Conservation Projects & Community Science

Get Involved! Please fill out this survey to let us know your interests, thank you!

Since 2009, we have pioneered conservation-based farming methods and ecological restoration efforts. From integrating native plants into the farmscape to creating native pollinator habitat, we have been at the forefront of agro-ecology and wildlife-friendly farming and land management. Most recently, we have been focusing on local wildlife conservation projects and community-based conservation efforts.

2025 Community Science and Volunteer Efforts

What You Can Do to Protect, Preserve, and Save Our Local Threatened Ecosystems:

January: North Fork Bald Eagle Survey, a community science project and educational resource

Join the North Fork Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey on Sunday, January 12th, (9:00-12:00).

February: Marine debris beach clean-ups in preparation of the Osprey’s return to Long Island, plus nesting platform repairs

March: Installation of fencing for protected shorebird nesting areas

April: Northern Bobwhite Project

May: Native Plant Restoration, Horseshoe Crab Conservation

June: Diamondback Terrapin Nest Protection

July: Northern Bobwhite Project

August: Bird Banding Certification

September: Native Plant Restoration

October: Saw-Whet Owl Banding

November: Raptor Migration

December: Christmas Bird Count

In March 2025, we will assist the Town of Southold Shorebird Program through the installation of symbolic fencing for nesting shorebirds. More to follow on how you can help protect our Threatened and Endangered Species.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Protect Least Terns and Piping Plovers this March and April by helping to install symbolic fencing throughout the North Fork. The schedule will be weather-dependent and a scheduled event may be cancelled due to cold temperatures, heavy rain, or high winds.

2025 SHOREBIRD FENCING DATES TBA

Jennifer Murray has been monitoring threatened and endangered shorebirds for almost a decade on Long Island, NY. She has been involved with USFWS, DEC, The Nature Conservancy, Krusos Foundation, NYS Parks, NY Audubon, and North Fork Audubon Society. She embraces the National Audubon Share the Shore campaign, striving to find a balance between human recreation and species survival.

MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!

BALD EAGLES: 2024 North Fork Bald Eagle Sightings - Community Science and Education Page

LONG ISLAND MAMMAL SURVEY Seatuck’s Wildlife Biologist Mike Bottini leads this islandwide survey for mammals. Learn how to get involved in this three year community science project.

NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTER Seatuck’s Wildlife Biologist Mike Bottini leads this islandwide survey for River Otters. Interested in getting involved on the North Fork? OTTER WATCH

NORTHERN BOBWHITE

DIAMONDBACK TERRAPIN We are seeking volunteers to help with DBT monitoring at Orient Beach State Park from May through July, especially in June during peak breeding season. Please contact Jennifer for more information. TERRAPIN WATCH

EASTERN BOX TURTLE

EASTERN COYOTE

What’s Happening May-June on the North Fork:

• Nest box construction

• Osprey nesting platform repairs

• Shorebird Monitoring: USFWS training coming up!! 5/21/24 - contact Jennifer asap if interested!

• Shorebird Outreach at Orient Beach State Park

• Shorebird Fence Installations (where plovers and terns may pop up unexpectedly to nest)

• Diamondback Terrapin Nest Protection & Outreach

• Horseshoe Crab Tagging

• Native Plantings and Invasive Species Removal

EARTH DAY, Monday, April 22nd:

• Marine Debris Clean-Ups - Head to a beach with a repurposed bag or a bucket and scan the wracklines (high tide lines including the April 4th storm high tide line) for potentially harmful plastics to wildlife like fishing line, marine rope, plastics, bags, balloons, balloon strings, etc. You can enter your data to the NOAA Marine Debris Tracker. Be sure to stay away from designated nesting shorebird areas and report any unprotected beaches (active with Piping Plovers but no fencing in sight) to the above contacts.

• Osprey Nesting Platform Installations - contact Jennifer Murray if you are interested in helping to construct and/or install an osprey nesting platform. We have multiple sites across the North Fork where platforms are needed.

• Nest Box Construction - Hallock State Park Preserve and Orient Beach State Park need nesting boxes for various species of cavity-nesters including Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, and American Kestrels. If you are handy and have some pine boards to repurpose please contact us for building plans.

• Plant Native Plants! Whether you plant in your yard or contribute to a restoration effort, more info coming soon!