CELEBRATING 24 YEARS OF LAND CONSERVATION VOL. 18, No 1 YEAR IN REVIEW: 2006 President’s Column A Celebration of Our Donors s the Peconic Land Trust enters its 24th year, devel- out shellfish and baymen/women to harvest them? What opment pressures continue to impact the owners of is a community without a diversity of people, young and Aworking farms and natural lands in staggering old, white and of color, of wealth and modest means? As ways, whether due to the specter of federal estate taxes or property values and development increase, we risk losing the sheer difficulty of owning and maintaining valuable not only our agricultural heritage and natural diversity, land in our changing communities. What is amazing to me but our cultural and economic diversity as well. So, in is that, despite these pressures and the anxiety that accom- addition to conserving land, we are seeking ways to con- panies them, so many landowners have an incredible will serve our communities by adapting the tools we use to and determination to hold onto their land… and that is protect land so that diverse communities of people can live where the Trust comes in. We listen to the needs and goals and survive on Long Island. In so doing, we must make of landowners, we study their land and the resources there- conservation and our mission relevant to all. in, and we come up with practical and pragmatic ways to conserve land, farms, and ways of life. We cannot conserve the land we know and love (as well as the communities therein) alone and that is where you As we continue with the planning, land protection, and come in. By supporting the Trust, you are indeed a partner stewardship so fundamental to our work, we are increas- in our efforts to conserve Long Island’s working farms, ingly devoting resources toward connecting people to natural lands, and heritage for our communities now and land through events and activities for the public at large. in the future. Whether you are a volunteer, a donor, a gov- We are striving to nurture a growing conservation ethic ernment official, or a landowner, we truly appreciate your that values the food and resources of our region as well as confidence and trust in our ability to make a difference in the importance of sustaining Mother Earth. We are also our communities. We can’t do it without you! Thank you engaged in public policy from the federal to the local level so much for your continued support! through the support of legislation that enhances incentives for conservation (e.g., a deferral of estate taxes on all lands of conservation value, expedited approval of conservation subdivisions that protect 80% of the land, etc.). John v.H. Halsey We also recognize that people are as important as land… President what is farmland without the farmer, what is a bay with- Peconic Land Trust Donor Profile Alex Weil: Inspired by Memories of the East End’s Past or many, the East End of “For me, the peace and tranquility–the wind, the air, the Long Island provides a ocean, and because of its position, there is a unique color Fperfect opportunity to scheme that I see. To me it equals escape… a place to kick back and relax, to recoup shut down. Like everyone else from New York City, I from the fast-paced lifestyle of have an intense life on the fast track, multitasking, com- Manhattan in a bucolic setting peting in a tough business, and needing the clarity to that both calms and inspires. These are the reflections come up with new ideas. My retreat to Wainscott gives from creative maven Alex Weil. For Weil, his home in me the space I need to be able to relax and clear the chan- Wainscott is the perfect place to get away from it all. nels in my head… as well as have a good time.” www.peconiclandtrust.org (continued on page 2) Donor Profile Alex Weil: Inspired by Memories (continued from front cover) While describing this places, it is one of the last places where you have a work- feeling, Weil evokes ing farm in close proximity to the ocean. And where you the imagery of James can get the sound and smell and sight of the sea com- MacNeil Whistler, who bined with the sounds and smells and sights of the painted landscapes at farm… unique, old-school, beautiful and bucolic.” the end of the 19th cen- tury. “He captured “When I found out that only $2.5 million was needed to [that color]” said Weil, complete the [Babinski] deal, I stood up and said we’d referring to Whistler’s have to be crazy to let this deal get by us. And the watercolor, Seascape response was great,” said Weil. But Weil’s enthusiasm (ca. 1883-1884). “It for the project is not only driven by the land, but by the came from a combina- man, farmer Andy Babinski: “He is clearly a man of tion of the sand, the integrity and his choices are dictated by who he is and dune grass, the ocean what he wants to accomplish, not just by how much and the blue of the sky money he can get. That is rare.” that I believe is really unique in the James MacNeil Whistler’s Seascape Conklin Homestead Hamptons. I don’t Weil’s participation in the protection of the Babinski know why, but it certainly is different than the color of Farm became a prelude to his contribution in the conser- the sky in New York City–and you can see it all through vation of the Conklin property later that year. Both prop- the seasons.” erties were protected through sales of development rights to the Trust and the Town of East Hampton in Weil’s first memories of Long Island go back nearly 35 January 2006. “Now, I’m working towards a trifecta,” years ago, as a young man visiting. “At that time, I can Weil says, hoping to one day see another Babinski farm- recollect many four corner intersections with farmland land parcel conserved, this one owned by Andy on each corner. Today, that no longer exists,” said Weil. Babinski’s sister. “We hope that one day we will be able Those memories have inspired Weil to make a difference. to complete a transaction that will work for her.” Another area in his sights is Main Street in Wainscott. It was in 2005 when Weil decided that while change is good, there needed to be some effort to preserve the “There are all kinds of possibilities out there and there “bucolic” feeling of his community as the opportunity are tremendous opportunities for people like me to presented itself. And, fortunately for the Peconic Land make a contribution,” said Weil. “Basically, we have to Trust, those feelings coincided with the start of what wake up the rich and stop talking about the changes that would become two significant conservation projects in are happening here and do something positive about it. Wainscott: the Babinski Farm on Beach Lane and the We all have to live up to our convictions.” Conklin House and adjoining field on the corner of Main Street and Sayre’s Path. That sentiment has carried on in the next generation. Last November, Weil’s daughter, Marion Roaman, Babinski Farm organized a fundraiser at ZoneHampton, her spinning At the beginning of 2005, the Peconic Land Trust held a studio and exercise clothing boutique in East Hampton, neighbor meet and greet gathering in New York City to raising close to $10,000 for the Peconic Land Trust. engender interest and funds for the conservation of Babinski Farm. “Alex Weil stood out at this meeting, By day, Weil is the creative force behind Charlex, a graph- making a significant contribution and beginning an ics design firm he began with his former business part- important conversation with neighbors about the neces- ner, Charles Levy, in the mid-1970s. The firm, an early sity of participating in this effort,” said Rebecca A. pioneer in electronic imaging for television, created the Chapman, Vice President of Philanthropy. first MTV winner for best video in 1983 – The Cars’ You Might Think. Most recently, Weil directed and produced “I’ve only lived on two streets on the East End–Further his first animated short film, One Rat Short, which has Lane in East Hampton and Beach Lane in Wainscott,” won awards around the world. “The film has succeeded said Weil. “Beach Lane is one of those very special in branding me as a film director as well as helping us to expand Chalex into an animation studio.”I 2| www.peconiclandtrust.org The 2006 Peconic Land Trust Honor Roll hrough the work of the Peconic Land Trust, we All of us at the Trust are well aware that people are the have the privilege of serving the best of human most valuable asset of any organization. We know that Timpulses–generosity, care for our communities our conservation success is the product of lots of work and the environment, and support for our mission to by dedicated board members, volunteers, staff members, conserve Long Island’s working farms, natural lands, and supporters. Please accept our warmest appreciation and heritage for future generations. The philanthropy for your support. If we have inadvertently failed to men- honor roll highlights the record-setting fundraising year tion someone, let us know, and in advance, please accept the Peconic Land Trust experienced in 2006. We offer it our apologies for errors and omissions.