The Ecological Culture Initiative fosters a resilient, ecology-based coastal community through advocacy and education in sustainable food production, wellness, and environmental stewardship.

OUR SYMBOL

We chose the dragonfly, Erythemis simplicicollis, commonly known as the Eastern Pondhawk, as the symbol of the Ecological Culture Initiative. Native to the eastern two-thirds of the United States, Erythemis represents self-realization, transformation, and depth of understanding. We could think of no more fitting visual metaphor for the goals ECI has set for the community of Hampton Bays.

Evolving from a water dwelling nymph, adult dragonflies eat other flying insects, particularly disease bearing pests such as midges and mosquitoes. The brief existence of a dragonfly relies upon the purity of air, earth, and water, and is connected to each by complex biological interactions that are markers of ecosystem health.