restoration

How Native Plants Pay Off for Long Island Homeowners

How Native Plants Pay Off for Long Island Homeowners

A new round of funding is now open to Long Island property owners willing to trade some lawn for native plants—and the reasons to apply go beyond a reimbursement check.

The Long Island Garden Rewards Program, a partnership among the Long Island Regional Planning Council, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Long Island Sound Partnership, the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Program, and NEIWPCC, offers reimbursements of up to $500 to property owners who install rain barrels, create rain gardens, or plant native species on their land. Homeowners, businesses, and nonprofits are eligible. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until funding runs out. Since the program launched in 2023, more than 580 property owners have received reimbursements.

NYS adds funds for environmental work, along with climate law delay

NYS adds funds for environmental work, along with climate law delay

ALBANY — The recently passed state budget includes more money for top environmental issues, like clean water, protecting Long Island’s estuaries, increasing renewable energy sources and weaning the state off fossil fuels.

But the changes to the state’s landmark climate law Gov. Kathy Hochul muscled through cast a pall over other progress environmentalists felt they made.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says agency is "going in the right direction" as Long Islanders call for him to do more

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says agency is "going in the right direction" as Long Islanders call for him to do more

The Environmental Protection Agency has come under fire for staff firings, climate and deregulation controversies, but Administrator Lee Zeldin, who is from Long Island, returned to his home turf Friday to spread the word on what is right with the EPA.

Environmental groups, alongside County Executive Ed Romaine, call for Long Island Sound protection funds

Environmental groups, alongside County Executive Ed Romaine, call for Long Island Sound protection funds

On May 14, the Farmingdale-based Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) released a report of Long Island Sound water quality restoration projects it would like to see funded through the New York State Environmental Bond Act. The list was composed following meetings with village, town, county, and state representatives from across Long Island and shared digitally following a press conference at Northport Yacht Club.

Long Island's vulnerable South Shore Estuary Reserve gets a $2.4 million funding boost

Long Island's vulnerable South Shore Estuary Reserve gets a $2.4 million funding boost

The Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve, a sprawling 70-mile-long network of waterways vulnerable to environmental pressures, will receive a $2.4 million infusion of state funding.

The New York State Department of State, at a press conference at Tobay Beach Wednesday afternoon, said eight municipalities, nonprofits and agencies earned the awards through the South Shore Estuary Reserve Local Assistance Grant Program.

New York state offers $1.5m in grants to protect Long Island's South Shore Estuary

New York state offers $1.5m in grants to protect Long Island's South Shore Estuary

The New York Department of State has announced the availability of $1.5 million in grants to protect, preserve, and restore the South Shore Estuary Reserve on Long Island. The funding, timed to coincide with World Oceans Month, supports the implementation of the recently adopted $3.5 million SSER Strategic Investment Plan.

Targeted to municipalities, nonprofits and academic institutions, the grants aim to improve shoreline resiliency, enhance water quality, and expand public access to water-based recreation.

NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF $1.5 MILLION IN GRANTS TO PROTECT, PRESERVE AND RESTORE LONG ISLAND’S SOUTH SHORE ESTUARY RESERVE

NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF $1.5 MILLION IN GRANTS TO PROTECT, PRESERVE AND RESTORE LONG ISLAND’S SOUTH SHORE ESTUARY RESERVE

Funding Implements Strategies to Increase Shoreline Resiliency, Water Quality and Recreational Accessibility for Long Island Residents  

Funding Coincides With and Celebrates World Oceans Month

In celebration of World Oceans Month, the New York Department of State today announced the availability of $1.5 million in funding through the South Shore Estuary Reserve (SSER) Local Assistance Grants Program. The grants will help communities advance SSER priorities, including improved water quality, shoreline resiliency, habitat health, accessible water-based recreation and tourism, environmental education and economic development.  The Program is the first step in the implementation of the $3.5 million SSER Strategic Investment Plan to guide future funding opportunities.    

Environmental Roundtable Touched on Successes and Worries

Environmental Roundtable Touched on Successes and Worries

At a 2025 Environmental Roundtable hosted by State Senator Anthony Palumbo in Riverhead last Thursday, where elected officials from across the East End met with environmental interest groups, East Hampton Town Councilwoman Cate Rogers used her time to speak about one of the town’s biggest environmental issues, coastal resilience, and the fear that the some projects may no longer get the federal funding that small municipalities rely on. 

The delicate, slow task of restoring 3 Long Island wetlands

The delicate, slow task of restoring 3 Long Island wetlands

The securing of a federal grant last month to restore three coastal wetlands in Suffolk County is the start of a lengthy process to make sure the work doesn't do as much harm as good.

The selection of the sites — Cupsogue Beach Marsh, Scully Marsh and the East Islip Preserve — and securing of funding represent years of advance work, including collecting data on tidal flooding, risk assessments and a cost-benefit analysis. The cost of restoring Cupsogue, for example, is estimated at $2 million, with losses averted totaling $50.6 million.

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