Kevin McAllister, Founder & President

Kevin McAllister is the founder and president of Defend H2O, a Sag Harbor based nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the waters on Long Island and its spectacular beaches.

As a lifelong waterman in South Florida and on the East End, Kevin lives and breaths all things H2O. Ocean swimming, surfing, rowing and kayaking are his passions and his daily connection to sand and sea. Waterwarrior is his calling and why he is the East End’s most passionate and committed clean water advocate.

McAllister’s professional training is deep and diverse—spanning more than three decades working in government, consultancy and in the nonprofit sectors of environmental protection.

Notable accomplishments include: spearheading sewage no-discharge zones for vessels operating in the Peconic and South Shore bays, galvanizing sewage management reforms in Suffolk County and holding governments feet to the fire on a host of environmental protection issues.

Kevin is the recipient of several awards from environmental agencies for his work in coastal conservation, highlighted by the prestigious Environmental Quality Award presented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

McAllister’s academic training bridges several science-based disciplines, earning undergraduate degrees in Natural Resources Conservation and Marine Biology. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Coastal Zone Management—specialized training uniquely essential in addressing the consequences of climate change on coastal sustainability.Kevin has substantial academic training that bridges several disciplines within the biological and physical sciences.  His education achievements include undergraduate degrees in Natural Resources Conservation and Marine Biology.  In addition, Kevin holds a Master's of Science degree in Coastal Zone Management. 

Our Work

Education
-  Seek/create opportunities to heighten public understanding
of the coastal zone environment. 
 

Water Pollution
-  Assess local and regional water quality.
-  Advocate for numeric nutrient standards.
-  Ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
 

Coastal Resiliency
-  Advocate for progressive coastal zone management. 
-  Oppose shoreline hardening.
-  Advocate for improved bay flushing (i.e. Fire Island breach).
 

Sewage Management
-  Advocate for best available technologies in sewage treatment.
-  Advocate for effluent discharge standards.
-  Advocate for watershed management plans.
 

Natural Shoreline Protection
-  Protect/restore wetlands.
-  Challenge shoreline hardening plans/projects.
-  Address buffer zone encroachment.
-  Advocate coastal resiliency principles.
 

Pesticides (mosquito control, agricultural, residential)
-  Advocate for regulatory reforms.
-  Seek a ban on Methoprene use for mosquito control.
 

Dam Removal
-  Advocate for removal/alteration at ecologically stressed locations.
 

Fisheries
-  Stay informed of commercially harvested populations.
-  Support science-based management actions.
-  Support shellfish restoration efforts.