With the help of many, Peconic Land Trust Protects 5.5 Acres on Georgica Cove in East Hampton Village
February 13, 2026
By Yvette DeBow-Salsedo
In late December, the Peconic Land Trust purchased 5.5 acres of land along Georgica Cove, an important tributary of Georgica Pond, in the Village of East Hampton. The land, once part of Cove Hollow Farm and recently maintained as a meadow, is adjacent to 13+ acres of land that is under the protection of the Trust. With this new acquisition, nearly 20 acres of land will now support water quality for the pond, wildlife habitat, and scenic vistas.
The Town of East Hampton played a key role in the effort by purchasing a conservation easement on the property at the closing with funding from the Town’s Community Preservation Fund, a portion of which was designated by the Village of East Hampton for this purpose. The Trust’s portion of the acquisition was made possible by generous donations from the community. The Friends of Georgica Pond Foundation was also instrumental in advancing this conservation success.
“This was an important acquisition given how unique, desirable, and developable parcels like these are in this real estate market. From a conservation perspective, these parcels are invaluable given their impact on water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and scenic enjoyment,” said John v.H. Halsey, President of the Peconic Land Trust. “We are thankful to all of our public and private partners who saw how special and important this opportunity was and came together to make it happen.”
“Exploring ways to protect the ecosystem of Georgica Pond takes many partners and many solutions. The Friends of Georgica Pond thanks Peconic Land Trust, the Town of East Hampton, and the Village of East Hampton for working together to protect this land that will contribute significantly to the health of the pond. And we thank our community for joining us in support of this conservation initiative,” said Kim Quarty, Executive Director, Friends of Georgica Pond.
The Trust will add these new properties to the land management plan currently underway for the adjacent properties that includes the removal of invasive species and the restoration of a maritime grassland with native vegetation and existing pasture grasses, all of which will benefit the surface waters and groundwater within the Georgica Pond watershed.
Additionally, land management will focus on plants that promote local wildlife, particularly birds, raptors, and butterflies. While most of the land is non‑native species of pasture grasslands, they have naturalized and are accepted as components of the Northeast’s old‑field ecosystems. The primary focus of land maintenance is to reduce invasives, including phragmites at the shoreline, and to revegetate the upland with native species, including several aster and goldenrod species, common milkweed, dogbane, and bayberry shrubs. Additionally, mowing will continue to suppress the woody vegetation that is present.
This will all contribute to a healthy upland that aids in reducing runoff and pollution from entering Georgica Cove and Georgica Pond. For more information on the future land management of the property, please connect with Vice President Matt Swain at MSwain@peconiclandtrust.org.
Yvette DeBow-Salsedo
Vice President
ydebow@peconiclandtrust.org