Peconic Estuary Program Bay-Friendly Yard Makeover

Last fall the Peconic Estuary Program advertised and held a contest for a private homeowner within the Peconic Estuary watershed, to win a bay-friendly yard makeover. This project was developed in order to educate community members on the impacts of stormwater runoff on our local waterbodies as well as the solutions they can take to reduce these problems and help protect our local bays! Contestants submitted a short summary of why they care about the health of the Peconic Estuary, and why they think its important for all homeowners to do their part to help protect the bay, and the prize was a $5,000 yard project that reduced the impacts of stormwater runoff form their property.

Peconic Estuary Program is an innovative partnership of local, state, and federal governments, citizens, environmental groups, businesses and academic institutions, all working together to help protect and restore the Peconic Estuary. Stormwater runoff is thought to be one of the major issues facing our local waterways, as this water can act as a conduit for pollutants to enter the bay, and is therefore a major concern of the Peconic Estuary Program. These pollutants can then decrease water quality leading to poor habitat and potentially, fish kills, shellfish closures, bathing beach closures and other negative impacts.

Out of the many applications received, PEP staff selected a dedicated homeowner in Hampton Bays, Patricia Tuccio, as the contest winner. After reviewing a number of different landscaping proposals focused on appropriate bay-friendly landscaping. Hampton Yard Essentials from Southampton was selected to implement a great plan they developed, which focused on using native plants to reduce lawn area (which often requires excess fertilizer and water use) and created a large buffer zone between the remaining lawn and the waterfront (to help filter out potential pollutants before they reach the bay). We also plan to install a rain barrel on site, to collect rain water (thus preventing it from becoming runoff) that Mrs. Tuccio can use to water her flowerbeds. Many of the native plants used came from the Long Island Native Plant Initiative, which collects and develops seeds native to Long Island. Using native plants is a great way to reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides, as well as increase appropriate habitat for local birds and butterflies. 

While this project was a great one, you can easily make changes to reduce stormwater runoff issues from your yard, with a much smaller price tag, in fact many of the recommended practices will actually save you money. For ideas please visit the websites below! 

Special thanks to Hampton Yard Essentials and to the Long Island Native Plant Initiative for their great work!