Protecting and maintaining nature

Although the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District is celebrating its 35th anniversary, few residents are familiar with its efforts to safeguard county parks and educate residents about playing an active role in protecting the environment.

Brian Zimmerman, district manager for the Jericho-based Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District, said there are 58 districts that cover every county in New York State. In Long Island, they host an annual Envirothon that boasts over 400 participants from both Suffolk and Nassau counties. “There are regional competitions between Nassau County and Suffolk County high schools and the winners then go on to compete at the state level and national level,” he said. “We also go to schools to raise awareness about (environmental) issues and green infrastructure technology.”

At Howard T. Herber Middle School in Malverne, science teacher Ginny DeLeo has taught a research class to eighth graders for the past two years. Last year, the project was about pollution in oceans and wildlife, and this year the students decided to put a local spin on the class. “The students went to the historical society and found out the history of Malverne,” she said. “They discovered that the high school was originally built on a lake and was drained in the 1950s and a stream in the 1970s was diverted underground (on the school grounds) to add more athletic fields there. They decided to document how man has taken away from wildlife in the area.”

Upon the diversion of the stream at Malverne High School, a swampy area was created in the vicinity that became smelly and disgusting, according to DeLeo. “The kids wanted to restore it and bring back the (wildlife) that belongs there,” she said.

DeLeo contacted Zimmerman who visited the site and decided the area was a perfect place for wildlife. “He then pointed me in the right direction,” she said. “He was instrumental in getting this going; he’s a lifesaver.”