FLPG January/February Newsletter

Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt

January/February 2024

Bridge to Buell Project Update:

Success!

In December, FLPG President Dai Dayton received a message from Bill Fauk, Regional Public Affairs Manager at PSEG, notifying FLPG that the modified, final proposed route for the upcoming Bridgehampton to Buell transmission project avoids the Long Pond Greenbelt entirely by utilizing county, town, and state roads.

This is obviously a terrific outcome and huge relief. We want to thank all of our FLPG members, neighbors, and friends who took action (and in this case, kept taking action over a prolonged period of time) to protect the Long Pond Greenbelt, whether by writing letters, attending and speaking up at public hearings, signing petitions, or using your platforms to amplify our message. It is because of your care and commitment that the Long Pond Greenbelt has been saved from the proposed underground drilling. Thank you!

Bench Honoring Jean Held Now Sits in Vineyard Field

Jean Held, former FLPG board member and superb local naturalist, spent a vast number of hours studying the Vineyard Field ecosystem and writing about and documenting the early days of FLPG’s grassland restoration at that site. There could be no location more apt for a bench in her honor, quietly reminding us of her devoted hard work and loving attention to Vineyard Field. If you’d care to read it, Jean’s terrific Vineyard Field progress report can be seen here.

Great Backyard Bird Count

February 16–19, 2024

Each February, the Cornell Lab for Ornithology, the National Audobon Society, and Birds Canada sponsor a four-day citizen science project in which anyone and everyone is invited to spend time outside watching and counting as many birds as they can find and reporting them. The goal of the project is to help scientists better understand global bird populations and their migration patterns. Learn more at www.birdcount.org.

Governor Hochul Signs "Birds And Bees" Act, Nation-Leading Legislation to Protect New Yorkers and Wildlife From Harmful Pesticides

In December, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law Legislation S.1856-A/A.7640, known as the Birds and Bees Protection Act. This nation-leading legislation protects New Yorkers from potentially harmful toxins by prohibiting the use of certain neonicotinoid pesticide (neonics) treated corn, soybean, or wheat seeds and neonicotinoid pesticides for outdoor ornamental plants and turfs, creating important protections for New York’s pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. See the press release here: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-signs-birds-and-bees-act-nation-leading-legislation-protect-new-yorkers-and.

Holiday Party A Great Success!

Held at the beautifully decorated and festive Wolffer Estate Vineyard, a larger-than-ever and lively crowd turned out to enjoy the wine, food, and good company. We were joined by several local elected officials including Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Suffolk County Legislator-Elect Ann Welker, Southampton Town Board Member Tommy John Schiavoni, and newly elected board members Michael Iasillli and Bill Pell. Mary Ann Eddy from the Sag Harbor Harbor Committee also attended. Thanks to each of them for coming to show their support. And a huge thank you to Wolffer Estate for donating the space and making the party so pleasurable. Our warmest thanks for their wonderful generosity.

Upcoming Events in January and February

Important: Events are free, registration is suggested. To register, please email greenbeltnews@aol.com or call (or as otherwise noted in event detail). Dress appropriately for ticks.

Thursday, January 25 – Full Wolf Moon Hike. 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Co-Sponsored by FLPG and South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO). Legend has it that native tribes related this moon to the nighttime howling of wolves. Join us to mark the first of the year’s full moons on this leisurely-paced hike through Vineyard Field’s open-field trails and afterward, some light refreshments and convivial conversation. Meet at the SOFO Museum parking lot, 377 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, 200 yards north of the RR tracks. Leader: Dai Dayton, 631-745-0689.FLPG Membership Required.

Saturday, January 27 – Grassland to Grassland Hike. 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Meet at the SOFO Museum parking lot, 377 Bridgehampton Turnpike 200 yards north of the RR tracks. Join FLPG for a moderately-paced, 1.5 mile hike with pond views from Vineyard Field to the grasslands of Poxabogue County Park. Leader: Dai Dayton, 631-745-0689.

Saturday, February 3 – StoryWalk Trail Hike for HarborFrost. 10:00 a.m. As part of the annual

HarborFrost activities, join FLPG for a fun walk for kids of all ages along the StoryWalk Trail in Sag Harbor (~30 minutes). The more adventurous can continue on for another half hour to see Long Pond and learn about the amazing Long Pond Greenbelt. Meet at the bleachers at Mashashimuet Park on the

corner of Main Street and Jermain Avenue in Sag Harbor. Leader: Dai Dayton, 631-745-0689. *The StoryWalk Trail was made possible through a grant from Sag Harbor Partnership*

Saturday, February 10 - Joint Hike with the Southampton Trails and East Hampton Trails 10:00 a.m. – Noon. Meet at the Long Pond Greenbelt Nature Center, 1061 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike. Join Mike Bottini and Dai Dayton for a moderately-paced, 3.5 mile hike through oak hickory forest with spectacular views of several coastal plain ponds. Learn about the new Long Island mammal study being conducted by Seatuck Environmental Association and the history and importance of the preservation of the Long Pond Greenbelt Nature Preserve. Refreshments will be served at the end of the hike. For more information contact Mike –mikebottini.ny@gmail.com or Dai – 631-745-0689, daidayton@aol.com.

Monday, February 12 – FLPG Monthly Meeting. 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. All are Welcome!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88283735393?pwd=eWlLNTVlOWpuNDVzZ0VHRDZkQUc0Zz09

Saturday, February 17 – Old Farm Road Cleanup, 8:00 a.m. Help clean up the roadside along FLPG’s adopted road. Meet at Poxabogue Park, 191 Old Farm Road, Sagaponack. Bring gloves, bags provided. For more information, contact Peter Wilson: 631-553-1393.

Saturday, February 24 – Full Snow Moon Hike. 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Co-sponsored by FLPG and SOFO. The Farmer’s Almanac tells us that since

the heaviest snow usually falls during this month, native tribes of the north and east most often called

February’s full moon the Full Snow Moon. Join us on this leisurely paced hike through Vineyard Field’s open field trails, behind SOFO, and stay afterward for some light refreshments and convivial conversation. Meet at the SOFO Museum parking lot, 377 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor

Turnpike, 200 yards north of the RR tracks. Leader: Jean Mc Dermott, 631-599-2391.

Sunday, February 25 – Four Ponds Hike. 10:00 a.m. Meet at the Long Pond Greenbelt Nature Center, 1061 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike. Moderately-paced, 3.5 mile hike through oak/hickory forest with views of Crooked Pond, Long Pond, Deer Drink and Little Long Pond. Leader: Dai Dayton, 631-745-0689.

Our 2024 Membership Drive is Underway

Renew Now!

Suggested annual membership donations. More or less is welcome.

1-year Individual: $ 25.00

1-year Family: $ 40.00

Individual Lifetime: $250.00

Click here to print a membership form and mail your check

-OR-

Click here to pay your membership dues online through PayPal

Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt

greenbeltnews@aol.com