As many as 38 rare plants can be found here, mainly within the pond margins. Visitor Information This ecosystem supports one of the highest concentrations of rare species and natural communities anywhere in New York State! Find out more information and directions. Click here to see a larger version of this map. Help Protect New York! Your donation will help us protect areas on Long Island and throughout New York. Donating online is fast, easy, and safe.

Long Pond Greenbelt is a chain of unspoiled coastal plain ponds bordered by wetlands and fringing oak forests. Formed from glacial processes, the ponds in the Greenbelt vary in depth from year to year, depending on rainfall. This variability of pond depth has created a unique habitat called a coastal plain pond shore community.

Location: Bridgehampton, Town of Southampton

Size: 600 acres owned by The Nature Conservancy, Southampton Town and Suffolk County

What to See: Animals
The state-endangered tiger salamander is found here and over 100 species of birds have been identified during an intensive four-year study conducted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

What to See: Plants
As many as 38 rare plants can be found here, mainly within the pond margins, including sundews, rosy coreopsis, short beaked bald rush, silvery aster and creeping St. John's wort.

Why the Conservancy Selected this Site:
This ecosystem supports one of the highest concentrations of rare species and natural communities anywhere in New York State. Its preservation has been a priority for the Town of Southampton since 1968, when the Sag Harbor conservationists first wrote to the town regarding its protection.

What The Nature Conservancy Has Done:
In 1969, Southampton declared in its Master Plan that preservation of the Long Pond Greenbelt was a significant goal. Land acquisitions proceeded slowly until 1985, when The Nature Conservancy increased its involvement in the conservation project. What followed was a chain of land acquisitions in the Greenbelt by The Nature Conservancy, Southampton Town, and Suffolk County.

To date, over 600 acres of the Greenbelt are permanently protected.

Visiting the Preserve
The Nature Conservancy offers a regular schedule of guided walks at a variety of preserves and other natural areas on the South Fork. For information and reservations, contact the Uplands Farm Sanctuary. Please be sure to read our guidelines for enjoying and protecting Long Island preserves.

• From the Main Street monument and traffic light on Route 27 in Bridgehampton, follow the Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike north to Mashashimuet Park.
• Park your car on the right in front of the playground.
• Walk to the right, past the tennis courts and onto the old railroad bed which links into the trail system of the preserve.

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Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Harolde E. Malde (Long Pond).