help them protect their family lands. Want to learn more about how you can conserve your family land? Contact Director of Conservation Planning Melanie Cirillo at 631.283.3195 ext. 27. 

A Legacy Gift as part of your estate plan is another way to consider conservation of your land. To learn more, contact Rebecca Chapman, Vice President of Philanthropy, at 631.283.3195 ext. 40. 
Conservation
Make Your Voice Heard: 
Community Preservation Fund  
Join us in Voting YES to Extend the Fund to 2050
and to add Water Quality Projects to the Purpose of the Fund video

Join us in supporting conservation and water quality improvements this November by voting YES to the extension of the Community Preservation Fund!

We are excited to share the news that the extension will be on the ballot this November in each of the five East End Towns (East Hampton, Riverhead, Southampton, Shelter Island and Southold). By voting YES this November, not only will you ensure the continuation of a funding stream for local conservation for another 20 years to 2050, but also allow each of the five East End Towns the opportunity to invest up to 20% of the funds received through the CPF toward water quality projects -- projects approved by each Town based on its own water quality plan. 
 
The CPF funds are an important tool for the Towns, allowing them to protect our important working farms, watersheds, wetlands, shorelines and historic resources. Over the past two decades, funding through the CPF has protected over 10,000 acres on the East End -- and CPF funds have often been leveraged with private contributions raised by conservation organizations including the Peconic Land Trust.

We urge you to let your Town know how important the CPF is to YOU, your family and friends.  Please join us in voting for the CPF this November. Thank you to the editorial board at Newsday for shining a light on this important program -- we look forward to working with our East End Towns for many years to come as together we protect Long Island's natural resources, community character, and heritage.
 
Help us spread the word: Many people mistakenly believe that the Peconic Land Trust and the CPF are one in the same -- when in fact it is our local Towns who receive and distribute the funds. The Trust raises its funds for conservation and operations primarily through donations from individuals and foundations. Nonetheless, we do work closely with all levels of government along with local communities and partner organizations, to conserve Long Island's working farms and natural lands. Thank you for helping us spread the word about the importance of the CPF! Click here for a  flyer you can download a share. 
 
Want to learn more? Contact Julie Zaykowski, Director of Administration, at 631.283.3195 ext. 32. 
Communitypeconinic
What Matters to You?

We want to know!
Please take this short survey and 
let us know the issues 
most important to you.
Is it protecting natural lands?
Having a source for local food?
Is water quality one of your most
important concerns?
How about protecting habitats for our pollinators: bees, butterflies and birds
 
We continue to work hard everyday to conserve the working farms, natural lands and heritage of our communities. Let us know what matters most to you! 
 

And thank you for your support of conservation!
Volunteer Spotlightpeconinic
Local Veterans Help Grow Seedlings
for Trust's Community Gardeners
 
Growing seedlings to help start the Trust's Community Gardeners each year takes time, energy, and supplies. Fortunately, Denise Markut our North Fork Stewardship Manager, and Trust volunteer and community gardener Vincent Monteforte found a way to help make it easier this spring by partnering with United States veterans in Northport.
 
Vincent, a US Army veteran, volunteers to drive the Disabled American Veterans van several days each week, bringing local veterans to the VA hospital in Northport for medical care. He often spends hours patiently waiting to return his charges to the East End. About three years ago, Vincent decided to visit the VA's onsite greenhouse where he met several veterans who care for plants as part of their therapy. 
 
Once inside the greenhouse, Vincent was amazed at how lush and productive it was. From tropical plants to cacti to various vegetables, the plants were thriving under the gentle care provided by the veterans. Vincent mentioned his visits last year to Denise, who decided to accompany him on a trip to Northport where she offered her expertise, teaching the veterans how to make the most of the greenhouse. This conversation has since resulted in a wonderful partnership with the veterans, whereby they grow seedlings in their greenhouse for planting at the Trust's community garden in Southold. 
 
This year, they provided our gardeners with several kinds of tomatoes, eggplants, watermelon, corn and a variety of flowers, grown from seed provided by the Trust. Vincent believes that "growing plants in the greenhouse is something that they (the veterans) enjoy -- it gives them a sense of purpose. I think this partnership really inspires the vets to get involved and I think it makes a difference in their lives. I really enjoy being a part of it, and helping to make it happen."

