A Passion for the Planet: John L. Turner ’85

John L. Turner ’85 has spent a lifetime protecting and preserving nature on Long Island. He became a birdwatcher as a child, joined his high school’s environmental club, and at 18, co-founded the Long Island Pine Barrens Society. The organization went on to spearhead the passing of New York’s landmark 1993 Pine Barrens Protection Act, which preserves over 100,000 acres in Suffolk County. 

His latest battle? Skip the Stuff, a bill proposed by NYS Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay that would make it illegal for restaurants to toss plastic utensils into takeout meals without a customer asking for them. 

Turner, who has a B.S. from SUNY Empire in environmental science, also works part-time as a conservation policy advocate for the Seatuck Environmental Association. As the  conservation co-chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, he leads annual nighthawk watches during migration season in the late summer and early fall.

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, we spoke to Turner about his career, his writings, and what we all need to do to protect our planet. 

What inspired you to become an environmental advocate?

I had two spark moments. The first happened when I was 5 or 6 and living in Smithtown, NY. It was snowing, my dad had just stocked the feeders, and there were bluejays, cardinals, chickadees, and titmice. Suddenly, this flock of yellow and black birds swooped in. They were evening grosbeaks. It was a living rainbow. And I remember thinking, ‘Wow, I love birds,’ and I’ve been a birder ever since. 

The other moment happened when I was about 9. I was playing stick ball when my brother crushed a ball into the oak woods. I went looking for the ball and came across several dozen pink lady slippers. I was blown away by this exotic looking plant with its pendulous sack and the beautiful deep pink color. And I said, the heck with going after the ball. I was more interested in this plant.

What are your three proudest moments?

Well, the Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act is one. It was a five-year David and Goliath battle that began when we filed a major lawsuit to block development. When we finally won, it made a profound impact on protecting the flora and fauna of Long Island, as well as the groundwater system underneath.
 
In the mid-1980s, I worked for Defenders of Wildlife, and we helped the state government pass the Wild Bird Conservation Act, which bans the import of wild birds like parrots and parakeets. New York passed its law in 1985, which led to the passage of federal law in 1992.
I also played a leading role in preserving what was left of the Oak Brush Plains on the western end of Long Island. We were able to retain it and transfer it to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as a state preserve where you can now enjoy hiking and other recreational activities. 

How do you convince people that the environment matters? 

I'm a firm believer in ripples from a pond. If you expect people to want to protect something, they have to know about it, right? 

I’ve written two books: a children’s book called “Waylon’s Wandering Waterdrop,” which teaches kids about the lifecycle of water, and “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Guide to Nature on Long Island.” 
In addition, I write a monthly column about nature in the Times Beacon Record, lead nature walks, and appear on WUSB, the Stonybrook University radio station to talk about the environment. It’s all about public education and protecting the planet. 

This year’s Earth Day theme is “Our Power, Our Planet.” What can people do to take back our power and preserve our planet?

They should reflect on their lifestyle and try to live as lightly as they can. I recommend recycling, composting, and growing native species of plants that attract local pollinators and support the local ecosystem. 
I also encourage people to get involved in the political process. If you care about the environment, pick an issue. Once you learn about that issue, you become the real expert. And if you have passion and meet with your elected officials with a specific ask, you'd be amazed at what you can achieve.

Other than recycling, composting, and growing native plants, do you do anything special?

I have 26 solar panels on my roof. I also pick up aluminum on the road and turn it in for scrap metal. Then I use the money to buy window stickers so birds don’t fly into glass they can’t see. 
 
Turner in a flower hat at Great Gull Island in the eastern Long Island Sound, where terns can attack an unprotected scalp.