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The Latest News from the Peconic Land Trust
May 17, 2017
In this Issue:
Preserve Spotlightpreserve
 
Berglund & Lesster Preserves, North Sea
Southampton 
 

 
The North Sea area of Southampton is a nature lovers paradise, with over 1,000 acres in preservation, including trails along the Paumanok Path. Hikers and paddlers have miles of terrain to explore, including two Trust nature preserves: Berglund and Lesster.

The 40+ acre Berglund Preserve along West Neck Creek was donated to the Trust in 1993 by Nils Berglund. As often happens, the estate tax burden on the property was significant and the family was concerned that the woodlands and wetlands that provided important habitat for wildlife would be lost. Donating the land to the Trust helped with both the future estate tax issues as well as protected the land from residential development, forever. A few years later, the Trust purchased the adjacent five acres from Elizabeth Lesster through a bargain sale at a nominal value. Mrs. Lesster also wanted to see her property conserved along with the bountiful woodlands and wetlands along Little Sebonac Creek.

In 2012, the family of Logan James Kirby donated a bench within the preserve in his memory -- as a place to sit quietly and enjoy nature.

The woodland and wetland preserve areas are abundant with an array of flora and fauna, including native grasses, such as smooth (Spartina alerniflora) and saltmeadow (Spartina patens) cordgrasses, a variety of flowers (Swamp azealea, Marsh mallow, and seaside goldenrod) and forest trees, predominately American beech, although there are some pitch pines as well. The preserve is also a haven for many species of owl including Great Horned, Barn and Eastern Screech -- along with a wide variety of other birds, mammals and reptiles.

The preserve can be accessed through the hiking trails within the Town's Wolf Swamp Sanctuary, just to the north of the Paumanok Path trails -- and you can get a great waterside view into the preserve by kayaking or canoeing West Neck Creek (added treat: it leads into Scallop Pond).

We thank Nils Berglund and Elizabeth Lesster for choosing conservation!



The Berglund Preserve was used by local hunters long before it was donated to the Trust. In keeping with this tradition, it is leased to the North Sea Gun Club and the Island Creek Hunting Club in the fall and winter as part of the Trust's Wildlife Management Program.  

Want to learn more about the conservation story and the diverse ecosystem of the preserves? Contact Matt Swain, Senior Stewardship Manager at 631.283.3195.
Conservation News conservation
  
Raynor Dibble Family Protects Farmland and Woods in Eastport for the Future 

We have exciting news to share from Eastport! On May 4, the Peconic Land Trust acquired 13.6 acres of farmland and woodlands from the Mary G. Raynor Dibble Irrevocable Trust -- including 9.4 acres of farmland that will be returned to active agricultural production this spring! The property is located between North Bay and Tuttle Avenues in the hamlet.

Etta and her son Louis Tuttle are Trustees of the Mary G. Raynor Dibble Irrevocable Trust. In 2013, Etta came to the Trust to explore a conservation option for the family's property, which includes prime agricultural soil and had been in the Raynor family -- and historically farmed -- for many generations. Working with the Town of Southampton, the Trust has acquired the land, with the Town of Southampton purchasing the development rights on all the land, including an enhanced easement for food production on the farmland. This is the first time farmland west of the Shinnecock Canal has been protected for food using this new tool!

The Trust is in the process of entering into a lease with a local farmer to grow food on the land this spring. And, later this year, the Trust will issue a Request for Proposals for Qualified Farmers to purchase the property.

Our thanks to Etta and Louis for choosing conservation as the late Mary Raynor Dibble would have wanted. We look forward to seeing this land back in agriculture!  Want to learn more about this conservation story? Contact Senior Project Manager Kim Quarty at 631.283.3195.  
Donor Spotlightdonor
  
Elaine Monroe Plans for the Future . . . and Cares for the Land 

Feeling a part of the East End Community, and contributing to keeping the natural beauty we see all around us, is important to Elaine Monroe.  A friend to the Peconic Land Trust and Quail Hill Farm for many years, Elaine has supported the mission to conserve Long Island's working farms and natural lands through generous in-kind gifts from her fabulous Decorum Antiques in Amagansett and through donations to the Trust.

