Co-sponsored by Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt and the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO)
Hike Leader: Jean Dodds, Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt Secretary
During this month the winter cold fastens its grip, and nights are at their longest and darkest. Sometimes this moon is also called the Long Night Moon as the winter nights lengthen and the moon spends more time above the horizon opposite a low sun. 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 moonshine. 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.
Photo Credit: Xylia Serafy
Walk Leader: Joe Giunta, birding instructor for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, trip leader for New York City Audubon and lecturer for many local chapters, and owner of Happy Warblers LLC, a birding and educational travel company
Listen for the whinnying sound of the Eastern Screech Owl or maybe even the seven-note hoot of the Great Horned Owl on this nighttime owl prowl that marks the beginning of our owls’ courtship season. Joe, an expert birder and a delightful teacher, will present a brief slide show and then take you into the field to call owls in for actual sightings. Bring binoculars and a flashlight. 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: SOFO Environmental Educators
Did you know that 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! 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.
Workshop Leaders: South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Staff
Feeding wild birds in winter is especially important in our area, where development has removed a good deal of natural winter food resources for local birds. Join the SOFO staff in what has become a holiday tradition and make bird-friendly decorations for a holiday tree using seeds, dried fruits, and some surprising additions. You’ll also be able to make some of these treats to take home and use as decorations on your own “holiday tree” for the birds. Bring a shoebox to take home some of your decorations. Material fee: $5 per participant
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Photo Credit: Xylia Serafy
Walk Leader: Xylia Serafy, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educator
With the cold of winter, many northern animal visitors come to the South Shore of Long Island to find food—among them Pinnipeds, or seals. The three most common species of seals that visit Long Island at this time of year are Harbor Seals, Grey Seals, and Harp Seals. Join us on a walk toward the ocean at Cupsogue Beach County Park, where at low tide you can expect to see some of these seals sunning themselves on the distant sandbar. It may be cold and windy, so please bundle up.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Program Leader: Melanie Meade, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Education & Outreach Coordinator
Explore the structure and function of seashells and compare the mechanical properties of toughness and hardness. See what a shell would be like if it were not so tough by trying to break shells that have been baked or soaked in bleach and comparing them to the properties of untreated shells.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Club Leader: Miles Todaro, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educator
Birding is a great way to make new friends, learn about the environment, and get outside…so join our Young Birders Club! The Club meets from 10 am to noon on the third Saturday of every month and is open to anyone ages 8–18 who is interested in learning about birds. We concentrate on birding in local areas, since Long Island has many great habitats that are home to a wide variety of species. The Club’s leader is SOFO Environmental Educator Miles Todaro. The two Club advisors, both avid birders, are Frank Quevedo, the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Executive Director, and Barbara Blaisdell, educator and experienced birder. Please bring binoculars if you have them (we have a few pairs to lend) and a field guide to birds of the eastern United States. If you don’t have a field guide, we’ll have one here for you to use. 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.
Photo Credit: Shenandoah National Park
Winter School Break One-Hour Programs for Children of All Ages
10:30–11:30am
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Photo Credit: Sai Kiran Anagani
Winter School Break One-Hour Programs for Children of All Ages
10:30–11:30am
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.