Friends of the Bay supporters had a virtual hike around Long Island at our lecture on Wednesday, March 3. Noted Long Island environmentalist John Turner read excerpts from his newly updated and revised edition of Exploring the Other Island. The book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to get to know the natural side of Long Island better, and there is no better guide than John. Carl Safina considers John to be “the all-around most experienced, most knowledgeable and most devoted person I know with regard to scientifically appreciating , lucidly explaining and effectively helping to protect this fish shaped Island.”
John told a story about an encounter with an individual in Yellowstone , who upon learning that John came from Long Island, mad e a disparaging remark about the environment on Long Island, and that there is very little worthwhile here in terms of the natural world (obviously that person never came to Oyster Bay). Admittedly, there are environmental challenges here, and there has been a lot of habitat destruction and compromise. However, if a person was to visit all the sites mentions in his book they would be rewarded with a whole new respect and understanding of Long Island’s great natural beauty.
Exploring the Other Island is arranged by season, so an early March lecture was perfect timing to start a virtual hike. John first read a quote about wildflowers from a book written in 1670: “the country itself to send forth such a fragrant smell that it may be perceived at sea before they can make the land.” He then began with the earliest of spring harbingers – the nesting of Great Horned owls, the emergence of tiger salamanders and spring wildflowers, the return of piping plovers and spring peepers. Our spring songbirds are already leaving their wintering grounds in South America to make their long journeys north. There haven’t been any ospreys seen in Oyster Bay yet, but they should be back in the next couple of weeks.
Birds are not the only animals that migrate. The alewives (or river herrings) will be returning to their streams to breed as well. One of the challenges they face are dams or other obstacles to their passage. One of the actions recommended in the forthcoming Watershed Action Plan will be to install fish ladders or remove blockages to restore historic alewife runs.
The depth and breadth of John’s knowledge of Long Island’s environment was clear as he went through the seasons and around the Island. I think everyone in the audience learned something that night. For instance, I never knew that Long Island had once been one of the top five producers of cranberries in the country. The last commercial cranberry bog , which was in Manorville, closed in 1975. There are sites on Long Island where cranberries still grow. We also learned that Woodcocks have the nickname of the “flying meatloaf”. If you’ve ever seen a woodcock, it makes perfect sense.
Max Wheaton, the Poet Laureate of Nassau County was in attendance at the lecture, and he was given a challenge of writing a poem to the milkweed. For so many who are allergic, milkweed may not be a thing of beauty, but the pods in late summer and early fall are really stunning.
A recurring theme throughout the night was the need for responsible stewardship and appreciation of Long Island’s land and waters. There are many simple actions that can be taken, recycling, using less water, not using plastic bags when we go shopping that seem small, but taken together, make a difference. Supporting organizations you believe in is critical. Quoting from Exploring the Other Island “It is difficult for many of us to effect change in the decisions taking place in corporate board rooms and governmental committees due to the time and energy it typically takes to become involved in the political process. Here’s where conservation and environmental organizations play a surrogate, yet critical, role to your direct involvement by reflecting and expressing your concern for the environment to corporate and political America. They are able to marshal and focus your support for protecting the environment to achieve gains in protecting wildlife, preserving open space, promoting renewable energy, and in a whole host of other important conservation areas.” With the current budget crisis playing out in Washington, local organizations are going to be taking on more of the work to protect and preserve our environment.
John autographed copies of his book and we do have a very few left. All the proceeds will benefit Friends of the Bay, so if you would like a copy, please let me know.
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