Amityville Dominican Sisters Protect Their Land
January 19, 2024
The Sisters of Saint Dominic partnered with the Peconic Land Trust to explore conservation options for their campus in Amityville. Homecoming Farm had actively cultivated part of their land for 27 years. The farm closed in 2023, but the Sisters wanted to ensure that their land could continue to be farmed and was protected from future development.
The Sisters donated a conservation easement that protects 10 acres of open space currently in agricultural use. If the land stops being used for agriculture, it will revert to open space. However, the acreage will remain available for agriculture. This easement includes a one-acre floating ‘Limited Development Area’ for agricultural and/or educational structures. As the property is in the B-Residence District, which has ¼ acre zoning, the donation of this easement extinguished approximately 35 residential building lots.
"Creating this conservation easement will continue the good work of Sophia Garden and Homecoming Farm," said Sister Diane Morgan, Member of the Leadership Council. "Possibilities for agriculture in varied forms –vegetables, wildflowers, native grasses, and more – are all being explored to continue our gratitude and appreciation for the gift of this land."
The Trust will continue to work with the Sisters to help find new farmers and advise on future land management goals. This land is the only land in the Town of Babylon protected for agricultural purposes.
To learn more about this project, contact Kim Quarty, Director of Conservation Planning at KQuarty@PeconicLandTrust.org.