Setauket, NY – Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay has officially launched her new Monthly Mission program, a community service series designed to bring residents together to learn, connect, and take part in hands-on projects that make a real difference in Assembly District 4.

The inaugural Monthly Mission took place on Thursday, September 18, 2025, with a large-scale American Chestnut Tree Planting across the district. The event began at 2:30 PM at the historic Davis Meeting House in Coram, where participants learned about the American Chestnut’s legacy and restoration efforts before dispersing to plant saplings at eight additional community sites. The day concluded with a closing ceremony and final planting at the Setalcott Nation stewarded NYSDEC property along Dyke Road in Setauket as the sun set over Conscience Bay.

“Monthly Missions are about rolling up our sleeves, caring for our community, and connecting with one another while we do it,” said Assemblywoman Kassay. “I’m thrilled to kick off this initiative with the planting of American Chestnut trees – an act that honors our local history while rooting our community in a more environmentally resilient future. I am enormously grateful to all of our government and community partners in this district-wide effort, and give a special thanks to my legislative aide, Tom Ehrhard, who took the lead on this Monthly Mission.”

The American Chestnut Tree Planting was a collaborative effort between Assemblywoman Kassay, local leaders, and community partners. Forty American Chestnut tree seedlings were donated by the American Chestnut Restoration Incorporated, with tools and staff support provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). Thirty community volunteers donated their time to plant the trees and construct deer protection around each planting.

“DEC is happy to be able to support Governor Kathy Hochul's 25 Million Trees initiative by assisting locally with the effort by Assemblywoman Kassay, the Setalcott Nation, and the American Chestnut Restoration, LLC. to restore chestnut trees to their historical habitat on Long Island,” said DEC Marine Resources Director Martin Gary said. “We look forward to seeing the trees planted at the event grow and become part of the tree stock at DEC’s Conscience Bay State Tidal Wetland Area.”

Setalcott Nation Chief Helen Sells shared, “These trees are a vital part of our Island’s native ecosystem and planting them once again is a critical step towards restoring our bays and Sound. I’m very happy that we are coming together as a unit to understand our true history and it’s important that the Setalcotts work to bring us closer to Mother Earth.”

Three Village Community Trust’s Herb Mones shared, “The Three Village Community Trust is honored to partner with Assemblywoman Kassay in this important project. The American Chestnut trees were once a towering presence in our woodlands, and were known as ‘The Monarchs of the Forest.’ The restoration of these trees will be a lasting legacy for future generations. We value that fourteen trees were planted on Trust properties, and we look forward to helping these young trees thrive in our community.”

American Chestnut Restoration, Inc’s Niko Nantsis shared, “As someone who is dedicated to the restoration -more- of the American Chestnut tree back on Long Island, I was so excited and happy to help set up this event with Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay. Being able to get the chance to help restore this incredible native species by planting them on both public parks, historic sites, and on the land of the Setalcott Nation and have the ability to educate the general public about this amazing tree species, its historic significance, its precipitous decline due to the chestnut blight, and its herculean road to restoration was an absolute pleasure and I could not be more happier with how it turned out. With the release of the new blight tolerant American Chestnut trees on the horizon, I am truly hopeful that these trees that we planted will help in the effort to give this species the epic comeback story it deserves.”

Davis Town Meeting House Society’s Robert von Bernewitz said, “The Davis Town Meeting House Society was honored to host the opening ceremony and training session at our ca. 1750 museum. We look forward to nurturing and caring for our four new chestnut saplings. Our Society is happy to be part of this environmental initiative.”

Gordon Heights Chamber of Commerce President Edna White stated, “Actions like these are more than cross pollination but the acknowledgement and expected growth for a community.”

The American Chestnut, once a defining species in the region and valued by the Setalcott Nation and early settlers alike, was nearly wiped out by blight in the early 20th century. This initiative marks a step toward restoring its role as a keystone tree species on Long Island. Once available– likely in the coming year or two– a genetically modified blight-resistant variety of American Chestnut tree seedlings will be planted to cross-pollinate with these native Long Island ecotype seedlings in an effort to foster a blight-resistant Long Island American Chestnut.

Participants in this and future Monthly Mission events receive a Monthly Mission Passport and collect unique stickers for each service project they attend. Volunteers who complete multiple missions will be recognized with a Certificate of Service from Assemblywoman Kassay. Community members are encouraged to visit the Assemblywoman’s government website, call her office at 631-751-3094, or email kassayr@nyassembly.gov to sign up for her electronic newsletter and receive information about upcoming events and community updates.

Event Details

● Opening Ceremony & Demonstration Planting 2:30 – 4:00 PM | Davis Town Meeting House, 263 Middle Country Rd, Coram

● Volunteer Plantings at Community Sites 4:00 – 6:00 PM | New Village Recreation Center (Centereach), Mott House (Gordon Heights), Frank Melville Park (Setauket), Tyler House (Setauket), Bates House (Setauket), Smith/De Zafra House (Setauket)

● Closing Ceremony & Final Planting 6:00– 7:00 PM | Setalcott/NYSDEC Land, 40 Dyke Rd, Setauket

Chestnut Planting Partners Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay · Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich · NYS Department of Environmental Conservation · American Chestnut Restoration Incorporated · Setalcott Indian Nation · Three Village Community Trust · Three Village Gardening Club · Gordon Heights Chamber of Commerce · Davis Town Meeting House Society