wildlife

Algal blooms, oxygen-depleted zones affected Long Island waters in 2024, report says

Algal blooms, oxygen-depleted zones affected Long Island waters in 2024, report says

Last summer, dozens of Long Island’s ponds, lakes, bays and estuaries were affected by oxygen-depleted zones and harmful algal blooms, researchers from Stony Brook University found, which were triggered by excessive levels of nitrogen and exacerbated by record-high temperatures.

Algae blooms threaten Long Island wildlife and waterways

Algae blooms threaten Long Island wildlife and waterways

Harmful algae blooms spread across LI waters

Harmful algae blooms are popping up in multiple bodies of water across Long Island. FOX 5 NY’s Jodi Goldberg explains what’s causing this and the impact it's having on fish and other animals.

LONG ISLAND - Harmful algae blooms are popping up in multiple bodies of water across Long Island.

The Fate of the State’s Abandoned Oil Wells May Depend on the Presidential Election

The Fate of the State’s Abandoned Oil Wells May Depend on the Presidential Election

Mike Hastings, 41, has lived in Western New York his entire life. His home, which he shares with his wife and three children, is situated on 170 acres of forested land near the town of Allegany. The property is home to a winding creek and a diverse range of wildlife, including bears, coyotes and foxes. It also contains 80 abandoned oil wells, remnants of a 19th-century drilling boom in the region.

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.

New Coalition to Tackle Long Island Sound’s Climate Related Threats

New Coalition to Tackle Long Island Sound’s Climate Related Threats

Audubon CT & NY, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, The Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Save the Sound and SoundWaters today announced the formation of a new coalition that will work to advance coastal resiliency projects that preserve the ecological integrity of Long Island Sound’s coastlines.

Coalition Formed to Tackle Long Island Sound’s Threats

Coalition Formed to Tackle Long Island Sound’s Threats

Norwalk, CT – Audubon CT & NY, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, The Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Save the Sound and SoundWaters today announced the formation of a new coalition that will work to advance coastal resiliency projects that preserve the ecological integrity of Long Island Sound’s coastlines.

The announcement of the new Coastal Restoration Coalition comes during National Estuaries Week, a celebration highlighting the importance of ecosystems like Long Island Sound. The coastal habitats of estuaries, like the salt marshes and sand dunes that line the coasts of Connecticut and New York, provide natural benefits to our communities, including protecting people from storm surge and vital waterways from dangerous pollutants.

Coastal Restoration Coalition aims to curb climate-related threats to Long Island Sound

Coastal Restoration Coalition aims to curb climate-related threats to Long Island Sound

Member organizations will collaborate to advance coastal resiliency projects that preserve the ecological integrity of Long Island Sound’s coastlines.

NORWALK, Conn. — A newly established coalition will work to progress coastal resiliency projects to preserve the ecological integrity of Long Island Sound’s coastlines.

The creation of the Coastal Restoration Coalition was announced on Wednesday. It includes Audubon CT & NY, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, The Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Save the Sound and SoundWaters.

First step completed of Sands environmental review

First step completed of Sands environmental review

The public spoke at the proposed Sands casino's recent environmental review scoping 

The Sands casino underwent an environmental review scoping hearing as the public informed Nassau County legislators on what to focus on during the environmental impact study.

Along Nassau County's South Shore, new water access points along Blueway Trail make for smooth sailing

Along Nassau County's South Shore, new water access points along Blueway Trail make for smooth sailing

FAST FACTS ABOUT SOUTH SHORE BLUEWAY TRAIL PLAN

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.

Sewage treatment upgrades spark Western Bay revival

Sewage treatment upgrades spark Western Bay revival

The Western Bays — the waters stretching 10 miles from the East Rockaway Inlet to the Jones Inlet — are in the midst of a much-needed resurgence.

The bays represent a vital sub-region of the South Shore Estuary Reserve, which is a crucial habitat for hundreds of wildlife species along the Atlantic Ocean.

Newbridge Road Park Waterway Access Project

Newbridge Road Park Waterway Access Project

New Public Access Point Creates a Year-Round, ADA-Accessible Recreation Destination as Part of the Long Island South Shore Blueway Trail

Follows Completion of Connecting Access Point at Seamans Neck Park in Hempstead

Project Supports Governor’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” Summer Campaign to Encourage Kids and Families to Enjoy Outdoor Recreation

The New York Department of State today announced the completion of the Newbridge Road Park water access point project in the Town of Hempstead as part of the South Shore Blueway Trail Plan. The completion of this new public access point adds a year-round, ADA-accessible recreation destination that connects to the access point at Seamans Neck Park in Hempstead, creating a network of water access points for individuals to experience Long Island’s South Shore.

APA should pause ProcellaCOR permits to assess herbicide’s safety

APA should pause ProcellaCOR permits to assess herbicide’s safety

Re: Moratorium on ProcellaCOR Permitting Pending PFAS and Human Health and Ecological Impact Concerns  

Dear Adirondack Park Agency Executive Director Barbara Rice, 

The undersigned are writing to express our deep concern regarding the recently disclosed Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) within  pesticides, including florpyrauxifen-benzyl which is the active chemical ingredient in ProcellaCOR EC and  SE. As the Adirondack Park Agency is aware, ProcellaCOR EC is the less concentrated form of  ProcellaCOR SE, both of which are manufactured by the SePRO Corporation, the former of which has  been recently approved for use in several lakes in the Adirondacks. 

Governor Hochul Announces the Finalization of New Contracts for Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind

Governor Hochul Announces the Finalization of New Contracts for Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind

Once in Operation in 2026, Offshore Wind Projects Will Be the Largest Power Generation Projects in New York State in Over 35 Years

Supports Progress Towards Achievement of the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Goal for 9,000 Megawatts of Offshore Wind by 2035

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the finalization of new contracts for Empire Wind 1, a planned 810-megawatt project (developed by Equinor), and Sunrise Wind, a planned 924-megawatt project (developed by Ørsted and Eversource) as the result of New York’s fourth offshore wind solicitation. The two offshore wind projects, totaling over 1,700 megawatts, will produce enough clean energy to power over one million New York homes and will be the largest power generation projects in New York State in over 35 years once they enter operation in 2026. Today’s announcement is part of New York’s 10-Point Action Plan to support the growing large-scale renewable energy industry, and represents progress toward the achievement of the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) goal to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035.

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.