The mission of SOFO’s new Young Environmentalists Society, known as YES, for ages 10 to 16, is to engage young minds in developing a fuller awareness and understanding of the current state of our environment. The group will work together and, through experience-based learning, place-based learning, critical thinking processes, and local activism, will develop strategies for individuals and the community that are designed to shape how we live on this planet now and in the future.
The Club’s leader is Mare Dianora—an interdisciplinary artist whose practice involves building community and exploring connections to home and place—is an educator and the mother of two young sons. The Club meets the last Saturday of each month, from 10am to 11:30am. This is a free program, thanks so the generosity of a foundation which prefers to remain anonymous. Please visit our website, sofo.org, for further information, and contact info@sofo.org to join the Society.
There will be bilingual support for Spanish speaking participants.
Program Leader: Sarah Bailey, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educator
Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of a turtle is like? Join Sarah for a story time and follow a box turtle through his daily routine. After the reading, meet two of SOFO’s box turtles up close and personal. Learn what they eat, what their shells are made of, how they dig, and much more!
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Program Leader: Greg Metzger, Marine Science and Aquaculture teacher at Southampton High School
On this fascinating tour of Greg’s wet-lab classroom at Southampton High School you’ll see and learn, first hand, about keeping saltwater fish and corals alive in captivity as well as the difficulty and rewards of aqua-culturing clownfish! In addition to the tour, participants will look through microscopes and even feed the wet-labs sharks!
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Walk Leader: Miles Todaro, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educator
Tired of the stuffy indoors? Join Miles outdoors for a walk through the woods! Morton Wildlife Refuge is a nature preserve full of many animals and plants, even during the winter! We’ll see winter birds and learn how to identify trees, even though they have lost their leaves. Whether you are interested in learning a lot, or just want to take a trip outside with the family, this program will be worthwhile for all! Make sure to ware or bring layers of clothing.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Photo Credit: Greg Schechter
Walk Leader: Andy Sabin, President, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Board of Directors
Montauk’s vernal ponds are some of the few places in the world where the Blue-spotted Salamander, in its purebred form, can be found. Join Andy on this nighttime expedition as we search for this unique native species. Please bring a flashlight and wear boots, as late winter rains will make the ground soggy. This walk will take place only if there have been heavy rains.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Co-Sponsored by Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt and South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO)
Walk Leader: Dai Dayton, President, Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
The full “Worm Moon” was given its name by the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior. At the time of this spring moon, the ground begins to soften and earthworm castings reappear, inviting the return of robins. In some regions, this is also known as the “Sap Moon”, as it marks the time when maple sap begins to flow and the annual tapping of maple trees begins. Join us on this leisurely paced hike through open fields, and then enjoy some light refreshments and convivial conversation.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Photo Credit: Miles Todaro
Walk Leader: Miles Todaro, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educator
Ever wondered what happens to all the insects and spiders in the winter? Animals that you can’t even avoid in the summer suddenly become impossible to find. Join Miles on a winter trek through Vineyard Field to learn all about the cold weather strategies of Long Island’s creepy crawlies.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Drawing by Susan Rubin
Workshop Leader: Muriel Appelbaum. Muriel is a working artist with an MFA in Studio Art from Pratt Institute in NYC. She mostly draws from nature—landscapes, people, and live animals. See her artwork at www.murielappelbaum.com.
Draw with us in a comfortable and encouraging setting. Energize your observational and drawing skills by sketching natural objects — live animals, skulls and shells, taxidermy, wild plants. Draw for your enjoyment and for your portfolio. Bring a 9”x12” drawing pad with a hard back for support, and two drawing implements—for example, a very soft (dark) pencil (4B is good), conté crayon, or charcoal. Limited enrollment.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Cleanup Crew: South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educators
Did you know it takes 450 years for a plastic bottle to break down in the ocean? Every day thousands of tons of waste and trash are dumped into oceans worldwide. Not only does this waste harm—and sometimes kill—the marine life we know and love, it makes its way up the food chain into the food we eat, hurting humans as well. In just one hour, you can help make the beach a cleaner and safer place for everyone! Please join us in our efforts to keep our hometown beaches pollution-free! Call SOFO at 631 537-9735 for location. This is a free program.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.