open space

New trail access point on the South Shore

New trail access point on the South Shore

FAST FACTS

The water-based South Shore Blueway Trail is designed for kayakers, canoeists and other non-motorized boaters along the South Shore of Long Island. It spans the coastal waterways of Nassau County, connecting scenic spots, nature preserves, parks and other access points between the western part of the county near the Western Bays, extending toward Suffolk County.

The trail provides a way for paddlers to explore the diverse coastal ecosystems, including marshes, wetlands and barrier beaches, while offering opportunities for recreation, wildlife observation and environmental education. It features multiple launch sites and stops for paddlers, with varying difficulty levels depending on the weather and tidal conditions.

Winters Bros. drops plan for controversial Yaphank waste transfer station

Winters Bros. drops plan for controversial Yaphank waste transfer station

West Babylon trash hauler Winters Bros. is dropping plans for a proposed Yaphank waste transfer station project that was seen by local officials as critical to managing Long Island's future trash removal needs but drew opposition from local residents and others, a company spokesman told Newsday on Friday. 

Experts focus on North Shore, South Shore sea level rise at nextLI town hall

Experts focus on North Shore, South Shore sea level rise at nextLI town hall

Experts in local government, the insurance industry, the environment and marine science explored how sea level rise could affect South Shore and North Shore communities during a nextLI Town Hall that airs Tuesday on NewsdayTV.

Long Island landscaping firm Affa Organics to pay $100G in settlement over pine barrens destruction

Long Island landscaping firm Affa Organics to pay $100G in settlement over pine barrens destruction

A Medford-based landscaping company will pay a $100,000 penalty after the company chopped down trees, bulldozed land and excavated soil in the protected Long Island Central Pine Barrens 12 years ago without a permit, State Attorney General Letitia James announced Friday.

Palumbo hosts roundtable meeting in Riverhead to discuss environmental issues

Palumbo hosts roundtable meeting in Riverhead to discuss environmental issues

Representatives of environmental groups, community groups and local government officials across eastern Suffolk County turned out for a two-hour, wide-ranging conversation with state legislators Thursday morning in Riverhead. 

Calone, Romaine talk environmental problems in county executive debate

Calone, Romaine talk environmental problems in county executive debate

Republican Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine visited Stony Brook University to address Suffolk County’s environmental concerns at a forum against Democrat Dave Calone in the race for county executive. 

Settlement clears path for Lawrence Aviation Superfund site redevelopment in Port Jefferson Station

Settlement clears path for Lawrence Aviation Superfund site redevelopment in Port Jefferson Station

Federal prosecutors on Monday announced they had approved a settlement that will make most of a Port Jefferson Station Superfund site available for redevelopment — ending years of legal limbo for the troubled property. 

Legislator Lafazan, Citizens Campaign for the Environment: Help fight climate change by making Nassau County carbon neutral by 2035

Legislator Lafazan, Citizens Campaign for the Environment: Help fight climate change by making Nassau County carbon neutral by 2035

Nassau County Legislator Joshua A. Lafazan (D – Woodbury) joined with members of the Legislature’s Minority Caucus and advocates from the Citizens Campaign for the Environment to unveil legislation that would require Nassau County to become carbon neutrality in its municipal operations by Jan. 1, 2035.

Suffolk sewer upgrade plan includes tax hike

Suffolk sewer upgrade plan includes tax hike

A bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers, environmentalists, construction groups and labor union representatives is pushing in the final days of New York State budget negotiations for a plan to fund a dramatic expansion of sewers and high-tech septic systems in Suffolk County.

NAACP again intervenes to protest Yaphank waste transfer facility

NAACP again intervenes to protest Yaphank waste transfer facility

A truck transports waste.

A bill that would allow the Town of Brookhaven to eliminate a zoning requirement that protects open space to allow for a rail spur extension faces pushback from the New York NAACP and local chapters.

Eliminating a conservation easement would allow a proposed waste transfer station in Yaphank to connect to the freight system on the Long Island Rail Road. State NAACP officials warn that hauling away “thousands of tons of trash” by rail would disproportionately harm nearby communities of color.

At environmental forum, officials discuss host of issues including waste management, housing needs

At environmental forum, officials discuss host of issues including waste management, housing needs

A who’s who of leading environmental advocates joined elected officials in Riverhead last week to discuss and Long Island-wide conservation initiatives.

Steve Englebright reflects on three decades of environmental advocacy

Steve Englebright reflects on three decades of environmental advocacy

Steven Englebright spent 30 years in the State Assembly advocating for environmental causes and was one of the earliest champions of preserving the Pine Barrens. But he counts his last three years in office among the most impactful.

Rep. Rice Secures $15,117,028 For Local Projects in Final Government Funding Package

Rep. Rice Secures $15,117,028 For Local Projects in Final Government Funding Package

Representative Rice has announced that $15,117,028 in Community Project Funding has been included in the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus government funding package, which passed the House by a vote of 225-201. This funding responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in New York’s Fourth District.

$4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act offers hope for New York

$4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act offers hope for New York

On the ballot for New Yorkers in the midterm elections is a $4.2 billion environmental bond act. Labeled as Proposition 1, the Clean Air, Clean Water and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act will be the first of its kind since 1996 if it is passed.

New Yorkers vote in favor of the Environmental Bond Act

New Yorkers vote in favor of the Environmental Bond Act

The $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act received majority support across the state of New York on Tuesday's midterm election. 60% of New York voters supported the legislation. Lawmakers have promised that the act will not result in a tax increase.

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