Conservancy Raises $50,000 for South Shore Waterfront Restoration

The Mastic Beach Conservancy generated $50,000 in revenue during its Fifth Annual Bivalve Ball held on September 26. The event took place at the Mastic Beach Property Owners Clubhouse and drew 130 attendees. This total represents the highest amount the nonprofit has collected from a single annual fundraising event.

The funds support specific ecological and infrastructure projects in Long Island’s South Shore region. Expenses include oyster and kelp seeding in Narrow Bay, monitoring of horseshoe crab populations, and the removal of invasive plant species. The organization also allocates resources to the Ecology Art Lab and the construction of public blue and green trails around the Mastic peninsula.

Maura Spery, president of the Mastic Beach Conservancy, described the financial outcome as a validation of the group’s mission. She stated that the evening demonstrated community support for the shoreline vision established five years prior. Spery noted that every dollar raised is reinvested directly into water, marsh, and neighbor access programs.

The organization awarded two honors during the event. Adrienne Esposito received the Environmental Leadership Award for her work with the Citizens Campaign for the Environment. Esposito co-founded that group in 1985 and has led campaigns regarding drinking water protection, toxic plume remediation, and renewable energy. She currently chairs the New York Clean Water Coalition and the Fire Island Sewage Solution Coalition.

The Community Impact Award went to Balloon Mission, accepted by founder Cynthia Seibold. Seibold launched the nation's first post-event balloon collection program in 2023. The initiative began with three elementary schools and one public library. It now involves more than 100 participating organizations across twelve states.

Local artist Jessamyn Go created the custom awards for both honorees. Go also serves as the Conservancy’s Ecology Art Lab Director.

The Conservancy manages 6.5 miles of publicly accessible waterfront parkland in the Mastic Beach and Shirley Conservation Area. Its advocacy contributed to state and county funding for Violet Cove park status and a National Coastal Resilience Grant. That grant covers salt marsh habitat in southern Mastic Beach, which absorbed storm surge during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.