A Message from our President

What an amazing fall we have had here on Long Island. While we have missed the rain that keeps things green, sustains fall crops, and recharges our aquifer, we know that it will come, hopefully ,sooner than later! In the meantime, the fall colors have been incredibly vibrant. The warmer weather has given us the opportunity to spend more time outside and experience the beauty and magnificence of all that we have conserved together. Scenic trails to explore, shorelines to walk, and fresh produce to buy during crisp, clear autumn days.

Because of you, we continue to protect all that we know and love on Long Island. In the pages that follow, we touch on a few of the highlights of the year, including the protection of farmland on both the North and South Forks, from Wading River and Mattituck to Bridgehampton, all made possible only by the generosity and commitment of many people in the community. The projects were each unique – one putting a farm back together, another an extraordinary bargain sale of 190 acres of farmland on Oregon Road, most to be resold to farmers, and another the most expensive to date, 27 acres purchased for $48 million with the help of neighbors and the Town of Southampton, also to be resold to farmers.

We continue to work to preserve sensitive shorelines and wetlands on Long Island from Setauket to the East End. Our coordination and education efforts with residents and partner organizations in the watersheds of Sagg Pond and Georgica Pond are bringing new tools and technologies like  I/A septic systems, permeable reactive barriers, and best land management practices to communities.

Because education has always been a core component of our mission, our cover story this year celebrates the 20th anniversary of Connections and its success in connecting people to the land. This milestone is an important one because Connections has brought our work to thousands of people on Long Island in partnership with the many organizations, farmers, scientists, and educators who bring conservation alive and shine a light on its day-to-day impact on our lives.

Thanks again for your incredible support and commitment to the community! It is only through our ability to work together that we can achieve meaningful and long-lasting conservation with healthy environments and communities. We look forward to the next 20 years of Connections and beyond