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.
This is a great opportunity to make a positive impact for your local estuary and all its amazing bays. While improving your property, you are reducing pollution from entering local waters. Funds are limited and will be granted on a first come first serve basis, so don’t miss out!
Learn more about how installing rain barrels and rain gardens can reduce pollution to our bays on the Create a Peconic Friendly Yard page.
Reducing Fertilizer Use
As you plan your new landscape with native plantings, rain gardens, or rain barrels, the Peconic Estuary Partnership encourages you to consider how to also lessen your fertilizer use by following the LINAP nitrogen fertilizer recommendations. View a list of the recommendations for homeowners here!
Take the Reduce Nitrogen Pledge
PEP partnered with the Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC) to develop a “Reduce Nitrogen Pledge” for the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan. Check out 10 ways you can reduce your personal nitrogen inputs and take the pledge to be recognized as a leader in helping to combat nitrogen pollution in our community!
Details and How to Apply:
#1 Submit the Online Homeowner Rewards Program Application
Or
print and fill out the Homeowner Rewards Program Application
Please send completed application via email or mail to:
Peconic Estuary Partnership
Riverhead County Center
300 Center Drive, Room 250S
Riverhead, NY 11901
#2 Upon approval, construct your project
#3 Submit receipts and pictures of project for final approval
#4 Receive your rebate check up to $500
Residents of Brookhaven, East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton, and Southold townships who live within the Peconic Estuary watershed are eligible. Check out the Peconic Estuary Watershed Boundary map below to see if you are eligible.
Guidelines
Native Plant Garden and Rain Garden Installation
Replace pavement, turf grass, or lawn with native plant species only.
Minimum size of garden: 50 square feet.
Maximum rebate per garden installation: $500 for native plants only. Receipts must be provided.
Rain Barrel Installation
Install based on manufacturers guidelines or follow DIY instructions. Mosquito netting must be included. Use appropriate mosquito protection attached to top of rain barrel.
Minimum size: 50 gallons.
Maximum rebate per barrel: $100/barrel or at cost
Resources to help you get started…
Check out the PEP Interactive Yard Tool to start planning your Peconic-friendly yard! This Native Plant Species Database helps you browse Long Island Native Plants to select for your yard.
Please remember when using our Native Plant Database to search for Homeowners Rewards eligible plants:
- Just because a plant appears in the database does not mean its native!
- To see a complete list of only native plants, take this easy step: On the left hand side, toggle and check “Native Plants Only” (pre-checked with link for convenience) along with any other criteria you would like filtered for.
- When searching for a plant by name (without “Native Plants Only” checked), you must click on the plant to view plant details, then scroll down until you see “New York Native: yes/no” to verify that the plant is actually native.
Long Island Native Plant Initiative (LINPI) Native Plant Resources
Native Plant Gardens Virtual Workshop Recording with LINPI and Group for the East End
LINAP Sustainable Landscaping Fact Sheet
Click here for a list of the Top 7 places to buy natives near the Peconic Estuary.
Related Content
- Interactive Yard Tool
Use this tool to plan your Peconic-friendly yard! This plant database helps you browse Long Island Native Plants to select for your yard. - PEP’s Demonstration Rain Garden
Learn about the PEP's rain garden on Heidi Behr Way in Riverhead. - Healthy Soils
Maintaining healthy soils will keep your yard productive and reduce pollution to local waterways. - Create a Peconic Friendly Yard
Learn more about how installing rain barrels and rain gardens can reduce pollution to our bays. - Peconic-Friendly Plant Database
This plant database helps you browse Long Island Native plants to select for your yard based on type, light, soil, and moisture requirements.
More Resources
- Rain Garden Network: How to Build a Rain Garden – Ten Steps
Here are some basic steps to give you a good start building your own rain garden. - Rain Barrel Guide
How to set up and install a rain barrel with easy steps. - LINAP Turf Fertilizer Recommendations
Recommendations developed that will allow fertilizer users to do their part to help improve water quality issues plaguing their waters. - Reduce Nitrogen Pledge
Take the Pledge: Commit to personal steps to reducing nitrogen pollution.
