April 2026, Volume 3 Issue 4

We know you’re busy, so rather than sending you a newsletter with a lot of text, please take a look at our latest ‘Monthly Photo Newsletter’ – a ‘snapshot’ of happenings to keep you informed and up-to-date on the Trust.

The Trust’s 2026 Earth Day Celebrations

April kicks off Earth Day Celebrations throughout our nation… and the world!

We like to think that the Trust is doing its part in creating an ‘Earth Everyday’ in the community – by planting pollinator and rain gardens, installing nitrogen reducing septic systems, spearheading the Stony Brook Train Station Beautification Project, championing our local Maria’s No Mow May Awareness Campaign and Simply De-Vine Awareness Campaign, and spearheading the monthly Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway Cleanups.

Join the Trust in three Earth Day activities!

Mark your calendar!

• The Fourth Annual Simply De-Vine Kick off – A month long public awareness outreach regarding issues ‘surrounding’ English Ivy.
• Greenway Cleanup – Saturday, April 18th at 9am, starting point Port Jefferson Station Trailhead
• Earth Day Cleanup at the Stony Brook Train Station, Saturday, April 25 – 9am-11am. This is part of the Trust’s Stony Brook Train Station Beautification Project.

The Stony Brook Train Station Beautification Project is a community-wide effort, led by the Trust, to improve the grounds at the transportation hub of the Three Villages.

The Beautification Project’s partners include the North Suffolk Garden Club, the Three Village Civics Association, the Three Village Chamber of Commerce, The Stony Brook School, the Three Village Rotary, the Three Village Historical Society and Museum, the office of Brookhaven Town Councilman Jonathan Kornreich, the office of NYS Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, the office of Suffolk County Executive Steve Englebright, and the office of the Superintendent of Highways, Daniel Losquadro.

Yes – April is Simply De-Vine

The Trust’s Annual De-Vining Awareness Campaign Kicks Off and this year, we are coordinating our De-Vining with America 250!

The British are coming!

The British are coming, the British are coming! Everyone remembers those famous words of Paul Revere’s midnight ride as he warned that British troops approaching Lexington and Concord. Each year we recognize April 19th as Patriots Day – marking both the Battles of Lexington and Concord and our eventual success in overthrowing the yoke of British control.

We certainly had reason to oust the Mad King. It’s clearly states in the Declaration of Independence that the “history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.” Well, that had to stop! And in the course of time ‘We the people” would sever our ties with those Brits!!

But … did we ever really, really oust them? I think not. You see, while we did establish our independence following the “Shot heard ‘round the world,” the British still seem to be having a day of it here their former colonies! You see, they left us an invader – their pervasive, persistent, and invasive weed now dominating our North Shore landscape – yes, I’m talking English Ivy.

It seems at one time some early settlers yearned for little reminders of their former homeland and imported English Ivy for their gardens. Lush, hardy, and fast growing – what was there not to like?

Well, there is a lot to dislike. Exhibit A:

Is this really a tree? Or have the English turned it into a vine?

English Ivy is an invasive species that quickly crowds our native plants and reduces the natural habitat for animals. It inhibits the growth of understory plants as it spreads along the ground and ‘carpets’ woodlands, creating at the same time a perfect refuge for tick bearing rodents. The ivy will kill both understory and overstory trees by shading them from sunlight. Ivy can damage trees by the added weight of their canopy. The dense ivy on the trees often acts as a ‘sail’ and snaps trees when there is high wind. Ivy uses the water and soil nutrients that would otherwise benefit trees. And, while some English Ivy ‘Loyalists’ maintain that the invasive only ‘kills’ or ‘topples’ already weakened trees, it is certainly the old question of the Cornish chicken or the egg – how much is English Ivy contributing to weakening of our trees and causing its demise?

Interestingly, an important reason the British maintained its control on Long Island throughout the Revolution was for its abundant supply of cordwood to burn at its headquarters in New York City.

In this year of America 250, let’s be sure we don’t allow the Brits the upper hand by taking our trees again with their insidious ivy.

Fellow Patriots – let’s get to work and sever our ties to…English Ivy.

For more information to fight English Ivy, click here.

The Long Island Greenway

Take a few minutes to watch this video about the Long Island Greenway. You’ll be glad you did!

Patriots Rock is America 250

And if you haven’t seen this yet, you should! The story of Patriots Rock is featured on Suffolk County’s LI America 250 YouTube site. Lots of fun! And educational.

Save the Date!!

And … our Annual Membership Drive is Still in Progress

The Trust is now entering its twenty-third year of “Protecting the Places You Love!” Our success over the past decades of caring for some of the oldest and most iconic properties in the Three Villages has only been possible because of people like YOU! With your help, we will continue to protect and preserve the community you love.

Our all-volunteer organization relies heavily on memberships for the funding needed to maintain our “museum collection” of historical homes and sites like the 3.2 mile Setauket to Port Jefferson Greenway, Patriots Rock, the Smith/de Zafra House – Brookhaven’s first Town Hall- and the grounds of the Stony Brook Train Station.

At this time, we hope you will continue to support of the Trust by renewing your membership. (And if you are not a member – please click here to join us!)

Zelle user? Go to tvcommtrust@optonline.net to make payment.

Greenway Cleanup Schedule

Spring/Summer/Fall 2026

Spring

• Saturday, April 18th at 9am, as part of the Earth Day Celebrations– Starting location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead.
• Saturday, May 16th at 9am , To be held in conjunction with the Town of Brookhaven’s 2022 Great Annual Clean Up – Starting location: The
  Port Jefferson Station Trailhead. Refreshments will be served.

Summer/Fall

• Saturday, June 20th at 9am, Starting Location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead. (Trail Stewards Breakfast Meet Up at 8:30pm)
• Saturday, July 18th at 8:30am, Starting location: The Port Jefferson Trailhead
• Saturday, August 15th at 8:30am, Starting locations: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead.
• Saturday, September 19th at 9am, Starting location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead. (Trail Stewards Breakfast Meet Up at 8:30pm)

Need more information? Want to become a Trail Steward? Wish to Donate to the Greenway? Want to be on the Friends of the Greenway’s email list? Email Herb at HJMones@gmail.com or Charlie at cfmcateer@gmail.com