Meadowlark
NEWSLETTER OF FRIENDS OF HEMPSTEAD PLAINS AT NASSAU COMMUNITY COLLEGE Message From The Board First Gala Fundraiser Volume 5, Issue 1 In celebration of their fifth anniversary of Winter, 2006 The past year has been filled with lively activi- operation, Friends of Hempstead Plains at ties and good things happening at the Hempstead Nassau Community College held its first annual Plains. From our management projects and fundraiser cocktail party on September 22, Inside This educational endeavors to our volunteer assis- Issue 2005. They were proud to honor Stephen Hicks tance and successful gala fundraiser this past and the Hicks family from Hicks Nurseries, Inc. First Gala fall, Friends of Hempstead Plains at Nassau of Westbury and the Long Island Community Fundraiser Community College has much to be thankful for. Foundation for their generosity in supporting As you read about these events we hope that you the management endeavors of the Friends. Summer Interns will consider joining us for more of the same in Research Insects the coming year. Teachers Con- Caring for and restoring this special ecological duct Outdoor habitat known as the Hempstead Plains is a Workshop continuing educational and rewarding experience for all who participate. We can’t do it alone. Poetry Work- Please come out this spring and share in our shop Report Volunteer Community Workdays, Friday Lunch- Plains Heritage time walks, Poetry and Teachers Training From left, Honoree Stephen Hicks, Marilyn Hicks, TOH Trail Workshops and other activities that are listed in Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Karen Hicks Courts, this issue of the Meadowlark and posted on our Catherine Kelly (FHP President), Betsy Gulotta (Conserva- Boy Scouts And website,
Friends of Hempstead Plains at Nassau Community College, Inc. offers educational programs to schools, community groups and the general public. We have many volunteer opportunities for those interested in helping with prairie restoration, development of a library, and giving programs. For extra newsletter copies, address changes, membership and volunteer information, please contact Betsy Gulotta, Conservation Project Manager, at 516-572-7570 or email [email protected]
1 Gala . . . . continued from page 1 Thanks To Our Donors and recently awarded the organization a Friends of Hempstead plains wishes to extend its utmost thanks and generous grant to carry out extensive appreciation to the following donors who helped to make the event a success! management projects, including fence Executive Strategies, LLC, Thomas S. Gulotta repair, mowing and other methods to Horace and Amy Hagedorn Fund in Long Island Community Foundation remove nonnative species and restore the Humes & Wagner, LLP, Clayton A. Prugh and Beverly J. Bell native habitat. Reckson Management Group, Inc. The Nature Conservancy Shaw, Licitra, Gulotta, Esernio & Schwartz P.C. Harriet Lewis Frank Gulotta Jr. John Falcioni Shari Romar & Mitchell Zykofsky Maxwell Wheat Catherine Kelly Tom O’Brien Betsy and Tom Gulotta Heather Amster Fosters Meadow Heritage, Franklin Square Doris and Stanley Shaw Historical Society, Paul D. van Wie Phyllis Kurland City Bank Plaza Financial Center From left Wini Freund, LICF Director of Donor Mary Jane Russell Larry Swanson, Environmental Landscaping Services, Hazel Weiser, LICF Director of Founda- tion Advancement, TOH Councilwoman Dorothy Anna Marie Mascolo and Design, Inc. Goosby, Amy Hagedorn, LICF Grants Chairman, Richard Altomonte Ashfaq and Iman Marghoob Catherine Kelly (FHP President) and Betsy Gulotta Carol Kelly Gary Hudes, Gennaro Jewelers, Inc. (Conservation Project Manager). Leders Jewelers Secilia and Christopher Drury Linda Velez Kiera and Liam Lynch The cocktail party was held at the Cradle Edward and Ruth Smits Kurt l. Roth of Aviation Museum, a fitting place for Asbury Romar Emil, Krey & Son, Inc. Friends of Hempstead Plains, which is committed to preserving and restoring the native plains habitat. and various