Friends of Brookside clean up preserve

In a remarkable display of community solidarity and environmental stewardship, residents from Freeport and Baldwin joined forces last Saturday, April 20, to restore the ecological balance of the beloved Brookside Preserve. The cleanup initiative, spearheaded by the Friends of Brookside Preserve and supported by various local organizations, saw volunteers of all ages roll up their sleeves to tackle the preserve’s pressing environmental challenges.

Nestled along North Brookside Avenue, on the border of Freeport and Baldwin, the 22-acre freshwater preserve has long provided a sanctuary from the urban clamor, thanks to the joint efforts of the South Shore Audubon Society and Nassau County, dating back to 1988. Over the years, the preserve has nurtured a diverse array of wildlife, serving as a haven for migratory birds and other resident animals.

However, neglect and pollution had taken their toll on the once-thriving ecosystem, prompting concerned community members like Christopher McBride to take action. McBride, a Freeport resident and representative of Friends of Brookside Preserve, expressed the urgent need for intervention, citing issues such as dammed-up waterways and pollution plaguing Milburn Creek.

“The preserve really needs an extreme amount of help because of neglect and pollution,” McBride emphasized, underlining the gravity of the situation.

Determined to reverse the damage, volunteers descended upon Brookside Preserve with a shared mission: to clear debris, unclog waterways, and restore the preserve’s natural beauty. With support from local organizations including The Green Army, The Freeport and Merrick Rotary Club, Splash, the South Shore Conservation Society, and Freeport Schools, the cleanup effort gained momentum, drawing attention from Nassau County Legislators Debra Mule and Seth Koslow, who lent their support to the cause.

“We’re taking it into our own hands to remove the garbage in the wood so the water can flow,” McBride explained, highlighting the grassroots nature of the initiative.

As the sun set on the day’s activities, the sense of accomplishment was palpable among volunteers, who had banded together to make a tangible difference in their community.

Though the challenges facing Brookside Preserve remain formidable, the outpouring of support and dedication exhibited by local residents serves as a beacon of hope for the future of this cherished natural sanctuary.

“I can think of few better ways of celebrating Earth Day than rolling up your sleeves to protect our planet - and that’s exactly what we did at Brookside Preserve this weekend,” Legislator Koslow said in a release.

“I hope to be a part of this annual tradition for many years to come, and I appreciate all of the hard work from the organizers and the volunteers that continue to make this event so successful.”

To learn more about future initiatives or to get involved, interested individuals are encouraged to reach out to Melissa Munfakh at melissa.munfakh@icloud.com or (914) 500-5915.

With the success of the cleanup effort serving as a testament to the power of grassroots activism, the future of Brookside Preserve looks brighter, thanks to the unwavering commitment of the community to protect and preserve its natural heritage.