About Our Long Island Charity
Quality Parks provides a means for you to more effectively connect with Long Island parks and park resources. Our extensive experience and resources direct you to vetted experts and places. Hone your environmental skills. We are a professional organization sponsoring projects (see milestones below) that improve both the conservation business and existing park conditions (public access, stewardship, and more).
Native Plants Milestones
- Now offer consulting services when local effectiveness needs are more time intensive, such as attending events, letter writing, evaluations, etc. which is based on our years of experience, and our ability to bring in specialized resources.
- Bee Friendly Native Plant Nursery to build natural intelligence in naturalizing landscapes and gardens.
Photo Credit: Mindy O. Block
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2019 Native Plant Children's Garden, Riverhead Free Library - Joint effort between Riverhead Library and Quality Plants using plants grown out by Quality Parks in our native plant nursery. Volunteers are planting in June. This project was made possible by Former Librarian Trustee - Eileen McCay
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Long Island Conservation Milestones
- Long Island Conservation - newly created subdomain with more expanded features, such as LI Parks, Resources, News, and event listings.
- Quality Parks Press Release 2021 Year End Summary based on the LI Parks & Parks Resources knowledge based directory
- Designed and maintained the LI Parks & Park Resources Directories under a location directory app.
Master Naturalist Milestones
The Quality Parks team also designed and customized a Master Naturalist training program which included an adopt a park component as relevant service. Creating a standard for basic training for naturalists that reside on Long Island was the reason why we created the Quality Parks Master Naturalist certificate program. We offered a well rounded and flexible course of study because there are the many facets of a master naturalist's education, and so our approach offered students the broadest exposure to a diversity topics. Partly, Quality Parks mission statement is "to educate, and involve the general public in natural resource stewardship practices." To fulfill this mission and to improve the process of land stewardship, Quality Parks organized this Master Naturalist certificate training program.
The Quality Parks Master Naturalist program offered training in Long Island natural history, stewardship. To be certified as a Quality Parks Master Naturalist, students completed 6 core modules (see below), selected a home park (a frequented natural area), completed meaningful homework, and relevant service requirements. Sadly, we weren't able to attract enough students to continue master naturalist training.
Though the program is no longer offered due to financial limitations, we have morphed some of this program into ongoing volunteer opportunities. At some point, if there is enough interest and financial support, we can offer this program again. The Handbook provided an introduction to varied topics, with additional references (jumping off points) for further study. Review some of the material that we still keep online today.
The Quality Parks Master Naturalist program offered training in Long Island natural history, stewardship. To be certified as a Quality Parks Master Naturalist, students completed 6 core modules (see below), selected a home park (a frequented natural area), completed meaningful homework, and relevant service requirements. Sadly, we weren't able to attract enough students to continue master naturalist training.
Though the program is no longer offered due to financial limitations, we have morphed some of this program into ongoing volunteer opportunities. At some point, if there is enough interest and financial support, we can offer this program again. The Handbook provided an introduction to varied topics, with additional references (jumping off points) for further study. Review some of the material that we still keep online today.
- Orientation - Tick Bite Prevention
- Long Island Explorer
- LI Geology & Plant Communities
- Water Quality Of Freshwater
- Trails, Greenways,& Sustainability
- Wildlife Of Long Island
- Coastal & Marine Ecology
Quality Parks Master Naturalist Graduates
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Long Island Central Pine Barrens Milestones Milestones
Over the years Quality Parks improved the wildfire danger rating system to match national standards. We've helped frame the protection of the Long Island Pine Barrens as a bioreserve (a popular global protection model). And we battled for 3 years to advocate for repairing/replacing a broken bridge, integral to a popular interpretive trail.
Long Island (2000-2010)
- advocated for re-opening of Pine Barrens Trail Center for improved public access
- successfully advocated for Cranberry Bog Preserve access bridge repair
- published Sunrise Fire
- protected life, property, and the environment from wildfires
- supervised the thousand tree plantings on wildfire damaged bulldozed fire roads
- lobbied for Pine Barrens Maritime Legislation akin to bioreserve model
Long Island (2000-2010)
- advocated for reopening of Brookhaven State Park after being closed for 30 years
- spearheaded NY Adopt-a-Naturalist Resource Stewardship, for Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve and published: Lost Heritage
Photo Credit - Raymond P. Corwin
2003 Dedication - USFS Recognized
Long Island Pine Barrens September 11th Community Forestry Restoration Project
To honor those lost on September 11, 2001 - It is a sheltered and secluded area in the heart of the Central Pine Barrens Preserve, New York. The area was in need of restoration. We have planted thousands of trees in memory of those who have perished. We feel that it is sacred because volunteer support came from all sorts of people: federal, state and county land managers, local schools, scouts, clubs and residents.
Long Island Pine Barrens September 11th Community Forestry Restoration Project
To honor those lost on September 11, 2001 - It is a sheltered and secluded area in the heart of the Central Pine Barrens Preserve, New York. The area was in need of restoration. We have planted thousands of trees in memory of those who have perished. We feel that it is sacred because volunteer support came from all sorts of people: federal, state and county land managers, local schools, scouts, clubs and residents.
