With its corporate headquarters in Melville, Long Island, Arrow has a strong interest in preserving the natural resources that make Long Island a haven for its residents, visitors, plant life and wildlife.

In an effort to help safeguard the local ecosystem, Arrow partnered with the Nature Conservancy on Long Island as the lead sponsor of the first Long Island Beach Festival, an all day, family-oriented event intended to raise public awareness of the importance of preserving the Atlantic coastlines on the island.

Held on September 10, 2005, at Smith Point County Park in Shirley, N.Y., the Long Island Beach Festival featured an array of activities and entertainment for the more than 8,000 Long Island residents who attended, including a beach clean-up, live music, arts and crafts, professional sand sculpting, beach volleyball, photo contests, fishing demonstrations and kite flying. Guided nature walks and bird watching on the beaches, salt mashes and dunes were also offered, along with educational lectures and environmental exhibitions.

Arrow's Sue Suver, vice president, Global Human Resources, spoke briefly about Arrow and its commitment to protecting the environment. “Long Island's beaches are among the most beautiful in the world,” Suver said. “As a long-time citizen on Long Island, Arrow is proud to support the efforts of the Nature Conservancy and other groups to help preserve and protect our natural treasures for generations to come.” Also speaking at the festival were Dr. Stephen Leatherman, a well-known authority on beach conservation; Long Island resident Tom Westman, winner of the CBS series “Survivor, Palau”; and Steve Levy, Suffolk County Executive.

Click here for more information about the Nature Conservancy of Long Island.

Standing (from left): Samuel Swint, Jr.,  president and founder, Eastern Long Island Coastal Conservation Alliance (ELICCA); Dr. Stephen Leatherman, director, International Hurricane Research Center and chief scientist, ELICCA; Sue Suver, vice president, Global Human Resources, Arrow Electronics.  Kneeling (from left): Michael Deering, director, Suffolk County Environmental Affairs; Nancy Kelley, executive director, The Nature Conservancy on Long Island; Ronald F. Foley, commissioner, Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation; Ginny Fields,  New York State Assemblywoman; Tom Westman, winner of the CBS series, "Survivor, Palau."