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. 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.
The Unloved, Unusual, & Unknown— An Introduction to Reptiles, Amphibians, and Invertebrates with Jungle Bob: All Ages
Program Presenter: The One and Only Jungle Bob
Take a walk on the wild side with Jungle Bob as he brings the wonders of nature to life with a live animal show of some of the world’s ‘unloved, unusual and unknown’ creatures. Encounter snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodilians, frogs, toads, salamanders, tarantulas and more! Interact with these amazing creatures as we examine and discuss habitats, location, diets, defense mechanisms and more! Recommended for families.
There is a $15 fee for Adults and $10 fee for children for this program. Members are free.
This program will he held outdoors and is weather dependent.
Birding with Frank—Shorebirds at Shinnecock: Adults/Children 8+
Walk Leader: Frank Quevedo, Executive Director, South Fork Natural History Museum
Summer is the best time to view some of the fifty or more species of shorebirds that comb the beaches, sand flats, and marshes of Long Island. On this walk, we will visit Shinnecock Bay in Southampton and focus on plovers, yellowlegs, oystercatchers, and sandpipers as they feed by wading in shallow waters.
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 walk, 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.
SOFO Cleans the Beach—Help Needed!
Cleanup Crew: South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educators
If you have ever been to the museum and spoken to any of our educators, you know how much we care about preserving the natural environment of the South Fork. The mission of the museum itself is to stimulate interest in, advance knowledge of, and foster appreciation for the natural environment. Our staff has decided that in order to uphold the mission of the museum we need to take direct action to help keep Long Island habitats healthy. That’s why we have decided to continue our “SOFO Cleans the Beach” program throughout the seasons. We hope you will join us on our mission to pick up as much trash as possible. Our plan is to go to a different beach each month and clean for one hour. During our cleaning session we will tally up what type of trash we are finding and, when we are finished, weigh it out. Over time we will be able to get an idea of the kind of trash that is washing up on our beach, and we can knowledgeably advocate avoiding those materials in the future. We’re excited to continue this program and be one step closer to our goal of keeping our hometown beaches clean.
This is a free program for all ages.
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.
Program Leader: Naturalist from the Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS)
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 necessary.
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.
Nature Tour & Seining by Kayak or Paddle Board with East End Explorer – BYOK/PB or rent from East End Explorer: All Ages
Tour Leader: Eric Wurzburg (East End Explorer) and SOFO Environmental Educator
Our paddle begins from the Conscience Point Historic Site in Southampton. We will launch vessels from the non-motorized ramp and paddle north around the point toward Conscience Point shellfish farm. Once there, we will take a moment to paddle near the floating oyster cages and sorting/tumbling barge. We will briefly discuss some of the benefits of shellfish farming as well as the basic aquaculture process.
As we move further along, we will enter Conscience Point National Wildlife Preserve. While there we will paddle through tidal creeks into Serenity Pond, a beautiful tidal pond surrounded by nature preserve. We will then take 5 to 10 minutes to practice a mindful meditation as we float in the pond. Following meditation, we will continue back down the tidal creeks en route to one of the harbors accessible shorelines.
Along the way we will keep an eye out for some of the local fauna that frequent the area; white tail deer, turkeys, red fox, osprey, and an array of other wildlife are often spotted hunting and foraging in the back tidal creeks.
Once we land on a suitable beach there will be an opportunity to stop for a snack, stretch our legs, or have a swim. From the shore we may pull seine nets, catch crabs, learn to dig for clams, or take an exploratory beach walk, depending on tidal conditions. Following our beachside explorations, we will load the boats back into the water and paddle back to where we began, Conscience Point Historic Site.
Please be sure to pack the following:
Water, clothes you can get wet, snack, sunscreen, bug spray, a dry towel to leave in car, water shoes (optional), dry bag, and a camera.
Kayak and Paddleboard rentals available. $60 single, $90 double, $90 paddleboard or bring your own. SOFO members free, non-members $15 per Adult, $10 per child.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. To register for this program, which has limited enrollment please contact us at info@sofo.org or 631-537-9735. Spots will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to Harvest Your Own Sea Salt with Shelly Sells Sea Salt: All Ages
Program Leader: Michele Martuscello, founder of Shelly Sells Sea Salt on the South Fork
Meet Michele at the beach for a hands-on workshop where she will teach you how to harvest your own delicious sea salt from the Atlantic Ocean. You will learn about her long history of harvesting sea salt, her process, facts about salt and the ocean, and how to flavor your sea salt. Please bring a bucket, Ziploc container, or other covered vessel to collect water. Be ready to get your feet wet.
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, please contact us at info@sofo.org.
SOFO’s Young Birders Club: For ages 8 to 18
Club Leader: Rachel Speckenbach, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educator
Birding is a great way to make new friends, learn about the environment, and get outdoors. Join our Young Birders Club! The Club meets at 10:00 am on the third Sunday of every month and is open to anyone ages 8 to 18 who is interested in learning about birds. Since Long Island has many great habitats that are home to a wide variety of species, we concentrate on birding in local areas. The Club’s leader is SOFO Environmental Educator Rachel Speckenbach. 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 will 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. 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.
Shark Research & Education 2021 Field Work Update: All Ages
Presenters: SOFO Shark Research & Education Program Team
Please join us for a special panel discussion with SOFO’s Shark Research and Education Team. Our shark experts will update attendees on the 2021 field season and answer questions about SOFO’s ongoing efforts to learn more about and sustain shark populations along the south shore of Long Island.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. To register for this program, which has limited enrollment please contact us at info@sofo.org or 631-537-9735. Spots will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Kayak Exploration of the Estuaries of North Sea Harbor with SOFO & The Southampton Trails Preservation Society (STPS). BYOK, no kayak rentals available: Adults/Teens/Children 10+
Program Leaders: Marilyn Kirkbright, STPS Vice President and Melanie Meade, SOFO Education & Outreach Coordinator
Join SOFO and the Southampton Trails Preservation Society as we explore the estuaries of North Sea Harbor. We will look for blue claw crabs on the pilings along Davis Creek and red-tail hawks, foxes, wild oysters, and deer in the hidden coves. Limited enrollment.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.