Cory Weyant (Individual)  

Freeport-based bayman Cory Weyant has, for decades, generously and consistently shared his intimate knowledge of marine life and traditional maritime culture with a wide audience through school and community presentations, walking tours, demonstrations, and slide shows. This sustained effort has increased awareness of the working waterfront and the need to protect the resources on which traditional maritime culture depend, two key goals articulated in the Reserve’s Comprehensive Management Plan. By introducing young and old to the significance of the South Shore Estuary, Mr. Weyant is helping to build a community of stewards who will promote and preserve the cultural identity and maritime heritage of the estuary now and for generations to come. Mr. Weyant’s initiative clearly demonstrates the positive effect one individual can have on the appreciation and stewardship of the maritime resources in the Reserve and the natural ecosystems upon which they depend.

Seatuck Environmental Association (Organization)

With roots dating to 1968 and cooperative agreements that have included the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Suffolk County, the Seatuck Environmental Association (SEA) is one of Long Island’s premier community educational resources for awareness and appreciation of the south shore estuary’s living resources and natural systems. In 2008, SEA spearheaded a major volunteer effort to monitor and restore anadramous fish (fish that breed in fresh water and live in the sea as adults) in Reserve tributaries. The effort includes managing a volunteer alewife monitoring program and employing a trained fisheries scientist through a fellowship program named in honor of the famous Long Island activist, naturalist, and south shore estuary resident Dennis Puleston. The fellowship program was established with support from the Environmental Defense Fund, a national organization that Puleston helped found. The data collected through the fellowship program will help improve the management of Reserve tributaries and bays and support the restoration of key fish species and the habitat upon which these species depend—key objectives articulated in the Reserve’s Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP). This and other educational, scientific, and policy efforts undertaken by Seatuck foster a spirit of stewardship among hundreds of volunteers and the general public, another important objective in the CMP. Seatuck’s initiative clearly demonstrates the positive effect an organization can have on the appreciation and understanding of the living resources in the Reserve, as well as on the human communities that benefit from their improved health.

2008 - Alexandra Mancuso (Individual) and Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation (Group)

In 2008 two South Shore Estuary Reserve Council Stewardship Awards were presented. One to Alexandra Mancuso in an individual category, and another to the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation in a group category. Both Alexandra Mancuso and the Riverhead Foundation were awarded with paintings from local artist Dennis Puleston.

Alexandra Mancuso, a 2007 graduate of Sayville High School,is currently enrolled in the Environmental Studies Program at Siena College. She was first captivated by the South Shore Estuary during a high school field trip. Subsequently, Ms. Mancuso continued to learn more about the estuary from many sources, especially her teacher Maria Brown. For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, she chose to address her concern about the threats to Long Island’s south shore bays through literature. Believing in the importance of cultivating an appreciation for the environment among children, she conceived a project targeted to fifth-graders. Extensive research about how to reach that audience and about the estuary itself followed. She visited fifth-grade classrooms and spent many hours studying wildlife and wildlife habitats in the field. Finally, she wrote a story, commissioned illustrations by classmate Brianna Lind, coordinated the layout, and arranged for publishing and distribution. The result is Great Blue’s Message: A Long Island Tidal Marsh Adventure. The story has been published and distributed to many libraries and fifth-grade classrooms within the South Shore Estuary Reserve. Ms. Mancuso’s project advances the goals of the Reserve’s Comprehensive Management Plan by introducing young people to the significance of the South Shore Estuary and building a community of stewards who will promote and preserve the cultural resources and maritime heritage of the estuary in the future.

The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation is a leader in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing stranded and disabled marine mammals and reptiles in South Shore Estuary Reserve waters and beyond. The Foundation also conducts scientific research and innovative education programs. In 2007, the Foundation was instrumental in rescuing and rehabilitating a dolphin stranded in Seabreeze Canal in Bellmore. Foundation staff worked with local authorities to quickly and efficiently transport the dolphin, nicknamed Seabreeze, to the Foundation’s rehabilitation facility in Riverhead. Seabreeze recovered, and, in September 2007, was released with a tracking device. Researchers and the general public could follow the dolphin’s progress in the open ocean on the Foundation website. The rescue, rehabilitation, research and education programs of the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation are an inspiration for Reserve residents and make a significant scientific contribution to the study of wildlife and wildlife habitats. The activities of the Foundation advance the Reserve’s Comprehensive Management Plan by documenting the importance and status of wildlife and marine ecosystems within the Reserve and by familiarizing the public with the Reserve’s valuable and frequently distressed living resources.

