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THE LONG POND GREENBELT |
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 The
Long Pond Greenbelt, spectacular in its wealth of rare plants, animals, and
ecological communities is widely recognized as one of the state's most environmentally
significant areas. It harbors one of the highest concentration of rare plants
and animals in New York State. The Greenbelt's
most splendid feature consists of a collection of thirteen coastal
plain ponds and pond shore communities. The New York Heritage Program
classifies many of the Greenbelt's ponds, fauna, and flora as rare
both in New York State and worldwide. In recognition of the area's
unique and fragile status, Southampton has dedicated 14 of its Greenbelt
parcels into its Nature Preserve program, which extends the highest
degree of protection in town law. The rest of Southampton's
Greenbelt properties are currently in nomination for Nature Preserve
status.
Within the 1,100-acre Greenbelt management boundaries (roughly Sagg Road and Sagg Main Streets to the east and the Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike and Ocean Road to the west), more than 600 acres have been preserved outright since 1975 by Suffolk County, Southampton Town, and the Nature Conservancy. New York State has assisted purchases with funds from the 1986 Environmental Quality Bond Act and long-term, low-interest loans. Greenbelt ponds, which are under the aegis of the Board of Trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty of the Town of Southampton, cover close to 300 acres. UPCOMING EVENTS: Here's what
going on this month in the fabulous Long Pond Greenbelt! February Events Tues., Feb. 7 – 6:30PM. Full Snow Moon Hike. Bridgehampton. Sponsored by FLPG. Meet at the South Fork Natural History Society (SoFo) Museum parking lot, 377 Bridgehampton Turnpike 200 yards north of the RR tracks. Catch this month's full moon on a lovely one-hour stroll. Refreshments afterwards. Dai Dayton, 631-745-0689. Sat., Feb. 11 – 8AM. Old Farm Road Clean-Up. Sagaponack. Help clean up the roadside along FLPG's adopted road. Meet at Poxabogue Park. Bring gloves, bags provided. Sandra Ferguson 631-537-3752. Mon., Feb. 13 - 6PM. Next FLPG Monthly Meeting – All
Are Welcome! At the Southampton Senior Center, 585
Bridgehampton/SagHarbor Turnpike. Sat., Feb.18 – 10AM-Noon. Long Pond Greenbelt North Loop. Sag Harbor. Sponsored by STPS. Meet at Mashashimuet Park in Sag Harbor. Moderately-paced 5 mile hike with spectacular views of Long Pond, Little Long Pond, and Crooked Pond. Bob Wolfram, 631-848-2255. Sat., Feb. 18 – 10AM – 11AM. Hike the Moraine. Bridgehampton. Cosponsored by FLPG & SoFo. This hilly 1.5-mile hike will take you to the top of the moraine in Bridgehampton, a vantage point of 218 feet above sea level, from which you will have a panoramic view extending from Mecox Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. Join FLPG Secretary Jean Dodds as she introduces you to the concept of a moraine, and the terms glacial erratic, kettle hole, and coastal outwash plain, as well as the phrase “vernal ponds,” the special breeding places of our endangered Eastern Tiger Salamanders. Meet on Mill Path off Lopers Path (heading East), in Bridgehampton. To make a reservation for this program, please call the museum at 631-537-9735 or day of hike contact Jean at 631-599-2391. Sat., Feb. 18 – 7:30PM. Eastern Tiger Salamander Search. Bridgehampton. Sponsored by SoFo. Herpetologist & SoFo Board of Directors President Andy Sabin will take you into the nighttime woods in search of the largest of our native salamanders, the endangered Eastern Tiger Salamander. Don’t miss a rare opportunity to see this salamander as it makes its way to the pond to mate and to lay its eggs. Please bring a flashlight and wear boots, as late winter rains will make the ground soggy. This walk will take place only after heavy rains. To make a reservation for this program, please call the museum at 631-537-9735.
For more information call:  photo: Bob Wolfram View the Southampton Town interactive trails map here. 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. |
Join the FLPG Email List for news and schedule updates. Read Botanist Stuart Lowrie’s musings on the flora of the Greenbelt here. The Vineyard Field Achievement Report is
available here.
We have posted maps at the kiosks in Mashashimuet Park. Look for monthly event lists there, as well. |
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