Last year Elaine's accountant suggested rather than taking the required minimum distribution from her IRA that she make a tax-free gift to a non-profit of her choice. Referred to as a Qualified Charitable Disbursement (QCD), Elaine was able to not only minimize her taxable income, but also support an organization she cared about and help her community.

"Supporting the Peconic Land Trust gives me a greater sense of belonging to this community," said Elaine. "I see my gift to the Trust as a way to help ensure that this gorgeous place will continue to be preserved."

We thank Elaine and all our generous donors for their support of our work and look forward to working with you to protect the land we know and love.

To learn more about qualified charitable disbursements and the many ways you can make a donation to the Trust, visit our website or contact Amanda Abraham at 631.283.3195.
Websiteweb

Thank You!
Your Input on Our Website Survey was Fantastic  

Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent survey. Your considered responses will be of great help to us as we work to redesign our website and improve our email and social media posts.

We made a Word Cloud from your "one word description about the Trust." We were all so honored by your words!  And realized, many of these words also reflect how we feel about you and your commitment to conserving Long Island's working farms and natural lands!

You made our day -- and strengthened our commitment to ensure we live up to your trust in us.


We know that everyone is leading busy lives -- and we are working hard to make sure we provide you with the information you need to know about the Trust's conservation work and Connections programs.

If you haven't yet taken the survey, there's still time. Click here to start the survey now!

As a thank you, everyone who takes the survey will receive 2 day passes to Bridge Gardens! And congratulations to the winners of our drawing -- which was held last Monday, May 8 -- they are Jola, Mindy and Michael!

If you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions about our website, feel free to email or call Yvette DeBow Salsedo at 631.283.3195.
Farms for the Futurefarms
  
Look Who's Leasing this Season at
The Ag Center in Southold and
Light Preserve in Amagansett 

We have a great "crop" of farmers leasing in Amagansett and Southold . . . we are looking forward to working with them again as part of our Farms for the Future Leasing Program, managed by Dan Heston and Jessie Marcus. Have questions about leasing farmland from the Trust? Call us at 631.283.3195.

   
 
Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm, Southold:
  • East End Stems Farms: Karen LaMarsh: Flowers and Bees
  • Akio Shoji: Asian Vegetables
  • The Farm Beyond: Ed & Melissa Henrey: Vegetables, with a focus on foraging
  • The Growing Seed: Jeff Negron: Vegetables, with a focus on home gardening
  • Abe Korman: Chinese Geese and Vegetables & Fruits
  • Tilth & Smoke: Meg Strecker: Flowers and Bees for Honey
  • Sang Lee Farm: Fred & Karen Lee: Asian Vegetables and more, CSA program
  • Invincible Summer Farm: heirloom tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables, CSA program
  • Deep Roots Farm: Hogs and Mixed Vegetables
  • and nearby, Peconic Escargot: Taylor Knapp: Snails

     

Quail Hill Preserve/Light Preserve/Town Lane Preserve, Amagansett:
  • Bee's Needs: Mary Woltz: Bees for honey
  • Juliana Duryea: Vegetables, Fruit, Chickens (Eggs)
  • Three Sons Farming: Steve Marzo: Vegetables
  • Amagansett Sea Salt: Steve and Natalie Judelson: Salt
  • A Hoppy Acre: Greg Kessler: Organic Hops
  • Balsam Farms: Alex Balsam and Ian Calder-Piedmont: Vegetables, Fruit and more,  CSA and farmstand
  • Amber Waves: Katie Baldwin and Amanda Merrow: Vegetables, Fruit and more, CSA and farmers market

We wish everyone a Bountiful Season!  


Join us for . . .tff



Sunday, August 6, 2017
4:00 pm   
Whitecap Farm  | Water Mill, NY

Honoring the Conservation Dedication of Kathleen King

Hosted by the Halsey Family:
John L. and Evelyn Halsey, Amy and Austin Halsey-Cohn
and Jenn and Craig Halsey Dupree

Master of Ceremonies:
  Richie King
Supper by the Chefs of The Art of Eating  
Wines by Martha Clara Vineyards
Music by the John Ludlow Trio
Special Performance by Julia King   

Join us for our annual celebration of our local bounty.

