 The
Long Pond Greenbelt, spectacular in its wealth of rare plants, animals, and
ecological communities is widely recognized as one of the state's most environmentally
significant areas. It harbors one of the highest concentration of rare plants
and animals in New York State. The Greenbelt's
most splendid feature consists of a collection of thirteen coastal
plain ponds and pond shore communities. The New York Heritage Program
classifies many of the Greenbelt's ponds, fauna, and flora as rare
both in New York State and worldwide. In recognition of the area's
unique and fragile status, Southampton has dedicated 14 of its Greenbelt
parcels into its Nature Preserve program, which extends the highest
degree of protection in town law. The rest of Southampton's
Greenbelt properties are currently in nomination for Nature Preserve
status.
Within the 1,100-acre Greenbelt management boundaries (roughly Sagg
Road and Sagg Main Streets to the east and the Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor
Turnpike and Ocean Road to the west), more than 600 acres have been preserved
outright since 1975 by Suffolk County, Southampton Town, and the Nature
Conservancy. New York State has assisted purchases with funds from the
1986 Environmental Quality Bond Act and long-term, low-interest loans.
Greenbelt ponds, which are under the aegis of the Board of Trustees of
the Freeholders and Commonalty of the Town of Southampton, cover close
to 300 acres.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Here's what
going on this month in the fabulous Long Pond Greenbelt!
Wednesday. June 2. Birding by Ear 6:00 p.m.-7:00
p.m. Join composer and East End birder Eric Salzman, who will give us clues
about learning the songs and calls of the birds of East End birds at
this latest program in our fourth annual summer lectures series at
the Long Pond Greenbelt Nature Center, 1061 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor
Turnpike (entrance just north of Scuttlehole intersection, east side – look
for sign.) Co-sponsored by FLPG and Town of Southampton. Call Laura
Smith for more details: 631-287-5720 (prior to event) or 631-537-4666
(night of event).
Thursday, June 3. Slide Show and Talk “Hiking Long Island.” 6:30
p.m. at John Jermain Memorial Library, Main St. Sag Harbor. Join Lee
McAllister, naturalist and author, for a presentation on the geology,
history (both natural and human), flora, fauna and topographical features
that make Long Island such an interesting place to hike at any season.
Saturday, June 5. Salamander Seining . . . and
some frogs too! 10:00 a.m. Many salamanders breed in the water, and here’s your chance
to see the larval aquatic stage of the endangered Eastern Tiger Salamander
before it comes on land to live. At South Fork Natural History Museum-SoFo,
Bridgehampton. Call 631-537-9735 for reservations.
Tuesday, June 8. Your Six-legged Neighbors -
Nature Story & Craft
Hour. 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. For children ages 2 to 4. There is a $2 material
fee. Readings: “Children's Guide: About Insects” and “Are
You a Ladybug?” At South Fork Natural History Museum-SoFo, Bridgehampton.
Call 631-537-9735 for reservations.
Saturday, June 12. FRIENDS OF THE LONG POND
GREENBELTS ANNUAL MEMBERS’ GATHERING.
10:30 a.m. Click here for details.
Saturday, June 12. A Night Of Mothing. 8:30
p.m. Study night-flying
moths with Hugh McGuinness, science teacher, entomologist, and tireless
investigator of the biology and ecology of moths. For adults; children
from fifth grade and up may also attend. At the SoFo Museum, Bridgehampton.
Call 631-537-9735 for reservations.
Saturday, June 12. I Wonder Why! Children Investigate
the Natural World. 10:00 a.m. Barbara Blaisdell, a long-time educator in the Sag Harbor
School District will go out into the field behind the SoFo Museum with
the children and through direct observation lead them to explore the
wonders, ways, and whys of nature. For children ages 8 - 12. Space
is limited. Call SoFo at 631-537-9735 for reservations.
Sunday, June 13 – Flowering Mountain Laurel-Studded 5-mile Long
Pond Greenbelt Trek. 8:00 -10:00 a.m. Meet at the South Fork Natural
History Museum-SoFo parking lot on Bridgehampton Turnpike, 200 yards
north of RR tracks. Fast-paced hike through grasslands and oak forest.
An STPS hike. Dai Dayton, 631-745-0689.
Saturday, June 19. Old Farm Road Clean-Up. 8:00-9:00. Join FLPG in
keeping our adopted road tidy. Meet at Poxabogue Park, on Old Farm
just south of Narrow Lane intersection. Bring gloves. Collection bags
provided. Sandi Ferguson: 537-3752
Sunday, June 20. Long Pond Greenbelt North Circuit.
10:00 a.m.-noon. Meet at Mashashimuet Park in Sag Harbor. Moderately-paced 5 mile hike
with spectacular views of Long Pond, Little Long Pond, Round Pond,
Crooked Pond and an abandoned RR spur. Nasty weather cancels. An STPS
hike. Bob Wolfram, 631-725- 4237.
Tuesday, June 22. Among Cattails & Pond Weeds - Nature Story & Craft
Hour. 10:00-11:00. For children ages 2 to 4.
Readings: “Eliza and
the Dragonfly” and “Near One Cattail.” There is a
$2 material fee. South Fork Natural History Museum. Call SoFo at 631-537-9735
for reservations.
For more information call
Sandra Ferguson, President (631 537 3752) or Dai Dayton, Vice President
(631 745 0689)
photo: Bob Wolfram
View the Southampton Town interactive trails map here.
Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
is dedicated to the preservation, stewardship, and public appreciation
of the unique expanse of coastal plain ponds, freshwater swamps, wetlands,
and woodlands in the Town of Southampton known as the Long Pond Greenbelt,
which stretches from Ligonee Creek in Sag Harbor to Sagaponack Pond in
Sagaponack.
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