Port Jefferson - Sometimes you want to just cry about the injustice adults put upon a twelve year old kid.  I drove over to East Beach where no sign, nor any lifeguard knew of this mid August beach closure.

In 2013, I purchased a butterfly milkweed at Cathy's Flower Stand in Mt. Sinai thinking it was our native butterfly milkweed. I planted it in the backyard, and all was fine until it bloomed yellow. ​

Maine - "Unfortunately, seabirds are currently struggling against marine debris found in the Gulf of Maine. Tiny sea islands can be found not too far from the coast of Maine where they are uninhabited making a great area for colonies of nesting seabirds. However, this wonderful remote nesting area is becoming an endangerment to wild life due to the "pervasive hand of human influence". Lobster traps, buoys, ropes, etc. are found piled into mountains three to four feet high. The island is adapting to this disaster causing rocks and grass to grow around them. The worst part of this is that seabirds are building there nests within these piles. There are authors who have written articles discussing the types of harmful debris, how these debris cause harm to birds, and strategies to reduce the trash." ​ - Jahdai-H; QP volunteer - in reviewing USFWS

Long Island - "While there were already many organizations, agencies and individuals addressing marine debris in Long Island Sound, this plan represents the culmination of numerous discussions among these interested parties to develop a comprehensive framework of strategic actions to mitigate the impacts of marine debris over the next five years (2022-2027). Associated tracking and monitoring will enable all involved to assess collective progress towards achieving the identified goals." -   May 2022 Long Island Sound Marine Debris Action Plan.

One of Quality Parks citizen scientist volunteers reviewed the Browns River Tidal Wetlands Area which is listed as a park in the Town of Islip.  We review the reviews and update our Long Parks knowledge base with their observations. During our review, we realized that this "park," actually borders a more extensive tidal wetland and that there are no interpretive signs to educate the public of its value, and the failure of government to protect this treasured wetland. Read more from the Suffolk County news article below:

"On the day of Christmas Eve, 2021, I sat quietly in the forested wetland located at the mouth of the Brown’s River in Sayville NY.  For a chilly winter’s day, there was a remarkable amount of activity.  I observed chickadees, Carolina wrens, juncos, cardinals, and blue jays flittering about, searching for seed heads from last year’s plant growth, or an insect hidden beneath the leaf litter.  As I sat, the primal call of a great blue heron rang out across the forest, and gulls squawked noisily in the distance.  A few moments later, a cooper’s hawk flew silently amongst the trees, gracefully dodging the tree trunks while searching for a meal.  A recent dusting of snow added to the beauty and the sense of place was palpable. Unfortunately, this beautiful and wild corner of the Great South Bay ecosystem is slated for destruction. " - Another environmental treasure taken from the South Shore of Long Island due to the failure of local and state environmental policy.

Quality Parks role in posting this news, is to keep you informed about ongoing environmental concerns on Long Island.

Fun to explore and hike, but pubic access isn't easy.

Flanders County Park isn't an official name, but it best describes an area between the David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens  Preserve and Maple Swamp County Park.  Just south of the Flanders Firehouse, was protected as a critical resource area.  Though it has several possible access points, none are appealing.  What follows below is a quick review of the reasons why, and a call for action.

 . . . and to public information and access to parking and trails in northern Manorville?

Quality Parks is doing more to stop tick bites by revealing who is doing what where, from existing park conditions to  park resources taking action.

A young man reached down for his golf ball in the rough and ticks swarmed up his arm. He ran home and jumped in his swimming pool.  These were lone star tick nymphs, during late summer.  Irrigated golf courses add more moisture to the grounds.  Tick populations thrive in moister conditions. 

On a recent snowy day, I discovered The Peter Hildebrand Memorial Nature Trail.  Beautifully quiet and still, it's also threatened by bulldozing and tree cutting.