Long Islanders Voted Long Island Cares in Hauppauge Best Environment Organization on Long Island!
Long Island has a long history is environmental activism. From those involved in the campaign to close the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant in the 1980s to groups dedicated to less sexy issues like cleaning up toxic underground plumes that poison our drinking water supply, narrowing the field to the Best Environmental Organization is not easy. Only the top local members of the Green Movement made the cut here. We bring you this year’s winners for Best Environmental Organization on Long Island.
1. Long Island Cares
10 Davids Dr., Hauppauge. 631-582-FOOD. www.LICares.org
LI Cares was founded in 1980 by the late singer and Long Island native Harry Chapin in response to the needs of hungry Long Islanders. Paule Pachter, the executive director of LI Cares for the past three years, said, “It’s been a busy year.” Indeed, in 2010, LI Cares launched eight new programs and two mobile outreach vehicles and serviced more than 16,000 Long Islanders. They also distributed more than 175,000 pounds of dog and cat food, taking some of the stress off animal owners who are going through a difficult period. For 2011 Paule is optimistic, saying, “There is a sense of hope and, thankfully, corporate donations are up.”
2. Nature Conservancy
142 Sag Harbor Tpke., East Hampton. 631-329-7689. www.nature.org
3. Long Island Pine Barrens Society
547 E. Main St., Riverhead. 631-369-3300. www.pinebarrens.org