What "Nature-based" things do you like/not like about Long Island? (Glen Cove: how much, living)

[hotkarl]

I don't like that most of the Island has become over populated, even into Suffolk and to a lesser degree, the east end. Although some would argue that in the summer when you're out in the Hamptons. It is crazy out there in the summer.

I wish we still had bears, wolves, coyotes, and rattlesnakes on the Island. It may have kept things a little quieter around here. Although I did hear rumours out of Brookhaven lab that there are still rattlesnakes in remote parts of the pine barrens.
I haven't been able to verify this as fact though.

I miss being able to swim in the freshwater ponds and streams. Most are too poluted or have become people's backyards with no public access. Sucks.

[lialleycat]

Originally Posted by hotkarl

..... Although I did hear rumours out of Brookhaven lab that there are still rattlesnakes in remote parts of the pine barrens.
I haven't been able to verify this as fact though....

I've not seen rattlers at the lab and I work in the Environmental dept. We do have hognose snakes though, which are becoming rare elsewhere.

[propain]

Originally Posted by totallyfrazzled

But at least we only have ONE of the two types of termites: the subterranean ones. In the more southern states, they have our kind PLUS the drywood termites! Drywood termites are the reason people have to "tent" their entire house in order to eradicate them. Can you imagine having to enclose your entire home in plastic and then pump insecticide into the "tent"?!

(There is a third type of termite which we don't have, as well: the Formosan. That is a subterranean kind as well but thankfully is also only a problem in the South because it's too cold for it here. It originally was brought here from Asia when our military supplies were shipped back here after WWII.)

That is some scary Termite info. I'm glad we don't have the worst of it, but when I gutted my house every beam needed replacing due to termites. The previous owner ignored the signs I guess.

[Peter B]

The water in those aquifers still contain many cancer causing chemicals. Cancer clusters exist all around LI, especially in the Glen Cove/Rosyln area. Weapons plants from WWII have polluted the aquifers for many years and are responsible for instances of breast cancer 10 times the national average. The aquifers are nowhere NEAR far enough underground to prevent cancer causing chemicals from all over LI polluting them. Don't believe otherwise.

Originally Posted by totallyfrazzled

Thanks, I'd forgotten that but that's another of the things I like too: That our drinking water comes from our own local aquifer instead of a surface source that is constantly being bombarded with surface runoff contaminants and who-knows-what chemical pollutants in the atmosphere.

At least our public water supply aquifers are far enough underground so that the many layers of soil act as a giant filtration system.

[MacTAC]

Originally Posted by thebobs

Actually you can see the Milky Way from Long Island, you just have to know where to go and when.
...

North Shore beaches won't cut it thanks to Connecticut lighting up the sky over there.

You may have a chance at both ends of the forks but I never tried it.

I've seen very starry skies upstate and in Costa Rica. The starriest sky I ever saw was on the Mystic/Orient ferry. It had been a stormy day and it was very windy while crossing. About halfway, we could not believe the sky, far beyond an I had ever seen before.

Maybe just the right set of conditions...

[thebobs]

Originally Posted by hotkarl

I wish we still had bears, wolves, coyotes, and rattlesnakes on the Island. It may have kept things a little quieter around here. Although I did hear rumours out of Brookhaven lab that there are still rattlesnakes in remote parts of the pine barrens.
I haven't been able to verify this as fact though.

Wolves we definitely had but were hunted out of existence due to them going food shopping in people's livestocks. I don't think we had bears and coyotes but I'd love to read about it if we did. Rattlesnakes, never were here but wouldn't be surprised if they made their way here in some manner (shipped crates, etc...)

[S.I.B.]

Originally Posted by hotkarl

I miss being able to swim in the freshwater ponds and streams. Most are too poluted or have become people's backyards with no public access. Sucks.

ponds? streams? who needs 'em? check out that giant body of water located due south called the OCEAN!

[lialleycat]

Originally Posted by thebobs

Wolves we definitely had but were hunted out of existence due to them going food shopping in people's livestocks. I don't think we had bears and coyotes but I'd love to read about it if we did. Rattlesnakes, never were here but wouldn't be surprised if they made their way here in some manner (shipped crates, etc...)

I think it's just a matter of time before the Pine Barren's have coyotes. There have been reports of coyotes in Jamaica Bay, but I haven't heard anything recently. Coyotes would be great for the local environment and may help with the deer overpopulation problem, which would limit the tick populations.

[dman72]

I too wish we had swimmable Lakes. Lake Ronkonkoma is a crime, the way it was treated and allowed to degrade. The entire shoreline looks like a glass recycling bin. I can't believe people actually swim there.

I like the woods. The natural topography of the North Shore in Head of the Harbor and Nissequogue is magical to me. The South Shore Ocean beaches, especially out in East Hampton, are great.

[thebobs]

Originally Posted by dman72

I like the woods. The natural topography of the North Shore in Head of the Harbor and Nissequogue is magical to me. The South Shore Ocean beaches, especially out in East Hampton, are great.

ITA

Its nice to go in areas away from cars and stores. Also Wildwood early in the morning is extremely quiet and has some nice hills to walk up and down.