Decrease chemical dependency
Reduce your use of fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides—they wind up in our drinking water and in our harbors and bays. Native plants require fewer pesticides and herbicides, so go native!
Go native
Familiarize yourself with invasive plants and avoid planting them in your yard. Replace your lawn with native plants and trees. Trees that shade your house help you save on energy bills. Native plants require less costly treatment to keep them looking beautiful. For more information, click on the 'Bayscaping' tab.
Protect your home
Remove your bulkhead and recreate a natural shoreline. natural vegetated shorelines are important habitats for marine life and better protect your property from storm and flood damage.
Dispose of toxins properly
Do not dump chemicals in sewers, down your drain or on the ground.
Slow the flow
Upgrade or replace your septic tank—especially if you live near the water. Remember to pump-out every 2-4 years; waiting until there's a backup to pump-out means much larger problems for local water quality.
Tread lightly
Avoid boating, anchoring and shellfishing in seagrass beds. Boat slowly to avoid running aground and keep updated bay charts on board. Reducing boat wakes reduces erosion effects on seagrasses and shorelines.
Pack in, pack out on the beach
Waste attracts predators that prey on shorebirds such as endangered piping plovers and can kill marine life—don't leave trash on the beach.
Be a responsible pet owner
Don't allow your cat to roam outside where it can prey on songbirds and harass other wildlife.
Support conservation by volunteering or donating
The best way to protect is to volunteer or donate. Click the 'Volunteer' tab for a list of local organizations you can volunteer or donate to.
Reduce your energy use
Help slow climate change; turn down the head and A/C when you leave the house or turn in for the night. Increase travel efficiency by car pooling and driving vehicles with high gas mileage.
Take a hike!
Get out and share your appreciation for our parks, preserves, forests, bays and other natural areas on Long Island!
What is Bayscaping?
Bayscaping is the use of a variety of beneficial native plants that, because they are adapted to our local climate and soil, require minimal maintenance (including trimming, watering, fertilizing or pesticide application). They reduce the amount of pollutants carried by rainwater into local waterways because they use less fertilizers and pesticides. Get started by asking your local nursery about which plants are right for you!
Why Bayscaping?
As the population of eastern Long Island continues to grow, the environmental pressures to the fragile ecosystem increase as well. Thousands of homes that neighbor our tidal wetlands potentially contribute nonpoint source pollution via storm water runoff. While each home may contribute relatively little, the cumulative effect of storm water runoff loaded with nutrients, pesticides, pathogens, petroleum products, and sediments from upland properties can pose serious threats to the health of our bays. Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) released from fertilizers have been responsible for algal blooms which block sunlight to valuable sea grasses and deplete dissolved oxygen levels, which are essential to marine life in the estuary. Toxic chemical compounds, components of landscape pesticides and other household chemicals, can concentrate in the aquatic environment and cause problems in reproduction and disruption of the food web. Nonpoint source pollution can be controlled, but requires conscious decisions and actions by individual households.
Some suggestions and tips for letting stewardship of the bay begin in your own yard:
• Incorporate tree, shrub and groundcover species native to our area. These plants are most suitable for Long Island's conditions, lessening the need for fertilizers and pesticides. For a complete list of Suffolk County native plants, click here.
• Establish a tree canopy with an understory. Doing so provides shade, wildlife habitat and reduces runoff.
• Consider incorporating berms and swales, which are low profile dikes and depressions, in your landscape design. They can impede the flow of runoff from your yard and divert it into depressional areas where percolation into the soil can occur.
• When possible, use porous materials (brick, gravel, turf block) for sidewalks, driveways and patios. These materials allow rainwater to seep into the ground, helping to filter pollutants while reducing the amount of runoff from your yard.
• Improve your soil by adding compost or other organic matter. Organic matter improves soil structure, texture and aeration and increases the soil's capacity to hold water. Additionally, it helps to loosen compacted soils, improves fertility and creates a favorable environment for microorganisms, insects and earthworms.
• Minimize watering: A sure way to reduce watering is to choose drought resistent vegetation, native to eastern Long Island. Drip irrigation is preferable as it conserves water by applying it directly to the root zone of the plants.
• Before applying any fertilizer or lime, a soil test should be performed to identify soil deficiencies. Slow release fertilizers are preferred as they are absorbed more efficiently by the plant and minimize the potential for nutrient loading of the bay. Because of the high toxicity of some pesticides, consider other biological remedies.
