Arverne East Nature Preserve

The coastal Arverne East Nature Preserve spans 35 acres and features several maritime habitats including dunes, wet meadows, grasslands, shrublands, and forests. It is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including Gray’s flat sedge (Cyperus grayi), seaside sandmat (Euphorbia polygonifolia), green herons (Butorides virescens), and killdeer (Charidrius vociferus). The preserve was opened in 2024 after an extensive restoration of former roads and abandoned fields of concrete, and now offers visitors an opportunity to explore the various habitats on walking trails and boardwalks throughout the site, which connect to the Rockaway Boardwalk. Interpretive signage along the trails provides educational insights into the local ecology and the importance of preserving such natural spaces in an urban setting. Arverne East Nature Preserve also helps provide flood protection for the surrounding community. It represents a successful collaboration between conservationists, local communities, and city planners.