The Holtsville Ecology Site, a beloved haven for families and wildlife enthusiasts across Brookhaven, stands at a critical crossroads. Once celebrated as a pioneering example of environmental renewal, it now faces possible closure as the Town considers budget cuts that could shutter its operations for good.
For decades, the Ecology Site has been more than just a park; it's been a living classroom, a wildlife sanctuary, and a testament to what a community can achieve when it chooses conservation over convenience. Its story, however, begins not with gardens and bobcats, but with garbage and grit.
From landfill to landmark
Before it became the lush, green refuge that residents know today, the Holtsville property was a 70-acre landfill operated by the Town of Brookhaven. In 1970, as the environmental movement gained momentum following the first Earth Day, local officials began drafting plans to reclaim the site. A Long Island Advance article from August 13, 1970 outlined an ambitious vision: transforming the landfill into a terraced recreational park with tennis courts, basketball courts, sloped ramps, and even an Olympic-sized swimming pool connected by a series of conduits.Outdoor Activities Guide
By 1973, the Town announced that the future Holtsville Park was "taking shape." Engineers and planners were designing the recreational landscape that would eventually evolve into the Ecology Site. The landfill officially closed on March 17, 1974, marking the end of its waste operations and the beginning of an unprecedented environmental turnaround.
This effort wasn't just local innovation,it reflected a national shift toward environmental stewardship. Across the country, communities were finding ways to repurpose land once deemed unusable. Brookhaven's plan was bold: turn a landfill into a place of education, restoration, and renewal.
By 1981, the "foundation of the Ecology Site" was laid. The Town committed to an educational model focused on wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, and sustainability. By 1985, Newsday referred to it as the Holtsville Ecology Site, a fully realized facility where visitors could learn about nature, interact with rescued animals, and witness firsthand the benefits of responsible land reuse.
A sanctuary with a mission
Today, the Ecology Site remains true to that original mission. It houses rescued and rehabilitated wildlife,animals that cannot return to the wild due to injury, age, or human interference. From Surabi the bobcat, declawed and unable to survive on her own, to Cali and Valor, two mustangs rescued from slaughter and given a second chance, every animal tells a story of resilience.
Most of the site's residents come through partnerships with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), SPCA, and licensed wildlife rehabilitators. The center provides permanent homes, proper diets, environmental enrichment, and veterinary care while educating thousands of visitors each year about Long Island's ecosystems.
Someone closely familiar with the site's operations, described it as "a safe and economical facility for visitors of all ages and abilities to observe and learn about wildlife," and had emphasized that "each animal here represents a lesson in compassion, rehabilitation, and responsibility."
A history of care and controversy
Over the past year, the Ecology Site has faced scrutiny from animal rights organizations, including Humane Long Island, which alleged improper care and management. Yet multiple inspections from the USDA and Suffolk County Board of Health found no violations. In fact, during a February 2025 Town Board meeting, Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro confirmed that the center's operations met all federal and county standards, and that "allegations were unfounded by regulatory agencies."
Despite those clear findings, the site remains on the chopping block. In September 2025, Supervisor Dan Panico announced that the facility's closure was being considered as part of the 2026 Town Budget, which shifts funding priorities toward Parks and Recreation. "This is not an easy decision," Panico said during that meeting, noting that all options were under review.
The Town maintains that the potential closure is part of a broader restructuring effort, driven by maintenance costs, staffing expenses, and outdated infrastructure. Officials frame the move not as an abandonment of environmental values but as a "realignment of resources."
Still, residents and environmental advocates see it differently. For them, the closure of the Holtsville Ecology Site represents a symbolic retreat from decades of conservation progress.
Oversight, opportunity, and the road ahead
Part of the challenge lies in how the Ecology Site is managed. Unlike most recreational or educational facilities, it falls under the Highway Department, not Parks and Recreation, a quirk that has complicated oversight and funding for years. Many residents believe the site's mission better aligns with Parks and Recreation, where its educational and environmental focus could flourish under more suitable supervision.
Some have suggested that the Ecology Site transition into a public-nonprofit partnership, allowing local conservation groups or private foundations to contribute funding and oversight. This model has succeeded elsewhere on Long Island, where similar nature centers thrive through a blend of municipal support, donations, and volunteer engagement.
Community members, animal advocates, and longtime visitors have launched a grassroots campaign to keep the site open. Their goal is not just to save a facility, but to preserve a legacy. For many children, a trip to the Holtsville Ecology Site marks their first real encounter with wildlife. For students, it provides internships and volunteer opportunities that foster careers in biology, conservation, and veterinary care. And for the animals, it remains one of the few sanctuaries of its kind in Suffolk County.
What's at stake
The upcoming November 6 Town Board vote will determine whether the Holtsville Ecology Site remains open. Supporters are urging residents to contact Supervisor Panico and the six Town Board members before the vote. Their message is simple: the Ecology Site is not just a piece of property, it's a reflection of the community's values.
For families, it's an affordable and educational destination. For educators, it's an outdoor classroom that inspires curiosity and stewardship. And for the animals, it's a home built from compassion.
Whether the site continues to thrive or becomes a closed chapter in Brookhaven's history will depend on whether the Town sees its worth not just in dollars, but in decades of community impact.