The Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon NewsletterThe Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Newsletter Volume 6,...

The Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon

Newsletter

AUDUBON NEW YORK ADVOCACY IN ACTION

By Audubon New York

HOBAS Editor’s note: Conservation work has always been challenging, but the political tide has been overwhelmingly difficult recently. Regardless, there are many excellent pieces of environmental legislation in the work right here in New York. They rarely make the headlines, so Audubon New York created an informative summary. Call your representatuves to show your support! Offshore Drilling (A.9819 Englebright / S.8017 LaValle; A.10608 Englebright): The Governor and Legislature advanced legislation that would have banned offshore drilling in New York State’s marine and coastal districts. New York State’s marine and coastal ecosystems are critically important to the survival of hundreds of bird species, including at-risk species like the Red Knot, Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, and Roseate Tern. The White House plan to vastly expand offshore drilling would expose these important species’ habitat to the potential dangers of oil and natural gas drilling. This bill passed the Assembly, but stalled in the Senate. Protection of Menhaden (A.10506-A Englebright / S.8570 LaValle): Atlantic Menhaden is a small species of forage fish that has been the subject of recovery efforts after chronic overfishing decimated their numbers. These fish are critical to the health of estuary ecosystems along the Atlantic seaboard and are an important food for many coastal and marine birds including the Brown Pelican, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Common Loon, cormorants, terns, gannets, and gulls. This bill would ban the use of purse seines for the taking of Menhaden, which will ensure that this population can continue to recover while allowing for the use of sustainable fishing methods that benefit local fisherman. This bill passed the Assembly, but stalled in the Senate. Pollinator Protection Guidelines (S.6339-A Ritchie / A.8083-A Magee): This bill would establish guidelines for property owners who wish to claim that … continued on back page

Spotlight: Wild Turkey

I think there are about three

well known turkey facts that

float around (think: national

bird, or drowning in the

rain). Here are a few

(hopefully!) new ones.

The Wild Turkey is native

from Canada to Mexico. In

southern Mexico, it is re-

placed by its cousin,

Occelated Turkey—which

has a blue head!

Like many other native

gamebirds, they were hunted

to near extinction in the US

before recovering.

Turkeys were first domesti-

cated by Native Americans

for their feathers nearly

3,000 years ago. They were

not eaten until about 1,000

years ago.

Wild Turkeys can fly, and

actually pretty well—over 50

miles per hour!

_______

CALL TO ACTION

There are always opportuni-

ties to help our chapter! If

you are interested in volun-

teering on a committee, help

with our website, or to be

considered for our board of

directors, please email us at:

[email protected]

Harlequin Ducks will benefit from the various bills protecting our coastal ecosystems.

Serving from Fort Salonga in Suffolk Co. to Oyster Bay and Centre Island in Nassau Co. Sep 2018 - Dec 2018 Volume 6, No. 4

The Hunt ington -Oyster Bay Audubon Newsletter Volume 6, No. 4

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

Brendan Fogarty

In this fall 2018 edition of the Newsletter, I want to show the power of conservation groups

such as Audubon from two different angles. The first angle, as seen in our front page article,

is that Audubon has a loud voice. Audubon gets involved in major projects and federal

legislation. A comment from Audubon is highly meaningful and will keep the pressure on

both excellent and terrible bills being considered for law. Perhaps no legislation is so

fundamental to Audubon as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which came out of years of

grassroots activism from the very first Audubon societies one hundred years ago. Now

Audubon is working harder than ever to defend its strongest governmental leverage from

being eroded. The defense is not precautionary; there are particular clauses that corporations

despise and lobby strongly against. If they win, they will be able to cause innumerable bird

deaths without consequence. We all need Audubon’s loud voice.

From National Audubon down to New York Audubon down to Huntington-Oyster Bay

Audubon, the power changes to the people, and the impact changes to the local. This

newsletter is not just for the big decision makers, but for the nature lovers who get out there

and pull mugwort, document backyard birds, or brainstorm ways to make our home better

for all species. We are blessed to have young talent comprising some of the people power in

our area. James Ricci is helping with receptacles to store fishing line. I see gulls carrying line

around their legs or beak all the time. I once freed a Sanderling that had so much fishing line

wrapped around its wings that it could not even fly. Then we have Alexa Helburn, who

brings the inspiration of nature home to others with her photography. I personally graduated

college just a few short years ago, but my age is nearly the same as James’ and Alexa’s

combined age. We can all make a difference. Never doubt your own contribution potential. If

you save one tangled Sanderling, it is worth it. But these efforts tend to multiply

exponentially with time. You will never understand the full scope of your impact: how many

birds were saved or how many people were inspired by your art. It is going to be more than

you think, every time.