projects, and Board member Richard Alto- Because of its flat rockless grassy terrain, the Hempstead monte showed part of an educational video that he is Plains proved a perfect site for many early airplane flights, producing about the Friends and their activities on the including the famous transatlantic flight of Charles Lindbergh Hempstead Plains. An overflowing raffle table, full of and the ”Spirit if St. Louis”. Much of the history of early generously donated gifts from local merchants was flights on the Hempstead Plains is exhibited in the Cradle of highlighted by an original painting of the endangered Aviation Museum. species, Sandplain gerardia (native to the Hempstead About 50 people attended the event. Stephen Hicks attended Plains) by Freeport botanical artist, Harriet Carotenuto. with his sister, Karen Hicks Courts represented by Amy Harriet also designed the artwork for the invitations. Hagedorn, Grants Chairman of the Grants Committee, Hazel The Friends would like to thank everyone who worked on Weiser, Director of Foundation Advancement, and Wini and participated in this event, including the honorees, Freund, Director of Donor Services. Other dignitaries included Board members, Gala Committee and all the donors. Hempstead Town Councilwoman, Dorothy Goosby, Nassau Interns Research Insects County Legislators David Dennenberg and Frances Becker, Summer Intern Research Includes Insect Survey former Nassau Of Hempstead Plains County Executive Erin Kiedrowski, Stony Brook University student major- Thomas Gulotta, ing in Marine Science, participated in a summer intern- and Katie Schwab ship at the Hempstead Plains in 2005. Her project was to from Nassau do an insect survey and identify as many insects as she County Planning could find. In addition, she also helped Dr. Lisa Filippi Commission, from Hofstra University monitor the activities of Cypress representing At the Gala, from left, FHP President Catherine Spurge Beetles. (see article on Biological Control Ef- Kelly, Nassau Legislator Fran Becker, FHP Nassau County forts… by Dr. Filippi in this issue) Conservation Project Manager Betsy Gulotta and Executive Tom Erin visited the Hempstead Plains at least twice a week her husband, former Nassau County Executive Suozzi. Tom Gulotta and captured her insects in nets. After photographing and Friends of identifying them, she released them. She was able to Hempstead Plains’ President Catherine Kelly was the Master of identify over 10 species of grasshoppers, beetles, leaf Ceremony for the event. Board member Dr. Baruch May hoppers and other insects. She hopes to continue her displayed a number of photographs of the Hempstead Plains study next summer.
2 2006 SPRING EVENTS AT THE HEMPSTEAD PLAINS FRIDAY LUNCH WALKS SPRING POETRY WORKSHOP 12:00 PM (weather permitting) Saturday, May 6, 2006 (shine or rain) At the Hempstead plains at N.C.C. Enjoy early blooming wild flowers on the Prairie See the Birdfoot Violet, Nassau County’s official flower With Long Island Naturalists/Poets, Maxwell Wheat and Learn about our efforts to save this rare habitat Edgar Carlson Professors of Biology, Betsy Gulotta and Vincent Puglisi
April 21 The Hempstead Plains provides a resource for new May 5 and 19 poetic language for poets. Modern American poetry June 2 and 16 is characterized by words and combinations of words July 7 that express emotion. Poets are turning to nature for their language now more than at any other time in American poetry history. They are finding in the life Bring your cameras, binoculars, and sneakers histories of animals and plants and in the technical and popular terms used for habitat description, words and combinations of words that express not WEEKEND only their own reactions to nature, but that give them language with which to write about the human VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY condition. Timed with the blooming of the historic WORKDAYS Birdfoot Violet, this Workshop will surely be an inspiration to all who attend.
