Pierson Middle/High School

Students from Sag Harbor’s Pierson High School Environmental Club, alongside their teachers Dr. Robert Schumacher and Richard Schumacher, recently volunteered their time to help restore critical coastal habitat at Long Beach in Sag Harbor. The hands-on conservation event was held in partnership with the Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Noyac Civic Council.

During the restoration effort, volunteers worked with pre-made “seed bombs,” which are small, compact spheres made from clay flour, native plant seeds and compost. Designed to be sown during early winter, the seed bombs provide the ideal conditions for native plants to germinate in spring. Because they are tightly compacted and contain no fertilizer, the seeds remain protected from wildlife and can grow into healthy native species. Students took handfuls of the seed bombs and dispersed them across the sand dunes to encourage natural regeneration.

After seeding the dunes, students shifted their efforts to planting beach grass, a hardy species best installed after the season’s first frosts. Using shovels, the volunteers made holes to secure the grass in place and prevent it from washing out. The grasses were planted roughly one foot apart in an alternating pattern to create a natural barrier capable of capturing windblown sand. Over time, this sand accumulation helps form protective dune mounds which are an essential natural defense that keeps sand from drifting onto nearby asphalt. Once sand lands on asphalt, it is considered contaminated and cannot be returned to the beach, making dune preservation even more critical.

The collaborative restoration project reflects an ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and offers students meaningful opportunities to engage with conservation practices firsthand.