I want to thank everyone who helps make our world better. That includes every person

reading this. I also want to give gratuitous thanks to the HOBAS board. There are not many

of us, but we keep it alive. We are always happy to have additional talent join us broaden our

capabilities. We appreciate all sorts of effort. Please, never be afraid to get involved. The

rewards are bigger than just your own.

Board of Directors

Officers

Chapter President: (vacant)

Vice President: Simone DaRos [email protected]

Secretary: Brendan Fogarty [email protected]

Treasurer: Sean Prestia [email protected]

Directors

Andy Burke, Fundraising Committee [email protected]

Tess Copa, Education Committee [email protected]

Sonia Garrido, Technology and Out-reach, Field Trips [email protected]

Coby Klein, Conservation, Field Trips [email protected]

Newsletter & Photos

Brendan Fogarty

www.hobaudubon.org

www.facebook.com/hobaudubon

[email protected]

Huntington-Oyster Bay

Audubon Society, Inc.

Membership is just $20 per year. Please join or renew today to support our conservation, advocacy and educational

programs and projects. Your member ship allows us to count your voice as we advocate for wildlife and habitat, including

issues on a local, regional, national and global level. We truly appreciate it and extend our heartfelt thanks!

Membership-$20____________

I wish to make an additional donation of___________

Name____________________________________________________________

Address___________________________________________________________

City______________________ State ______ Zip code_________

Would you like to receive alerts and notices? email______________________________________________________

Please fill out this form and mail with your check to: Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon

PO Box 735

The mission of Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon is to protect wildlife

and preserve habitat through conservation action, advocacy and

education.

http://www.hobaudubon.org

mailto:[email protected]

Volume 6, No. 4 The Hunt ington -Oyster Bay Audubon Newsletter

HOBAS AND YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER

RAISE FUNDS FOR CONSERVATION

Sonia Garrido

Alexa Helburn is a Huntington High School student with an

artistic eye and keen sense for discovering nature’s beauty

through her camera lens. On June 13, she joined forces with

HOBAS to help us fundraise by showcasing her art in our first

photography show at Cold Spring Harbor Library.

The beautiful photographs featured images from recent

HOBAS field trips and family outings in the area. As Alexa is

relatively new to the Long Island area, this was a wonderful

way for her to explore her new home and admire the beauty it

offers. “This is my new home, so I want to understand it

better. I discover the beauty around me through my camera

lens and I want to share this perspective with others.” Alexa

said.

The event was a success, fundraising $195 just that day! The

proceeds of this event will fund the creation of fishing line

receptacles along the North Shore waterways to help prevent

wildlife from getting caught in unused fishing line; a project

started by James Ricci, a 7th grader at Oldfield Middle School

and Eagle Scout.

One of the most gratifying aspects of this event was that it

highlighted the work of two young members of our

community, who in their own way, are not only helping us

support our mission, but also educating the public about

wildlife and environmental conservation.

It was also a rewarding experience for Alexa, as this was the

first time she was showcasing her work to the public, "When

my first photo sold I felt gratified and appreciated that

someone found my work pleasing to them, that all my hard

paid off, and that I was contributing to this good cause.”

HOBAS will be hosting a second photography show in

November featuring Alexa’s photography. The proceeds from

the November event will fund scholarships for young

Guatemalan women living in the cloud forest to continue their

education, help them stay in school and learn how to become

environmental stewards in their villages, thus contributing to

the conservation of this key area in the Atlantic Flyway.

But you don’t have to wait until November to purchase

Alexa’s photographs! You can find them in our website

www.hobaudubon.org.

SCHOOL GARDEN: A COMMUNITY FOR ALL

Paul Oddo

As Marcus Tullius Cicero said, "if you have a garden and a

library, you have everything you need." In the George A.

Jackson Elementary School in Jericho is a library with a plethora

of books, and in the Jackson courtyard is a school garden where

students and faculty enjoy the countless pleasures of gardening

while experiencing the many meanings of community. Started

as a hands-on activity to support the science curriculum, the

school garden helps students better understand the sense of

community within a habitat, allowing them to observe the plants

and animals, their life cycles, and the ways in which they meet

their needs. As students and faculty work together to plant,

weed, and harvest, Jackson gardeners experience the benefits of

working together to accomplish a goal in their own community.

