Projects

Projects

The Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District recieves funding through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) that is set by the govenor and state legislature annually. The EPF is mainly financed through real estate transfer taxes. Three Provisions of the state aid to District Program include:

Part A - Direct reimbursment to Soil & Water Conservation Districts for technical services provided to landowners within the jurisdictions they cover. (established by Chapter 534 of the Laws of 1996, SWCDL Section 11a-ammended July 2012)

 

Part B - Annual resources to assist with the implementation of local "Conservation Projects" pre-approved by the SWCC that benefit landowners and/or the general public. (SWCDL Section 11a-1b) 

 

Part C - Competitively awarded conservation project resources based on the material performance of a Conservation District in their normal delivery of public services to landowners and communities in their jurisdiction. (SWCDL Section 11a-1c)

The Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District funds a limited number of mission-aligned projects every year. Eligible applicants include local governments in Nassau County and not-for-profit organizations. 

  Projects must meet one or more of the follow criteria in Nassau County:

  1. Conserve or improve soils
  2. Improve water quality of our groundwater and/or surface water
  3. Control and prevent soil erosion and/or prevent floodwater and sediment damages
  4. Conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water
  5. Preserve, increase, or improve natural resources including trees and plants
  6. Control or eliminate invasive plants or wildlife
  7. Control and abate NPS water pollution
  8. Preserve wildlife
Contact

+1 (516) 364 - 5860

dbetts@nassauswcd.org

Mon-Fri: 8am - 3:30pm

Part C Projects 2022 

Marine Nature Study Area - Oceanside

A Day in the Life

 

A Day in the Life is a program organized by the South Shore Estuary Reserve focused on environmental education, community engagement and water-quality monitoring. Students will get the opportunity to collect water quality samples, learn about ecosystem services and engage with local flora & fauna.

 

After the field trip event, the data collected by student groups is processed and shared for analysis—an activity in which students are encouraged to participate in.  This can range from tracking water & soil health throughout Nassau County to GIS analysis of the collected data.

Nassau County SWCD Rain Garden Revitalization Project

dThe purpose of a Rain Garen is to capture excess stormwater runoff and filter it of pollutants as it enters the groundwater system. Rain Gardens are a type of green infrastructure, using native plants with extensive root systems that capture and clean as water passes down their roots.  

 

The NCSWCD has built numerous gardens over the years, five gardens were. The locations include Nassau Hall in Muttontown Preserve, Bayville Community Center, Bayville West Harbor Beach, Bayville Eastern Waterfront Center and the Hempstead Plains Nature Preserve on the NCC Campus. 

Initial Characterization of Management of Pathogens Affecting Sanitary Condition of Shellfish Lands in the Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor Complex

The NCSWCD provided funding to Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) to collect water quality data that will then be used to identify problem areas and manage fecal coliform contamination in the watershed. 

 

The project was broken into four parts with the main goal to use data collected to guide efforts to identify problem areas and manage fecal coliform contaminiation.

  • Existing data from shellfish land areas and available NYS DEC Shellfish sanitation data was compiled and analyzed according to U.S. FDA National Shellfish Sanitary Program reccomendations.
  • Training of Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor Protection Committee Members and Volunteers in illicit discharge detection and elimination (IDDE): This training will ensure continuation of IDDE after the project is complete
  • Project Profiles for Future Study and Management Strategies addressing the Most Contaminated Sites Identified in the Cold Spring Harbor Watershed
  • Storm Sewer Mapping and Identification of Major Drainage Areas in the Mill Neck Creek Watershed and Planning for Future Fecal Coliform Assessments
Photo of Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor Fishing Complex

Habitat Restoration at Leeds Pond

The Invasive Plant Removal and Native Plant Revegetation of Leeds Pond Preserve was made possible with funding from the Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District. The Science Museum of Long Island worked with Spadefoot Design and Construction to complete the project with the goal of clearing 2 acres of Invasive plants like Japanese Knotweed, English Ivy and Norway Maple and replanting with resilient native species. 

Photo of Black-eyed-susan flower

Town of North Hempstead - Native Plant Rebate Program

The NCSWCD provided funding to reimburse Town of North Hempstead Residents who purchased native plants to create native plant gardens and rain gardens. Native plants provide food, shelter and nesting resources for birds, pollinators, small mammals and a variety of wildlife species.

Native plants have a multitude of environmental benefits like extensive root systems that absorb polluted stormwater, sequestering carbon, lower maintenance requirements and less need for fertilizer, mowing and irrigation.

 

Providing rebates for installation of these plants would lead to more native plants being put into the ground, which will support the Town's effort to increase native plants and wildlife habitat throughout the Town of North Hempstead. 

 

Click here to learn more

Shorescaping at Baxters Pond 

Repairing and replacing the riparian buffer along the shores of Baxter's Pond.

 

Bordered by a densely suburban community and 2 highly trafficked roads, Baxter's Pond is the catch basin for debris, runoff, litter and chemical waste from lawns and road care. Baxters pond is spring-fed and flows directly into Manhasset Bay eventually feeding into the Long Island Sound

 

The "Shorescaping" Project will address the need to abate nonpoint pollution sources reaching Manhasset Bay, increase and improve the natural resources with native plantings and the removal of invasive plants.

 

The project, funded by the NCSWCD began in 2019 and has supported a multi-year design and planting program. The Baxter's Pond Foundation has engaged volunteers to assist in the planting process and educate about native plant choices. 

Planting at Baxters Pond

Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District recently participated in the 2022 TICK BLITZ
 

The NYS Tick Blitz is a yearly event created by the Northeast Regional Vector Control Center NEVBD. With help from Cornell Cooperative Extension CCE and NYS Integrated Pest Management NYIPM. Read about the NYS Tick Blitz here

 

The purpose of the study is to study all NY regions simultaneously to understand where different tick species are present and track their northward expansion. District Technician Sean Rooney surveyed a collective 1,500 meters of Muttontown Preserve. 

Seeking Volunteers

Nassau County Soil and Water Logo

Interested in protecting your local resources? Looking for a chance to give back to your community?

 

The Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District is currently seeking volunteers to help implement various environmental projects. No experience required. Weekend opportunities available.

Historic Projects and Events

Plant Boxes - Raised garden beds
Building plant boxes at the Hicksville School District.
Plants in a Raingarden
Planting native plants at Cedarmere Preserve.
Banding Black Skimmer Birds
Working with the TOH banding black skimmer birds.
Invasive Water Chestnut - Twin Lakes Preserve
Pulling water chestnut with the DEC
NCSWCD Sapling Givaway
Hosting our annual sapling giveaway!
Planting trees in Massapequa Preserve
Planting 100 trees at the Massapequa Preserve.
Muttontown Preserve trail
Trail maintenance at the Muttontown Preserve.
Nassau County SWCD Tabling at Eco Carnival
Tabling at The Eco Carnival 
Southern Pine Beetle damage in Massapequa Preserve
Mapping out high-risk Pine Trees for possible Southern Pine Beetle Infestations.
Press Releases

2015

  • Scudders Pond Press Release
  • National Grid Hosts Earth Day Event with Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District and Built a Rain Garden at Largest Nature Preserve in Nassau County


2014

  • Mangano: Tree And Shrub Sale To Help Beautify Neighborhoods Damaged By     Hurricane Sandy And Winter Storms
  • Tree and Shrub Sale to Beautify Nassau County


2013

  • Post-Sandy Tree and Shrub Seedling Bulk Buying Program Announced
  • Supporting Cost Effective Green Technology


2012

  • Protecting our Future inside a Piece of History