Education for Action

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.

Collaborates with Climate Smart Community green teams, municipal officials, the Town of Riverhead, Long Island Organics Council, Southold residents, and Drawdown East End leaders to implement regional food scraps-to-compost operations, including securing grant approvals and establishing composting at three local farms.

Engages in long-term advocacy to protect natural resources on the North Fork, including successful campaigns for the Community Preservation Fund (resulting in over $1 billion for open space), opposition to development at Kroemer Ponds and Jamesport nuclear plants, and work with Southold Town on 2-acre zoning and Farmland Preservation. Also led efforts to stop the Levon Corp. dredging project and the widening of Sound Avenue.

Hosts educational programs on topics including organic landscaping, native plantings, energy cost reduction, and nature-based solutions. During the pandemic, these programs transitioned to Zoom webinars to maintain community engagement.

Organizes and hosts Repair Café events in Greenport, Riverhead, and in partnership with the Southold Town Conservation Advisory Council, where community members bring broken items for repair with the help of skilled volunteers. These events promote environmental sustainability, reduce landfill waste, and help residents save money by extending the life of their belongings.

Organizes an annual Earth Day 5K race and walk to raise funds for environmental scholarships and hosts an annual clothing swap event where community members exchange gently used clothing and accessories to promote sustainable fashion and reduce textile waste.

Runs the Plastic Reduction and Elimination Program (PREP) using community educators to reduce single-use plastics in the North Fork region through outreach and behavior change initiatives.

Promotes zero waste through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting initiatives. Installed a rain garden with native plants at the Roy Latham Nature Center in Greenport to purify stormwater and create wildlife habitat, and installed the public art piece "The Big Bee" in Downtown Riverhead to raise environmental awareness.

Conducts regular beach cleanups at local coastal areas, including participation in International Coastal Cleanup Day and Riverhead Townwide Litter Clean Up Day, to prevent pollution from entering waterways and protect natural habitats. Events include organized efforts at Moore’s Woods Trailhead and two local beaches.

Organizes book discussion groups, writing groups, knitting gatherings, game sessions, and drop-in craft sessions to foster social connection and creative expression for adults and children.

Offers weekly story time sessions, monthly craft sessions, a StoryWalk® in Rensselaerville Park, and participation in the Homework Hotline and DaybyDayNY programs to support early literacy and learning for young children.

Organizes author talks, musical performances, lectures, and community science events to provide intellectual and cultural enrichment for all ages.

Provides in-person library services at the main location in Rensselaerville, NY, and at the Medusa Branch on Wednesdays and Saturdays, offering public access to collections and resources.

Hosts annual Poem-A-Day projects, collaborative community poems, and a Haiku Writer’s Residency to engage local poets and celebrate literary expression.

Offers access to over 27,000 items including books, media, and digital resources, as well as internet access, interlibrary loan services, online databases, and digital content through OverDrive and Hoopla platforms.

Coordinates public participation in citizen science initiatives including the GLOBE app, Solar Eclipse Safari, and The Dragonfly Project to collect observational data for scientific research.

Successfully advocated for an AA water quality classification for Schroon Lake, requiring stricter pollution controls, and passed three local resolutions addressing water pollution, community welfare, and traffic safety on East Shore Drive.

Funds and awards scholarships to students pursuing studies in environmental and allied fields, supporting future stewardship and professional development in conservation.