Useful Links:
Greenco's Best Management Practices • Native Orchids of NY State • NY Flora Atlas • NY/NJ/CT Botany
Natural Heritage Program • Peconic River Herb Farm
Source for Bayscaping:
Peconic Baykeeper
Public recreation, commercial and sport fishing, and maintaining the bays' ability to be a food source are the principle reasons for protecting our natural resources. From pollution prevention at marinas to sustainable fishing and boating practices, groups such as the Peconic Baykeeper strives to teach boaters and bay neighbors ways to reduce their impact on waterways.
Tips for clean boating:
• Use boat paint that contains no harsh ingredients that can be extremely dangerous to aquatic life, as well as to humans.
• Recycle used oil and filters, batteries, and antifreeze.
• Keep trash from blowing overboard.
• Use shoreline restrooms and pump-out facilities. For a map of local pump-out stations, click here.
• Use oil absorbent materials in your bilge and for spill clean up.
• Keep detergents and bilge cleaners out of the water.
• Whenever possible, do repairs and painting away from the water.
For more information, visit BoatU.S. Foundation's Boater's Toolbox reference page.
Source for Good Boating Practices:
Peconic Baykeeper
The town of Islip has great elected officials and have been vital in assisting with a healthier environment. You can speak up, spread the word and show your support by making it clear that these envrionmental issues are important. Every voice counts.
The Islip Town Board is a legislative body empowered by the New York State Constitution to enact legislation, approve the Town budget, levy Town taxes and provide local services.
The Supervisor, Town Clerk, Receiver of Taxes and four Councilpersons are each elected to four-year terms, however, the Councilpersons’ terms are staggered two at a time. The Supervisor and four Councilpersons comprise the voting body of the Town Board, which has jurisdiction over governmental affairs within Town boundaries, exclusive of incorporated villages.
The principal function of the Town Board is to regulate land-use within the Town and to promote and protect the health, safety and general welfare of Islip residents.
Islip government encourages the participation of all residents who may address agenda items or any matter of concern at open Board meetings. The Town Board meets in the upper level Town Board Room, Islip Town Hall, 655 Main Street. Residents may obtain a schedule of the meeting dates by calling the Town Board Office at (631) 224-5560. Fore more information, visit isliptown.org.
There are numerous active organizations that are working to make Long Island and its water thrive once again to ensure enjoyment for future generations. Here's a select few that are constantly looking for fresh volunteers and or donations:
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy has been working on Long Island since the early 1950s. Since that time, the Conservancy has helped preserve thousands of acres here. Its work has evolved from an organization whose main conservation tool was land acquisition to one that uses a variety of approaches and works with many different partners to protect large landscapes, seascapes, and whole functioning ecosystems. Its work now includes efforts to protect underwater marine environments and restore populations of shellfish, which in recent years have dramatically declined. The Conservancy frequently reseeds clams at the end of Atlantic Avenue in West Sayville.
Clam Stocking:
Volunteers with power boats are need for the bi-annual clam stocking activities on the bay. This work is done on-call, weekdays, during the spring, summer and autumn. Volunteers are also needed to help stock spawner sanctuaries with shellfish. Must be able to lift 60lb bags of clams, have excellent boating skills and a sure footing.
Be our eyes on the water:
When you're out boating, fishing and swimmin in the bay, keep your eyes open for unlawful shellfish harvest on TNC submerged lands and help build support by spreading your knowledge of TNC's shellfish restoration efforts. While boating, steer clear of seagrass meadows which provide important habitat for shellfish, finfish and other critters.
Festival Attendants:
Volunteers are needed throughout the year to assist at TNC's educational booths at various South Shore fairs and festivals. Volunteers will be admitted free to any festivals the TNC participates ina nd be asked to distribute information and answer questions about the work they are doing on the bay.