The Trust looks forward to continuing our connection with the veterans on Long Island and providing the community gardeners with a ready source of healthy, locally grown seedlings.
Communitypeconinic
We Are Renovating!
Rendering by John Rose, Architect, for 296 Hampton Road
Have you noticed? After many years of multiple office spaces in the Village of Southampton, the Trust is moving forward to bring our staff under one roof. Our building at 296 Hampton Road is undergoing a renovation that we hope to be completed by the fall of 2017. 
 
The building, purchased by the Trust in 1995, has housed part of our main office staff with the remainder of the staff "temporarily" housed in the Lower Level of 300 Hampton Road since 1998!  The renovation at 296 will eliminate the "jogs" across the parking lot on sunny, snowy, rainy days and provide a permanent home for our staff for many years to come!
 
In addition to our main office in the Village of Southampton, we have Trust staff at our North Fork home in Cutchogue at the North Fork Stewardship Center at 22600 Main Road, as well as stewardship centers at Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane in Bridgehampton and at Quail Hill Farm, Deep Lane in Amagansett. 
 
During the renovation, our entire Southampton Village staff is working out of the lower level at 300 Hampton Road. Stop by anytime to see us -- and we look forward to welcoming you to our home at 296 Hampton Road in 2017!  
 
Have questions? Contact Pam Greene, Vice President of Stewardship, at 631.283.3195 ext. 31. 
Communitypeconinic
The Barns in Amagansett

After years of vision, talk and planning we are actually about to build 2 barns in Amagansett to support our programs at Quail Hill Farm and the farmers of our Farms for the Future Initiative . . . we are in the permitting process. 
 
One barn, to be located at Quail Hill Farm adjacent to the orchard, will serve the farm's Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program: a place for storage, tools, equipment repair, meeting and conversation, and curing garlic of course. 
 
The second barn will be tucked away in the northwest corner of our Deborah Light Preserve on Town Lane field and will serve the needs of those farmers who lease from us presently, and new farmers who are part of the Trust's Farms for the Future Initiative now and in the future. 
 
Wow, what a change -- our modest farm shop at Quail Hill Farm, hugged by a strong beech tree, has served us well for 27 seasons! Gratitude to those who have shared in the process: we thank you all! 
 
Have questions? Contact Pam Greene, Vice President of Stewardship, at 631.283.3195 ext. 31. 
Thank Youpeconinic
Through Farms and Fields
   
It was a beautiful evening at  Quail Hill Farm! 
 
Thank you for joining us to celebrate conservation and our honorees
Margaret de Cuevas and her father John de Cuevas!
     
  
     

Special Thanks to . . . 
Chef Joseph Realmuto, Master of Ceremonies Chef George Hirsch
and Susan Rockefeller & Protect What Is Precious
for the exciting BEE Collection . . . our secret box! 
 
. . . and Thank You to our major sponsors   
 
 
Avalon Park & Preserve, The Corcoran Group
Kathleen King and Zvi Friedman 

Bridgehampton National Bank, Rainey and John Erwin
  
    

   

For more pictures and video from the evening visit us on Facebook 

We look forward to seeing you in 2017. 
Save the date: Sunday, August 6
Connectionsconnections
Jump into Fall with fun activities on gardening, 
local food, nature, and more . . . 
For reservations: [email protected]
or 631.283.3195
  
    

Sunday, September 4, 5 - 7 pm 
Art, Oysters and Champagne
New Suffolk Waterfront, First and Main Street, New Suffolk 

Make this fun evening at the waterfront part of your Labor Day plans. Meet your friends and neighbors for freshly-shucked local oysters and delicious hors d'oeuvres, perfectly paired with North Fork wines and champagne. Stroll by the marina and beach and breathe in the salty sea air while enjoying the expansive view of the Peconic Bay. Case's Place at the Galley Ho will feature a large display of North Fork art for sale, and the event includes a silent art auction and raffle drawing.
$75 per person, tickets are limited, for more information and to purchase, call 631.566.0806.
Fresh oysters provided by Oysterponds Shellfish Co., Peconic Gold Inc., and Harvest Moon Shellfish Co. Event is co-sponsored by the Peconic Land Trust and Phoebe & Belle. All proceeds benefit the continued restoration and education programs of the New Suffolk Waterfront.
 
