CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Matt Lauer’s mission is one that derives from passion. Keep the Hamptons clean, we treasure it!; with friends Stefani Greenfield and Desiree Gruber, who open Theodora & Callum this summer in East Hampton. I covet their scarves; here we’re each wearing our favorite; with friend Kelly Bensimon on the beach in Bridgehampton. We caught up about our kids and karma; with my husband, David Yanks, at Ron Perelman’s house last summer. I owe him the greatest thanks for always being by my side

The 34th season of Hamptons is upon us. The start of the season is a chance to journey through the breathtaking landscape of the East End and some of its secret gardens. Robert Dash’s Madoo Conservancy, on two manicured acres in Sagaponack, is akin to a perfectly painted masterpiece. This weekend Diana Frank’s photography (page 112) is being shown at Sag Harbor Florist; a portion of the proceeds will generously benefit this garden. Winding over to Mitchell Lane, Bridge Gardens, a stewardship project of the Peconic Land Trust, sits on five acres managed by the talented Rick Bogusch. However, the most exceptional experience I recently had was a private tour of the LongHouse Reserve, hosted by Jack Lenor Larsen. It is a place where nature and art truly meet: The 16-acre site is home to permanent works and seasonally rotating pieces, and while the arboretum alone is delightful, the twilight tours in July and August are magical.

These gardens are sanctuaries, protected by trusts and conservancies, but it’s also up to us to help preserve our land. Since mutual friend Rosanna Scotto introduced me to Matt Lauer, we have had inspired conversations about his passion for a cleaner Hamptons. Lauer and his children began picking up litter piece by piece around the area; he rightfully believes if we do not stop trashing the land we treasure, it will no longer be here for us to enjoy. He talks exclusively with Hoda Kotb and Hamptons about what we all agree is a shared mission.  

PS—Join me at Flywheel Sag Harbor for a summer kickoff ride with cofounder Ruth Zukerman on May 27 at 9:30 AM. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Group for the East End. Visit flywheelsports.com to book. For this and other happenings, log on to hamptons-magazine.com/calendar.

SAMANTHA YANKS

Follow me on Twitter at @samanthayanks

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EUGENE GOLOGURSKY PHOTOGRAPHY (GREENFIELD, NOTAR); NICHOLAS HUNT/PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM (YANKS)