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The Latest News from the Peconic Land Trust
December 8, 2016
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Preserve Spotlight 
Explore Nature in December:
High Point Preserve in East Hampton
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The view from the high point in the appropriately named High Point Preserve is breathtaking -- and best seen in late fall and winter. Three Mile Harbor opens up in all its splendor and is a treat for those who make the trek through this beautiful wooded preserve in North Amagansett. Donated to the Trust in February 2003 by Maggie de Cuevas, the nearly 50-acre High Point Preserve is part of an impressive assemblage of 600 acres of woodlands.
The trails through High Point Preserve connect to the Trust's neighboring Accabonac and Silver Beech Preserves through which the famed Paumanok Trail winds its way. The trailhead and kiosk are located on Stony Hill Road, just to the east of Accabonac Road.
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Click on the map to see a larger version
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This hilly preserve is a mixture of pitch pine, oak and beech, hickory and maple forest -- which provides fantastic exercise especially in these days where we are more inside than out.
The preserve is located in an East Hampton Water Recharge Overlay District contributing to the protection of the water quality of our sole-source aquifer. It also is a sanctuary for many local wildlife -- including migratory birds -- and many of New York State's protected birds call this preserve home, including red-tailed hawk, great horned owl, screech owl, American kestrel, downy woodpecker, American robin and eastern bluebird. Bring your binoculars to see who may be around!
We thank Maggie for gifting the property to the community . . . and we hope you are able to visit the preserve soon! Have questions about High Point Preserve, its trails and ecology? Contact South Fork Stewardship Manager Matt Swain at 631.283.3195 or MSwain@PeconicLandTrust.org.
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Conservation
Abramski Family Donates Conservation Easement
to Protect Wildlife Habitat and Shoreline in East Moriches
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Our thanks to Suzanne and Robert Abramski of East Moriches for protecting an important shoreline habitat through the donation of a conservation easement to the Peconic Land Trust. The Abramskis' decision to make this gift was guided by their love of the local wildlife, especially birds, along Harts Cove and Moriches Bay in East Moriches.
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Melanie Cirillo with Suzanne and Bob Abramski and Kim Quarty
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The easement covers approximately nine acres of land, which includes freshwater and saltwater wetlands that contribute to the health of nearby waterways and preserves the scenic open space for the benefit of the public. It is important to note that this property could have been developed with a residential structure in an area that faces increasing development pressure. Located within the Town of Brookhaven, the Abramski property is within the East Moriches Historic District: a priority area of the To wn to protect the scenic and cultural character of this rural area.
"We are so pleased to be able to help Suzanne and Bob protect and preserve their land. Their dedication to keeping these wetlands vital for the local wildlife, and contributing to the improvement of the local waterways can serve as an inspiration to many homeowners on Long Island," said John v.H. Halsey, President of the Peconic Land Trust. "We all have the opportunity to make a difference. We thank the Abramskis for choosing to donate this conservation easement."
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Farms for the Future
Help Us Get the Word Out:
Funding for Local Farmers Still Available
for Capital Improvements
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Widow's Hole Oyster Company purchased new equipment for its growing shellfish business
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Know a farmer who is starting, expanding, upgrading or transitioning their farm operation? The
We are also pleased to announce that the program has been slightly modified:
- the total maximum award allowed has increased from $25,000 to $50,000 -- for farmers who have already applied for up to $25,000, they can submit a new grant request as long as their total request is $50,000 or less and that the new request is for a new project.
- grant applicants also need only to show their past 3-year tax returns.
The grant program is funded by Empire State Development, and administered by the Peconic Land Trust.
For more information, visit our website or call Thomas Hobson or Holly Sanford at 631.283.3195.
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Farms for the Future
Trust President Joins with Local Legislators and
Farming Community to Speak Out Against
Suffolk County Lawsuit Banning Agricultural Structures
on Protected Farmland
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 On November 22, we joined with Suffolk County Legislators including Al Krupski and Bridget Fleming, along with representatives of the farming community, at a press conference to voice our concern over a recent court decision that restricts any agricultural structures from being constructed on farmland protected through Suffolk County's landmark farmland protection program -- it was established in 1974 as our nation's first purchase of development rights program. Structures affected include deer fences, irrigation, storage barns, and greenhouses, among others.
