Mastic Beach Conservancy will host a volunteer sugar kelp harvest and an art workshop later this month, giving residents two opportunities to learn about the marine plant's uses and environmental benefits.
The kelp harvest is a volunteer-driven event that begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 27, and is entering its second year, according to Operations Manager Christie Jones.
“Kelp is really good to offset climate change, to help keep the water clean, and it supports healthy lawns and the growing of plants,” Jones said. “It’s really an incredible crop.”
A crew will first pull the kelp from the water by boat. Volunteers for this work must be at least 12 years old and able to lift at least 35 pounds. A land-based team will then carry the kelp to a drying rack at Violet Cove, where it will eventually be turned into eco-safe fertilizer, according to Jones.
Waders are recommended for water work, and rubber boots are recommended for land-based work.
Unlike nitrogen-based fertilizers that can pollute waterways, kelp supports the ecosystem, Jones said. Although native to Long Island, it must be cultivated.
The public is also invited back to Mastic Beach on Sunday, June 28, at noon for Ecology Art Lab: Blueprints of the Bay.
The hands-on workshop for all ages will explore cyanotypes, also known as blueprints, and how they can create images similar to camera-less photography.
“We’re going to gather natural materials that are found on Long Island,” Jones said, citing different grasses, shells and even kelp. Participants are also welcome to bring their own objects, such as feathers and flowers, for the experiment led by founding member Aeriel Brown.
Mastic Beach Conservancy is a nonprofit organization founded during the COVID-19 pandemic with a mission to conserve 6.5 miles of publicly accessible waterfront and create a nature trail.
For more information, visit the organization's website: masticbeachconservancy.org. Advance registration for both events is requested.