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Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District
Working Together for Healthy Soils and Clean Water
Notice Board
The Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District will be hosting its next board meeting at Nassau Hall on
Friday, August 23rd, 2024 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1864 Muttontown Road, Syosset NY 11791.
Please call (516) 364-5860 or email Derek Betts dbetts@nassauswcd.org for meeting information.
Soil and Water Conservation districts are local units of government that develop, manage, and direct natural resource programs at the community level. The Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District has been in existence since 1977, providing county residents with assistance, educational programs and services for over 45 years.
Please explore our website and consider becoming an active member of your District.
Join the Nassau County Septic Replacement Program
Help keep Long Island bays and harbors clean by replacing your conventional septic system or cesspool with a new nitrogen-reducing treatment system. Eligible property owners may receive up to $20,000 towards the installation of a new nitrogen reducing septic system.
Contact Us
Derek Betts
District Manager
dbetts@nassauswcd.org
Olivia Cunningham
Conservation Technician
ocunningham@nassauswcd.org
Sean Rooney
Conservation Technician
srooney@nassauswcd.org
James Reardon
Conservation Technician
jreardon@nassauswcd.org
Projects
The Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District funds a limited number of mission-aligned projects every year. Eligible applicants include local governments in Nassau County and not-for-profit organizations.
Projects must meet one or more of the follow criteria in Nassau County:
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Conserve or improve soils
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Improve water quality of our groundwater and/or surface water
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Control and prevent soil erosion and/or prevent floodwater and sediment damages
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Conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water
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Preserve, increase, or improve natural resources including trees and plants
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Control or eliminate invasive plants or wildlife
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Control and abate NPS water pollution
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Preserve wildlife
Education
We seek to educate municipalities and residents of all ages about best practices for natural resources conservation. We do this through a variety of means; including distributing educational materials, participating in community outreach events, hosting conferences, plant sales, training events, and workshops, and organizing the annual Long Island Regional Envirothon, which draws hundreds of high school students each year.
The NCSWCD regularly offers the NYSDEC endorsed 4-hour Erosion & Sediment Control Training for contractors and municipal employees.
The Long Island Regional Envirothon
The Envirothon® is an environmental and natural resource conservation problem-solving, teambuilding and leadership experience and competition for high school students (grades 9-12 or ages 14-19) across the United States, Canada, and China. Incorporating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) principles, experiential learning, and hands-on outdoor field experiences, the Envirothon fosters student learning in the five subject areas of: Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife, and a Current Environmental Issue which changes annually.
Native and Invasive Species Education
Nassau County SWCD provides Educational Programs on Native and Invasive Species to residents of Nassau County, Gardening clubs, Libraries and other local educational entities.
Pictured here is SWCD staff on the way to install a Bat Box in Pond Park, once established this will provide a vital habitat for our Long Island native Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus). Native bat species help control populations of mosquito, beetles and other pests, a single little brown bat can catch 600 mosquitoes in just one hour. Bats also play essential roles in native plant pollination and the dispersal of seeds.
Trail Maintenance at Muttontown Preserve
Nassau County is home to countless preserves that serve as habitat and refuge for the native plants and wildlife that represent Long Island’s unique ecology. These preserves act as gateways for local communities by allowing access to untouched natural environments, and many organizations utilize preserves to host educational trail walks and promote environmental values and stewardship.
The Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District has been working to establish a system of trails in this ecologically unique county preserve.
Rain Garden Revitilization
Rain Gardens are essential in recharging underground aquefors, of which many Long Island residents use for water. A Rain Garden is designed to capture stormwater runoff and filter it as it enters the ground. It is imperative to clean this "first flush" as it carries the greatest amount of pollutants.
Raingardens are designed to improve the quality of the stormwater before it enters the groundwater or surface waters. A raingarden can be designed and constructed in various ways to best suit the need of the surrounding area, local aesthetics, or for educational purposes.
The Conservation District has designed and installed numerous raingardens across Nassau County through a number of partnerships and grant programs with plans to continue maintaining
Town of North Hempstead - Native Plant Rebate Program
The NCSWCD provided funding to reimburse Town of North Hempstead Residents who purchased native plants to create native plant gardens and rain gardens. Native plants provide food, shelter and nesting resources for birds, pollinators, small mammals and a variety of wildlife species.
Native plants have a multitude of environmental benefits like extensive root systems that absorb polluted stormwater, sequestering carbon, lower maintenance requirements and less need for fertilizer, mowing and irrigation.
Providing rebates for installation of these plants would lead to more native plants being put into the ground, which will support the Town's effort to increase native plants and wildlife habitat throughout the Town of North Hempstead.
A Day in the Life of a South Shore Estruary Reserve
A Day in the Life is a program organized by the South Shore Estuary Reserve focused on environmental education, community engagement and water-quality monitoring. Students will get the opportunity to collect water quality samples, learn about ecosystem services and engage with local flora & fauna.
After the field trip event, the data collected by student groups is processed and shared for analysis—an activity in which students are encouraged to participate in. This can range from tracking water & soil health throughout Nassau County to GIS analysis of the collected data.
Seeking Volunteers & Interns
Interested in protecting your local resources? Looking for a chance to give back to your community?
The Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District is currently seeking volunteers to help implement various environmental projects. No experience required. Weekend opportunities available.