News — LINPI - Long Island Native Plant Initiative

This year there are three Rebate Programs available for residents of Long Island to reimburse them for implementing native plant gardens!

These include the Town of North Hempstead, the Long Island Regional Planning Council, and the Peconic Estuary Partnership.

North Hempstead Residential Rebate Program

"In partnership with the Long Island Native Plant Initiative and the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District (NCSWCD) and with funding from the NCSWCD, the Town is offering up to $350 rebates to residents (1 per household) for installing native plants in their home landscape. Applications will be approved on a first-come first-served basis until a deadline of October 1 or once funding is exhausted."

Long Island Regional Planning Council/

NEIWPCC Garden Rewards Program 

"NEIWPCC, in partnership with the Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), is introducing the Long Island Garden Rewards Program which will provide up to $500 to offset the expense of installing green infrastructure on their properties including rain barrels, native plantings, and rain gardens."

Peconic Estuary Partnership Homeowner Rewards Program

"The Peconic Estuary Partnership (PEP) is providing a unique opportunity for people who live within the Peconic Estuary watershed. The PEP will provide financial rewards for homeowners who remove turf and pavement, and add green alternatives to their properties that benefit the environment.

Homeowners can earn up to $500 to offset the expense of installing green infrastructure on their properties including rain barrels, rain gardens, and native plant gardens."

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We are looking to fill an internship position! Apply by emailing your resume, cover letter and 3 reference contacts to info@linpi.org

LINPI Internship Program

Background:
The Long Island Native Plant Initiative Inc. (LINPI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving Long Island’s biodiversity, with a focus on native plant ecotypes. LINPI's efforts include native seed collection, propagation, education, and outreach to promote the importance of conserving native plant species.

Overview:
The LINPI Internship Program is a paid opportunity for college students to gain hands-on experience in native seed restoration, plant propagation, and conservation efforts. Interns will work alongside LINPI staff to support the organization’s mission while developing valuable skills in ecology, horticulture, and environmental science. Interns will be supervised by experienced staff who will outline project goals and schedules, ensuring a structured and supportive environment.

Compensation

This is a paid internship, with an hourly rate between $22-$25 per hour, negotiable based on relevant experience​​.

Application Process: 

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and a list of references by April 1, 2025

Intern Responsibilities:

  • Support plant propagation by watering, weeding and assisting with tasks.

  • Assist with native seed production, including handling, and cleaning seeds.

  • Help maintain seed production plots through weeding, mowing, and planting.

  • Collect and record data on seed origin, propagation schedules, and plant care.

  • Working directly with staff and volunteers of all ages and abilities, during volunteer days, plant sales, community events, and other programming activities.

Learning Opportunities:

  • Gain practical experience in native seed production and plant propagation.

  • Work closely with experienced mentors and supervisors, learning about project planning, environmental education, and native plant conservation.

Qualifications:

  • Major in horticulture, botany, biology, ecology, or environmental sciences.

  • Strong organizational and teamwork skills.

  • Comfortable working in outdoor conditions, including heat, humidity, and exposure to insects.

  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform hands-on tasks in greenhouse and field settings.

Timeline:

 Flexible 13-week program, Summer 2025 (May – Sept). Interns will work approximately 30 hours/week, including Saturday mornings, with a flexible schedule based on availability.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement:

LINPI is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to apply, as we believe diversity strengthens our organization and the work we do.


Overview of 2024

We’re excited to share the incredible milestones we’ve achieved together in 2024. Your support has helped us grow—quite literally! Here’s a snapshot of what we accomplished this year:

Growing for Impact

  • Produced over 12,000 plants from seed.

  • Distributed 9,477 plants (through sales and donations), including grasses, forbs, and woodies.

Volunteer Power

  • Welcomed 219 volunteers who dedicated 777 hours to our mission, with special thanks to AYLUS for their continued support.

Infrastructure Upgrades

  • Enhanced our hoop house with updated mist irrigation for greater consistency and durability.

Success in the Founder Plots

  • Record-breaking milkweed harvest: 81 grams of Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed).

  • Added two new species: Andropogon virginicus (Broomsedge) and Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple Lovegrass).

Seed Collection

Collected seeds from Bethpage State Park, Betty Allen Pond Park, Carmans River, Coindre Hall Park, Edgewood, Fuchs Pond Preserve, Gardiner County Park, Hempstead Plains, Mashomack Nature Conservancy, Massapequa Preserve, Meroke Preserve, NY State Conservation Area, PJS Southards Pond, Sans Souci Nature Preserve, and Sunken Meadow SP.

Community Plant Grants

Awarded grants to support garden projects at Inlet Pond County Park, Farmingdale State College Giving Garden, Rachel Hicks Seed Exchange at Bryant Library, Native Plant Gardens at Copiague Library, Stony Brook Train Station Pollinator Garden, Three Village Historical Society Wetland Stabilization, Caumsett State Park Bio-swales, The Garden Ministry at Sts. Peter and Paul, National Junior Honor Society School Beautification (Smithtown), Isabella & Robert Hawkins House Memorial Native Plant Shade Garden, Comsewogue Community Garden, and Friends of Cedarmere Estate (Roslyn).

Outreach & Events

This year, LINPI connected with the community through media coverage, including a News 12 visit to our greenhouse in the Spring. We participated in events like Arbor Day at Planting Fields Arboretum, SUNY Farmingdale plant sale, Quogue Wildlife Refuge Earth Day, CEED Summer Solstice Festival, and Plantstock. Presentations were delivered at the LI Leader’s Forum for Horticulture, Spring Garden School at Suffolk CCE, LI Horticultural Society at Planting Fields, and SUNY Farmingdale’s Horticulture programs.

Key Partnerships

Collaborated with ReWild Long Island, Suffolk County CCE Master Gardener Program, Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC) with the Garden Rewards Program, North Shore Land Alliance, Quogue Wildlife Refuge, KMS Native Plants, Northport Native Garden Initiative (NNGI), Bethpage State Park, and The Nature Conservancy (Mashomack Preserve).

New Marketing Initiatives

  • Introduced bumper sticker magnets, branded table covers and sashes, and an updated brochure.

Organizational Growth

  • Welcomed our first full-time staff member and new board members.

  • Launched our first-ever consulting engagement.

  • Moved into our new office space.

  • Enhanced employee benefits and updated the Employee Handbook.

Investing in the Future

We’re setting the stage for 2025 with exciting plans: redesigning our nursery yard, installing new irrigation systems, expanding internship opportunities with LINPI and LIISMA, improving seed storage with the Life Sciences Greenhouses at Stony Brook University, and delivering more speaking engagements, including talks for the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County and the Long Island Maritime Museum.

Special Projects

  • Began work on a large-scale native plant project on Shelter Island, with garden designs led by our board member and staff contributions.



We couldn’t have achieved all this without your generous support, passion, and commitment. Thank you for helping us grow native plants and community resilience across Long Island. Here’s to a thriving 2025!

Warm regards,

The LINPI Team

 

Newsletters

WINTER 2022

Covers the goings on in the past several months! This includes our Ribbon Cutting ceremony, Fall Plant Sale 2021, Winter Species importance, Invasives, and our seed collecting.

SPRING 2021

This edition covers spring ephemerals, plant spotlights include Lesser Celandine (invasive) and Beach Plum as well as information on the Spotted Lanternfly