named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Inspiring Youth to Protect their Environment
Curriculum-based program for 6th grade students near the Brookhaven Landfill, focusing on contaminants from landfill operations and closure, combining science education with advocacy skill development.
Middle School Kids Go To College
Education and research program where middle school students investigate Long Island’s water quality crisis and present innovative solutions at Stony Brook University, evaluated by scientists and officials.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Local Land Conservation Advocacy 1 activity
- Advocacy for land preservation and environmental protection in the Long Island Pine BarrensEngages in political campaigns, public education, and legal action to secure land preservation, protect drinking water, and prevent development in the Long Island Pine Barrens. This includes winning referenda, securing state and local funding, and filing major environmental lawsuits to enforce cumulative impact assessments. The organization has played a central role in protecting over 100,000 acres through the Pine Barrens Protection Act and related initiatives.
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Community Capacity Building & Leadership Networks 1 activity
- Capacity building for environmental education and advocacyProvides educational resources and curriculum support for Long Island educators to teach environmental justice, advocacy, and waste management. Grew organizational membership from under 100 to over 5,000 through public education and volunteer mobilization, strengthening community capacity for conservation advocacy.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Direct environmental education and public engagement programsConducts ongoing public education through lectures, hikes, student programs, and media to raise awareness about the Pine Barrens ecosystem and environmental issues. Produces a monthly video series, a biannual newsletter, and a 30-minute television program. Organizes events such as the Southern Pine Beetle Symposium and educational hikes for students, including litter cleanups and ecological study.
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Ecological Habitat Restoration 1 activity
- Ecological management and invasive species responseImplements on-the-ground ecological management activities, including removing infected and surrounding trees to prevent the spread of Southern Pine Beetle infestations, which threaten the Pine Barrens ecosystem.
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Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 1 activity
- Land preservation and stewardship through acquisition and partnershipDirectly preserves land in the Long Island Pine Barrens through acquisition, negotiation, and facilitation of conservation easements. Has preserved over 106,000 acres through legislative and administrative action, including the addition of 2,600 acres from Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge and 1,660 core acres near the Carmans River. The organization also supports municipal and nonprofit partners in preserving land, such as facilitating 26.4 acres preserved by the Town of Brookhaven and 18.4 acres by the Peconic Land Trust.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$99K
Contributions & grants$86K87%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$4260%
Other revenue$13K
expenses
Total expenses$82K
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$28K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$124K
Cash$97K
Investments$5K
Liabilities$7K
Net assets$116K
Liquid reserves14.8 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -40.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 6
- ALAN SINGER — Director
- JOHN CRYAN — Director
- JOHN TURNER — Director
- NINA LEONHARDT — Executive Dir.
- SAMARA SWANSTON — Director
- THOMAS CASEY — Director
relationships · 27
Who they work with
- Central Pine Barrens Commission Partner — Collaborates on issues related to the management and protection of the Central Pine Barrens region.
- Central Pine Barrens Commission Partner — Collaborates on research and presentations regarding Southern Pine Beetle management.
- Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning & Policy Commission Government — Collaborates with the commission established by the Pine Barrens Protection Act to implement the Comprehensive Management Plan.
- Citizens Campaign for the Environment Partner — Co-founder of The Long Island Clean Water Partnership
- DEC’s Division of Lands & Forests Partner — Provides expertise and presentations on Southern Pine Beetle biology, management, and fire as a control tool.
- Dr. Christopher Gobler Partner — Marine scientist who delivers expert talks to students in the program
- Environmental Protection Agency Government — Recognized Long Island's aquifer system as a Sole Source Aquifer, requiring special protection.
- Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook to share updates and engage the public about Pine Barrens conservation.
- Group for the East End Partner — Co-founder of The Long Island Clean Water Partnership
- Instagram Partner — Uses Instagram to share visual content and raise awareness about Pine Barrens conservation.
- Long Island Clean Water Partnership Partner — Co-founded and is a founding member of the Long Island Clean Water Partnership.
- Long Island Unitarian Universalist Fund Funder — Funded the "Inspiring Youth to Protect Their Environment" program.
- National Grid Foundation Funder — Primary funder of the "Middle School Kids Go To College" program
- New York State Government — Partnered with New York State to transfer 7,200 acres from RCA Corporation for Pine Barrens preservation.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Works with LIPBS on land preservation, including negotiations for 19 acres and 44 acres of ecologically significant parcels.
- Peconic Land Trust Partner — Secured 18.4 acres of land in the Pine Barrens as part of the Best of the Rest initiative.
- RCA Corporation Partner — Secured transfer of 7,200 acres from RCA Corporation to New York State for Pine Barrens preservation.
- Southampton Town Board Government — Engaged in multi-year advocacy before the Southampton Town Board to defeat the “Hills at Southampton” development proposal.
- Stony Brook University Partner — Hosts student research presentations and provides expert speakers for the program
- Suffolk County Government — Collaborated with Suffolk County to save land from auction and integrate it into the county park system; supported county-level preservation programs.
- Suffolk County Partner — Collaborates on land acquisition for preservation in the Pine Barrens, including 111 acres currently in progress.
- The Nature Conservancy Partner — Co-founder of The Long Island Clean Water Partnership
- The New York Community Trust, Long Island Funder — Supported the "Inspiring Youth to Protect Their Environment" program.
- Town of Brookhaven Partner — Partner in preserving land, including securing 26.4 acres and 152 acres of the Rose-Breslin properties.
- Town of Riverhead Partner — Collaborates on preservation efforts within its jurisdiction, including EPCAL property.
- Town of Southampton Partner — Partner in preservation, including eyeing 67+ acres in Hampton Bays and managing Spinney Hills parcels.
- YouTube Partner — Uses YouTube to distribute video content related to Pine Barrens education and advocacy.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Land Conservation for Ecological and Water Protectionmethodology: land-conservation-for-water-protectionBy preserving undeveloped land, the organization protects both drinking water quality and ecological integrity because undeveloped land prevents contamination of aquifers and maintains habitat connectivity necessary for area-dependent species.
- Preservation through Advocacy and Educationmethodology: preservation-through-advocacy-and-educationBy combining advocacy with public and science-based education, the organization achieves environmental protection of the Long Island Pine Barrens because informed public support and evidence-based policy engagement strengthen preservation outcomes and influence decision-makers.
- Science-Based Policy Advocacymethodology: science-based-advocacyBy grounding advocacy in scientific research and public education, the organization shapes policy debates and legal outcomes because credible data increases the legitimacy and effectiveness of conservation campaigns.
- Transfer of Development Rights for Conserved Growthmethodology: transfer_of_development_rightsBy using transfer of development rights (TDR), the organization enables conservation of ecologically sensitive land while supporting compatible growth elsewhere because market-based incentives make preservation politically and economically viable.
- Youth and Place-Based Environmental Stewardshipmethodology: place-based_educationBy engaging students through place-based, inquiry-driven education and youth-led research, the organization fosters long-term environmental stewardship because experiential learning in local ecosystems builds advocacy skills and deepens community commitment to conservation.