Soundview Avenue Preserve

The Trust acquired the property from Edith Cosban-Iserman who was interested in seeing a conservation outcome for the land. The conservation was inspired by a neighbor group, with a steering committee whose dedication and boundless energy saw this to completion: Isabelle Kanz, Cassie Kanz, Louise Harrison, Andy Duffy and Mike Dukmejian.

“It was such a pleasure to work with a group of residents willing to collaborate on the hard work of research and fundraising in the shared goal of conservation,” said Peconic Land Trust Senior Project Manager Holly Sanford. “Their community effort enabled the Trust to acquire and protect this land.”

The woodland property is located along a native forest corridor in Southold that connects three County Parks – Goldsmith’s Inlet, Soundview Dunes Park, and Peconic Dunes Park. The woodlands have a variety of plant species, including native wildflowers and Jack-in-the-pulpit as well as grasses, mosses and shrubs that create a healthy habitat. This property also provides important groundwater recharge for our sole source aquifer.

This land is connected by natural plant life to maritime freshwater interdunal swales (a mosaic of wetlands that occur in low areas between dunes along the Atlantic coast). Listed as rare habitats by the New York Natural Heritage Program, maritime freshwater interdunal swales are more likely to be found on the South Fork, but this land is a key project because of its North Fork location.

“It takes a community to make conservation possible, and this is a wonderful example about how a group of neighbors came together to protect land that provides not only a scenic vista but will contribute to the health of the aquifer. We thank all involved for stepping forward and making a difference!” said John v.H. Halsey, President, Peconic Land Trust.

Read the full press release here.