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The Latest News from the Peconic Land Trust
February 13, 2017
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Preserve Spotlight 
Winter Exploration:
Paul Stoutenburgh Preserve in Greenport
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 There is no better place for a brisk winter walk than the 52-acre Paul Stoutenburgh Preserve in Greenport ( formerly the Arshamomaque Pond Preserve). Assembled by the Town of Southold using a combination of Community Preservation Funds and Open Space Capital funding, the Trust was pleased to have played a part in its protection, assisting the Town with the purchase of 24.8 acres from the Sutermeister and Neuer families in 2000. That portion of the preserve, along the southeast edge, includes over 1/3 of a mile of land along Hashamomuck Pond.  The preserve showcases the diversity of the East End's natural environment: tidal salt marsh meadows, pristine woodlands, vernal freshwater ponds and wetlands. Its forest lands are dominated by oaks and hickories, but also includes birches, maples, American beech and mature white pines. This diversity provides habitat for a wide-range of wildlife, including: egrets, salamanders, herons, hawks, crabs, deer, bats, and fox.
On November 17, 1983, in his "Focus on Nature" column that ran in the News Review/Suffolk Times for 50 years, Paul Stoutenburgh wrote: "The openness of our area and the views across the farms and waterways give us something special. I never tire of the broad open spaces that Orient has to offer, the country roads and views along the North Road and Sound Avenue heading to Riverhead or the little quiet road from New Suffolk to Mattituck along the bay. Each of us has our own special place and as the seasons change we renew our acquaintance with these areas."  |
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Barbara and Paul Stoutenburgh along with their son Peter and Trust's Tim Caufield at opening of our North Fork Stewardship Center in 1999.
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His column that day was a call to us all to remain vigilant and to do what we can to protect what is special about the East End. His life -- along with that of his wife Barbara -- was dedicated to that purpose. Indeed, we are honored to have had Paul serve on the Trust's Board of Directors for seven years. We thank the people of Southold for honoring Paul with the renaming of the Arshamomaque Pond Preserve to the Paul Stoutenburgh Preserve in 2013. Interested in hiking the preserve? Click here for the trail map, which can be accessed 2/10 of a mile east of the Port of Egypt Marina on Route 25, on the north side of the road. Have additional questions? Please contact North Fork Stewardship Manager, Denise Markut.
Address: 63445 Main Road (Route 25), Southold, NY).
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Legislative Update
New York State: Environmental Protection Fund
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 It's that time of year. The Governor and the State Senate and Assembly are working on details of the FY 2017/2018 budget -- and we are thankful that there is positive attention being paid to the environment and conservation. The Governor's proposal, released in January, includes a continuation for the 2nd year of $300 million for the Environmental Protection Fund -- which includes many items directed at Long Island for water quality improvements. This is on top of a proposed capital investment for water quality. The legislature, which hasn't yet released their budget details, is also talking about an additional $5 billion water quality bond act. For an interesting take, check out this recent Newsday editorial.
 We are hopeful that the executive and legislative branches will get together and deliver a budget that recognizes the importance of environmental protection, and includes appropriate funding for the Department of Environmental Conservation to allow staff to implement the important programs necessary to: - support and protect our working farmland and keep our agricultural businesses healthy and thriving
- support and protect our woodlands and parkland for all to enjoy
- fund necessary water quality projects to address the problems facing not only Long Island but the entire state
 On Valentine's Day, representatives from the land trust and environmental community will be in Albany to discuss funding for the EPF and many water quality proposals that are on the table. We are looking forward to an active discussion period to ensure that the State's environmental needs are addressed in the upcoming budget.
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Conservation
Edwards Farmland and Wetlands Update:
Community Support Needed to
Complete Acquisition and
for Tide Gate Restoration
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 It may have snowed this past week, but work is moving ahead at the Edwards property in Orient. A combination of farmland, uplands, and wetlands, Trust staff is working on an important restoration initiative that will improve the health of all three areas. The property was negatively impacted when the existing tide gate sustained damage during Superstorm Sandy in 2014. The tide gate is critical to the health of the wetlands as it allows water from the uplands to flow through the marshes and out to the Peconic Bay Estuary, helping to control the mosquito population.
The Trust plans to reinstall the tide gate, thereby restoring the water flow into the Estuary. Funds will be needed to achieve this goal, and your support is critical to our work on behalf of this fragile, sensitive wetlands.
We are also continuing to seek funds toward the property's acquisition. While the development rights on the property were purchased by the Town of Southold, the remaining funds to cover the acquisition of the lands are still needed. Please consider a gift today to help!
Interested in learning more about the tide gate restoration and remaining acquisition balance, or to make a tax-deductible gift in support of the Edwards conservation initiative? Contact Tim Caufield or Holly Sanford at 631.283.3195. For additional information on this important conservation effort, please visit our website.
