Creek Defender Program

Dr. James Bertsch

Creek Defender Co-Chairperson (Mastic – Sayville)

James helps coordinate clean-ups between Mastic and Sayville.

Dr. James Bertsch’s mission is to enhance community involvement by fostering civility and inquiry in public discourse. As a YMCA board member and twice-elected trustee for Sayville Schools, his civic and political focus centers on coalition building. James spearheads diverse community events, engaging over 300 people and 15 organizations in initiatives such as veteran gravestone restorations.

As a trustee for the LT Michael P. Murphy Navy SEAL Museum, he aims to inspire local devotion to Michael Murphy’s legacy and integrate the Navy SEAL Museum into community life. With a background in education, James served as a Special Education administrator, founded the Greater Sayville Civic Association, and directs local initiatives for Save the Great South Bay. Committed to community advocacy, he contributes environmental and civic stories to various publications, including Newsday, Suffolk County News, and the Long Island Press.

Tom Kain

Creek Defender Co-Chairperson (Oakdale – Babylon)

Tom Kain is a past President of the Rotary Club of Bay Shore, serving two terms (2014–2015 and 2017–2018). He and his wife Gigi have lived in Bay Shore for 20 years and on Long Island for decades, raising their five children there.

A lifelong lover of Long Island’s waters, Tom grew up swimming, skating, and fishing in Babylon and spent summers on the Peconic bluffs of the Long Island Sound. He also lived in Friday Harbor, Washington, in the San Juan Islands. All five of his children were Jones Beach Junior Lifeguards, and three are now NYS Ocean lifeguards.

A Babylon High School graduate, Tom studied at SUNY Stony Brook and Suffolk Community College and has worked at TD Bank for nearly 15 years as a senior residential loan officer. His family shares a deep love for the ocean and enjoys fishing, surfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

“Defending our creeks has to be fun, educational, and rewarding. People want to help—our role is to organize it.” — Tom Kain

Don Nedbalsky

Creek Defender Co-Chairperson (Lindenhurst – Wantagh)

After retiring from the medical device industry a few years ago, Don reconnected with the outdoors in Massapequa, where he grew up and still lives. He began volunteering with local environmental organizations, including the North Shore Land Alliance and the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference, while spending more time hiking and photographing Long Island’s wildlife.

As he explored local creeks, Don became increasingly frustrated by the amount of trash and the spread of invasive plants. That search for a way to make a difference led him to Save The Great South Bay. Since joining SGSB, Don has organized several creek cleanups in his hometown and has helped civic groups in Wantagh and Merrick launch their own annual cleanups—expanding stewardship across the South Shore.

Don also serves on the Board of Directors of the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Alliance, continuing his commitment to protecting and connecting people to Long Island’s natural spaces.

Map Of Long Island Tributaries 

Trash Trap