Full “STEAM” Ahead— Soil Science and Composting with scientist Rob Gelling and artist Magical Marla: This program is for children ages 7 and older.
Workshop Leaders: Rockin’ Rob Gelling, SOFO Environmental Educator & Aquarist and Magical Marla Nortman, artist and educator
How much of the waste you put in your kitchen garbage can could be turned in to rich soil for your gardens? What are the do’s and dont’s of composting? Screen finished compost in SOFO’s pile and test for the levels soil nutrients. What is ph? What is the pH of the compost soil? Bring in a ziplock bag of what you think is “compostable”! Now put on your smock and decorate a terracotta pot using paint and “skeleton” leaves. Finally, fill it with a compost/potting soil mix and insert a rooted plant cutting. Optional: Make your own plant cutting at home and bring to the program! Materials fee: $5
There is a $15 fee for Adults and $10 fee for children for this program. There is also a $5 material fee. Members only pay material fee.
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.
Greenbelt Nature Walk (2.5miles)—From SOFO to Poxabogue Pond
Walk Leader: Dai Dayton, President Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
Suffolk County’s Poxabogue Park is one of the first open space protection acquisitions in the Long Pond Greenbelt (LPG). Poxabogue derives its name from the Native American paugasa-baug meaning “a pond that opens out or widens” and is one of 13 coastal plains ponds of the LPG. Enjoy grasslands, pond shore, and oak/hickory/pitch pine forest on this walk..
There is a $15 fee for Adults and $10 fee for children for this program. Members are free.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735 or email info@sofo.org.
Birding at Hither Hills with Wayne Whitmore
Birding Leader: Wayne Whitmore, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Board of Directors
Montauk is a migration trap for migratory birds. Join Wayne Whitmore, SOFO Board Trustee, on this leisurely paced bird walk in search of spring migrants and breeding warblers. Wayne will lead you on the access roads and nature trails in Hither Hills searching for a variety of birds that utilize this habitat. Some species likely to be observed are: Blue-winged Warbler, American Redstart, Prairie Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Ovenbird, and many others. Please bring binoculars and a Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America if you have one. Enrollment is limited. This program is for adults and teens.
There is a $15 fee for Adults and $10 fee for children for this program. Members are free.
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.
Andy Sabin’s Annual Black Racer Snake Search
Walk Leader: Andy Sabin, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) President, Board of Directors
Andy Sabin, known to us as the “Salamander Commander,” is equally as interested in snakes as he is in salamanders. In fact, Andy is fascinated by all kinds of reptiles and amphibians, so he is just the right person to lead us on a search for the Northern Black Racer snake (Coluber constrictor). What’s more, we’re in luck— the field behind SOFO, known as Vineyard Field, is the perfect habitat for this very active, diurnal (it comes out during the day) reptile. To ensure we can find them, we’ve put boards out in the field which these snakes like to hide under. So, we’re very likely to see some snakes on our search with Andy.
There is a $15 fee for Adults and $10 fee for children for this program. Members are free.
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.
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. The date may change for this program. Please contact SOFO at (631) 537-9735 or info@sofo.org for up-to-the-minute information.
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.
“Forest Bathing” (Shinrin-yoku in Japanese) and Beach Meditation: This program is for adults and teens
Program Leader: LeighAnn Montaglione, SOFO Environmental Educator
“Shinrin-yoku is a term that means “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing.” It was developed in Japan during the 1980s and has become a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine. Researchers primarily in Japan and South Korea have established a robust body of scientific literature on the health benefits of spending time under the canopy of a living forest. Now their research is helping to establish shinrin-yoku and forest therapy throughout the world. (https://pittsburghparks.org/friluftslivshinrin-yokuforest-bathing-the-language-of-getting-out-in-nature/)
To experience “forest bathing” join SOFO on this forest walk followed by a time for a grounding meditation on the beach. Together we will explore what nature can do for your mind and why it is important to connect with nature. Please bring a lightweight folding beach chair or a towel or blanket to sit on for the meditation part of this program.
There is a $15 fee for Adults and $10 fee for children for this program. Members are free.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735 or email info@sofo.org.
Photo Credit: Miles Todaro
Program Leader: Sandra Reyes, SOFO Environmental Educator
What are the key differences between turtles and tortoises, both reptiles, but quite different? In this program, Sandra will introduce you to a live representative of each group─an Eastern Box Turtle that lives at SOFO and a special guest, a Russian Tortoise, which is not native to our area. Some people think that all turtles can swim. Do you think so? Come to this program with Sandra and find out.
There is a $15 fee for Adults and $10 fee for children for this program. Members are free
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735 or email info@sofo.org.
Photo Credit: people.com
So You Wanna Grow Your Own Oysters?
Program Presenter: John “Barley” Dunne, Director, Town of East Hampton Shellfish Hatchery and member of the Board of Directors of South Fork Sea Farmers
Oysters seem to be all the rage these days. With that, many people want to grow their own. And why not? They are a sustainable and restorative crop that comes with great benefits. They’re a healthy food that’s high in Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, Vitamins D and B12, copper, iron and zinc. Growing them is a great outdoor activity that creates habitat for other marine plants and animals. Plus, their feeding helps clean water and removes excess nutrients from our waterways. And the amount of work involved is relatively minimal. Tune in to learn about the biology of our eastern oyster and how you can grow them on your own on the east end of Long Island. This program is for adults, teens, and children ages 10 and older.
There is a $15 fee for Adults and $10 fee for children for this program. Members are free
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735 or email info@sofo.org.
Program Leader: Frank Quevedo, Executive Director, SOFO
Let’s venture by boat into the remote areas of Shinnecock Bay onboard Stony Brook University/Southampton’s 45-ft. research vessel, Peconic, and marvel at the wealth of migratory birds, waterfowl, and seals that inhabit the region at this time of year. We’ll cruise along areas of the salt marsh and sand flats that are not visible by land and hopefully witness the activities of a variety of wildlife. Bring binoculars and a light snack.
There is a fee of $35 for members and $40 for nonmembers for this program. The program is for adults, but children ages 10 and older may attend.
Advance 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.