More info, tickets and sponsorship opportunities at:
www.peconiclandtrust.org/farms_fields 
or call 631.283.3195



Thank you to our Sponsors, Benefactors, Patrons & Friends,
including our supporters for our Raffle:
 
Avalon Park and Preserve,
RaineyDay and John Erwin
Bridgehampton National Bank, Bridge Abstract,
The Corcoran Group, Peconic Landing
Artisan Mortgage Company, GreenLogic, Nawrocki Smith,
Markowitz, Fenelon & Bank,
RB Irrigation, Summerhill Landscapes,
Carol Mulvihill Ahlers and Ronald Ahlers,
Carleen Borsella & Jonathan Hoefler,
Lisa Kombrink, Esq.,   
Hampton Hills Golf and Country Club, Terry Elkins, 
Jarin K Jewelry, John Stuart, Marders, Mae Mougin,
Saunders & Associates,
Cook Maran, Buzz Chew, Tate's Bake Shop 
list in formation  
 
Thank you to our committee:
Carol Mulvihill Ahlers (Chair), Emma Clurman, Michael Daly, 
Harriet Dresher, Jenn Halsey Dupree, John Erwin, Nancy Goell,
Amy Halsey-Cohn, Jane Iselin, Linda Lacchia, Patty Orben,  
Rand Stoll, Judie Taylor and Geoffrey Wells.   

For more info or to purchase tickets visit peconiclandtrust.org/farms_fields 
or call 631.283.3195

Save the Date Photograph by John Musnicki |
graphicimagegroup.com  
Join In join
  
Quail Hill Farm Summer Shares
Agricultural Center Community Gardens
Bridge Gardens Open for the Season 

Quail Hill Farm 
Deep Lane, Amagansett

photo by Michael Halsband
2017 will be the 28th season at Quail Hill Farm. Join us and become a member of one of the longest running Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms in the country. Pick weekly from both the fields and farm stand. 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. 

The farm fields are filling up with seeds and seedlings - we had a wonderfully successful seed planting day with volunteers in April and are looking forward to transplanting the seedlings into the fields on May 20. 
Join us for a day of stewardship and help with the transplanting, starting at 10:00 am!  
 
And welcome to our new Advanced Apprentices for 2017: Katie Doe Putkowski, Stephen Tolpinrud, Tori Vitanza and Michelle McKinnon. And a welcome back to Sarah Bush, our new Flower Production Manager.

Did you know: You can follow the Quail Hill Farm crew on Instagram: @quailhillfarm

And, we are excited that we will once again be offering produce for sale at the local Sag Harbor Farmers Market. The market opens for the season on Saturday, May 20!

Community Gardens at Our Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm
3005 Youngs Avenue, Southold 

community gardens
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!

There are a few garden plots left, email Denise today at DMarkut@PeconicLandTrust.org to reserve your space and get growing!


The Community Garden orientation at the end of April was a great time. Thank you to all the gardeners who came by - we are looking forward to a bountiful season with you.

Special thanks to AnnMarie and Ken Lyons for once again taking care of the Learning Garden. This is the perfect spot for our school students to come and learn about gardening and planting.

Curious what it's all about? Waldo Cabrera came and visited last summer and his video of the day is available here. Watch Now and learn more about joining this fabulous group this summer!


Bridge Gardens is Open for the 2017 Season.
Join as a Member Today!
36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton 

    

  A unique public garden in the heart of Bridgehampton,
Bridge Gardens is a wonderful place to spend an hour or the afternoon.

     

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Celebration of National Public Gardens Day! There was so much excitement and life at the gardens . . .

we hope you will come and visit throughout the season!


Happy 30th Anniversary to Bridge Gardens!

Jim and Harry
Donated to the Peconic Land Trust by
Harry Neyens and Jim Kilpatric in 2008,
2017 is its 30th Anniversary,  when Harry and Jim
began the gardens with just 2 1/2 acres in 1987!

Want to learn more about this extraordinary gift?
Check out our Winter 2009 newsletter.