 
Saturday, September 10, 5 - 7 pm 
Garden to Table: Eating for Wellness  
Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton
 
The vegetable garden is abundant with delicious and healthy food - join us to learn what you can create! Garden Manager Rick Bogusch will take you to the vegetable garden to harvest fresh vegetables and then demonstrate the creation of a delicious salad, with tastings. Barbara Kinnier, of the Wellness Foundation, will explain how to get all your nutrients and protein from the garden. Bring a plant-based picnic to share, and meet others with an appreciation for a healthy lifestyle.
$10/person, space is limited, reservations required.
 
 
Sunday, September 11, 10 am - 4 pm 
10th Annual North Fork Foodie Tour 
Agricultural Center, 3005 Youngs Avenue, Southold
 
The Foodie Tour kicks off at our Ag Center for a day of self-guided visits to 20 different foodie locations! Meet the interesting people who have dedicated their lives to producing local foods across the North Fork. Buy your ticket and get a behind the scenes look at farms and vineyards, meet food producers and enjoy tours, cooking demonstrations, talks and tastings. This year's locations include Macari Wines, 8 Hands Farm, Deep Roots Farm, Lavender by the Bay Farm, North Fork Roasting Company, and more.
$25/person, children under 12 free. For more information and to purchase, call 631.722.5712, or go to www.northforkreformsynagogue.org. Tickets also available that day at any of the Foodie Tour locations!
 
 
Friday, September 16, 5 - 7 pm 
Indian Summer Paddle with Mike Bottini 
Northwest Harbor, Alewife Brook Rd, East Hampton
 
Please join us for a full moon paddle on scenic Northwest Harbor, led by naturalist Mike Bottini. After launching, we'll paddle to Cedar Point Beach for a BYO picnic dinner with views of Mashomack Preserve and Sag Harbor and enjoy the sunset, before heading back by the light of the full moon. Bring your picnic, blanket or towel, and a warm layer for the return trip.
Space is limited, prepaid reservations a must. Rentals available: single kayak $50, stand-up paddleboard $60, or double kayak or canoe $70. Bring your own boat for $10/person. Rain will cancel.
 
 
Saturday, September 17, 10 - 11:30 am 
Managing Disease in the Vegetable Garden with Meg McGrath 
Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton
 
Growing your own vegetables can be lots of fun and very rewarding, but when plant disease happens, it can be very disheartening. Learn to manage this problem at this workshop with Meg McGrath of Cornell University's LI Horticultural and Research Lab. She will explain the key facts about diseases to help you understand their management, applying concepts to ornamental plants too.
$5/person, free to Bridge Gardens and HAH members. Rain or shine.
 
 
Friday, September 30, 4 - 5:30 pm 
Fridays at Four, Tasting and Tour with Montauk Brewing Company 
Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton
 
Don't miss this final late afternoon tour in our Fridays at Four series. With a nod to Oktoberfest, we've partnered with Vaughan Cutillo of Montauk Brewing Company who will pour you a glass of his delicious beer, crafted in Montauk, before you head out for a guided walk with Garden Manager Rick Bogusch. Explore the many native and exotic grasses, late blooming perennials, chrysanthemums and dahlias, as well as the vegetable and herb beds showing off their autumn finery.
$20/person, $10/Bridge Gardens members. Space is limited, reservations required. Rain will cancel.
  
Watercolors at Bridge Gardens:

For all our artist (and budding artist) friends, Lois Bender will continue to offer watercolor classes from Noon to 3:00 p.m. every Saturday from September 10 to December 10. 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 at
www.GardenSpiritsNY.com 

A very special exhibition of Lois' watercolors
will be on display at the
garden house throughout the fall.  
Stop by and see the beautiful art works  
-- all of which are available for purchase, with
a percentage of proceeds to benefit Bridge Gardens!
 
 
 
 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 through
the end of October. 
 
And Garden Manager Rick Bogusch is always available to answer 
questions at the gardens. Look for him during your next visit! 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

Reservations for these and any other Trust events may be made 
by email to: [email protected] 
or call 631.283.3195.
 

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 [email protected] 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, Donor Services Manager, at 631.283.3195 ext. 24 or email her at [email protected].
     

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