The Plains
New Trail Maps
Seasonal mowing continues at the Plains!
March 2021- Spring mowing has begun! Thanks to our partners for allowing us to stay on top of invasive growth each season. Our Contractor, Andrew has been mowing the site for many years and continues to be a vital asset to our habitat management
May 2021- Since our last update, we have continued to mow new areas, to target invasive growth close to the education center. Invasive Cyprus Spurge has become an issue, and we continue to combat invaisve with multiple approaches. In 2020 we tried herbicide on dense patches, with some success. In 2021, we have begun to mow highly concentrated areas to hopefully deter further growth. Man invasives are difficult to fully erdicated without harming the existing native growth. We continue to work with partners to come up with solutions that best align with our mission; to be stewards of this remnant Long Island Praire.
College Parcel is looking great this past Fall

We began restoration in summer 2018 and the progress is astounding.

In October 2019 Little bluestem, Big bluestem and switchgrass were planted at the entrance to the Purcell Preserve thanks to a grant from South Shore Audubon's Burke grants for native plants.

Map courtesy Carole Ryder
The Hempstead Plains once covered 40,000 acres of central Nassau County. Today, as a result of commercial development only a few acres remain. The site is considered highly ecologically and historically significant. The Hempstead Plains supports populations of federally endangered and globally rare plants among its 250 different kinds of vegetation as well as several plant species that are now considered rare in New York State. It represents one of the most rapidly vanishing habitats in the world, along with scores of birds, butterflies, and other animals that are vanishing with it.
Photo Courtesy of John Potente
Historically, the Hempstead Plains served as the "Cradle of Aviation"
...home to several early airplane flight endeavors, including Charles Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis' historic non-stop flight to France.
Charles LindberghWithout proper protection and management, the Hempstead Plains would soon be overrun by brush and non-native weeds, scarred by mountain bike trails and littered with trash. It would become an eyesore to the surrounding community.
Located on the campus of Nassau Community College, the Hempstead Plains is a perfect outdoor classroom and living laboratory available to faculty and students at NCC and other educational institutions. The opportunity to study rare species in their natural habitat and conduct stewardship activities to bolster them is invaluable. In addition, it provides an opportunity for meaningful community involvement in its restoration and management programs.