Help restore the native prairie PROGRAM Remove invasive species 9:30 Welcome and Introductions 9:45 Presentation: Hempstead Plains Natural History Saturday Workdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM 10:00 Walks led by naturalists 11:15 Human History of the Hempstead Plains April 22 11:30 Writing Session May 6 and 20 12:00 Lunch, during which you can read you works in progress (bring bag Lunch; refreshments June 3 and 17 served) 1:00 Continue Writing Session and Sharing Bring gloves, rakes, and clippers 2:00 Conclusions and Announcement about next Habitat Poetry Workshop Directions To Hempstead Plains At Nassau Community College $5.00 for Members; $10.00 for Nonmembers; Meadowbrook Parkway to Exit M4, follow signs to become a member for $25.00 Coliseum and Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Turn right into East Parking Area for NCC. See Hempstead Plains entrance at first intersection. Registration necessary: call 516-572-7570 or email [email protected]
For more information, contact the Friends: 516-572-7570; [email protected] by Friends of Hempstead Plains at Nassau Community College
3 Outdoor Workshop Thank You To Our Friends And Supporters Teachers Learn How To Use The Hempstead Plains As An Out- door Classroom Friends of Hempstead Plains wishes to express our thanks and appreciation to the following donors for their support of our restora- On June 4, 2005, eleven teachers and educators from Long Island tion and education programs and for believing in us. middle and high schools, Nassau Community College, Long Island Charles B Wang Foundation Children’s Museum in Garden City Hicks Nurseries, Inc. and the Science Museum of Long Independence Community Foundation Island in Plandome attended the Long Island Community Foundation Spring Teachers Training Workshop Nassau Community College sponsored by Friends of Hempstead New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Plains at Nassau Community College. The Workshop, made The Nature Conservancy possible by a grant from Indepen- United States Department of Agriculture dence Community Foundation, was designed to show teachers how they can use the Hempstead Plains as an Welcome New Members outdoor museum for hands-on learning about Long Island’s natural Thank you to our new members and donors since fall 2005 environment and field experience for their students. Joanne Delprete Long Island Children’s Museum Charlene Pilipshen Scott Emmons Hempstead Public Library Carol Ann Renderos Following the format of the very Timothy Godan David Nemschoff Family Sunni Stewart successful first Teachers Training Lyn Hasler Virginia Memoli David Stolarz Workshop held last October, 2004, Christina Kenny Laura Memoli The Wheatley School this Workshop included a half day Patricia Larussa Barbara Meyers Virginia Williams session of lectures and demonstra- Janet Matthews Tara O’Brien tions on the general history, geology, ecology and social history of the Hempstead Plains from the time it was formed by glacial deposits, Friends of Hempstead Plains T-Shirt For Sale covering 60,000 acres across Buy a t-shirt with our beautiful logo. Available in Nassau County, to its present day sizes Small. Medium, Large and Extra Large. status, comprised of fragments totaling only about 60 acres. Please send a check for $10.00 plus $2.50 ship- Presentations were given by Dr. ping to Friends of Hempstead Plains, (specify Lisa Filippi, Professor of Ecology at size: S,M,L,XL) at Nassau Community College, Hofstra University, Vincent Puglisi Inc., Department of Biology, Nassau Community and Betsy Gulotta, Professors of College, Garden City, New York 11530. Biology at Nassau Community College. Dr. Catherine Kelly, Professor of Biology at Nassau studies and soil surveys. The above-noted classroom for their students. The Community College and President faculty were assisted by Ralph Foster, a knowledge they gained will be passed of Friends of Hempstead Plains dedicated Friends member and volunteer, on to scores of students in their classes. introduced the Workshop. The in the afternoon session. In the words from one of the partici- afternoon session included field As a result of the Workshop, eleven pants, “It was a pleasure to hear such activities and demonstrations on teachers and educators learned valuable informed and dedicated people. The orienteering, observation skills, information about the history and ecology field exercise is a reinforcement of how plant and insect study, bird watching of the Hempstead Plains and how to use hands-on experience brings under- and identification, habitat quadrat the Hempstead Plains as an outdoor standing alive.”
