Past Events
Celebrating Biodiversity and Conservation in Port Washington
A Unique Gathering of Community, Seed Collection, and a Nature Walk at the Guggenheim Preserve
Overview
September 30th, 2025
Community members and representatives from multiple organizations gathered at the end of Fairfield Avenue for A Unique Gathering of Butterflyweed Seeds and Nature Walk, co-hosted by the Long Island Native Plant Initiative (LINPI) and the Port Washington Watershed Biodiversity Coalition. The event honored the past stewardship of PW Green while introducing the next chapter of conservation under ReWild Long Island.
The program included two parts:
A guided walk led by David Jakim (naturalist with New York Wild Walks and the Port Washington Biodiversity Coalition) explored the meadow’s plants, insects, and birds, connecting field observations to larger conservation themes.
A seed collection session led by Greg Lowenthal, President of LINPI, focused on gathering butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa) seed to preserve genetic diversity and help restore this regionally uncommon species across Long Island.
Together, participants experienced the preserve’s ecological richness while contributing directly to its restoration.
Preserve History and Legacy
The 17-acre Guggenheim Preserve exists today thanks to the foresight of PW Green, Inc., which in 2000 prevented its development and secured its protection. For more than two decades, PW Green organized volunteers, created outdoor classrooms, and managed invasive species—ensuring that this rare meadow and woodland survived. Though PW Green disbanded in 2024, its legacy continues through the Port Washington School District, the Port Washington Watershed Biodiversity Coalition, LINPI, and ReWild Long Island.
The Preserve contains the largest intact native meadow on the Port Washington Peninsula, paired with an adjoining 7-acre woodland. Each fall, goldenrods and little bluestem erupt in color, sustaining pollinators and birds and reminding us why this landscape matters—ecologically, historically, and as a shared community space.
Ecological Highlights
Butterflyweed and Monarchs
The meadow’s signature plant, butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa), dazzles in summer with bright orange blooms and supports monarch butterflies—their sole host plant during breeding. Although the monarchs had already migrated south, the walk emphasized their vital role as both flagship and umbrella species within this ecosystem. The discussion tied into the ongoing work of the PW Monarch Butterfly Alliance, directed by David Jakim.
Goldenrods and Seasonal Color
By late September, goldenrods (two species of Solidago) and purple-tinted little bluestem grass dominated the landscape, providing critical food sources for pollinators and seed-eating birds as other habitats fade for the season.
Invasive Species Awareness
At the meadow’s edge, participants identified invasive species—mugwort, porcelainberry, multiflora rose, and mile-a-minute vine. Their encroachment highlighted the ongoing need for habitat management and the collaborative vigilance now shared by the Coalition and its partners.
Seeds for the Future
LINPI’s seed collection demonstrated the importance of conserving local ecotypes—plants adapted to Long Island’s unique conditions. By collecting and propagating seed from this site, conservationists are expanding the reach of the Guggenheim Preserve’s native genetics across fragmented landscapes.
Reflections and Community Impact
This gathering was more than a walk—it was an act of living stewardship. Participants learned, explored, and contributed directly to conservation by collecting seeds, observing wildlife, and reflecting on the Preserve’s story. Supported by PWWBC, ReWild Long Island, LINPI, and the PW Monarch Butterfly Alliance, the Guggenheim Preserve continues to stand as a sanctuary for native species and a testament to what community-based conservation can achieve.
More detailed information about species and ethnobotanical observations on the walk available here.
Celebrating Biodiversity and Community Stewardship in Port Washington at Baxter’s Pond Preserve
September 20, 2025
Overview
On September 20, 2025, the Port Washington Public Library and the Baxter’s Pond Foundation co-hosted a community clean-up and nature walk at Baxter Pond Preserve, marking a new partnership in local conservation. The event brought together residents and community leaders including Kim and John Kaiserman (Presidents, Baxter’s Pond Foundation), Keith Klang (Director, Port Washington Public Library), David Jakim (Director, NewYorkWildWalks.org and Co-Director, Port Washington Watershed Biodiversity Coalition), Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, and Sarah Schaefer-Brown (Long Island Sound Partnership – Sustainable and Resilient Communities Extension). Together, participants collected refuse, explored the preserve’s diverse ecosystems, and observed its abundant wildlife.
Wildlife Surveys and Ecological Findings
Surveys conducted on June 1 and September 20 revealed a thriving ecological community within and around Baxter Pond. Aquatic birds observed included cormorants, snowy egrets, Canada geese, and mallards, accompanied by blue jays calling from the surrounding trees. The pond itself hosted snapping turtles, small fish, snails, dragonfly nymphs, backswimmers, and even an American eel—an indicator of the pond’s strong water quality. These species thrive only in fair-to-good aquatic conditions, confirming the preserve’s ecological vitality in the heart of Port Washington.
While water quality remains good, dense mats of algae and duckweed were observed—signs of nutrient enrichment from fertilizers and stormwater runoff within the watershed. Residents can help by reducing fertilizer use, following label directions, and choosing organic or slow-release alternatives.
The Forest Beyond the Pond
East of the pond, participants followed a small stream into a remnant native forest of towering tulip trees and white oaks—some over a century old. Their massive trunks and closed canopy define the woodland’s character, providing shade, stability, and essential wildlife habitat. Beneath them, invasive species such as Japanese knotweed, kudzu, and English ivy have spread, underscoring the need for continued management and restoration.
Habitat Restoration and Stewardship
The Baxter’s Pond Foundation continues to lead restoration efforts that have made the preserve a model for other community ponds. Plantings along the pond’s edge stabilize the shoreline, filter runoff, and create vital nurseries for insects and fish. The Foundation’s work also supports pollinator gardens, native plantings, and invasive species removal—all of which improve water quality and enhance habitat diversity.
These initiatives align with the goals of the Port Washington Watershed Biodiversity Coalition, of which the Baxter’s Pond Foundation is a founding member, working alongside 10 other community-based organizations to protect local biodiversity and promote environmental education.
Monarchs, Eels, and the Web of Life
Two species symbolize the interconnectedness of Baxter Pond with the wider world: the monarch butterfly and the American eel. Monarchs rely on the swamp milkweed plantings maintained by the Foundation for reproduction before beginning their multi-generational migration to Mexico. The American eel, born in the distant Sargasso Sea, migrates into Baxter Pond through underground waterways—an extraordinary journey linking the pond to the Atlantic Ocean.
These two travelers remind us that even a small neighborhood pond is connected to global ecological cycles—and that stewardship at the local level has far-reaching impact.
A Shared Effort for Nature
The clean-up and walk at Baxter Pond Preserve were more than a community event—they were an affirmation of local stewardship and collective care for the natural world. Through the dedication of residents, the Baxter’s Pond Foundation, the Port Washington Public Library, and the Port Washington Watershed Biodiversity Coalition, Baxter Pond continues to serve as a living classroom and a vital sanctuary for wildlife and people alike.
