Hempstead Harbor Woods and Natural Area - Port Washington's Greatest Hidden Treasure

As part of the Library’s celebration of Earth Day, here is a story of transformation and natural regeneration of the area originally known as the Hempstead Harbor Sand Pits located on the eastern edge of the Port Washington peninsula, into a protected area now referred to as the Hempstead Harbor Woods. This presentation focuses on the local history, geology, habitats, and wetlands of the area, and its diversity of life with a story told with photographs and maps. Over 400 species have been identified and over 20 distinct types of habitats have been described. In the center of the area is Port Washington’s largest wetland, a mosaic of seasonally flooded ponds, streams, marsh, swamp, wet meadow, and islands. In addition, the presentation examines the surrounding Hempstead Harbor Beach Park area that is undergoing environmental conservation, restoration, and development projects. The presentation takes a broad approach to understanding the relationship of humans with, and our environmental impacts on, flora and fauna, habitats, wetlands, climate, and hydrology over the last decade and century. David Jakim, who leads this presentation, holds an MS in environmental geoscience and an MA in Earth science education. He has been mapping the flora, fauna, and habitats of the Hempstead heart or natural area with local nonprofit organizations for over a decade. This event is brought to you by the Port Washington Biodiversity Foundation and Transition Town Port Washington. (Recorded on 4/11/22) Please note at the 20 minute mark there was an audio/mic issue for about one minute. Multiple visits to this habitat area will be undertaken in 2023 and 2024.

The Hempstead Harbor nature sanctuary (also known as Hempstead Harbor Woods), is Port Washington’s beating ecological heart. The area supports Port Washington’s largest wetland, Serendipity Pond, 40 acres in size. Surrounding the wetland is Port Washington’s largest upland forest, roughly 120 acres in size. The habitat area supports over 400 species of wildlife, including species that occur nowhere else in our region and in New York State. Here is a link to the Biodiversity Assessment of the Hempstead Harbor Nature Sanctuary by David Jakim, 2018. Multiple visits to this habitat area will be undertaken in 2023 and 2024.