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, March 22nd, 2023 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.

Nassau County SEPTIC Program
Long Island Regional Envirothon

Seeking Volunteers & Interns

Nassau County Soil & Water Logo

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.

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. 

Native and Invasive Species Education

Nassau County SWCD planted a Bat Box in Pond Park, Great Neck Estates as a part of our Native and Invasive and Native Species Education and Outreach Program.

 

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. 

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.

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 

Permeable Pavement 

The Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation district helped install Permeable Pavement at the Bayville Community Center. 

 

This project was made possible due to a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Permeable pavement allows for the infiltration of storm water and helps protect an area from flood damage.