The East End’s natural environment is perhaps one of the most important resources shared by all those who live in the community. One group ensuring that it will be enjoyed for generations to come is the Peconic Land Trust. Since 1983, the non-profit has been at the forefront of conserving both our natural lands and the area’s celebrated agricultural industry. As a founding partner of the upcoming Peconic Family Fun Day, we wanted to learn more about the organization, its educational programming, and the vital work they do. We reached out to Kathy Kennedy, the Land Trust’s outreach manager, who was kind enough answer our questions.
We’re excited for Peconic Family Fun Day on Saturday. For families who haven’t been before, can you describe the event?
I was there in the very beginning when it was first started (8 years ago!). It gives people a reason to interact with science and nature and learn more about our environment….connecting people with nature is something that resonates with me. It’s fun to have all these like-minded organizations come together and offer different activities for families. The event seems to grow and change each year. It’s always fun to have new groups coming. We always have a table with seed planting. That was the first thing we did and people love it. We bring a variety of seeds from beans to sunflowers…things that are easy for kids to hold.
When did the Land Trust begin offering educational programming?
We started that about 2005. We realized then that we didn’t have a lot of opportunity for people to enjoy the work we’ve done. We used to do maybe one or two education programs a year. Now we do about 50 – 60 programs a year all over the North and South Fork. We have a lot of programming at Bridge Gardens (right down the street from the Children’s Museum!) that features information for the home gardener, ways to enjoy the garden, music nights. We have a Slow Food East End event there this summer. Kids from Children’s Museum will be returning for the “In The Garden” program this season as well.
How much land has the Peconic Land Trust conserved since it started?
Over the course of the last 35 years, we’ve conserved over 12,000 acres of land. The might not seem like a lot in other places, but to conserve an acre or 5, especially out here, is a huge deal. It’s a critical need. The establishment of the 2% land transfer tax helped make this possible. And while a lot of people think Peconic Land Trust gets that 2%, we do not. We’re a non-profit, so we’re run by donations. We work with local towns who have a list of priority properties they would like to see preserved and our role is to work with landowners and the towns to make that happen.
Are there any Peconic Land Trust programs in particular that you’d like people to know about?
With Farms For The Future, we’re addressing the need for affordable farmland for young farmers. That’s a big challenge out here. As farmers age out, we want to make sure the next generation is supported. We lease land—it could be an acre, it could be twenty—to help farmers get started or expand. We’ve worked with Amber Waves, Pike Farms, 8 Hands Farm, Browder’s Birds on the North Fork, and many others. It’s an important program if we’re going to keep local food around.