SOFO’s Shark Research & Education Program Update—This Summer On-the-Water: All Ages
Come meet SOFO’s Shark Science Team and learn, first-hand, about this summer’s on-the-water Montauk expedition. These renowned shark experts have been featured on National Geographic TV, Discovery’s Shark Week, The Today Show, The New York Times, NPR, and other media outlets. Yearly, the team continues to advance its groundbreaking research on juvenile white sharks in the waters off Long Island’s south shore. In 2015, the team became the first to satellite tag young-of-the-year (YOY) white sharks in the Atlantic, followed by a successful collaboration with OCEARCH in 2016 and 2017. In July of 2018, the team published their first scientific study confirming that the New York Bight is a summer nursery area for white sharks (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-29180-5).
This is a rare opportunity to learn about our juvenile white shark population first-hand, from the experts! Come with questions and be prepared for some surprises.
Please note that, as mandated by the latest State Executive Order regarding COVID-19 safety precautions, our outdoor nature walks and programs are limited to a maximum of 25 people which includes our staff. SOFO will at all times follow stringent six-feet distancing separation protocols required by the Department of Health for the safety of our participants and environmental educators. We will provide masks and gloves for all attendees.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. To register for this program, which is limited to 25 people please contact us at info@sofo.org. Spots will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, and we will confirm your reservation by email.
Full Hunter’s Moon Hike, Cosponsored by the Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
Hike Leader: Jean Dodds, Secretary, Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
Native Americans named this bright moon for obvious reasons. The leaves are falling from trees, the deer are fattened, and it’s time to begin storing up meat for the long winter ahead. Because the fields were traditionally harvested in late September or early October, hunters could easily see fox and other animals that come out to eat the fallen grains. Join us for this leisurely paced one-hour hike in Vineyard Field, the field behind the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) and afterward for some convivial conversation and refreshments in the moonlight.
This program is free and for all ages.
Please note that, as mandated by the latest State Executive Order regarding COVID-19 safety precautions, our outdoor nature walks and programs will at all times follow stringent six-feet distancing separation protocols required by the Department of Health for the safety of our participants and environmental educators. We will provide masks and gloves for all attendees.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. To register for this program, which has limited enrollment please contact greenbeltnews@aol.com. Spots will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, and we will confirm your reservation by email.
Birding & Hiking in Hither Hills with Wayne Whitmore
Birding Leader: Wayne Whitmore, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Board of Directors
Join us as we look and listen for fall migrants. We will walk to Gardiners Bay along the paths and access roads of Hither Hills State Park. This program is for adults and teens.
Please note that, as mandated by the latest State Executive Order regarding COVID-19 safety precautions, our outdoor nature walks and programs will at all times follow stringent six-feet distancing separation protocols required by the Department of Health for the safety of our participants and environmental educators. We will provide masks and gloves for all attendees.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. To register for this program, which has limited enrollment please contact us at info@sofo.org or call 631-537-9735. Spots will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Andy Sabin’s Annual Salamander Log Rolling
Walk Leader: Andy Sabin, President, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Board of Directors
On this annual walk with Andy, aka “Mr. Salamander,” you’ll discover some unusual creatures that live in the leaf litter on the forest floor under the rotting logs. In particular, he’ll introduce you to two of our unusual native salamanders: the Blue-spotted, which can be found in its purebred form on Long Island, only in Montauk; and the other, the Four-toed, whose tail drops off when it is grasped at the tail by a predator. This walk is particularly popular with children. This program is for all ages.
Please note that, as mandated by the latest State Executive Order regarding COVID-19 safety precautions, our outdoor nature walks and programs will at all times follow stringent six-feet distancing separation protocols required by the Department of Health for the safety of our participants and environmental educators. We will provide masks and gloves for all attendees.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. To register for this program, which has limited enrollment please contact us at info@sofo.org or call 631-537-9735. Spots will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Early Fall Insect Search in Vineyard Field
Program Leader: Paul King III, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educator
While temperatures are still warm enough, many bugs can still be seen before they hibernate for the winter. With habitats like grasses, trees, ponds, and fallen logs Vineyard Field behind the museum is an excellent place to find a great diversity of bugs. Join Paul on this field exploration to learn all about the insects and other arthropods you can find in it this time of year. Learn how to distinguish centipedes and millipedes, beetles and bugs, and countless other native creepy crawlies! This program is for all ages.