4 Management News dia. I have been monitoring the sites on Long Island. by Dr. Lisa Filippi expansion of the beetle population, This year was not a good year for Biological Control Efforts to and eagerly looking for signs that the Sandplain gerardia on the Hempstead Control a Nasty Invasive of the cypress spurge is weakening. The Plains. Only 276 plants were found. Hempstead Plains beetles are clearly increasing in Other sites on Long Island fared number, as they feast on this very slightly better, although the numbers Aphthona flava (Coleoptera: Chry- abundant host. In one plot, the plants did not come close to the record year somelidae), also known as the copper appear a bit weaker, but in the other set in 2003, when over 3000 plants leafy spurge flea beetle, is a tiny, and they seem to be increasing along with were found on the Hempstead Plains. pretty beetle, smaller than a sesame the beetles! This is a long-term bio- It is unclear what causes annual seed. Although its primary host is control method, and it should be a few fluctuations in population numbers, copper leafy spurge, an invasive more years before we see a notable but may have something to do with villain of the grazing pastures in the effect. Until then, let’s hope the the amount of moisture during the Midwest, it also feeds on cypress beetles have a grand Thanksgiving growing season. Sandplain gerardia spurge, an insidious and ever-expand- everyday, feasting on our nemesis, is an annual and depends on seed ing invasive plant on the Hempstead oblivious to their vital role in this dispersal for its survival. Plains, and has been reported to have crucial conservation effort. significant impact on the spread of Other management efforts focused on this invasive in other areas. Because Management Efforts repairing the fence and habitat cypress spurge is threatening to take restoration projects, supported by a over the habitat of our lovely, and On The Plains grant from Long Island Community globally endangered, sandplain by Betsy Gulotta Foundation. One area of focus was removal of the invasive species, gerardia, we initiated a biological Management efforts on the Hempstead Mugwort, Artemesia vulgaris, that control program in 2002, using Plains this past year focused on has heavily invaded the western and Aphthona flava as our biological preservation of the endangered southern borders of the Hempstead control agent. species, Sandplain gerardia, and Plains. Efforts to remove this plant removal of nonnative invasive plant The beetles have a double whammy by weeding, herbicide treatment and species that are encroaching onto the effect on their host plants. First, mowing continued. Board member native habitat. adults emerge from the soil in July to Ralph Foster (featured in Meadow- mate, and feed on the cypress spurge Sandplain gerardia, Agalinis acuta, is lark, Vol. 3, issue 1) continued to leaves. Reduction of leaf biomass a globally endangered species that work on his project covering 10 by 10 from this feeding results in lower grows in about a dozen sites in only meter plots of Mugwort with canvas production of food for the whole five states in North America. During tarps in early spring. After 2 to 3 plant, and should weaken the plants. its blooming time in late August to months, the tarps were removed, Then, after mating and feeding, early September, the bright pink revealing no live Mugwort sprouts. females go underground and lay their flowers are easy to see and add an As the growing season continued, eggs on or near the roots of the plants; unexpected splash of color to the many other species sprouted rapidly developing larvae feed on the roots prairie already dressed in yellows, and filled in much of the area before and root hairs and emerge from the oranges and whites of the late summer Mugwort had a chance to recover. ground as adults the following sum- blooming wildflowers. Although Mugwort was not elimi- mer. This feeding should also weaken Discovered on the Hempstead Plains nated, plots that were previously the plants by usurping the nutrients in 1986 by The Nature Conservancy, covered with tarps supported a greater they are storing there. Although the Sandplain gerardia’s growth is variety of species of wildflowers beetles don’t actually kill the plants monitored each year. Every single including Common Milkweed and outright, we are hopeful that they will plant is counted in the two plots on the Indian Hemp than they did before. weaken them enough to control and 19 acre Hempstead Plains site on the eventually even halt their spread. campus of Nassau Community The Hempstead Plains Preserve is In both 2002 and 2003, we released College, as well as in the site across open to visitors by appointment. If about 500 beetles at each of two Charles Lindbergh Blvd. belonging to you would like to see and tour the expansive patches of cypress spurge, Nassau County. Totals are recorded Hempstead Plains, call 516-572- one of which is encroaching onto a by The Nature Conservancy and 7570 to make an appointment. fenced-off patch of sandplain gerar- combined with data from the other
5 Workshops Inspire Poets Plains Heritage Trail Poetry Workshops At The Hempstead Plains Continue To Inspire Long Island Poets On June 16, 2005, Friends of Hempstead Plains was honored to Since our first successful Poetry creating beautiful poetry. The sponsor a lecture program on the Workshop last fall, 2004, two more Workshop was repeated on September Hempstead Plains Heritage Trail by poetry workshops have attracted 9, coinciding with the blooming of the historian Paul van Wie, president of writers to learn how to incorporate globally endangered Sandplain Franklin Square Historical Society. nature in their poems, assisted by Gerardia. Participants received a Dr. van Wie, who also teaches social Long Island nature poet, Maxwell guided tour of the site as well as studies at The Wheatley School in Old Wheat along with Edgar Carlson, a instructions and written materials on Westbury, and history and political former student of Maxwell’s. On poetry writing. A few more poems science at Hofstra University, spoke May 14, 2005, timed to coincide with that resulted from the workshops are on the history of the Hempstead Plains the blooming of the historic Birdfoot printed here. Please look for news and gradual development of the land violet, nearly 20 people gathered at about our Spring Poetry Workshop in and communities along Hempstead the Hempstead Plains to observe May 2006. Turnpike over the years. The talk was spring wildflowers, and set about Heritage continued on next page . . . . .
