Native Landscaping
Long Island's endless sprawl from west to east has proceeded at a dizzying rate. The tracts of woods and farm fields are all but gone. With dwindling open space left on Long Island it's important we work with our natural environment to create ecologically responsible landscapes. The same story can be told all over the country. The most irrigated crop in the country (residential turf grass) covers over 40 million acres. Most American yards are biodiversity dead zones that provide no habitat and require expensive maintenance. We bomb are lawns with fertilizers and pesticides that make their way into our bays and streams. In the process of keeping the grass green we are directly degrading our natural environment.
At BNL we aim to replicate nature while maintaining an attractive curb appeal, implementing native species, reducing turf grass cover, and removing harmful invasive species. By doing this we satisfy the needs of our customers landscaping goals and support local ecosystems that help sustain life.
Long Island
Our Landscaping practices are designed to directly combat these issues, rather than contribute to them.
Water Quality
Long Islands greatest natural resource is undoubtedly its water, whether that be the water below us we drink or the water surrounding us teeming with marine life. In the land of lawns, Long Islanders spread millions of tons of fertilizer. Fertilizer runoff on Long Island is a primary source of nitrogen pollution, driving harmful algal blooms, fish kills, and groundwater contamination
Biodiversity Loss
As our last remaining natural areas continue to disappear to development or become overwhelmed with invasives, we are loosing much more than beautiful vistas. The diversity of the natural world is what makes Earth habitable. Food, air, climate, economies, civilization itself—depends on nature’s diversity.
Meet Our Team
Our team is passionate about preserving the natural beauty of Long Island through our landscaping projects.
Steven Sweet
Owner/Operations Manager
After working in the landscape and turf management industry for many years, Steven found himself working against mother nature. Over the course of his life, he saw development continue and open space disappear. This, coupled with the adverse effects of traditional landscaping he realized there had to be a better way. In order to preserve the natural character, beauty and ecosystems that surround us, Steven decided take a new approach to landscaping and Bay Native Landscapes was born. Steven holds a bachelors degree in business from St. Johns University.
Lindsay Sweet
Development & Community Partnerships Manager
With an enduring commitment to environmental advocacy and healthy communities, Lindsay brings well-established experience in strategic partnerships, fundraising, and organizational workflow to the team. Prior to joining Bay Native Landscapes, at Environmental Defense Fund and Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, Lindsay managed grants, coordinated global programs, and spearheaded fundraising campaigns focused on executing and upholding climate solutions. Now, Lindsay passionately oversees company operations, development strategy, and client relations. She holds a B.S. in Community and International Development from the University of Vermont.
H.E.L.P
Bay Native Landscapes is an endorsed eco-scaper by the Health and Ecosystems Land Pro program. HELP is a comprehensive professional educational program to assist landscape and horticultural professionals in creating ecological landscapes, using sustainable landscape practices, and creating natural climate solutions.