Now, with a generous donation of native plants from

Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon and as part of an Audubon

NY Collaborative Grant, the Jackson Garden has become a part

of a larger community, one through which the cooperation

between a school and an organization has provided additional

habitat for birds and wildlife. Coneflower, black-eyed susans,

milkweed, lowbush blueberry, and a variety of other native

plants are blooming within two of the Jackson Garden's six

boxes. Students and faculty alike are looking forward to

observing as the plants grow and change through the seasons,

and excited by what wildlife may be attracted to the

courtyard. Plans to involve the families of the Jackson students

will bring yet another sense of community to this enriching

learning environment.

Albert Einstein stated, "Look deep into nature...and you will

understand everything better." As the Jackson family continues

to watch their garden grow, we hope this understanding of, and

an appreciation for, the connection between plants, animals,

people and the communities to which they all belong, will

continue to grow as well.

← Alexa Helburn proves that it takes all sorts of pas-

sions and talents to help a cause. She conveys the

beauty and fragility of nature through her evocative

photographs. How will you help the cause?

http://www.hobaudubon.org


MEANINGFUL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR KIDS

Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center

Editor’s note: HOBAS has provided several scholarships for

children to attend day camps in the summer for many years.

The following is an incredible thank you from one.

“Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary (TRSAC) would like to thank

the Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society (HOBAS) for

their steadfast commitment to providing scholarships for our

local children to attend our Summer Sanctuary Adventures

program. HOBAS affords children the opportunity to create

lasting memories of friendships, laughter, compassion and

teamwork with other children and the natural world around

them. It is awe inspiring when the discovery of a worm in the

dirt, a frog or tadpole in the pond, a horseshoe crab at the

cove or a bird in the sky brings such delight to a child’s face.

Many of these natural wonders can be taken for granted by

the rest of the world, save the children who often remind us

that all things in nature should be cherished and cared for.

Together, with HOBAS, we are striving to create the next

generation of conservationists. Many thanks to Simone for

reaching us out to the Sanctuary each and every year to

provide these experiences. Her dedication is appreciated by so

many.”

BIRDSEED - DO IT RIGHT

Coby Klein

Many of us put up bird feeders in the winter. We assume that

we’re helping the birds that patronize our stations to survive

in the cold winter months without abundant food. But recent

research has put that assumption in doubt. Evidence shows

that bird populations that receive supplemental food in the

winter have lower breeding success in the spring. One new

study provides a possible explanation for that phenomenon.

This study—in the journal Ecology & Evolution—compared

blue tits (European cousins of our chickadees) in England

that were fed in the winter with fat, fat enriched with vitamin

E, or did not receive supplemental food at all. They found

that birds fed with vitamin E had a better chance of surviving

the winter and had more subsequent breeding success than

birds in the other conditions. What this study tells us is, yes,

it’s okay to feed birds in the winter. It’s important though, to

make sure the food you put out is nutritious enough. If your

suet is enriched with nuts and seeds, that’s good. If it contains

fillers like wheat husks and ash, leave it on the shelf.

BLAIR’S NOTES FROM THE FIELD

On May 20th, our indefatigable Blair Broughton led a field

trip to Jamaica Bay. Here is what that trip found, in case you

missed it!

“Nice weather, good birds. Coming out of the Visitor Center,

we were immediately met by a very cooperative. Blackpoll

Warbler. We saw Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Glossy

Ibis, and a lot of different shorebirds including American

Golden-Plover. We also saw migrating Scarlet Tanager,

Chestnut sided Warbler, and Magnolia Warbler. The

biggest highlight was a Ruby-throated Hummingbird

sitting on her nest!

→ On a cold day in February 2018, Alin found this

mockingbird trying to enjoy the snowstorm in a

weeping cherry in Elwood.

Photo: Alin Airinei

Member’s Gallery

Do you have any great photos of

nature or wildlife from within our

chapter territory? Send us and we

may feature it HERE!

→[email protected]


BALD EAGLES AND THE ENDANGERED SPE-

CIES ACT — AN AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY

Sarah Greenberger, National Audubon

Sarah Greenberger is the senior vice president of conservation

policy for the National Audubon Society.

Forty years ago, our nation’s symbol, the Bald Eagle, was on the

brink of extinction and its population plummeted to an all-time

low of 417 breeding pairs, in large part due to the effects of the

pesticide DDT. The Bald Eagle became one of the first species

protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) when it was

passed with broad bipartisan support and signed into law in

1973 by President Nixon.

