New Parking Lot Supports Local Affordable and Accessible Recreation 

Partnerships Help Advance New York’s ‘30 x 30’ Open Space Protection and ‘25 Million Trees by 2033’ Goals 

All New Yorkers Can Contribute by Recording Tree Plantings to DEC’s Online Tree Tracker 

In preparation for Arbor Day on April 25, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced the planting of dozens of native trees at DEC’s newly improved Conscience Bay-Little Bay Tidal Wetland Area in Setauket, Suffolk County. The plantings complement DEC’s work with the Peconic Land Trust and other partners to preserve environmentally sensitive properties along Long Island’s North Shore. DEC recently added a three-car parking lot to foster public access to this valuable parcel. 

“Many years of hard work and advocacy by DEC’s Natural Resources staff and community partners made this day possible,” said Acting Commissioner Lefton. “DEC greatly appreciates the advice, cooperation, and assistance received from the Peconic Land Trust, Strongs Neck Civic Association, Three Village Civic Association, town of Brookhaven, and the Setalcott Nation, who were all vital to the success of this project and the public access and enjoyment it will bring. We encourage the public to make every day Arbor Day and submit tree plantings on DEC’s Tree Tracker website.”  

For more than a decade, DEC worked with partners to purchase and conserve North Shore properties through the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to protect vitally important tidal wetlands and adjacent upland areas, creating a valuable community recreational asset. Since 2015, DEC has acquired six properties on Dyke Road in Setauket, town of Brookhaven, adding 15.52 acres to DEC’s existing 52-acre Conscience Bay-Little Bay State Tidal Wetland. 

Since 2015, DEC has awarded the Peconic Land Trust more than $400,000 in Conservation Partnership Grant Program awards to continue progress on open space protection initiatives like Conscience Bay. 

Among the many environmental victories in the Governor’s 2025-26 Executive Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul proposed to maintain the historically high level of $400 million in EPF funding. The EPF supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, improves agricultural resources to promote sustainable agriculture, protects water sources, advances conservation efforts, and provides recreational opportunities for New Yorkers. The EPF also supports New York’s 30x30 Initiative, which commits to conserving?30 percent of lands and waters by 2030. 

The EPF and grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Long Island Sound Study provide funding for the Conscience Bay-Little Bay land acquisitions. Land trusts play an important role in advancing open space protection, DEC supports these trusts through Conservation Partnership Program grants funded by the record high EPF. 

Today’s tree plantings support Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2024 State of the State commitment to plant 25 million trees by 2033 to invigorate New York State’s tree planting efforts, advance climate goals, and grow the state’s forest products industry.  

“As we celebrate Arbor Day along Conscience Bay, we are reminded of why we work so hard every day to conserve land in our communities – here the Peconic Land Trust pre-acquired an assemblage of four environmentally sensitive and historically significant parcels along the causeway to Strongs Neck in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,” said Peconic Land Trust President John v.H. Halsey. “Together these parcels contribute to the health of Conscience Bay and Little Bay by protecting tidal wetlands as well as wildlife by providing habitat.  In addition, these parcels represent the history of this place as Setauket ancestral land and the home of the Culper Spy Ring so helpful to General Washington during the American Revolution.  We started this effort in 2014 and in recent months conveyed the last of the parcels to the DEC illustrating the power of partnerships between land trusts and our public partners. We thank Governor Hochul, our representations in the New York State Senate and Assembly and in the Town of Brookhaven, and the team at the DEC for their commitment to protecting the places we know and love on Long Island. We look forward to future collaborations.”

"Today's Arbor Day celebration at the Conscience Bay-Little Bay Tidal Wetland Area symbolizes our commitment to protecting Long Island's unique ecosystem and our continued efforts to combat shore erosion and protect the region's water quality,” said New York State Senator Anthony H. Palumbo. “Thank you to the Department of Environmental Conservation, Peconic Land Trust and members of the community for your efforts to improve and preserve this important historical and ecological site."   

“On behalf of New York State Assembly District Four, I thank the Department of Environmental Conservation for their ongoing efforts to conserve and repair our unique and magnificent ecosystems,” said New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay. “Areas like this tidal wetland are fragile and rely on our intrepid community members as well as state and federal agencies to protect and restore the land and water so that it may continue to serve as a healthy host to all living creatures. This tree planting further beautifies the gateway to Strongs Neck, and furthers our district's and our state's goals to properly steward our environment. I look forward to continuing collaborations with our partners at the DEC to protect open space, restore native ecosystems, and connect our residents to nature throughout the district.

“Any efforts to conserve our environment are always appreciated and encouraged,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. “Planting trees is a critical component to these types of projects, and we thank the DEC for recognizing the importance of this initiative.”

“This Arbor Day tree planting, on the heels of Earth Day, highlights what’s possible when we work together to protect our environment,” said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico. “The town of Brookhaven was proud to partner with New York State on this meaningful restoration, helping return this property to its natural state. It’s now preserved for future generations as a thriving tidal wetland—just as it should be.”

“I would like to thank DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton for joining us for this important Arbor Day tree planting event,” said Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright. “Appropriately, it is here that the DEC has previously extensively planted native shrubs on reclaimed land. Overlooking beautiful Conscience Bay, this site, along with nearby Little Bay’s fringing tidal marshlands and an uplands area between these two bays that features freshwater wetlands in swales between apparent ancient coastal dunes, is a showcase of the DEC’s capable execution of mission and purpose. On behalf of Suffolk County residents, especially those who live near any of our harbors, thank you Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton and the DEC staff for your vision and dedication.”

“This isn’t just a tree planting, it’s a triumph of ten years of teamwork that breathes life back into Conscience Bay!” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “Restoring these tidal wetlands is key to building climate resiliency, safeguarding our coastal communities, protecting wildlife habitats, and preserving public access to nature. This has taken years of collaboration and is a reminder of what’s possible when communities, local partners, and the state come together to restore our environment. We’re proud to partner with DEC to help revitalize this area; just in time for Arbor Day!” 

Celebrate Arbor Day, April 25, 2025  

Arbor Day is a national observance that celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes tree planting and care. First celebrated in 1872, it was established as a way to encourage farmers and homesteaders to plant trees that would provide shade, shelter, food, fuel and beauty to open areas. In New York, Arbor Day is traditionally celebrated the last Friday in April. However, communities around the state can celebrate Arbor Day any day of the year. For more information about Arbor Day, visit DEC’s website  

Join DEC’s Arbor Day tree planting sweepstakes and learn more about DEC’s Tree Tracker here.