Land Protected on Jones Creek

Great news for conservation! On April 27th, the Trust purchased 2.7 acres on Jones Creek in partnership with the Town of East Hampton. Located where Jones Creek flows into Georgica Pond, the property sits within the 4,000-acre Georgica Pond Watershed.

Protecting this land will aid in improving the health of the pond and the surrounding natural habitat by eliminating future development and ensuring a natural buffer that will reduce the flow of contaminants into the pond. Nitrogen and phosphorus are major contributors to the harmful algal blooms that have stressed many of our local ponds and bays, including Georgica Pond.

At a public hearing in February, the Trust’s Kim Quarty said: “We have been focusing a lot of effort around Georgica Pond in the last few years. Every parcel counts. The pond is in distress right now with high nutrient levels including nitrogen. We need to reduce nitrogen inputs by at least 60 percent to get to a quality that is considered stable.” Maintaining this parcel as undeveloped will help in these efforts.

The Trust and the Town contributed equally to the purchase of the property, acquired from Ana Meier for $8.5 million. The Town used funds from its Community Preservation Fund (CPF).* Funds for the Trust’s portion of the acquisition were provided by Andrew Davis, Trustee of the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund.

“Finding solutions to the water quality challenges that are facing many of our East End ponds and bays is of utmost importance to us. We are excited to partner with the Trust in this endeavor,” said Andrew Davis, Trustee of the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund.

“The Town of East Hampton is pleased to be a partner in the preservation of this important pondfront property. The benefits to the native ecosystem, Georgica Pond water quality, and to public enjoyment of this natural setting will accrue for years to come,” said East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc.

“Our sincere thanks go out to Ana Meier for choosing a conservation outcome for this land. Ana has ensured that this property will be permanently protected which will, in turn, contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve the water quality of Georgica Pond. We are very grateful to our public and private partners for making this acquisition possible,” said John v.H. Halsey, President, Peconic Land Trust.

Contact Kim Quarty, Director of Conservation Planning or Julie Wesnofske, Senior Project Manager, for more information about this project and conservation along Georgica Pond.

*The Peconic Land Trust depends upon private contributions to conserve what we know and love within our communities. While we often work with Towns and other public partners, it is important to note that the Trust does not collect or distribute the Community Preservation Funds generated by the 2% real estate transfer tax. The transfer tax is paid by buyers within the Peconic Bay Region and these funds go directly to the Town where the purchased property is located. Thanks for making our work possible with your generous support!