2007 - Charles Balsamo (Individual) and Art Flick Chapter of Trout Unlimited (Group)

In 2007 two South Shore Estuary Reserve Council Stewardship Awards were presented. One to Charles Balsamo in an individual category, and another to the Art Flick Chapter of Trout Unlimited in a group category. Both Charles Balsamo and members of the Art Flick Chapter were awarded with paintings from local artist Katherine Hanley.

Charles “Charlie” Balsamo is one of the last remaining master wooden boat builders on Long Island. Charlie an expert in his field, maintaining the remaining wooden commercial and recreational vessels along the south shore with a strong commitment to mentor the next generation with his unique skills and experience. His knowledge of traditional wooden south shore water craft including the garvey, duck boat and other traditional vessels is an invaluable link to the maritime culture and tradition of the south shore and a guide for the future. He learned his craft as a young man in Gibraltar, Spain. Charlie teaches and inspires the young people who work at his historic boatyard as well as many members of the community in these time honored skills. The historic boatyard where he works has also become a regular meeting place for like minded people including local baymen and fishers looking for and sharing information about the working waterfront on the Patchogue River and the diverse variety of wooden vessels still in use on the south shore bays. In advancing the goals of the South Shore Estuary Comprehensive Management Plan, Charlie is helping to promote and preserve the cultural resources and maritime heritage that contribute to the estuary’s unique character and sense of place.

The members of the Art Flick Chapter of Trout Unlimited are very active stewards of the South Shore Estuary. The chapter sponsors many activities such as restoring habitats and sponsoring clean-ups of various tributaries helping to create a better environment for local fish species. They are especially active in restoration of fish species, such as brook trout and river herring, which have historically spawned in south shore fresh water streams and whose populations have dramatically declined over the last century. The chapter has worked tirelessly with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Department of Transportation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other stakeholder groups to seek all of the necessary approvals and funding for installation of the first permanent fish ladder in the Reserve on the Carmans River. The fish ladder will extend the accessible area of fresh water spawning and nursery habitat to herring, trout, eels and other species which spend parts of their life cycle in both fresh and salt water. In advancing the goals of the South Shore Estuary Comprehensive Management Plan, Trout Unlimited is helping to protect and restore the estuary’s living resources.

From left to right: Maureen Dolan Murphy, SSER Citizens Advisory Committee Chair; Jeffrey Fullmer, SSER Office Director; Pam Burford, SSER Stewardship Award subcommittee Chair; Charles Balsamo, Stewardship Award recipient and master wooden boat builder; George Costa, representing Stewardship Award recipient Art Flick Chapter of Trout Unlimited; and Fred Anders, New York State Department of State.

2006 - Wilfred Kleisler (Individual) and Operation SPLASH (Group)

In 2006 two South Shore Estuary Reserve Council Stewardship Awards were presented. One to Wilfred Keisler in an individual category, and another to Operation SPLASH in a group category. Both Wilfred Keisler and Operation SPLASH were awarded with photographs from local photographer Titus Kana.

Wilfred Kleisler, a resident of Babylon Village for more than forty years, is recognized by the Reserve Council for his effort and initiative to restore tidal lands. Mr. Kleisler has advocated for the clean up of abandoned vessels and commercial equipment in the estuary. Through his initiative as an individual citizen, Mr. Kleisler has spurred positive change to restore and protect the estuary — Council partners are now working together to identify appropriate and effective solutions.

Operation SPLASH (Stop Pollution Littering and Save Harbors), a volunteer organization, is known as Freeport’s grassroots solution to coastal pollution. SPLASH is recognized by the Reserve Council for its effort and innovation in working in partnership with local governments to design and construct a floatable marine debris/oil trap at Mill basin on Freeport Creek. The debris trap has proven to be a simple, yet effective method to stop pollutants from entering the bays and tidal wetlands, and may inspire similar efforts by Reserve partners in other parts of the estuary.