Friends of the Bay

06/05/2026

Thank you to Locust Valley High School for cleaning up Stehli Beach with us last week. The students removed 25 pounds of trash from our shore!

06/05/2026

Here is out latest pathogen map showing results from open water samples taken this past Tuesday, June 2.

Most sites had low levels of enterococci bacteria, with the exception of one site in inner Cold Spring Harbor.

To see our previous pathogen maps from the current monitoring season visit www.friendsofthebay.org/water-quality-data

06/05/2026

Launch the Season is less than three weeks away! Get your tickets today at www.friendsofthebay.or/launch-the-season

06/05/2026

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This is the largest reibursement amount ever offered to homeowers in Nassau County to upgrade their septic systems to the new and improved nitrogen-removing onsite wastewater treatment systems.

The Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District is pleased to announce that eligible property owners can now receive up to $35,000 in reimbursement to upgrade their conventional septic or cesspool system to a nitrogen-reducing system as part of the Septic Environmental Program to Improve Cleanliness (S.E.P.T.I.C). Please visit our website (link in bio) or at nassauswcd.org/SEPTIC to review eligibility and program requirements.

05/29/2026

Here is our most recent pathogen map with stream and outfall results from Tuesday, May 26.

This week's sampling took place after three days of rain, which is likely the reason why we are seeing very high levels of bacteria in the water. When it rains, groundwater rises and bacteria from septic systems can leech from the groundwater into the surface water. This water is then carried out into our bays and that is why beaches are closed after heavy rainfall.

When we see results like this it serves as a reminder that there are still many septic systems in our area in need of updating to prevent this leeching.

Homeowners and small business owners are eligible for a grant for up to $20,000 to have their conventional septic systems upgraded to new innovative and alternative onsite wastewater treatment systems. Visit www.nassauswcd.org/SEPTIC to learn how.

If you haven't had your septic system upgraded make sure it is pumped regularly (at least every three years) and make sure to pick up your pet waste.

To see more of our pathogen maps visit www.friendsofthebay.org/water-quality-data

05/29/2026

Tickets are on sale for Launch the Season which is less than a month away on June 24th!

Purchase your tickets now and get $25 off!

www.friendsofthebay.org/launch-the-season

05/28/2026

We had a full house and fully engaged audience last night for our presentation about horseshoe crabs given by Friends of the Bay’s Executive Director Christine Suter and the WaterFront Center’s Director of Education Cameron Jenness.

We even had two guest horseshoe crabs at the event for show and tell.

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night and thank you to The WaterFront Center for cohosting the event with us.

Hopefully we inspired a new group of people to help advocate for protecting these ancient creatures that have roamed the earth for more than 400 million years!

05/26/2026

It’s not every day day you see a deer crossing Oyster Bay!

05/22/2026

From hot and sunny on Tuesday to rainy and windy on Thursday, our volunteers braved the weather with us in another week of amazing field work!

05/21/2026

Join Friends of the Bay at The WaterFront Center next Wednesday 5/27 at 6 p.m. to learn all about horseshoe crabs, the fascinating ancient creatures that have existed for 450 million years and outlived almost everything, but can they outlive humans?

This event is free but pre-registration is required at www.friendsofthebay.org/events