Long Island Conservation Alliance Partners With Crystorama Lighting for Invasive Species Removal

The Long Island Conservation Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring Long Island’s ecosystem, recently partnered with Crystorama Lighting to remove invasive mugwort from the grounds of the Sands Point Preserve, helping protect the ecological health and historic landscape of the 216-acre historic property.

“Protecting Long Island’s natural spaces requires partnerships between nonprofits, businesses, and communities,” said Devon Giordano, executive director of the Long Island Conservation Alliance. “We are grateful to Crystorama Lighting for bringing its team to Sands Point Preserve and getting hands-on with this important work. Removing invasive species is a tangible way for businesses and their employees to contribute to the health and resilience of our local ecosystems.”

Mugwort is an aggressive invasive plant that can spread quickly and form dense stands, crowding out native vegetation and reducing biodiversity. By removing mugwort from the Preserve, volunteers from LIC and Crystorama helped create space for native plants to thrive while supporting the long-term stewardship of one of Long Island’s most significant cultural and natural landscapes.

The Sands Point Preserve sits on the original Guggenheim Estate and reflects Long Island’s Gold Coast era, when prominent American families built expansive estates along the Long Island Sound as summer retreats. Today, the Preserve is owned by Nassau County and maintained and operated by the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that maintains the historic property and its natural surroundings.

LIC’s work at Sands Point Preserve reflects its broader mission to restore and protect ecologically important landscapes throughout Long Island, Brooklyn, and Queens. Through habitat restoration, invasive species removal, native plantings and long-term ecological monitoring, the organization works with communities and partners to strengthen the health and resilience of local ecosystems.

The partnership also provided Crystorama employees with an opportunity to extend the company’s longstanding connection to Long Island through hands-on environmental stewardship.

“Crystorama is proud to support efforts that help preserve the natural and historic places that make Long Island unique,” said Kristi Gulino, Communications Director. “We are grateful to the Long Island Conservation Alliance for the opportunity to contribute to this important work. Our team was excited to roll up our sleeves and make a direct contribution to the Sands Point Preserve.”

LIC continues to encourage businesses, community groups, and other organizations to engage in hands-on conservation projects and partnerships that benefit Long Island’s natural environment while building stronger connections between people and the places they call home.

About the Long Island Conservation Alliance

The Long Island Conservation Alliance is a science‑driven, community‑rooted 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring ecological function across Long Island’s most vulnerable landscapes. As one of the most densely populated islands on the planet, Long Island faces unique ecological pressures, making restoration and resilience work especially urgent.

The Long Island Conservation Alliance rebuilds native ecosystems, strengthens biodiversity, and improves the resilience of natural systems that support the health and wellbeing of local communities. In addition to its restoration work, the Alliance leads three signature youth programs—Tykes That Hike, Sprout Squad, and the Youth Leadership Ambassadors—which empower children and teens to develop ecological literacy, emotional resilience, and a lifelong connection to nature. Through habitat restoration, invasive species removal, native plantings, youth engagement, and long‑term ecological monitoring, the Alliance advances measurable, science‑based conservation outcomes across the region.

Also, as an official land trust, the Long Island Conservation Alliance works with communities and nonprofit organizations to protect, restore and steward land across Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens.

For more information, visit longislandconservationalliance.org.