The following are links to organizations that may be of interest, or which will provide further information. These links will take you away from the Friends of the Bay site. Friends of the Bay is not responsible for content on these pages.
A raingarden is a type of green infrastructure basin that can be installed in either a community or residential setting and used to capture and filter stormwater runoff. They are typically constructed using native plants and layers of mulch and permeable soil. In a community setting a raingarden is usually installed on or at the bottom of a sloped area where it can capture runoff from surrounding impervious surfaces. In a residential setting a raingarden is most commonly installed at the base of a downspout.
If designed properly, raingardens can be effective at removing up to 90% of chemicals from stormwater runoff and can absorb runoff as much as 30% to 40% more efficiently than a typical lawn. In addition to providing filtration, raingardens can recharge groundwater, mitigate flooding and prevent runoff from inundating storm sewers. The benefit of using native plants is that they do not require fertilization and they provide a habitat for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Last October, Friends of the Bay installed two raingardens along the Western Waterfront in Oyster Bay. The Western Waterfront Raingarden Project was made possible by a grant from the Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund at the Long Island Community Foundation.
The Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor watershed located on the north shore of Long Island, New York is the cleanest harbor in western Long Island Sound. Like many suburban communities this 40 square mile watershed is subject to continuous environmental threats including storm water runoff, development pressure and habitat impairments. In order to help protect and enhance the water quality of Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor and their tributaries in the most cost-efficient and effective manner municipalties within the watershed first met in January 2010, fourteen municipalities officially formed the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Protection Committee (OB/CSH PC) by signing an Inter-municipal Agreement in August 2012.
Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee This website was created by the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee to serve as a resource of information on Hempstead Harbor (Long Island, New York).
The LISS partners have made significant strides to restore and protect Long Island Sound, giving priority to hypoxia, habitat restoration, public involvement and education, and water quality monitoring.
The Nassau County Soil and Water District is committed to the protection, preservation, restoration and enhancement of our natural resources by providing education, technical assistance and consensus for all land users.
Learn how on-site sewage systems (septic systems) function and how to take care of them. This video shows the entire course.
Clean Energy
Network for New Energy Choices Network for New Energy Choices promotes environmentally responsible energy policies and technologies through in-depth reports and web content. NNEC, formed in 2006, is a program of GRACE.
The LI Green Homes Consortium’s goal is to reduce energy costs and usage for Long Island residents. The more we all save on energy bills, the more money stays on Long Island, boosting our local economy.