Native Plants, Invasive Species & the Ecosystems That Need Us, presented by The LI Conservancy

Join Marshall Brown, Board President & Co-Founder of The Long Island Conservancy, for a presentation on the importance of native plants and how they're crucial for local wildlife. He'll also discuss the threat that invasive plants pose for our ecosystems, and what we can do to protect and restore local nature. The presentation will be followed by an interactive Q&A session.

The Long Island Conservancy (LIC) was established in 2021 as a grassroots organization of volunteers united by a shared vision: to strengthen conservation efforts across Long Island. Since its inception, the Conservancy has grown into a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization — yet its mission remains unchanged: to plant native, remove the invasive, and conserve our lands, and in doing so, restore the local ecosystems on Long Island.

Beginning his career in New York’s “Silicon Alley,” Marshall Brown worked with early internet and civic-tech startups, helping them develop technologies and business strategies that served the public good. In the 2000s, Marshall helped pioneer New York City’s public Wi-Fi movement, bringing free wireless access to parks across four boroughs — including Times Square and Union Square. He later led Save the Great South Bay, a nonprofit of over 15,000 members focused on uniting scientists and local residents to protect Long Island’s waterways and ecosystems. He also co-founded Spadefoot Ecosystem Solutions, developing nature-based approaches to water treatment and pollution reduction. Marshall believes that lasting change begins locally — when technology, community, and nature work together toward a shared future.

This program will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 p.m. both online and in person at the Great Neck Library (Main Building, 159 Bayview Avenue). Presenter Marshall Brown will appear virtually via Zoom. Registration is only required for those attending remotely; in-person attendees are welcome to walk in (seating is first-come, first-served). For assistance, please call (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org.