Protectors of Pine Oak Woods​
Staten Island's Land Conservation Organization
50 Years Keeping Staten Island Green!
Help Protectors
Protect Open Space
Imagine a Staten Island where natural beauty thrives, untouched by urban sprawl. For 50 years, Protectors of Pine Oak Woods has made this vision a reality, preserving precious habitats starting with Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve. Our tireless efforts, led by dedicated volunteers over the years, have saved countless acres, ensuring that future generations can enjoy these natural treasures.
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Now, we need your help. Protectors is launching a significant fundraising campaign to continue our vital work. Your support will enable us to protect Staten Island's natural resources for years to come. Join this extraordinary journey and be a part of a legacy that will benefit all New Yorkers. Together, we can ensure that the natural wonders of Staten Island remain forever protected.
Save the Date:
Semiannual Meeting
We are pleased to share that our Spring 2026 Semiannual Meeting will take the form of a nonpartisan candidate forum for the candidates seeking to represent New York's 11th Congressional District.
At a time when climate change, environmental health, coastal resilience, public lands, clean water, and environmental justice are increasingly central to the future of Staten Island and Brooklyn, we believe the public deserves a serious discussion of where candidates stand. This forum will focus specifically on environmental and climate policy, giving voters an opportunity to hear directly from congressional candidates about the issues that will shape our communities for years to come.
The forum will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Staten Island Urban Center, 206 Bay Street, Staten Island, NY 10301. (Note this is the NEW location!)
As always, Protectors of Pine Oak Woods remains a nonpartisan organization. Our goal is to create a civic space where residents can engage directly with those seeking federal office and better understand their positions on the environmental issues affecting our borough, our city, and our region.
We are grateful to our many co-sponsors, and the Urban Center for collaborating with, and hosting us!
​Sunday, April 19, 2026
1 — 3 PM
**NEW LOCATION* Staten Island Urban Center
206 Bay Street
PPOW Annual Calendar Open Call
It's Time! Every year, Protectors of Pine Oak Woods creates a calendar highlight the natural beauty of Staten Island. This gives us the unique opportunity to highlight the incredible work of local photographers and nature lovers alike! Each calendar page will be illustrated by a photograph appropriate to its season to be chosen by an ad hoc committee of PPOW Board Members and Staten Island Naturalists in a blind selection process in which the names of the photographers are not revealed.
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Photographers whose submissions are accepted will be notified by September 15, 2026. Photos need not be limited to those taken this calendar year, although those may be given preference. Each photo should be submitted individually with a completed copy of this release or the equivalent information. The maximum number of submissions per photographer is 8.
HOW TO SUBMIT
E-mail submissions to: Protectors2027@gmail.com
High resolution photographs are preferred, and the minimum resolution should be 4 MB. Please do not place names or logos on the photograph. We will credit the photographer on the calendar page.
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You may submit up to 8 individual photos, and there is no fee to submit. If your photographs are used in the calendar, you will receive compensation of two calendars. Please note that Protectors employs the calendars only as a celebration of our Island’s nature, and not as an activity to raise funds.
Deadline for submissions: June 30, 2026
Preserve and Protect
Protectors' mission is to preserve and protect our open spaces and natural areas for the good of wildlife and the public alike. We share with you the beauty of our Staten Island natural areas and the wildlife they support. Join us in protecting a lasting legacy for generations to come.
