Widely acknowledged as one of New York State's most environmentally significant areas, the Long Pond Greenbelt encompasses a magnificent six-mile long expanse of interconnected ponds woods, and wetlands in the Town of Southampton, New York, on the South Fork of Long Island's East End. Spectacular for its wealth of rare plants, animals, and ecological communities, the Greenbelt is widely recognized as one of the most ecologically significant areas in all of New York.
A splendid feature of the Greenbelt is its magnificent collection of thirteen coastal plain pond and pondshore communities, affectionately known as the Greenbelt's "string of pearls." Both statewide and globally, these coastal plain pond environments are considered very rare and vulnerable to extinction. They also harbor one of the highest concentrations of rare plants and animals in New York State. (Read more about the Greenbelt here.)

Upcoming Events

Sat., May 4 – Peconic Family Fun Day. 10AM - NOON. Join the Children’s Museum of the East End (CMEE), Cornell Coop. Ext., FLPG, Group for the East End, Peconic Land Trust, Ross School, Sylvester Manor, and the South Fork Natural History Museum as they collaborate on this fun, free day for the whole family. Peconic Family Fun Day will entertain and educate families with children ages 5 to 10 about water management, agricultural sustainability, recycling, and environmental stewardship. Families can enjoy a carnival of activities, including games, a live touch tank, arts & crafts stations, a seed planting station, a groundwater model and taste testing, music, and more. Rain or shine and reservations are not necessary. Free admission to CMEE is included during this event. General admission will resume from noon until 5pm. At CMEE – 376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, BH. 631-537-8250.

In addition to all the activities, SoFo will host two easy-paced nature walks at the South Fork Natural History Museum to see the blossoms, birds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, and myriad plant and animal life that call the field behind the museum home:
10:30 am: Nature Walk with Frank Quevedo, SoFo Executive Director
11:15 am: Nature Walk with Crystal Possehl, SoFo Nature Educator

Sun. May 5 - Grassland to Grassland Traverse. 9AM-10:30AM. Join FLPG on a moderately-paced 2 mile hike from Vineyard Field to the grasslands of Poxabogue County Park. Meet at the South Fork Natural History Society (SoFo) Museum parking lot, 377 Bridgehampton Turnpike 200 yards north of the RR tracks. Leader: Dai Dayton, 631-745-0689.

Thurs., May 9 – Spring Night Sky Viewing Over Vineyard Field. 9PM-10PM. The night of the new moon is ideal for viewing the stars. Join FLPG Member Ryan Horn as he points out the constellations and stars you can see in the spring sky. Bring a chair if you would like. Hot cider and doughnuts will be served. Meet at the SoFo Museum parking lot, 377 Bridgehampton Turnpike 200 yards north of the RR tracks. Weather permitting. For more information contact 631-599-2391.

Mon., May 13 – Next FLPG Monthly Meeting – All Are Welcome! 6PM. At the Long Pond Greenbelt Nature Center, 1061 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Tpk. For more information contact 631-745-0689.

TWO EVENT SATURDAY
Sat., May 18 – Old Farm Road Cleanup. 8AM. Help clean up the roadside along FLPG's adopted road. A monthly FLPG event and part of the Great East End Cleanup. Meet at Poxabogue Park. Bring gloves, bags provided. Leader: Jean Dodds, 631-599-2391.

Sat., May 18 - Signs of Spring Long Pond Paddle. 6:00PM – 7:30PM. Join us for a picturesque paddle in Long Pond as we look and listen for signs of spring in appreciation of the Long Pond Greenbelt. Kayak rentals are available: $40/single kayak, $60/double kayak. All rentals include paddles and PFDs. Reservations are required as parking is limited. Please contact Juliana Duryea at (631) 745-3165 or hulums@gmail.com for details.

Sat., May 25 – Full Flower Moon Hike, 8:30PM. Catch this month's full moon on a lovely one-hour stroll. Refreshments provided afterward in the flow of the moonshine. Meet at the SoFo Museum parking lot, 377 Bridgehampton Turnpike 200 yards north of the RR tracks. Leader: Dai Dayton, 631-745-0689.

Sun., May 26 - Long Pond Greenbelt Journey. 9AM-11AM. Sponsored by STPS. Moderately-paced, 5 mile hike with spectacular views of Little Long Pond, Long Pond and Crooked Pond. Meet in the parking lot of Mashashimuet Park in Sag Harbor. Rain cancels. Leader: Bob Wolfram, 631-848-2255.

Monthly Events
FLPG Monthly Meeting held the 2nd Monday of each month at 6 pm.  Come learn about what FLPG has been working on in the Greenbelt.  April – Sept. at the Long Pond Nature Center -  1061 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, BH. (Location for winter months TBD, check our website or join our mailing list for more information.)

Old Farm Road clean up held the 3rd Saturday of each month at  8am.  Help clean up the roadside along FLPG's adopted road. Meet at Poxabogue Park. Bring gloves, bags provided. Contact Jean Dodds for more information, 631-599-2391.

NOTE: The Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program Report on Little Long Pond is now available. Click Resources in the menu above.

For more information call:
Dai Dayton, President (631 745 0689)
or Sandra Ferguson, Vice President (631 537 3752)

Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt is dedicated to the preservation, stewardship, and public appreciation of the unique expanse of coastal plain ponds, freshwater swamps, wetlands, and woodlands in the Town of Southampton known as the Long Pond Greenbelt, which stretches from Ligonee Creek in Sag Harbor to Sagaponack Pond in Sagaponack.

Citizen Science

Learn how you can contribute to ongoing nature studies here.

Learn about ticks and Lyme disease here

Join the FLPG Email List for news and schedule updates. Just click here!

Check out our slide show here.

View the Southampton Town interactive trails map here.

Videos of all thirteen sessions of the first Long Island Natural History conference are available here.