The ESA is our nation’s most powerful tool for protecting wild-

life. Protections provided by the Act have succeeded in prevent-

ing the extinction of 99 percent of the species listed, and bene-

fitted many others that depend on the landscapes it’s helped to

protect.

Today the law currently protects about 100 U.S. bird species,

including the Whooping Crane, Piping Plover, and Western

Yellow-billed Cuckoo. The law prohibits harm to listed species,

designates “critical habitat,” and requires a recovery plan with

population goals and specific management activities. The ESA

has also served as an important tool for incentivizing large-scale

conservation efforts, such as with the Greater Sage-

Grouse. Beyond the Bald Eagle, the ESA has helped numerous

bird species, including the Brown Pelican and Peregrine Falcon,

to recover and be delisted, and set many other species on the

path to recovery.

And yet, despite the law’s stellar track record and widespread

popularity, there are concerted efforts to weaken it—from a

suite of bills in the U.S. House to proposed regulations by the

administration. The most important measure of any proposed

change to a bedrock environmental law, however, is whether it

enhances science-based decision-making as well as air, water, or

wildlife conservation. By this measure, the net impact of both

congressional and administrative proposals fails to meet these

standards.

Key provisions put forward by the administration and in legisla-

tive proposals fail to address the needs of imperiled birds and

would undermine the ESA’s purpose and effectiveness.

Some of the most concerning proposals would:

remove automatic protections for species that are newly listed as

“threatened,”

allow publication and analyses of economic impacts that distract

and detract from the law’s dependence on science,

make it harder to designate unoccupied habitat as “critical habi-

tat” and easier to avoid designating “critical habitat” at all.

In addition, some of the proposals in Congress would take these

potential rollbacks further by changing the statute itself to rush

de-listings, limit science-based decisions, and reduce citizen in-

volvement. These and other changes would tip the balance in

decision-making against protection rather than for it, and under-

mine key incentives for proactive and collaborative conserva-

tion.

At Audubon we agree that there are opportunities to simplify

ESA practices in a manner that would achieve better and faster

conservation outcomes. We’ve participated in a thoughtful, bi-

partisan process led by Governor Mead of Wyoming through

the Western Governors Association to identify some of those

solutions. We see some possibility to help achieve that goal in a

few of the administration’s proposals, mainly by clarifying the

information needed to complete consultations between federal

agencies on the impact of certain projects on listed species. But

these pieces are outweighed by others that would chip away at

vital protections that undermine the ESA and its ability to serve

as a lifeline for birds.

Instead of weakening protections, Congress and the administra-

tion should provide more resources for species recovery, includ-

ing for habitat conservation, to support the kind of proactive,

collaborative, and local conservation efforts that are changing

the paradigm for species conservation around the country. That

is why Audubon supports proposals like the biparti-

san Recovering America’s Wildlife Act that would provide $1.3

billion a year for at-risk species, revolutionizing our nation’s

ability to successfully protect birds and other wildlife. By the

time many species are listed, their populations have fallen dra-

matically, making it much more difficult to maintain and in-

crease their numbers. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “an

ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

We celebrate the Bald Eagle, whose dramatic comeback was

possible because of a strong ESA, based on a widespread agree-

ment that we have a moral obligation to meet the needs of to-

day in a manner that ensures our children and grandchildren

experience the same wonder in wildlife that we do. To that end,

we will soon be submitting our comments to federal agencies as

part of the rulemaking process to let them know what birds

need and what the people who care about them want: a well-

funded ESA, centered on science, that is implemented to max-

imize incentives for collaborative and proactive conservation,

and with robust protections for imperiled species and the places

they need to survive.

In the meantime, please ask Congress to uphold the ESA and

oppose efforts that would undermine protections for birds and

other wildlife.


Events: Sep 2018 - Dec 2018

FIELD TRIPS Please register at least two days ahead of your trip. Membership is not required; experts and newcomers welcome.

REGISTRATION BY PHONE IS REQUIRED.

Don’t forget to bring binoculars, proper clothing and shoes, and insect repellant! If you need to borrow binoculars, ask your leader if she or he has extras to bring.

