FriendsOfConnetquot.org | PO Box 472 | Oakdale, NY | 11769 | info@friendsofconnetquot.org
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Get Ready Grant Received!
GOOD NEWS! The "Friends" are pleased to announce the receipt of a GET READY grant to help the organization begin its strategic
planning process.
Click here to read the details.




Sign up for the Friends of Connetquot email newsletter to receive notifications of upcoming events, notices and other news related to the community and our organization.
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The Friends of Connetquot is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, conservation and continuation for future generations of the Connetquot River State Park Preserve. In order to maintain the environmental, ecological, cultural and historical integrity of the 3,473 acre preserve, the groups’ initiatives are:
To help preserve the pristine environment
  To lend support to the management
  To help support the fishing habitat, woodlands, flora and fauna, hiking and bridle trail facilities and the educational programs
  To help protect and restore historic buildings
The Friends of Connetquot believe that the act of preservation is best accomplished when we keep an eye on the past, a foothold in the present, and our arms outstretched for the future.


Friends of Connetquot's 13th Annual Fun Trail Ride - May 2nd, 2010
Come join us May 2nd, 2010 at Noon for our 13th annual fun filled ride/hike through beautiful Connetquot Park Preserve. Enjoy the peaceful beauty of the trails & woodlands of the first N.Y.S. Preserve. The clubhouse will be open for tours. A leisurely ride or hike of a few miles will take you through some of the most historic trails on Long Island. There will be a Chinese Raffle for many wonderful prizes donated by generous friends.

Everyone receives 5 raffle tickets to start. The last riders will go out by 2:00 p.m. so we can draw the winners at 3:30 p.m.

Click here for more details...

Click here to download the flyer and sign-up/donation form



Friends of Connetquot's 2009 Holiday Appeal
The Friends of Connetquot 2009 Holiday Appeal is Now in Progress

Have you sent in your contribution? There is still time to help.

Connetquot River State Park Preserve needs the support of ALL who enjoy its breathtaking natural beauty and evocative historic buildings. Every dollar the Friends receive is applied toward enhancing your experience of this magnificent place. In 2010, the Friends will be working diligently to re-open the Hatchery and complete the restoration of the historic Grist Mill. Your support makes these important projects possible, and we hope you will join us by supporting these efforts.

Although generous gifts are always welcome, please remember that no amount is too small to show that you care. Please send your gift today.

Friends of Connetquot, Inc.
P. O. Box 472
Oakdale, NY 11769

Friends of Connetquot is a 501(3) (C) non-profit corporation.
Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.

Click here to read the full appeal



Friends of Connetquot's 2009 Gala
A sun-warmed, radiant day greeted the guests of our 12th annual Gala on October 4, 2009. Over one hundred Friends and supporters enjoyed the beautiful surroundings of the Connetquot Preserve.  Overall the Gala was a success and we'd like to thank everyone who participated.  Click here to read the recap and a list of those who donated money, food, beverages, prizes or their valuable time.


IPN and Trout Hatchery News
UPDATE: SIGN OUR PETITION!  Here's how you can help try to re-open the Connetquot Hatchery as soon as practical.  Please print, sign and circulate this petition among your neighbors and friends. When completed, please return it to:

Friends of Connetquot
Box 472
Oakdale, NY 11769

Thank you for your help.


UPDATE: The Fisherman's Angelo Peluso has written an article titled "Requiem for a Trout Stream."  The title says it all.  If you don't understand the widespread ramifications of the closing of the hatchery, this article will open your eyes. Click here to download the PDF or read the article on our "In the News" page.
UPDATE: The Fisherman's Fred Golofaro has written a passionate and detailed article outlining the entire hatchery situation...it's a must read. Mr. Golofaro has generously given us permission to display the article on this website and also supplied a PDF.  Click here to download the PDF or read the article on our "In the News" page.


UPDATE: Newsday's Jennifer Maloney has covered the hatchery closing with a story that ran on page A24 on Sunday, August 23, 2009.  Click here to read the article.


UPDATE: The Long Island Press has the first story following the Phil Nolan press conference regarding the hatchery.  Click here to read the article.


UPDATE: Dr. Richard Steinberger extensively researched the issue of the hatchery closing for the Idle Hour Fly Fishers titled, Connetquot River State Park Trout Hatchery: Victim of Nature and Dysfunctional Government.

Click here to read the full article.


In this Newsday video, Chart Guthrie, the DEC Regional Fisheries Manager of Long Island discusses Electrofishing in the Connetquot River, part of which includes testing for IPN in the river.  Also, please visit the new Video Gallery page which includes a terrific tour of the park from Gil Bergen.



Chairman’s Letter, FOC Newsletter, Fall 2009
The Chairman's Letter for Fall 2009 has been released.  Chairman Bob Labuski shares good news on the grant that will be used toward the Grist Mill restoration and there's more in the works, including one to be used for the hatchery.  The bad news is that there is no progress on any front regarding the IPN issue.  Plus there's a recap of the Gala and many thanks to those who helped make it a success.  Please visit the Chairman's Letter page to read the full letter.


Friends of Connetquot Shop Now Online!
Show your pride in Connetquot State Park while helping support the efforts of the Friends of Connetquot. The Friends of Connetquot store is now online featuring terrific items as our Canvas Tote or T-Shirt proudly displaying a printed image of the Nichols Gristmill.  Also available are our forest green Cotton Golf/Polo Shirts and Heavyweight Crew Neck Sweatshirt.  All proceeds go toward supporting the Friends of Connetquot and all major credit cards and PayPal are accepted.



Help the Friends of Connetquot Raise Funds to Restore the Grist Mill
The Friends of Connetquot is presently working with the State of New York to restore the grist mill, which is a landmark of the Preserve and a registered National Historic structure. It is the only surviving "tub wheel" mill on the east coast. With your support we can make this structure a working mill and preserve it for generations to come. Plans have been prepared and work has started but we need money to complete the mill restoration and to continue funding improvements to maintain and enhance the Park.  Please click here to read more about our effort and how you can help.

Friends of Connetquot | PO Box 472 | Oakdale, NY 11769 | info@friendsofconnetquot.org

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