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Conservation Updates
UPDATE: Amagansett Farmers Market (East Hampton): John v.H. Halsey, President of the Peconic Land Trust announced on July 14 the formal closing of the transaction that conserves the Amagansett Farmers Market. The Trust is now managing the 9.33-acre property through a lease with Margaret de Cuevas, a long-time supporter of the Trust's conservation work. Ms. de Cuevas purchased the property from Pat Struk for $5.5 million; simultaneously, the Town of East Hampton purchased the development rights on 7.5 acres of farmland included in the property. The Trust has also entered into an operating agreement with Eli Zabar to run the market with a focus on local produce and regional products. It is anticipated that the market will re-open on August 1, 2008. For more, see the press release announcing the transaction.
Charnews (Southold): In early April, the Peconic Land Trust acquired 23+ acres of farmland, including a homestead, barn, and accessory buildings in Southold from the Charnews family. The Trust is currently working closely with the Town of Southold to protect the land with the sale of development rights through the Town's farmland preservation program. The Trust will then work to get the farm back in production through its farmland initiative.
Folks (Southampton): The Town of Southampton asked the Trust to partner with it on the acquisition of the Folks parcels in Bridgehampton by purchasing the restricted fee on three 1.5 acre farm parcels over three years; the Town will purchase the development rights on the farmland. The first of the three transactions took place in April. The farmland will be in corn this year and is leased by Brad Reeve (for the next three years), who also farms an adjacent agricultural reserve.
Hopping/Pike Farm Stand (Sagaponack): The Trust is pleased to report that the Hopping family has signed a contract of sale with the Peconic Land Trust for this 7.6-acre parcel that is home to the Pike Farm Stand on Sagg Main in Sagaponack. The purchase price is $8.23 million. The Trust expects the total cost of the acquisition, with the addition of fundraising and transaction costs, to be about $8.4 million, which the Trust is beginning to raise from public and private sources. It is our hope that the Town of Southampton will provide 50% of the purchase price through its Community Preservation Fund (2% real estate transfer tax); the difference will be raised from private sources. If you are interested in learning more about this project and the fundraising effort, please call or email Rebecca Chapman at 631.283.3195 or rchapman@peconiclandtrust.org.
Wilson's Grove Preserve (East Hampton): Marillyn Wilson has donated Wilson's Grove, her 45-acre woodland property in East Hampton to the Trust. The preserve includes a residence, hiking trails, and significant flora: White Oak, Pine Trees, Lady Slippers, Wild Blueberry, Wild Geranium, Mountain Laurel, Wintergreen, Sassafras, Bayberry, and Blue-eyed Grass. In 2002, Ms. Wilson donated a conservation easement on 22.75 acres the property to the Trust. The full donation of the property is the culmination of a long relationship between the Trust and Ms. Wilson. In accepting the donation, Trust President John v.H. Halsey said, "the donation of Wilson's Grove is an incredible gift that will be an asset for the community for years and generations to come. We truly appreciate Marillyn's commitment to conservation, her generosity and foresight." Ms. Wilson's home will become a stewardship and educational center for the organization. The property contains two public hiking trails.
Special Events
2008 is the 25th Anniversary of the Peconic Land Trust -- and we have plenty to celebrate!! We hope to see you at our events. For more information, see our Upcoming Events Calendar.
Buy Tickets Today for the Preview Gala
Parking for the Gala will be at the Nathaniel Rogers House at the southeast corner of Rte 27 and Ocean Road in Bridgehampton. Shuttle buses will be available from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm for guests.
August 3: The 6th Annual Through Farms and Fields Country Supper at Whitecap Farm in Water Mill
August 16: The Common Table at Quail Hill Farm
August 30: The Tomato Taste-Off at Quail Hill Farm
On the Radio
Wednesday mornings, check out Nature News & Views with Bonnie Grice on WLIU (88.3 FM). Quail Hill Farm's farmer/poet Scott Chaskey is a featured commentator twice a month.
PLT in the Magazines:
July 1-15 2008: Hamptons Cottages & Gardens feature on the 2007 "At the Common Table" Benefit at Quail Hill Farm
June 15: Low Summer issue of Edible East End. "Local Heros Awards" recognizes Peconic Land Trust in the non-profit category.
Spring 2008: Vox Hamptons Magazine: Profile of Plein Air Peconic "Under an Open Sky"
Spring 2008: Hamptons Magazine: Christie Brinkley writes about organic gardening and Scott Chaskey and Quail Hill Farm; Magaschoni's president Monica Belag-Forman touts the Peconic Land Trust as one of her inspirations for "going green."
Upcoming Connections Events:
For more Connnections events . . .
Click here for the March/April 2008 issue of Connections
Click here for the May/June 2008 issue of Connections
Click here for the July/August 2008 issue of Connections
Click here for the September/October 2008 issue of ConnectionsThe Peconic Land Trust's calendar of recreational & educational events.
Peconic Land Trust Newsletter:
Latest Issues:
2007/2008 Fall/Winter