Donor Spotlight | Isabelle Kanz: Community Inspired Conservation

I have always loved animals and wild places. I am committed to preserving the biodiversity of all life. As I’ve lived in Peconic, I have sadly seen freshwater wetlands and all their diverse flora, bulldozed for expanding construction. When one of these precious, vernal ponds came up for sale, I saw the opportunity to act. 

I contacted the Peconic Land Trust and thus began the most rewarding journey through community involvement. With the support of neighbors and family, we preserved forever, a small but valuable part of our ecosystem, the Soundview Avenue Preserve. 

I am deeply grateful to the Trust and all the committed people who joined in this effort to protect our fragile and increasingly rare, East End forests. I’d like to give a special shout-out to conservation biologist Louise Harrison whose expertise was invaluable. We discovered that the preserve is connected by natural plant life to maritime freshwater interdunal swales, listed as rare habitats by the New York Heritage Program. 

The Trust shows a deep commitment to the local community in the fight to preserve what’s left of our fragile woodlands and wetlands. We all experience the benefits of the work of the Trust.

We’re thankful to Isabelle Kanz, for sharing her story with us. Community members like Isabelle allow us to continue to protect natural resources on the East End.