Community-Driven Stewardship

Conducts advocacy and education efforts to promote science-based, non-political management of the Great South Bay. Focuses on reducing nitrogen pollution through public support for replacing failing septic systems and cesspools with denitrification systems or sewering in targeted areas.

Hosts public events such as "Guardians of the Water: Long Island’s Waterkeepers" and the Second Annual Oyster Ball in 2025 to raise awareness and funds for bay restoration. Appoints local Creek Defenders to advocate for specific waterways.

Organizes local residents, schools, and civic groups through the Creek Defender Program to clean and protect creeks from Lindenhurst to Mastic. Activities include debris removal and invasive species monitoring across 50 creeks flowing into the Great South Bay.

Restores native vegetation and wildlife habitat through initiatives like the Bay Friendly Yards program, native plantings along Pattersquash Creek, and the revival of the Bayview Park Native Pollinator Garden. Includes stormwater management and pesticide-free landscaping practices.

Reintroduces oysters and ribbed mussels into the Great South Bay and its estuaries through the Great South Bay Oyster Project to improve water quality via natural filtration. Plans include planting 225,000 oysters in a single summer and maintaining oyster gardens through cleaning, monitoring, and submerging crates.

Engages volunteers in monthly stewardship sessions at the Skip Gardner Native Forest and Butterfly Garden, community oyster gardening events, and staffing information tables at public events to promote awareness and hands-on restoration of the Great South Bay.

Provides educational programming for youth through the Day in the Life Program and produces a web-streamed show on Long Island’s surface and groundwater issues. Also facilitates community conversation through a Facebook group with over 13,000 members.

Holds monthly board meetings and maintains active committees (Finance, Audit, Governance, Streetscape, Community Support); ratifies board elections and appoints executive leadership to ensure organizational oversight and continuity.

Runs marketing programs to promote the district to residents and tourists, enhance its image, and support business retention and development, including participation in events like the JFK Air Cargo EXPO and highlighting local institutions and resources.

Provides ongoing debris removal, graffiti removal, seasonal landscaping, snow removal at key locations, and organizes seasonal clean-up events; coordinates with DSNY on illegal dumping and large-item removal, and conducts infrastructure assessments using field verification and city data to coordinate repairs with city agencies.

Processes free street tree planting requests on behalf of constituents by coordinating with NYC Parks and accepts service requests via email to address urban forestry and infrastructure concerns.

Organizes seasonal community events such as a Halloween pop-up, Thanksgiving turkey giveaway, and holiday lighting, and hosts an annual membership meeting attended by over 50 members.

Offers customs brokerage, freight forwarding, storage, and cost-effective nationwide transport for domestic and international shipments, including specialized cargo such as symphony orchestras and rare caviar.

Conducts planning and transportation projects within the business improvement district to support infrastructure and mobility improvements.

Operates a uniformed security patrol 7 days a week with evening and overnight coverage, enhancing public safety within the district.

Offers advocacy and supplemental services and improvements for the off-airport cargo community at JFK Airport.

Operates a 6,000 square-foot commercial kitchen and business incubator to support local culinary professionals and small food enterprises.

Operates the Howard Meinke Scholarship program, which awards financial support to local high school seniors pursuing college studies in environmental fields. The program is funded in part by events such as the annual Earth Day 5K.