→ September 23, Sunday, 9 AM Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch, Greenwich, CT Leader: Blair Broughton; Registration: 631-885-1881 Meet at the Greenwich Audubon Center, ask for directions if needed. → October 7, Sunday, 11 AM Buck Moth Walk, Westhampton, NY Leader: Coby Klein; Registration: 631-880-0915 Take Exit 63 off the Sunrise Highway and go south 0.2 mile to a parking lot of the Suffolk County Water Authority building. → October 14, Saturday, 9 AM Robert Moses Hawk Watch Leader: Blair Broughton; Registration: 631-885-1881 Meet in the northeastern corner of field 5. → November 3, Sunday, 9 AM Montauk Point Exploration Leader: Brent Bomkamp; Registration: 631-839-1773 Meet at the Montauk Point State Park parking lot by the concession stand. → November 11, Sunday, 11 AM Jones Beach: Late Migration Leader: Coby Klein; Registration: 631-880-0915 Meet at the West End 2 comfort station. → December 30, Sunday, 12 PM Pelham Bay Park—From Waterfowl to Seals Leader: Coby Klein; Registration: 631-880-0915 Take the Throgs Neck or Whitestone Bridge to the Hutchinson River Parkway North. Take Exit 5 for Orchard Beach. We will meet at the northeastern end of the Orchard Beach parking lot.

EVENTS → September 29, Saturday, 9 AM — 12 PM

Target Rock Clean Up Hobart Beach, Eaton’s Neck Come visit our tent right on the beach! We will be sharing information on the local beach-nesting birds.

→ Please check our Facebook and website at www.hobaudubon.org for the latest on scheduled and additional events

PROGRAMS

→ ALL PROGRAMS held at Cold Spring Harbor Library

95 Harbor Rd, Cold Spring Harbor, NY

7 PM light refreshments, 7:30 PM speaker

→ September 12, Wednesday, 7:30 PM Community Cloud Forest Conservation in the Highlands of Guatemala by John Cahill

Please join HOBAS for an engaging presentation given by Rob Cahill, Director of Community Cloud Forest Conservation (CCFC). CCFC works directly in the field on ending poverty and protecting forests in the highlands of Guatemala through education, reforestation, sustainable development, leadership scholarships, and ecological improvements to agriculture. CCFC believes that holistic human and community development through education and capacity building is the key to conservation and development in Guatemala’s central highlands. Education, especially for young women, is key to building peace in this region. CCFC instructs students in grades one through nine in their Kids and Birds environmental education program. CCFC protects cloud forests and alleviates poverty in 110 tiny remote mountain villages that border the remaining cloud forests and cloud forest fragments of the region.

→ November 3 & 4, Saturday & Sunday, 10 AM — 5 PM

ANNUAL BIRDSEED SALE FUNDRAISER

Pickup orders at Wild Birds Unlimited, 625 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset.

An order slip is provided with this newsletter. Order slips must be received by OCTOBER 20! Please call 516-226-1780 if you have any ques-tions. Thank you!

Photo: Tony Grover


Events: Sep 2018 - Dec 2018

Rob Cahill and his family moved to Guatemala in the early 2000s and were inspired to help the rainforest. Rob co-founded the Community Cloud Forest Conservation group with the goal of making a significant positive impact in the Guatemalan highlands, for both nature and people simultaneously. → October 10, Wednesday, 7:30 PM Golden Eagles in the Catskills by Peg DiBenedetto

Not much was known about Golden Eagles in the eastern US until researches began to capture and track their local and migratory movements. Through slides of the capture project and telemetry maps, Peg will relate the findings of research efforts, the surprise of unexpected results, and what is now understood to be the natural history of the relatively small population of Eastern Golden Eagles which migrates through New Jersey into New York, and up into Canada each year. A raptor enthusiast, Peg DiBenedetto works with both bald and golden eagles. As co-chair of the Research Committee of the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, Peg has assisted with the Eastern Golden Eagle Project and is a member of the Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group. She is also on the Board of Directors of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, and helps to organize the annual Taking Flight: Birding in the Catskills weekend. Peg and her husband Michael also volunteer with a wildlife rehabilitator and research toxicity issues related to lead hunting ammunition. → November 14, Wednesday, 6 PM Photography Fundraiser by Alexa Helburn, 6 PM Amphibians and Reptiles of Long Island by Russel Burke,

7:30 PM

Before our regular monthly program, at 6 PM, you are

invited to join us to view and enjoy the inspired nature

photography of High School student, Alexa Helburn. Read

more about her work on page 3! There will be refreshments.

Original nature photographs will be available as a token of

appreciation for your generous donation (cash or check

please). It is never too early to get a holiday gift for the

nature lover in your life! Your participation in this

fundraiser will be supporting an aspiring new photographer

and HOBAS at the same time. Thank you for your support!

