Let’s Raise Our Voices for Long Island’s Birds

By Suzanne Wittenberg

Dear Great South Bay Audubon Members,

I’m thrilled to introduce myself—my name is Suzanne Wittenberg, and I am honored to serve as the newly elected Vice President of GSBAS. Alongside our incredible new board, I’ll be working to support and grow this amazing organization, handling everything from logistics to membership. Most importantly, I look forward to connecting with many of you at our upcoming events.

As bird lovers and stewards of our environment, we know how special Long Island’s natural habitats are—and how vital they are to the birds we cherish. But right now, those habitats are under threat.

With a new federal administration in place and ongoing efforts to roll back hard-won environmental protections, it is more important than ever that we make our voices heard. These changes affect the very laws and policies that have safeguarded our coastal ecosystems, wetlands, and wildlife for decades.

One of the most concerning rollbacks was the weakening of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) in 2020. This critical law was altered to no longer protect birds from “incidental take”—meaning industries are no longer held responsible for accidental but avoidable bird deaths from things like oil spills, wind turbines, and power lines.

Additionally, changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) have reduced environmental reviews and public oversight of development projects—undermining the protections our local ecosystems rely on.

That’s why I’m asking you to take action. Below is a sample letter you can send to your elected officials—either by email or traditional mail. Personalizing it with your own perspective is encouraged. Together, we can remind our leaders that protecting Long Island’s wildlife is not optional—it’s essential.

Sample Letter to Your Elected Representatives:

(Copy, personalize, and send!)

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

[Email Address]

[Date]

The Honorable [Senator’s or Representative’s Name]

U.S. [Senate/House of Representatives]

[Office Address]

Washington, DC [20510 / 20515]

Subject: Urging Stronger Protections for Long Island’s Birds and Wildlife

Dear [Senator/Representative] [Last Name],

 I am writing as a concerned constituent and nature advocate to urge you to take immediate and sustained action to protect the rich biodiversity of Long Island, particularly its bird populations and coastal ecosystems.

Long Island is home to some of the most critical habitats for migratory birds and endangered species in the Northeast. However, recent federal rollbacks in environmental protections threaten these delicate ecosystems. Notably, the Trump administration weakened the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) in 2020 by limiting its scope to only intentional bird killings—ignoring incidental harm caused by industrial activities. This reversal removed longstanding incentives for industries to implement bird-safe practices and has already resulted in measurable harm to bird populations.

Additionally, changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) have restricted public input and reduced environmental review requirements for infrastructure and development projects. This undermines the safeguards that protect habitats on Long Island from overdevelopment and ecological degradation.

 As someone who values the natural heritage of our region—not just for its ecological importance, but for its role in tourism, recreation, and community well-being, I urge you to:

• Support the re-strengthening of the MBTA to include incidental take-protections.
• Advocate for the restoration of NEPA’s full environmental review processes.
• Champion legislation and funding that supports the conservation of Long Island Sound, the Pine Barrens, salt marshes, and coastal bird sanctuaries.
• Promote green infrastructure and climate resilience projects that protect wildlife habitats from rising seas and extreme weather.

 Our environment is a public trust, and the health of Long Island’s ecosystems should never be compromised by political expediency or deregulation. I ask you to be a champion for birds, wildlife, and the future of our natural environment.

Thank you for your time and public service.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Let’s work together to ensure Long Island remains a sanctuary for birds, a haven for biodiversity, and a beautiful, resilient place for all of us.

With appreciation,

– Suzanne Wittenberg

Vice President, Great South Bay Audubon Society