South Shore Conservation Society

06/03/2026

05/04/2026

Today’s Earth Day Spring Clean-Up at Brookside Preserve was an incredible show of community in action 🌎💚

We extend our deepest gratitude to the amazing volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to protecting and restoring our environment. Your hard work truly makes a difference.

A special thank you to the organizations that supporter the event: South Shore Conservation Society, Green Army, Girl Scouts, Nassau County Environmental Rotaract, and Boys Scouts and Girls Scouts. Also we are incredibly grateful to the local residents who came out to support this effort, your involvement strengthens our community and our mission.

We would like to give special thanks to Legislator Debra Mulé for her continued support of this event and advocacy for our shared environmental goals.

While today’s cleanup made a positive impact, it also highlighted the concerning conditions at Brookside Preserve. The site continues to face serious challenges, including excessive litter, damaged and unsafe walkways, and hazardous debris that pose risks to both visitors and wildlife. Community members and leaders have described the area as neglected and in urgent need of restoration and proper maintenance.

This work is far from over — but together, we are taking important steps toward restoring and protecting our local environment for future generations.

04/16/2026

Save the date!

04/01/2026

Enough is Enough: Brookside Preserve Deserves Better

We are sharing this news coverage video to shed light on the unacceptable conditions at Brookside Preserve in Freeport. What should be a safe, natural space for our community has been allowed to fall into severe neglect.

As the South Shore Conservation Society, we have spent time and effort trying to partner with Nassau County to establish a management support agreement and serve as stewards of the preserve. Instead of collaboration, we’ve been met with endless delays, and now, silence. Our calls and emails are going unanswered.
Freeport is a vibrant, diverse community. Yet when you visit preserves in other parts of Nassau County, the difference is undeniable. Those spaces are maintained. They are supported. The County actively works with “Friends of” groups to ensure their care. So we have to ask: why not Brookside? And to be clear—it doesn’t have to be us. But the county must step up, and address current conditions.

Right now, Brookside Preserve is facing serious issues:

⚠️ Polluted runoff flowing into nearby waterways, including Milburn Pond and the South Shore estuary

⚠️ Unsafe and poorly maintained pathways

⚠️ Evidence of substance abuse, including needles and drug paraphernalia

⚠️ Litter, including condoms and plastic waste

⚠️ Invasive species overtaking native habitats

This is not just an environmental issue, it’s a public safety issue. Students walking to and from the nearby Freeport High School pass this every day. Families in our community deserve better. Our children deserve better.

And let’s be clear, South Shore Conservation Society is not alone in caring about this space. Many dedicated local organizations, volunteers, and residents have been working for years, long before us, to protect and restore Brookside Preserve. This is a shared concern across the community.

We are calling on Nassau County officials from the Parks and Recreation Department to:

✅ Take immediate action to clean, restore, and maintain this critical space
Brookside Preserve should be a source of pride, not neglect.

✅ Engage with local organizations and residents.

✅ Establish a “Friends of Brookside Preserve” partnership.

📣 Watch the video. Share this post. Demand action.

Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums
Legislator Debra Mulé
Erica Quiroz-DeVargas
Jasmine Pena
Jose Cuevas
Assemblywoman Judy Griffin
Incorporated Village of Freeport
Rep. Laura Gillen
Laura Gillen
Siela Bynoe
Eddie Gordon

03/29/2026

SAVE THE DATE!

08/17/2025

A huge thank you to all the volunteers who joined us at our August Brookside Preserve cleanup, especially those from Freeport, Baldwin, and across South Nassau! Your time, energy, and commitment are making a difference. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Follow our page to stay up to date on future cleanups, community projects, and all the efforts happening as we advocate to revitalize Brookside Preserve!

08/16/2025

Join us today at 10AM!

Join Us for the Brookside Preserve August Clean-Up! 🌿
Hosted by the South Shore Conservation Society

📅 When: This Saturday, August 16, at 10:00 AM
📍 Where: Brookside Preserve

Let’s work together to keep our local environment clean and beautiful! Bring your friends, family, and community spirit as we clear litter, and restore the natural beauty of Brookside Preserve.

- Bags, and light tools will be provided
- Don’t forget to bring water and wear sturdy shoes
- Community service hours available

Let’s make a difference. See you there!

08/11/2025

Join Us for the Brookside Preserve August Clean-Up! 🌿
Hosted by the South Shore Conservation Society

📅 When: This Saturday, August 16, at 10:00 AM
📍 Where: Brookside Preserve

Let’s work together to keep our local environment clean and beautiful! Bring your friends, family, and community spirit as we clear litter, and restore the natural beauty of Brookside Preserve.

- Bags, and light tools will be provided
- Don’t forget to bring water and wear sturdy shoes
- Community service hours available

Let’s make a difference. See you there!