MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Kate Schertel
(631) 765-6450, ext. 208
kschertel@eastendenvironment.org

SOUTHOLD CONSERVATION AGENDA TO BE RELEASED MARCH 12th
New Guide Addresses North Fork Environmental Issues Ahead of Comprehensive Plan
    

WHO:

Bob DeLuca, President, Group for the East End
Jeremy Samuelson, Environmental Advocate, Group for the East End
Representatives from the Long Island Community Foundation
Representatives from the Town of Southold
Representatives from local community organizations

WHAT:   

Press conference announcing the release of the Southold Conservation Agenda, a user-friendly, 15-page guide with fold out maps will assist residents, school groups and local government to explore the connections between the natural world, public policy and personal practices. New guide will inform the forthcoming comprehensive planning process in Southold Town and enable residents to be involved.

WHEN:   

Friday, March 12th, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:   

Group for the East End offices, 54895 Route 25 in Southold
(North side of the road, across from the Bridgehampton National Bank)

PHOTOS:   

Enlarged replica maps will be displayed for viewing and reference. Distinguished representatives from Group for the East End, the Long Island Community Foundation, the Town of Southold and local community organizations will speak about the project and its timely release as the Town begins its comprehensive planning process.

In an effort to close state budget shortfalls, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historical Preservation has recommended closing Orient Beach State Park. Orient Beach State Park is one of the few public beaches on the North Fork, serves over 110,000 people annually, and is an engine for the local economy. Its closure will undoubtedly have an effect on North Fork tourism. Over 5,500 people have joined a coalition on Facebook to oppose these budget cuts. For more details and to stay updated on this issue, join the coalition against state park closures on Facebook.

See this Newsday article to find out what else Long Islanders are doing to help.

Read more to find out what you can do.

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PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Kate Schertel
(631) 765-6450, ext. 208
kschertel@eastendenvironment.org

88.3FM OPENS THE RADIO AIRWAVES TO GROUP FOR THE EAST END
New Radio Program Will Focus on “Going Green”

Join Group for the East End President Bob DeLuca as host of “Going Green,” a new radio program that explores what each of us can do to live a more environmentally conscious and sustainable life.

The program’s premier episode will air live on Friday, February 12^th at 9:00 a.m. on the East End’s new community-owned radio station, 88.3FM Peconic Public Broadcasting.

During this Friday’s show, Anita Wright and Mariah Bruehl will join Mr. DeLuca for a discussion of the issues, activities and experiences that shape and nurture a lasting environmental ethic, from children to adults.

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Attend the Town Board Hearing
Southampton Town Hall
Tuesday, February 9 at 1:00 p.m.

Tell the Town Board to say NO!

Consequences of a toxic plume beneath the site are unknown.
State and local agencies have been extensively studying the Speonk Solvent Plume but have not yet completed their final reports (due in March).  Without accurate information the Town Board should halt the review of this application. 

Density proposed is four times the allowable limit.
A large-scale sewage treatment plant would be required to accommodate the project, which is more than four times the density permitted by the Town’s zoning code. Although the project claims some community benefits, these benefits will never outweigh the traffic, sewage and suburban sprawl burdens the community will bear if the project is approved.

Join us -- Urge the Town Board to deny Serenity Estates.
Given that the application is a Planned Development District (PDD), the Town Board has the right to deny a change to the underlying zoning. Unlike a typical project where the applicant is allowed a certain density as of right, the Town Board can simply say no to a PDD. As of today, we are unsure where the Town Board stands on this project. If this application makes it to a Planning Board review, there is little that can be done to stop it.

Read more from The Southampton Press.
Contact us if you have questions.

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Are you thinking of buying a new kitchen appliance? If you can, hold off on that purchase to take advantage of New York's Great Appliance Swap-Out from February 12th through 21st.

During this time, New York State residents can trade in their existing old appliances for energy-efficient models and get a cash rebate!

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By Jennifer Skilbred

Did you know that Group for the East End coordinates education and outreach for the Peconic Estuary Program (PEP)? This year, we are disseminating information about the two most recently adopted management plans, working with PEP members to organize the 2010 State of the Bays Conference, and developing many other exciting outreach programs.  

Two Peconic Estuary Program management plans were approved in 2009 -- an updated version of the Habitat Restoration Plan and an Eelgrass Management Plan for the Peconics. The Group has weighed in on the development of both strategies and will continue to ensure that important recommendations move forward.
 
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By Jenn Hartnagel

On October 28th, I testified in opposition to a 128-unit condominium project known as Northwind Village.  The project is proposed for a 17-acre parcel of land located in the Town of Southold on Route 48, just east of Chapel Lane near Greenport.
 
The most reported and distinctive feature of the application is a request to incorporate the parcel into the Village of Greenport. Both Southold Town and Greenport Village must approve this annexation. If either municipality denies the request, the project as proposed will not be approved.

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By Anita Wright

To think that many of the East Hampton 5th graders, who participated in the first SEALS (Science Encompasses All Life & Systems) program thirteen years ago, have already graduated from college makes my head spin a little.   When I began at the Group in 1998, the SEALS program was already in full swing and being expanded to the sixth grade as the OWLS (Outdoors While Learning Science) program. Over the years, Group educators have had the opportunity to work closely with 5th grade teachers, John Ryan and Linda Cameron, and sixth grade teacher Brian Smith to design classroom lessons and field excursions that connect students to our natural world and inspire a conservation ethic.
 
This fall, the entire 5th grade team moved from the Middle School to their new wing at the John Marshall Elementary School. During the first SEALS classroom lesson in October, students acted as taxonomists and classified specimens of local animals (turtle shells, bird mounts, skulls and seashells as well as spider, ant and beetle specimens in collection jars) into groups according to common traits. 
 
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By Kate Schertel

Over the years, Group for the East End has sponsored and worked with many interns and volunteers. We have found some extremely special and inspiring people along the way, and why not shine the spotlight their way in gratitude? We thank them for their dedication, but also for helping our organization realize its vision to inspire people to embrace a conservation ethic.

As an intern from 2007 through 2008, Katie Magee was involved with almost every aspect of Group for the East End's programs. Her accomplishments ranged from securing an appointment to the Mayor's Greening Task Force in Sag Harbor, to reviewing development projects and providing testimony before governing boards, to securing a full spread of exclusively "eco-friendly" sponsorship items for the goody bag at our annual summer benefit.

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By Jenn Hartnagel