To get involved, call Kelly Hines: 631.367.3384 x129 • khines@tnc.org • nature.org
Peconic Baykeeper
Peconic Baykeeper is a non-profit organization that works to protect and sustain the South Shore and Peconic Bays of Long Island. We accomplish this by working to improve water quality and productivity in these ecosystems, emphasizing the intrinsic connection between our bays and our communities.
peconicbaykeeper.org
New York Sea Grant
NY Sea Grant is a statewide network of integrated research, education, and extension services promoting the wise use and protection of marine resources. Peconic Baykeeper is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect and improve the aquatic ecosystems of the Peconic and South Shore estuaries of Long Island.
nyseagrant.org
West Sayville Civic Association
The West Sayville Civic Association is a grass roots, not for profit organization comprised of West Sayville residents who have concerns about the future of their neighborhood. While the association was originally formed as a means to fight inappropriate development on the Great South Bay, over the course of five years they have widened their scope to include the protection of the Greene's Creek Watershed, adherence to existing zoning and building codes, preservation of our historic landmarks, and community interaction with commercial entities in our downtown and waterfront areas. The association also represents our hamlet on the town and county level, concerning themselves with the larger issues of vehicular congestion on major roadways and the development of comprehensive management plan for all of Long Island.
westsayville.org
Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Council
The South Shore Estuary Reserve was formed by the New York State Legislature at the urging of Long Islanders concerned with the long-term health of their South Shore Estuary. West to east, the Reserve stretches from the Nassau - Queens county line to the middle of the Town of Southampton. South to north, it extends from mean high tide on the ocean side of the barrier islands to the inland limits of the watersheds that drain into the bays.
estuary.cog.ny.us
Keep Islip Clean
The Volunteer KIC Commissioners are concerned citizens from each of Islip's 18 hamlets who represent their own individual communities and act as the liaison between KIC and local groups and individuals who are proud of their towns and want to get involved in cleaning and enhancing each hamlet. Each community in Islip Town has its own unique flavor, and at KIC meetings, there is an invaluable exchange of ideas about how to achieve KIC objectives of a cleaner and more attractive town! In short, KIC is the catalyst to encourage and support each and every Islip resident to get out and clean up and beautify their own hometown! KIC has developed many different programs designed to help Islip residents do just this! KIC is a Proud Affiliate of Keep America Beautiful as well as many other organizations and as such, is a non-profit charter.
keepislipclean.org
Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island, Inc.
The Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island, was founded in the summer of 1996 by a group of experts in marine mammal science, environmental sciences, education and conservation. CRESLI was formed for the purposes of conducting research, providing educational experiences and promoting conservation of coastal ecosystems. Research and education are inextricably linked in all CRESLI activities. As such, CRESLI actively seeks cooperative alliances with researchers, educational institutions, and the participation of the general public. Many of the cetacean research projects, for example, utilize public whale watch cruises as a platform for collecting data and educating the public at the same time.
cresli.org
Surfrider Long Island
The Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots, non-profit, environmental organization that works to protect our oceans, waves, and beaches. Surfrider's coastal environmental work is carried out by Surfrider Foundation's 60 chapters located along the East, West, Gulf, Puerto Rican, and Hawaiian coasts.The Eastern Long Island chapter is dedicated to maintaining and acquiring beach and ocean access rights, to preserve our coastline and improve the overall quality of Long Island's coastal environment.
surfriderli.org
South Bay Cruising Club
The South Bay Cruising Club is currently leading efforts to increase the number of pumpout facilities and access to pumpout facilities in the Great South Bay. They have completed a comprehensive study of existing facilities in an effort to prioritize locations where better facilities or increased stations would make the most significant difference. This initiative is an important step in keeping the bay clean, healthy, and productive now and for future generations.
sbccsail.org
Long Island is blessed with many good seafood markets. The ones below were all recommended enthusiastically and sell local seafood:
Blue Island Seafood Market
501 Montauk Highway, Sayville
631.419.0765
blueislandoyster.com
The Blue Point Oyster is back! Check out this new, friendly and delicous market right off of Montauk Highway in Sayville.
The Fish Store
836 Montauk Highway, Bayport
631.472.3018
This friendly fish store in Bayport offers a wide selection of fresh fish, and will cook anything it sells. The result is a menu larger than that of most seafood restaurants, including blowfish, bluefish, mako and haddock.
The Village Fish Market
20 East Main Street, West Sayville
631.589.0660
This charming store has been under the same ownership of Charlie Piffard for 30 years. "He has provided me and my family with numerous amazing and scrumptious dinners," a resident wrote. "I cannot say enough great things about the fish market." Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays, Piffard fires up the Frialator and fries all manner of fin and shellfish.
Kingstons Clam Bar
130 Atlantic Ave, West Sayville
631.589.0888
Scrumptious steamed muscles, whole lobsters, shrimp, calamari and more. The Kingstons Clam Bar works with local bayman and is also a large supplier for the Long Island Maritime Museum Seafood Festival and Craft Show every August.
