National Grid Hosts Earth Day Event with Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District and Built a Rain Garden at Largest Nature Preserve in Nassau County

HICKSVILLE, N.Y. – More than 80 National Grid volunteers joined with the Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District to clear nature trails and built a 1,700 square foot rain garden at the Muttontown Preserve.

“Through the Power to Serve program National Grid has a strong commitment to the environment, we want to protect it preserve it for our children and grandchildren because we live and work here too,” said Patricia Michels, National Grid Vice President.

With 550 acres of fields, woodlands, ponds and estate grounds, the Muttontown Preserve is Nassau County's largest nature preserve and one of the most beautiful settings on Long Island. It includes miles of marked nature trails with local wildflowers, birds, reptiles and field stations for botanical and wildlife studies. Volunteers planted a hundred plants and also cleared nature trails so they’re easily accessible to engage the community in resource conservation through guided walks and tours.

“We are planning for clean water and healthy soils,” said Corey Humphrey, District Manager, Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District, who helped design the rain garden. Their offices will soon be moving to Nassau Hall and they will be offering educational tours.

The rain garden will act as an outdoor classroom for the public to learn about the installation, maintenance, and positive impacts of rain gardens on the environment. This strategically placed rain garden will provide environmental benefits as it captures and cleans rain water before it enters the groundwater system. There will be permanent signage at the rain garden recognizing National Grid’s support of this project.

“Not only do you continue to serve our community, you continue to make an impact to the environment and to the people you serve,” said James Altadona, Jr., Town Clerk of Oyster Bay regarding National Grid’s continued support.

Muttontown Preserve was voted best nature walk on Long Island in 2006 by the Long Island Press. “It’s great to see all of these green shirts here volunteering and it’s great to teach people about our responsibility to the environment,” said Michele Johnson, Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman.

In addition to National Grid’s annual commitment to sponsoring Earth Day events, the company launched its Pledge to Save Energy Sweepstakes, challenging the nearly 7 million residents in its service territory across New York and New England to take a pledge to make greener choices. The Sweepstakes began on April 22, and ends at midnight on June 30.

To enter, follow National Grid on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Then write your energy saving pledge in the spirit of raising energy conservation awareness, and post or share your original idea (tagging @NationalGrid) with the hashtags #GridGoesGreen and #Sweeps. Each eligible participant is allowed one entry per social media platform, for a total of three.

Five winners will be drawn randomly on a biweekly basis, and will receive a National Grid energy saving pack worth approximately $250. The Grand Prize will be drawn on July 1 and receive a $2500 prize for the winner to continue supporting their sustainable energy choices.