Advocacy

Residents Forward advocates for the sustainability, resiliency, vibrancy and beauty of our peninsula. For nearly 60 years, we’ve advocated for the protection of our environment, preservation of our natural resources and the strength of our community.

Our advocacy is non-partisan, civic minded and rooted in science, data and local engagement with a primary focus on sustainability, community well-being and responsible decision-making that reflects the long-term interests of our town. 

We focus our advocacy efforts in three core areas:

  1. safeguarding natural resources

  2. fueling a resilient local economy

  3. promoting responsible land use

Water

Safeguarding our drinking water and ensuring that it remains sustainable is essential to our quality of life and health.

Residents Forward remains committed to driving science-based, people-powered solutions that preserve our aquifer for generations to come.

  • Launched in 1994 as the Port Washington Peninsula Aquifer Committee, the group has evolved into today’s Western Nassau County Aquifer Committee (WNCAC) — a regional coalition of elected officials, water suppliers, engineers, and environmental advocates working together to secure the long-term health of Long Island’s drinking water.

  • Residents Forward is currently spearheading a regional groundwater conservation program that responds directly to findings from Phase 1 of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Groundwater Sustainability Study.

    The initiative aims to achieve a 20% reduction in water demand through the integration of innovative technology, behavioral science, and community-based conservation strategies.

  • RF’s leadership helped launch the regional movement for groundwater conservation—beginning in 2016, when we helped secure $6 million in funding to establish the Long Island Drinking Water Sustainability Project.

  • RF’s track record of success includes preventing the reactivation of the Jamaica Wells in 2015 and introducing drinking-water education programs to Port Washington students in 2014.

  • A new, coordinated initiative to restore balance to our aquifer and secure our water future.

    Save Water - Save The Bagel!

Take Action! Sign onto the LI Groundwater Rebalance
Take Action! Sign onto the LI Groundwater Rebalance

Local Economy

A strong local economy is the foundation of a vibrant, thriving town.

Residents Forward invests in is dedicated to keeping our Main Street business district clean, welcoming, and full of life. Through initiatives like the Port Mural Project, Clean Green Main Street, Give a Litter Bit, Port Holiday Magic, and RF’s Planters and Gardens, we help beautify and energize the spaces where community and commerce meet.

We champion the creation and care of public spaces—from Blumenfeld Park and the Mural Garden to the Baywalk, Shoreline Trails, and Merchant Lot—inviting residents and visitors alike to gather, explore, and enjoy.

Through Let’s Walk PW wayfinding, events, and community initiatives, we encourage people to park the car, reduce emissions, and experience Port Washington on foot.

Stroll, shop, dine and support local!

Support our work
Support our work
“Izzy: We have a window of opportunity to change our water future, and we must act now.

Eve: We cannot and must not hand this issue off to the ‘next generation’. I am the next generation.”
— YCS Students
Group of nine people sitting on a stage in front of a large screen displaying an environmental message. The message includes a green circular logo and blue text that says, 'Save water. Save the bagel. A NY problem.'
Youth Climate Summit
Youth Climate Summit

RF’s Exhibits

RF’s permanent exhibits along the Bay Walk informs residents about how living in a coastal community comes with a responsibility to safeguard our natural bodies of water and our drinking water. Our drinking water is sourced from underground aquifers. What we do on the surface affects all our water. Litter on the ground runs off and pollutes our Bay.

Circular water conservation sign with instructions, including tips to turn off the water, use a broom instead of a hose, and avoid playing water games, on a brick pavement.

Every Drop Counts Exhibit

What started as a challenger from Dr. Angela Jaggar, developed into a multi paneled exhibit. Every Drop Counts, demonstrates ways to conserve and optimize rainwater collection, preservation, smart irrigation and native plant landscaping.

Trash Talkin’ Exhibit

Signboard about Trash Talkin' project, encouraging people to follow the baywalk Marine Debris Signage to see how long trash takes to decompose in the bay. It lists project partners including Village of FWN, The Town of North Hueneme, The Spoon Foundation, Georganized Elementary School, and Shrubbar Tree Waggers. There is a trash can illustration on the right and a small tree logo with the text "Residents For A More Beautiful Port Washington" at the bottom left.

This fact filled exhibit was created to help visitors understand how long it takes for debris to decompose in our Bay.

It serves as a big deterrent to help reduce littering by our waterways and along our roads.

The “Trash Talkin’” Exhibit was developed in 2013 after a post-Sandy clean up with Schreiber Tree Hugger Students, Guggenheim 5th Graders, VPWN and Town of North Hempstead.

Land Use

Residents has collaborated with the Town of North Hempstead and other local government agencies on key projects that impact Port’s future, including:

  • Creation of Blumenfeld Family Park

  • Primary stakeholder in the 2005 Port Washington Shared Visioning Plan

  • Expansion of the Bay Walk on the west side of Shore Road

  • North Hempstead Beach Park Visioning - collaborating with local stakeholders to re-imagine NHBP, including, resiliency, sustainability and making the public park a world class destination to include: water sports, a promenade, a concert venue and other outdoor activities

  • Creation of a shoreline trail along Hempstead Harbor Park to Roslyn in collaboration with the TONH

  • Steering Committee for the Waterfront Business District (BW Zone) along Manhasset Bay in collaboration with local stakeholders and the TONH

  • Visioning Port’s Blue Trail encompassing the entire Cow Neck Peninsula

  • Planning for long-term parking and traffic solutions, resulting in a commuter shuttle pilot from Soundview to the LIRR with the Nice Bus and Nassau County

  • Converting abandoned areas into a merchant parking lot

  • Creation of the Mural Garden on Upper Main Street

  • Advocating for public works projects and further development that adheres to RF’s values

People enjoying a day at Blumenfeld Family Park in North Hempstead with tents and trees.

Blumenfeld Family Park

A park pathway with a clock and lamp post, overlooking a water marina with boats, under a partly cloudy sky.

Bay Walk Park

Four people standing outdoors next to a bus with a sign promoting a new commuter shuttle to LIRR. The sign mentions the schedule from May 28th to June 10th and that riding is free. The group includes two women and two men, all smiling and casually dressed, with some wearing sunglasses.

Commuter Shuttle Pilot Program

  • Coming Soon

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