The NFEC was founded in 1972 and is the oldest continuous environmental organization from the North Fork working for and serving the interests of North Fork residents.

History and Highlights of the NFEC

  • 2014

    NFEC partners with the Sierra Club and others to advance a Suffolk County ban on one-use plastic bags

  • 2013

    NFEC works within the Preserve Plum Island Coalition to protect both important jobs and an unique island ecosystem

  • 2012

    • NFEC works with residents to block proposed SCWA wind turbine at ecologically-sensitive Laurel Lake Preserve and planned to sit over public water supply
    • NFEC teams with Group for the East End, Peconic Green Growth and community leaders to form North Fork Clean Water Action Group

  • 2011

    NFEC teams with civic leaders and elected officials to stop commercial development on Sound Avenue

  • 1998

    • NFEC successfully campaigns for passage of Community Preservation Fund legislation, leading to over $1 billion for open space preservation
    • NFEC buys offices at 12700 Main Rd, Mattituck

  • 1997-98

    Riverhead issues stop work order to Maidstone Landing condo complex in response to NFEC’s evidence of illegal bluff clearing and excavation

  • 1990’s

    • NFEC helps preserve Fort Corchaug and Robins Island
    • NFEC saves critical tiger salamander habitat at Kroemer Ponds, Riverhead from development as a shopping mall

  • 1980’s

    • NFEC leadership results in preservation at Orient Point and Hallocks Bay
    • NFEC opens office at Mattituck Parks building
    • NFEC works with Southold Town to address development pressures through passage of 2-acre zoning and the Farmland Preservation Program

  • 1980-82

    NFEC leads fight to defeat proposed Jamesport nuclear plants and widening of Sound Avenue

  • 1972

    NFEC founded by concerned Riverhead and Southold residents to fight the 500-acre Sound-front dredging project of Levon Corp., stopping mining of the Jamesport Hills