On Teresa’s Eyes by Edgar Carlson
A leftover cloud Last night’s thirty-second hurricane Faded in the northeast on silkworm wings.
A perfect beach day Dr. Paul van Wie, speaking on Hempstead Plains I left early Heritage Trail The parkway was a carpet ride Edgar Carlson and Maxwell Wheat leading Poetry Then a helicopter appeared due south Poem Written for My Mother as I Stand Workshop in May A second audible in the north on the Hempstead Plains Plains The ocean traffic stopped On This May Morning 2005 by Megan Kelly I turned inland by Ginger Williams An ocean stretches before me, To the Hempstead Plains Restoration If we lived on a prairie A sea free of water. I’d have learned of bird’s foot violets, A sea which will not be, Goldenrod Switchgrass, winged sumac Sopped up by time’s sponge. Switchgrass From tramps across the grasslands. The dry waves of switch grass, Broomsedge Are an unsealed time capsule. Spikelets of small yellow flowers You’d have pointed them out like On the turkey claw racemes Our local dog-toothed violets, or trillium The present is a constant whir, Of Big Bluestem In the springtime of our Connecticut woods. A harmony I’d have memories of you kneeling To the ancient melody On the linear leaves Of the switch grass. Of endangered Sandplain Gerardia To show a prairie primrose An invisible line, A chrome raindrop Instead of the bright green Sits somewhere between, In its white walls a blue skyscraper Of early skunk cabbage. Clutching These times. Blue granite Notebook and pen, I’d stand in So that they blur together, Bedrock And the scared language, Your footprints, to write your words Of the mocking bird, Andropogon gerardia/Big Bluestem/ Here: in woodlands, on prairie, And the familiar roaring modernity, Turkey Foot Marsh, desert, tundra, anywhere Of the car, I could follow you. Become one.
6 ...... Heritage from prior page Scouts Help To Preserve The Plains' Future based on his book, "The Hempstead Plains Heritage Girl Scouts Collect Native Seeds Trail; a Journey through 350 On Monday, October 17, 2005, Girl Years of American History". Scout Troop 825 from Rockville Centre The Hempstead Plains Heritage visited the Hempstead Plains and col- Trail reflects the important role lected seeds from the native grasses. that the Hempstead Plains They were assisting in one of the restora- tion projects at the Plains to reintroduce played in history. It runs from Girl Scout Troop 825 from Rockville Centre, working Floral Park to Bethpage, native plants in areas where they have at Hempstead Plains in Oct. 2005 encompassing Jericho Turnpike disappeared. The 15 fourth grade girls and Tulip Avenue in Floral were Junior Girl Scouts, accompanied by taken to preserve native grass seed Park, Garden City, and parts of Troop leader Heather DeTommaso and and reintroduce only traditional Hempstead Turnpike further Maggie Gray from Long Island Hempstead Plains’ species, as part of east. Historical facts presented Children’s Museum. This activity the restoration process. by Dr. van Wie included: "the enabled the girls to receive their Eco- first organized horse race in this Action badge, and demonstrated that the Boy Scouts Remove Woody country occurred on the girls were “doing things for the environ- Shrubs And Trees Hempstead Plains in 1673; ment that will help people, animals and Boy Scout, Kevin McDonald from Alexander Stewart purchased plants stay healthy and that the air, soil Troop 689 in Seaford, completed his the section of Hempstead Plains and water will stay clean”. The girls Eagle Scout project at the Hempstead from Stewart Manner to were thrilled to be part of the preserva- Plains in May 2005 by cutting woody Bethpage in 1869 to build the tion of native Nassau County. village of Garden City; the Each fall, Hempstead Plains’ native bank credit card was developed warm season grasses offer their hundreds in Franklin Square by Franklin of thousands of seeds to the wind to Square National Bank that was disperse and regenerate their own kind. established in 1926 and flour- Little Bluestem, Switch grass and