The gardens offer both respite as well as inspiration. Garden Manager Rick Bogusch has continued the legacy built by Harry and Jim and is evolving the gardens' design naturally with an eye toward both low impact, sustainable and native plants -- ideas you can bring home to your garden.

~~~~~~~~~

Lawn Expert Tuesdays at Bridge Gardenslawn 

  

Join us on
Tuesdays from 2:30 - 5:00 pm
when Paul Wagner of Greener Pastures Organics
will be available to answer your lawn and landscaping questions.
Over the course of the season, Paul will focus on a different lawn problem: 
next up on May 30 - common turf diseases
-- and will always answer your individual lawn care questions too! 
 
This program is co-sponsored by the Perfect Earth Project

Don't have time to stop by the gardens? Paul will also answer your questions
 
~~~~~~~~~~

Want to see more? Check out this virtual tour of the gardens filmed last spring by Waldo Cabrera. Then make a plan to come and visit soon.

We look forward to seeing you in the gardens! 
connections 
 
   
CONNECTIONS IN MAY & JUNE
   

Saturdays, May and June, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Painting "en plein air," with Suzzanne Fokine, MFA
Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton
 
Discover the artist within you at this inspiring outdoor painting series! Learn to capture the magic of East End light using your choice of medium: oils, acrylics, or watercolor paints. Master of Fine Arts instructor Suzzanne Fokine will encourage you to express your creativity and artistic vision by providing technical knowledge and guidance for a hands-on experience from start to finish. Beginners to accomplished painters welcome! Class dates: May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24. 
$50/class, $185 for 4 classes, $350 for all 8 classes. Space is limited, prepaid registration is required. A materials list provided at sign up, and students are responsible for easel, tools, and materials. For more information and to register, contact Suzzanne at suzzannefokine@hotmail.com or 631.599.2407.
 
Saturday, May 20, 10:00 a.m.
One Potato, Two Potato, Three Potato, More!
Agricultural Center, 3005 Youngs Avenue, Southold
 
If you've ever thought about growing your own potatoes, this is the workshop for you. Join us in the barn for an interactive presentation and learn all you've ever wanted to know about planting, caring for, and harvesting delicious potatoes in your garden. Our presenter is Joseph Sieczka, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Horticulture at Cornell University and past Coordinator of Cornell's Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center. Bring your questions!
$5/person, reservations requested. Rain or shine.
 
Saturday, May 20, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Stewardship Day at the Farm
Quail Hill Farm, Deep Lane, Amagansett
 
Come join in the fun at this annual workday as we help transplant this year's seedlings from the greenhouse.  Work side by side with Scott Chaskey, the Trust's Farm Director, and Layton Guenther, Farm Manager, and move tender seedlings into the fertile soils at the farm.  Help your children gain new appreciation for tasty fresh vegetables as they dig in the earth and plant this year's vegetable and herb crops. 
Free!  Please park on Deep Lane, reached via Town Lane or Side Hill Lane and join us at the greenhouse. Moderate to heavy rain cancels.  

Saturday, June 10, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Organic Rose Care, Step 2
Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton

It is possible to grow and manage roses organically. Join us for our rose series and find out how. This workshop, the second in our rose care series, offers an overview of pruning strategies for all varieties of roses -- led by Rick Bogusch and Paul Wagner.  Program is co-sponsored by Perfect Earth Project. 
$5/person, free to Bridge Gardens members. Space is limited, reservations requested. Rain or shine.

Saturday, June 17, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Designing and Planting a Container Garden
Summerhill Landscapes, 6 Shore Rd, Sag Harbor 

Please join us for a fun, hands-on workshop to learn some new ideas for your patio pots!
Summerhill's knowledgeable staff will discuss and demonstrate a variety of designs for plant containers perfectly suited for the home and garden. You'll learn how the use of different containers and plants can create interest through color and texture, as well as tips for maintenance to keep them looking their best. Bring your container - up to 16" across - and select from a variety of healthy plants and good soil provided by Summerhill, to create a beautiful floral display for your patio.
$35 includes instruction and all materials except container. Space is limited, prepaid reservations required. Rain or shine.
 
  

Long Island Grown: Watch Now Online!LIGrown

Didn't get the chance to join us at our spring series -- Grown on Long Island, conversations with local Farmers, Chefs and Winemakers? You can have a front row seat at home and watch all 4 of the panels online! Check them out here: Thank you to volunteers Geoff Wells and Charles Certain for capturing our lively discussions! 
 
For more info on Connections, visit our online calendar.

To register call 631.283.3195 ext. 19. 
   
     

 








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 info@PeconicLandTrust.org 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 JSchutt@PeconicLandTrust.org.