The Long Island Pine Barrens Society

THIS WEEK ON OUR BLOG: It's Cicada Season on the East Coast It's that time of year where we'll enjoy the sounds of birds chirping, bees buzzing and ....cicadas screeching! Don't be alarmed when you see one of these creatures. They're harmless and won't be around for too long. Learn more by following the link to our newest blog post! https://www.pinebarrens.org//its-cicada-season-on-the-eas/

It's National Endangered Species Day! The Pine Barrens are home to greatest diversity of plants and animals anywhere in New York State, many of which are endangered or threatened. Did you know that Brookhaven State Park contains the largest concentration of endangered species anywhere in Pine Barrens, Long Island and the state? Have you ever been there?

Unfortunately, Long Island is not well known for their public transportation systems. With the lack of efficient public transport, it causes many of us to rely heavily on our personal vehicles. In some cases, a personal car may be your only option, but if you’re meeting with another person, or a group, perhaps suggest carpooling. This eliminates emissions from at least one vehicle and decreases road congestion. To take a step further in cutting emissions, you can ride a bike! Due to Long Island’s suburban nature, biking may seem unfeasible depending on the distance, but it’s a good option to keep in mind for a quick local coffee run!

If you’re looking for a unique hiking experience on the eastern end of Long Island, then Indian Island Park is a great option. Indian Island County Park is the land that falls between the north and south fork of Long Island! This hike will be filled with beautiful views of water and wildlife. Following the 1.2 or 2.7 mile trail, you’ll reach the island that lies directly between the forks!

Manorville Hills County Park consists of some rugged and bumpy hiking trails, for Long Island standards. The reason these trails are so interesting is that they show evidence of past glacial movement! An estimated 22,000 years ago, glaciers receded over what is now Manorville Hills County Park, leaving scattered mounds and depressions on the land. You’ll even come across some leftover deposits and large glacial erratics (boulders) that were carried by glaciers!

"2020 a year we most certainly will never forget. The year has been referred to as a dumpster fire, a nightmare, surreal and relentless. I think we can agree that those terms are appropriate for a year marked by such profound loss. Was there any bright side? For us environmentalists, we were happy to see so many new people finding the value in nature for the first time." Read more about some positive news for nature in our latest blog post - https://www.pinebarrens.org//2020-was-a-good-year-for-nat/

Working on your New Year's Resolutions? Why not add some eco-friendly resolutions to your list! You could vow to make a better effort to remember your reusable shopping bag. Or pledge to shop second-hand as much as possible. Use a reusable water bottle. Prioritize shopping local. Reduce your plastic consumption. Start recycling. And so much more! The best time to start living environmentally friendly is now! Your small lifestyle changes will make an impact, although it may not seem like it.

The Long Island Pine Barrens provides a home to multiple New York state endangered species. Preserving the Pine Barrens helps protect these species from possible extinction. To learn about specific endangered species, what the DEC is doing to help, and learn how you can help individually, check out our most recent blog post! https://www.pinebarrens.org/bridge-to-the-barrens/4711/

Did you know the Pine Barrens once covered a much larger area, extending west into the Town of Oyster Bay? There, the Pine Barrens met the Hempstead Plains. Unfortunately, development throughout the years has cleared most of it. 250,000 acres was dwindled down to 100,000 acres. Remnants of these original woodlands still occur in patches across the Island.

These last few days before Christmas consist of last-minute gift wrapping for many. And, maybe it’s too late to order some recycled wrapping paper if you haven’t already, and that’s okay because we will provide you with some eco-friendly alternatives to classic gift wrap. Look around your house, and gather some old newspapers, magazines, fabrics, or maps. Wrapping a gift in these materials gives it a unique look, and if you want to dress up the package, try tying some twine around the gift with some Christmas tree scraps instead of bows. If this doesn't work for you, perhaps try reusing gift boxes or bags you’ve previously received.

Our last Pine Barrens #TrailFeatureFriday is "Long Island's Appalachian Trail" - The Paumanok Path! Many of the parks and trails we have featured throughout the past few months fall along the Paumanok Path. Click through the images below to learn more about Long Island's 125-mile trail! Missed our other #TrailFeatureFriday posts? Click the hashtag to find them all.