The County has filed notice of an appeal, and we are hopeful that the issue will be resolved. At the press conference, Trust President John v.H. Halsey said:
 "The Peconic Land Trust is very concerned about the recent court ruling and its impact on our local, working farms so important to Long Island's jobs and tourist economy. Suffolk County's landmark farmland protection program is about assuring the future of farming and agricultural production first and foremost. Of course, there are open space benefits related to working landscapes but they have never been intended to be at the expense of agriculture itself. Indeed, agricultural production by definition includes structures like barns, greenhouses, and deer fences. Such structures are essential to the business of farming and do not just benefit the farmer, but also the public, residents and visitors alike, who are afforded access to a wide variety of locally grown products including food, wine, and horticultural products. In short, agriculture is a central component of Long Island's history and community character from which we all benefit. It is critically important that we do what is necessary to assure that agriculture remains viable and sustainable for the benefit of future generations."
If you have questions, please feel free to give us a call at 631.283.3195. We hope to have positive news to share in the new year.
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 Check it out! Our latest newsletter is now available online. Our cover story features beautiful photography by Michael Light and his reflections based on his summer adventure: flying his 2-seater airplane across the East End and southern New England this past June and August. And take a moment to look back over the last 12 months and learn more about the wonderful people and places that have inspired us all including a few of our stalwart volunteers, farmers working and protecting the land, how our farmland and natural lands are supporting local birds, bees and butterflies and much more! |
Local Food
Quail Hill Farm Winter Shares
There's Still Time to Jump In!
Winter Shares go through February.
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Pick up days are every other Friday and Saturday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Carrots, Beets, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Leeks, Cabbage, Winter Squash, Turnips, Garlic, Dried Beans, Wheatberries, Lettuces, and Herbs
. . . just some of the varieties of produce available.
Located in Amagansett, Quail Hill Farm has been serving the community since 1989 on land donated to the Peconic Land Trust by Deborah Ann Light.
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Donate Now!
Your Donation Supports the Working Farms
and Natural Lands We All Cherish! |
Your support is critical to our work.
Please join us in conserving the:
- working farms that produce so much including local, fresh vegetables and fruit
- woodlands and wetlands that cleanse our water resources
- shorelines and landscapes that inspire and restore us
- historic landscapes, barns, and buildings that preserve our heritage
Thank you for all you do to protect
what we know and love on Long Island!
Consider making a gift to the Trust
in honor of your family and friends.
We'll gratefully acknowledge your gift
with a personalized note.
You can also spread your commitment to the Trust's mission by purchasing for yourself or those on your holiday list these great items:
Market Bag
Baseball Cap
Quail Hill Farm Cookbook
True East
Plein Air Peconic and Bridge Gardens Notecards
2017 Bridge Gardens Membership
. . . and if you are shopping online this holiday season:
Peconic Land Trust is an official charity in the Amazon Smile program, which donates 0.5 % of your eligible purchases on Amazon Smile to the charity you choose! Thank you!
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Connections
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Join us this Friday & Celebrate Bivalvus Day!
The quality of our local oysters along with other shellfish is seriously dependent upon the quality of the water in our bays. Reducing excess nitrogen from entering the bays dramatically improves the purity and taste of these tender morsels.
Learn more at a free presentation focused on a nitrogen sampling study conducted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County and the Noank Aquaculture Cooperative. Presenters include representatives from CCE and NAC.
This free lecture will be followed by a networking reception where you can enjoy light refreshments, including a combination LiV cocktail and 4-oyster sampler for just $15. Oysters will be provided by Little Creek Oyster Company of Greenport. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Peconic Pearls Environmental Program. The Peconic Land Trust is proud to partner with Peconic Pearls/Noank Aquaculture Cooperative, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, and the National Grid Foundation to educate all about this valuable study.
- Date: Friday, December 9
- Time: 4-6 pm
- Location: Long Island Spirits, 2182 Sound Avenue, Baiting Hollow
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Thank you for spending time with us this year!
And to everyone who joined us at our Holiday Open House
at Bridge Gardens last Saturday -- THANKS!      
Special thanks to all our volunteers -- Bobby, Carol, Linda, Mary, Abby, Carolyn, Lorena, Tom, Maria, Vincent,
David, Ellen, Laura, and Mike for helping with
the scavenger hunt, the crafts, set up and more . . .
. . . and to Richard Udice of C. Whitmore Gardens
for leading the tablescaping program
. . . and to Declan and Brendan and the crew at Summerhill Landscapes
for our tree and lighting
. . . and to Hampton Coffee Company for all the treats. . . and to Diana Conklin for leading us on Sunday at our Annual Wreath Workshop. It was a wonderful Weekend!!!
For more photos from the weekend, 
We look forward to seeing you in 2017!
For more information on upcoming Connections programs,
visit our online calendar.
Our March/April 2017 Connections calendar will be available online on Wednesday, February 1, 2017.
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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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