Trust Partners with Perfect Earth Project on Living Lands Program
August 27, 2024
The Living Lands Program, an initiative of the Peconic Land Trust and Perfect Earth Project, is designed to educate homeowners on environmentally responsible gardening and land care practices. Leading the program on Long Island is Tim Wheeler, Living Lands Regional Manager. Since March, Tim has been meeting with homeowners to help them transition from conventional, toxic landscaping methods to nature-based land care practices. He says, “You can have a beautiful, nature-based landscape that is good for you, your family, and your community.”
Tim comes to this role with a background in ecology and a master's in environmental management. Most recently he was an environmental educator at Wave Hill in the Bronx. What drew him to Perfect Earth Project was the opportunity to work with the community and combine his working background with his hobby of gardening. He’s also excited to learn more about coastal ecosystems and plants that are resilient to salt water.If you live on the South Fork between Hampton Bays and Montauk, you can schedule a free, 1-hour home visit with Tim. During the visit, he will review your current landscaping practices and answer site-specific questions. Afterwards he will follow up with a report that includes suggestions and tips on improving your landscape and practices.Tim's top suggestions are to stop using all pesticides and chemical fertilizers and to irrigate deeply (6-8 inches deep; at least 30 minutes) only when needed. It’s better for your plants. He also encourages you to invite neighbors to sign up for site visits too, so he can visit you all at once. You can schedule a visit through this online form.Thank you to the Georgica Pond and Sagg Pond communities for supporting this position and the free home visits.