Southold is a 54 square mile peninsula on the northeastern tip of Long Island, approximately 35 miles long and 1-3 miles wide, surrounded by tidal waters on three sides. The Town is home to approximately 24,000 full time residents. Due to its bucolic character characterized by farms, vineyards, historic buildings and picturesque hamlet centers, Southold is also a destination for many part-time residents and visitors. While the Town has been exemplary in its land conservation accomplishments, as its popularity has grown, so have the stresses on the Town’s natural resources.
The Southold Town Hall Native Garden was initiated by the Southold Conservation Advisory Council because we believe that native gardens benefit both the community and the environment. They improve soil health, reduce stormwater runoff, protect our aquifer, and support pollinators and local wildlife, creating a more resilient and biodiverse environment.
The Southold Conservation Advisory Council was established in 1969 by the Southold Town Board under Article 12-F Section 239-x of New York State General Municipal Law. The purpose of this committee is to ensure the conservation of the Town’s natural resources, and the enhancement and protection of its environment, while fostering unified action on environmental issues.
By planting a native plant garden in a very visible location on Town property, we hope to establish a sustainable habitat to inspire the community to follow suit. The native plant garden will provide a resting area for visitors and the Town’s employees and residents, and will serve as a place to offer learning opportunities on both native gardening and the Town’s environmental concerns.
Design created by Carol Brown, Barbara Friedman, and Ann Sande during ReWild’s Sustainable Garden Design Virtual Workshop