Photo Credit: OCEARCH / R. Snow
Program Presenter: Greg Metzger, Chief Field Coordinator for the South Fork Natural History Museum Shark Research and Education Program
The South Fork Natural History Museum is one of the newest organizations to begin studying the large coastal sharks found along the south shore of Long Island. We have been specifically targeting young-of-the-year (YOY) white sharks for electronic tagging purposes. The tags have begun to give us information on their movement at this stage of their life cycle, about which virtually nothing is known. This lecture will update the public on the highlights of the 2018 field season, as well as what we have learned over our four years of work.
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
*New STEAM based Programing
Photo Credit: winnu
Program Presenter: Miles Todaro, South Fork Natural History Museum Environmental Educator
Ever wondered why birds have so many different types of beaks? Some are short, some are long, some are pointy and some are round. Join us in exploring the different benefits of all sorts of bird beaks through a fun activity all about adaptation. Afterwards, we’ll graph our results and talk about why things turned out the way they did.
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Photo Credit: Bert de Tilly
Walk Leader: Frank Quevedo, Executive Director, South Fork Natural History Museum
The barrier beach area at Shinnecock is one of the few remaining undeveloped dune/salt marsh habitats on the eastern end of Long Island, an area that frequently has wintering Snowy Owls and Short-Eared Owls. Join Frank on this birding expedition at Shinnecock, one of SOFO’s most popular birding walks. If we’re lucky, we may see either of these two owls and even an American Bittern, Snow Bunting, or a lingering Clapper Rail. Bring binoculars and/or a spotting scope and a field guide to birds of the Eastern United States (if you have one). This walk is for adults and teens, although children over the age of 10 may attend. A shuttle bus will be available from SOFO to the birding location. Limited space is available on the bus; please register as soon as possible for this program if you would like a seat on the bus.
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Cosponsored by the Hamptons Doc Fest and the South Fork Natural History Museum
Salt of the Sea tells the story of a vanishing breed of independent commercial fishermen in New England. Filmed on several independently owned and operated boats in Long Island, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts over 18 months, the documentary shows what happens when a passion for fishing intersects with the power of politics. Contradictory governments’ regulations, corrupt enforcement, and a tough economy are contributing to the loss of a way of life that has existed for centuries. Running Time: 53 minutes.
Tom Garber, who lives in Hampton Bays, L.I., has produced ten documentaries that have aired on PBS and the Discovery Channel. His themes cover ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. He graduated from the Film/Video Department of CalArts, where he mentored with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Terry Sanders. He has received several awards, including a NY Emmy, a Bronze Telly, Platinum and Silver REMI Awards, and a Gold Medal from the Charleston International Film Festival.
Advance 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 Education Coordinator and Environmental Educator
Cold temperatures make water vapor in clouds turn into snow. The snow falls to the ground. Sometimes snow freezes together more and changes into ice. If we could look at snow and ice up closely, we would see crystals that sparkle when the sunlight bounces off them. We’ll take a walk outside to look for crystals and gather materials to make our own sparklers. We can make snow too, using a little simple kitchen science. Materials fee: $3
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Photo Credit: Evan Marks
Program Presenter: Frank Quevedo, Executive Director, South Fork Natural History Museum
Frank Quevedo, executive director of the South Fork Natural History Museum, will present a talk on winter birds, followed by a bird walk at Agawam Park. Much of Long Island and the northeast are designated as important wintering areas for migrating birds. Many sparrows, waterfowl, and owls visit us during the winter months. This presentation will show what birds they are, where they come from, and how they survive severe winter conditions. If you plan on participating in the bird walk, please bring binoculars.
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Program Leaders: South Fork Natural History Museum 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 healthy, natural environment of the South Fork. This is clearly a part of the mission of the museum itself, which is to stimulate interest in, advance knowledge of, and foster appreciation for the natural environment. The SOFO staff has decided that—to uphold this important mission—we need to take direct action to help keep Long Island habitats pollution-free. That’s why we are doing our “SOFO Cleans the Beach” program. We hope you will join us to pick up as much trash as possible. We will tally what type of trash we find 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 beaches—and we can knowledgeably advocate avoiding those materials in the future. We’re excited to continue this program and hope you will join us in reaching our goal of keeping our hometown beaches pollution-free!
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Cosponsored by the Southampton Trails Preservation Society and South Fork Natural History Museum
Hike Leader: Tony Garro, Southampton Trails Preservation Society
This trail is a small but unique gem. Join us for a two-mile hike along this beautiful trail that includes a swamp laced by many brooks and bridges and is surrounded by an old forest. Meet on Millstone Brook Road at the intersection of Scotts Road, North Sea. For more information, call Tony Garro, 631.725.5861.
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Walk Leader: South Fork Natural History Museum 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.
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Photo Credit: Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
Walk Leader: Frank Quevedo, Executive Director, South Fork Natural History Museum
Join Frank on this approximately two-hour leisurely paced walk through The Long Pond Greenbelt from the South Fork Natural History Museum, along the Widow Gavits Trail, passing the beautiful coastal plain ponds of the Greenbelt, and ending at Mashashimuet Park in Sag Harbor. A walk through The Long Pond Greenbelt, which contains one of the highest concentrations of rare plants and animals in New York State, is a perfect way to spend a winter morning. Be sure to bring water and a snack. A shuttle bus will be available to transport participants back to SOFO. Limited space is available on the bus; please register as soon as possible for this program if you would like a seat on the bus.
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.