And stay tuned, in June we will be hosting a walk with North Fork Audubon member Rick Kedenburg along the wetlands with a focus on breeding birds of the North Fork.
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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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 Know a farmer who is starting, expanding, upgrading or transitioning their farm operation?
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. Thank you to the Long Island Community Foundation for providing funds to offset administrative costs associated with the grant program.
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JOIN IN
Quail Hill Farm Summer Shares
Agricultural Center Community Gardens
Bridge Gardens Community Gardens
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Quail Hill Farm
Deep Lane, Amagansett
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photo by Michael Halsband
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2017 will be the 27th season at Quail Hill Farm. Join us as a member of one of the oldest Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms in the country. Pick weekly from both the fields and farmstand. With over 30 acres in cultivation, the variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers will delight you. The summer season runs from early June to the end of October. Individual, Family and Box shares are available.
Community Gardens at Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm
3005 Youngs Avenue, Southold
 What began as a few small plots and a handful of gardeners has grown to a large community of people growing and sharing together at the Ag Center. Under the direction of Denise Markut, the Ag Center Community Gardens offer a variety of sizes -- there's one available just right for you! Orientation for the Ag Center Community Gardens will be on Saturday, April 29 at 10:00 am.
Community Gardens at Bridge Gardens
36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton
 Now in it's third season, Bridge Gardens -- with help from Denise and Garden Manager Rick Bogusch -- offers an intimate experience for those wanting to grow their own vegetables, fruit and flowers. With 20 plots available in this bountiful garden setting, it's perfect for those just getting started . . . or whose home garden spaces are a little too shady. Orientation for the Bridge Gardens Community Gardens will be on Saturday, March 25 at 10:00 am.
Both community gardens offer rich soil, irrigation and expert help. Membership fees range depending on plot size.
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Long Island Grown IV:
Conversations with Farmers, Chefs and Winemakers
at Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton
Space is Limited. Registration Opens on Monday, February 13!
- Sunday, March 5: Matt Schmitt of Schmitt Farms, Ron Goerler of Jamesport Vineyards and Chef Jason Weiner of Almond Restaurant
- Sunday, March 19: Al Krupski of Krupski Farms, Ray Wellen of Green Thumb Organic Farm, Barbara Shinn of Shinn Estate Vineyards, and Chef Dee Muma of Dark Horse Restaurant
- Sunday, April 2: Hank Kraszewski of Kraszewski Farms, Juan Micieli-Martinez of Martha Clara Vineyards, and Chef Colin Ambrose of Estia's Little Kitchen
- Sunday, April 23: Paul McCormick of Great Gun Shellfish, Anthony Nappa of Raphael Winery, and Chef Taylor Knapp of PawPaw Restaurant
Moderated by Laura Donnelly pastry chef and food writer for the East Hampton Star
All talks start at 2:00 pm. Tickets:
Individual: $30/person or $25/Bridge Gardens member
Full Series: $100/person or $80/Bridge Gardens member
Purchase the full series and receive a 1 year subscription to the Edible magazine of your choice: Edible East End, Edible Brooklyn, Edible Manhattan or Edible Long Island.
To register call: 631.283.3195 ext. 19
~~~~ MORE CONNECTIONS IN MARCH ~~~~
 Saturday, March 18 : 10:00 am to Noon Annual Volunteer Orientation and Training
Interested in giving some time to support the conservation work of the Trust? Join us and learn how you can get involved at this training programming!
- North Fork: North Fork Stewardship Center, 22600 Main Road, Cutchogue
- South Fork: Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton
Call Kathy at 631.283.3915, ext 29 to reserve your seat
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photo Andrea Pickerell
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Friday through Sunday, March 24 to 26
Long Island Natural History Conference
Berkner Auditorium at Brookhaven National Lab, Upton, NY
We are pleased to once again be a co-sponsor of the largest regional forum on Long Island's natural environment. This year's presentations offer a wide variety of topics on natural sciences, from the global impacts on horseshoe crabs, why we are seeing more whales and sharks near Long Island, to the science behind vernal ponds, what is impacting our salt marshes, and Plum Island.
 Saturday, March 25: 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Spring Pruning with Jackson Dodds
Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton
Meet Jackson Dodds, a certified ISA Arborist and President of the L.I. Arboricultural Association, who will take you through the basic steps of spring pruning for your deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. Workshop includes a guided walk with Garden Manager Rick Bogusch to show the practical application of pruning throughout the garden. Bring your questions!
$10/person, free to Bridge Gardens and Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons members. Rain cancels.
To register call 631.283.3195 ext. 19.
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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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