Please note that, as mandated by the latest State Executive Order regarding COVID-19 safety precautions, our outdoor nature walks and programs will at all times follow stringent six-feet distancing separation protocols required by the Department of Health for the safety of our participants and environmental educators. We will provide masks and gloves for all attendees.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. To register for this program, which has limited enrollment please contact us at info@sofo.org or call 631-537-9735. Spots will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Coastal Dune Ecology Walk
Walk Leader: Melanie Meade, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Education & Outreach Coordinator
Coastal sand dunes form an essential protective barrier along the shores of Long Island. Specially adapted beach plants are responsible for the stability of these dunes. Step with care so we do not cause harm to these special plants as we observe wildlife in the dunes that we might not otherwise notice and appreciate in this critical habitat.
This program is for adults, teens, and children ages 5 and older.
Please note that, as mandated by the latest State Executive Order regarding COVID-19 safety precautions, our outdoor nature walks and programs will at all times follow stringent six-feet distancing separation protocols required by the Department of Health for the safety of our participants and environmental educators. We will provide masks and gloves for all attendees.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. To register for this program, which has limited enrollment please contact us at info@sofo.org or call 631-537-9735. Spots will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Black Racer Snake Walk – a Beautiful & Beneficial Reptile
Walk Leader: Jake Kushner, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educator
Join us on a walk in our very own Vineyard field searching for one of our native snake species, the Black Racer. Learn about the Black Racer and its important role in our field ecosystem as we flip cover-boards in hopes of spotting one of these speedy reptiles. This will be one of our last chances to spot this snake before it travels to its underground burrows to hibernate through the winter.This program is for adults, teens, and children ages 5 and older.
Please note that, as mandated by the latest State Executive Order regarding COVID-19 safety precautions, our outdoor nature walks and programs will at all times follow stringent six-feet distancing separation protocols required by the Department of Health for the safety of our participants and environmental educators. We will provide masks and gloves for all attendees.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. To register for this program, which has limited enrollment please contact us at info@sofo.org or call 631-537-9735. Spots will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Long Pond Greenbelt 22nd Annual Family Celebration—Hike, Play, Explore: Discover the Long Pond Greenbelt!
Cosponsored by Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt (FLPG), Peconic Land Trust, & South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO)
Bring the children for a morning exploration at the 21st Annual Celebration of the Long Pond Greenbelt! Enjoy guided trail walks, play games, make crafts, and participate in a wide variety of activities provided by local environmental and community organizations including: Children’s Museum of the East End (CMEE), Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt, Group for the East End, Hampton Library, Peconic Land Trust, Quality Parks, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO), Southampton Community Preservation Fund, Southampton Parks and Recreation, Southampton Trails Preservation Society/Horses on Trails, and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). List in formation. The Celebration is a free program! (The program is tentative. Please check the SOFO website www.sofo.org for up-to-the-minute information. The program is for all ages.
Please note that, as mandated by the latest State Executive Order regarding COVID-19 safety precautions, our outdoor nature walks and programs will at all times follow stringent six-feet distancing separation protocols required by the Department of Health for the safety of our participants and environmental educators. We will provide masks and gloves for all attendees.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. To register for this program, which has limited enrollment please contact us at info@sofo.org or call 631-537-9735. Spots will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
*MOVED FROM SEPTEMBER 26TH*
SOFO’s Young Environmentalist Society (YES!): Ages 10-16
Club Leader: Mare Dianora, an educator and the mother of two young sons, is an interdisciplinary artist whose practice involves building community and exploring connections to home and place.
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 works together and, through experience-based learning, place-based learning, critical thinking processes, and local activism, develops strategies for individuals and the community that are designed to shape how we live on this planet now and in the future.
The Club meets the last Saturday of each month, from 10am to 11:30am. This is a free program, thanks to the generosity of a foundation which prefers to remain anonymous. There is bilingual support for Spanish speaking participants.
Please note that, as mandated by the latest State Executive Order regarding COVID-19 safety precautions, our outdoor nature walks and programs are limited to a maximum of 25 people which includes our staff. SOFO will at all times follow stringent six-feet distancing separation protocols required by the Department of Health for the safety of our participants and environmental educators. We will provide masks and gloves for all attendees.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. To register for this program, which is limited to 25 people please contact us at info@sofo.org. Spots will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, and we will confirm your reservation by email.