3 Photos
Councilman Michael Iaselli helped with the planting. COURTESY TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON
Volunteers digging holes for the grass. COURTESY TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON
Steve Schott and Jason Havelin from Cornell Cooperative Extension doing their part. COURTESY TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON
Southampton Town’s ongoing effort to restore and protect the shoreline at Foster Memorial Long Beach continued Saturday as volunteers and local partners joined together to plant native beach grass along the waterfront.
The Southampton Town Parks and Recreation Department worked with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program, the Noyac Civic Council and members of the Pierson High School Environmental Club during the December 6 planting event.
“This is the fourth planting event we’ve had here since 2022,” Town Parks Director Kristen Doulos said. “The areas we first planted towards the south end of the facility have established well and are providing a robust vegetative buffer between the parking lot and beach.”
The beach grass helps capture and build sand on the shoreline — preventing it from blowing into the parking lot, where it can mix with contaminants such as glass and automotive fluids. In addition to planting, volunteers also scattered “SEED bombs” — small clay and soil balls filled with native seeds — into upland areas. The seeds are expected to sprout into a blend of annual and perennial pollinator plants and develop deep root systems that help curb erosion.
Staff Writer on Dec 15, 2025