Friends of Hempstead Plains work to preserve Long Island's prairie

Long Island Business News, Dec 13, 2002 by Kenneth Cerini

Address: Department of Biology, Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY 11530

Phone: (516) 572-7570

Conservation Project Manager: Betsy Gulotta

Founded: 2001

Staff: 1

Annual Budget: $90,000

Fundraised Support: $90,000

Program Services: 75%-80%

When settlers first came to Long Island, they were greeted by an oasis of 5-foot-tall grass that undulated in the wind much like the ocean they sailed to the New World on. Today, all that remains of the 60,000-acre plain that once stretched from Queens to Suffolk County is about 80 acres, 19 of which are located on a protected portion of the Nassau Community College campus. This small area of remaining prairie land is fighting for its life against change brought about by the intrusion of man, a problem that has engulfed much of Long Island's natural habitats.

According to Betsy Gulotta, conservation project manager of the Friends of Hempstead Plains at Nassau Community College Inc., an organization established to preserve, restore and offer educational programs about the Hempstead Plains. Of the 80 or so acres that still exist, it is the 19 acres at the college that still contain the largest concentration of the natural fauna that once made the Hempstead Plains great.

What's remarkable about the Hempstead Plains is that it's a prairie - the only one in New York State. For a prairie, a region known for little rain and dry soil, to be situated on an Island is unthinkable. This has left experts debating for years. While prairies may not be as lush as or be home to as many species of animals as rainforests they are just as scarce, creating a dire need for preservation.

Little and Big Blue Stem, Switch grass and Indian grass are all native grasses to the plain. The once native Bobolink and Upland Sandpiper no longer are seen or nest here, the heath hen is certified extinct and the Bushy Rock Rose and Hand-maid Moth are barely fighting survival. The Sandplain Gerardia, an annual which has been federally declared as an endangered flower under the Endangered Species Act is known to exist in only eleven sites worldwide, six of which are located on Long Island. This season over 700 blossomed by the end of September, and the Friends of Hempstead Plains are trying to germinate the seeds to get them to multiply across the land. "To some people they may just see grasses and birds and flowers, but they represent and indicate true prairie habitat; the grasses and seeds provide food to the birds and animals that live here" declared Gulotta. One of the biggest problems that Gulotta and the Organization face is competition from nonnative species of plants. Friends, with the assistance of The Nature Conservancy has tried controlled burnings, mowing, and other means to preserve the integrity of the natural species, but they have found the only way to truly control the spread of nonnative plants is by the painstaking process of gardening. "This was once a wonderful prairie habitat here," said Gulotta. "It is important we remember and try to restore what little we have left."

To get the message out just how important this land is, Gulotta is trying to develop new programs for the students of Nassau Community College, as well as for local elementary and high schools. Biology students from Nassau spend classroom time in the field. They conduct research and surveys. Volunteers also help with the gardening, by collecting seeds of native grasses and scattering them to re- stimulate the growth of the natural ones.

The Hempstead Plains were once a proud part of Long Island, now they rely upon the Friends of Hempstead Plains for their very existence. "Without constant help and intervention, the Plains will be overrun," said Gulotta. If that should happen, another piece of Long Island's heritage will be lost forever.