Amphibians and Reptiles of Long Island: Did you know

that Long Island is home to 17 amphibian and 30 reptile

species? Dr. Russell Burke will describe the strange

biogeography of our local amphibians and reptiles, including

those we’ve lost and the surprising number that we’ve

gained. He’ll share his fascinating findings and research

including the ecology, evolution, and conservation biology

of local turtles, lizards, and salamanders. We’ll talk about

rattlesnakes and tiger salamanders, terrapins and toads, and

much more!

Dr. Burke is a professor at Hofstra University and studies several

species: diamondback terrapins at nearby Jamaica Bay, wood turtles in

northern New Jersey, and wall lizards on Long Island. The lizards in

particular are great models for studies of invasive species. His courses at

Hofstra include Ecology, Evolution, Behavior, Conservation Biology and

Herpetology.

→ October 10, Wednesday, 7:30 PM Golden Eagles in the Catskills by Peg DiBenedetto

Not much was known about Golden Eagles in the eastern US until researches began to capture and track their local and migratory movements. Through slides of the capture project and telemetry maps, Peg will relate the findings of research efforts, the surprise of unexpected results, and what is now understood to be the natural history of the relatively small population of Eastern Golden Eagles which migrates through New Jersey into New York, and up into Canada each year. → A raptor enthusiast, Peg DiBenedetto works with both bald and golden eagles. As co-chair of the Research Committee of the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, Peg has assisted with the Eastern Golden Eagle Project and is a member of the Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group. She is also on the Board of Directors of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, and helps to organize the annual Taking Flight: Birding in the Catskills weekend. Peg and her husband Michael also volunteer with a wildlife rehabilitator and research toxicity issues related to lead hunting ammunition. → December 19, Wednesday, 7:30 PM Northern Saw-whet Owl and their Habitat Usage by Trudy Battaly and Drew Panko

A group of dedicated researchers wants to know more about

the life of America’s cutest predator. Major goals of their

studies are to observe behavior, habitat usage, and

movements. When captured, all saw-whets are given a band

on their leg to ID them, and some birds have been fitted with

a transmitter which allows them to be radio-tracked using

telemetry. The data collected from studies such as these not

only helps us understand how animals survive, but helps to

preserve land and resources that both animals and humans

use.

Trudy Battaly, Drew Panko, and others have captured and banded saw-

whets in Southern New York for their research since 2004. Starting

in 2008 they began a more in-depth study of these owls in Bear

Mountain and Harriman.

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Huntington, NY

Permit No. 546

Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon

PO Box 735

Huntington, NY 11743

bill has passed both houses, but has not yet been sent to the Governor. Water Pollution Control (S.7953 O’Mara / A.10611 Stern): This bill provides an extension to the Environmental Facilities Corporation’s existing authority to provide financial assistance to municipalities to construct and upgrade eligible water pollution control projects through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. This bill has passed both houses, but has not yet been sent to the Governor. Penalties and Enforcement in Long Island Pine Barrens (S.6353 LaValle / A.11112 Englebright): This bill would add the Suffolk County district attorney to the list of entities that can take action against individuals who violate the Long Island Pine Barrens Maritime Reserve Act. Additionally, the bill would allow police and peace officers to impound any all-terrain vehicle seized under the provisions of the act. This bill has passed both houses, but has not yet been sent to the Governor. Peconic Bay Heritage Area (A.9891 Thiele / S.7762 LaValle): This bill would establish the Peconic Bay Region as a state heritage area, and would include the towns of East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton, and Southold. Heritage areas seek to preserve and develop areas that have special significance to New York State. This bill has passed both houses, but has not yet been sent to the Governor.

Advocacy in Action Continued from front cover… either their property or commercial enterprise provides benefits to pollinators. These guidelines would include maintaining native perennial vegetation, using environmentally-friendly management practices, limiting the use of pesticides, and maintaining biodiversity. This bill has passed both houses, but has not yet been sent to the Governor. Affordable Residential Green Building (S.7321 Griffo / A.8922 Rosenthal): This bill would require the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) to provide technical assistance, industry standards, and financing for the construction of affordable residential green buildings. NYSERDA would also be required to prepare a report that would review the benefits of providing financial incentives for the construction of such buildings. This bill has passed both houses, but has not yet been sent to the Governor. Agricultural and Farmland Protections (A.10301-B Barrett / S.8362-A Ritchie): This bill would make ‘working farm easements’ eligible for financial assistance under the state’s Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program. Such easements would require farmers to sell their lands to another working farmer at the fair market value for such property. These easements are intended to promote the conservation of farmland, while also easing the financial hurdles of beginning or expanding farming operations. This

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