ished until 1974; and the Broomsedge grass are the most abundant Nassau County Court House species. Their seeds are easy to collect, was the first building con- although it is a time consuming process. Boy Scout Kevin McDonald, Troop 689 in Seaford, his structed by Nassau County in One person can collect about a pound an dad, and a friend, at Hempstead Plains in May 2005 1899". hour. Many pounds of seed are neces- Dr. van Wie, historian, teacher sary to cover only a small patch of land. shrubs and clearing litter. After visiting and author, all in one, is a Therefore volunteers are most welcome the site several times to plan his project, lifelong resident of Franklin to help in seed collection. Kevin and about 20 boys from his troop Square. He has been Franklin One might inquire, “Why not purchase gathered on the Hempstead Plains on Square Village Historian since prairie grass seed from one of the many May 15 and 22. They cut down many 1979 and is a founder of the seed sources?” The answer has to do of the woody shrubs and trees that Franklin Square local Village with genetic variations. Hempstead continuously sprout on the prairie, and Museum. He is also Land- Plains’ grasses have evolved in this part dragged the branches to the gates where marks Preservation Commis- of the country for thousands of years, they were later removed from the site. sioner for the Town of and their genotype is no doubt unique Hempstead. He has written and different from that of grasses in any Removing unwanted woody vegetation two books on the history of other part of the world. Even prairie from grassland areas like the Franklin Square; "History of habitats have subtle genetic differences, Hempstead Plains is an ongoing Franklin Square and its Envi- depending on their location. Purchasing process. Friends of Hempstead Plains rons", and "The German genetic varieties from other sources could is grateful to have community volun- Settlement of the 19th Century prove harmful by introducing unwanted teers like the Boy Scouts to help in our Long Island". or harmful genes or even genes prone to management projects. disease. That is why great care is being
7 FRIENDS OF HEMPSTEAD PLAINS at Nassau Community College, Inc. Department of Biology U. S. Nassau Community College Garden City, New York 11530 Postage ADDRESS CORRECTION RE- QUESTED become a member, please contact us by the Hempstead Plains and/or would like to If you are interested in learning more about $1000 $500 $100 $40 $25 $5 email Phone Address Name Please clip & return this part with your check payable to: Friends of Hempstead Plains Garden City, NY 11530 Dept. of Biology, Nassau Community College, preservation, restoration, and education. with 100% supporting the Friends mission of trips and other events. Donations are tax deductible program updates, and invitations to programs, field All members will receive the Friends newsletter, special habitat. highest aspirations in protecting this very your assistance and caring we can realize our mental protection to help get us started. With neighbors interested in wildlife and environ- involvement. We look to our friends and enhancing community awareness and dedicated to prairie habitat protection and to Community College, Inc. is an organization Friends of Hempstead Plains at Nassau Phone: 516-572-7570 Fax: 516-572-7762 STUDENT MEMBER GENERAL MEMBERSHIP FAMILY FRIEND SUPPORTER PROTECTOR OF THE PRAIRIE ABOUT THE FRIENDS ABOUT THE email: JOIN THE FRIENDS [email protected] $ $ $ $ $ $ , and mail to: 1000 100 500 25 40
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Bob Mackin Bob
Elizabeth Gulotta Elizabeth
lzbt uot Conservation Gulotta Elizabeth
StephenHicks
Carole Ryder Carole
Shari Romar Shari
Dr.Filippi Lisa
Ralph Foster Ralph
Dr.Price John
Richard Altomonte Richard
Anna Mascolo Anna
Dr.May Baruch
aeSalyRecording Stanley Dale
Alpa
n ai ozn Treasurer Pozzini Marie Ann
r ahrn el President Dr.Kelly Catherine
FHPDIRECTORS OF BOARD
adaCorresponding Pandya
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Secretary Secretary