Long Pond Greenbelt extends from the south fork of Long Island to Sag Harbor in the town of Southampton. Containing several connected waterbodies, wetlands, and streams, this area forms a green corridor on Long Island. Fluctuating water levels in coastal plain ponds here creates a home for state and globally rare coastal plain pond plant communities.
In 1968, Sag Harbor residents advocated to the Town of Southampton for the protection of Long Pond. The Town made its preservation a goal the following year in their master plan, eventually incorporating The Nature Conservancy in the conservation project.
- Size: 600 acres
- Relatively free of invasive species compared to its size
- While occasional invasive species are present on the shoreline, the waters are free of submerged aquatic invasive species and maintain healthy populations of native species.
- Large populations of rare and endangered species
- The Nature Conservancy highlights the incredible biodiversity at this site, saying “This ecosystem supports one of the highest concentrations of rare species and natural communities anywhere in New York State.”
Phragmites (Phragmites australis) is the largest threat to the coastal plain ponds of the greenbelt, particularly the coastal pond shore plant communities. Controlling current phragmites populations, preventing their further spread, and rapidly responding to very small new infestations are of great importance to LIISMA, in cooperation with local partners. Continued aquatic surveys of these areas enables such rapid response.
- Species found within the buffer of the ISPZ, require monitoring for early detection and rapid response:
- Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)
- Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna)
- Species recently found within the park that require rapid response:
- Mile-a-minute vine (Persicaria perfoliata)
- Invasive species that are established within the park, requiring containment and removal in highest quality areas
- Common Reed (Phragmites australis)
