Photo Credit: Marlin Harms
Walk Leader: Frank Quevedo, Executive Director, South Fork Natural History Museum
Southampton’s Dune Road is the perfect place to see a variety of freshwater and saltwater birds that prefer the calmer waters of the South Fork ponds and bays—rather than the ocean’s fury—this time of year. Mergansers, Grebes, Canvasbacks, and Gadwalls will be on our list to see, as well as many other species. Bring binoculars and a field guide to birds of the eastern United States (if you have one). This program is for adults and teens; however, children ages 10 and older 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.
*New STEAM based programming
Program Leader: Xylia Serafy, South Fork Natural History Museum Environmental Educator
Fish are specially adapted to surviving in their environment. Some have rounded bodies and some are flat. There are tails that are big and wide and ones that are pointy; some fish have huge shiny scales and some have none. See why fish are so special in so many ways. Create your own fishy creature with funny-shaped fins and tail, crazy mouths, and googly eyes. Make your fish as special or strange as you want. Limit 15 children. Material fee $3.
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Crew Tagging First Juvenile Great White Shark in North Atlantic
Program Presenter: Dr. Tobey Curtis, Lead Collaborating Scientist for the South Fork Natural History Museum Shark Research and Education Program
Over the last few years, members of SOFO’s Shark Research and Education Program have been making great strides in studying the unique population of juvenile great white sharks found off Long Island’s south shore. From being the first to satellite tag a white shark pup in the Atlantic, through a successful collaboration with OCEARCH, and now continuing to break new ground in New York waters, this program is on the cutting edge of white shark science. Please join us as shark expert Dr. Tobey Curtis reviews the progress to date on the study of the white shark nursery area in our backyard, and learn about the exciting new technology that will give unprecedented insights into the behavior, ecology, and conservation of these young sharks.
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Photo Credit: Greg Schechter
Walk Leader: Xylia Serafy and Miles Todaro, SOFO Environmental Educators
Montauk’s vernal ponds are some of the few places in the world where the Blue-spotted Salamander, in its purebred form, can be found. Join SOFO on this nighttime expedition as we search for this unique native species. Please bring a flashlight and wear boots, as late winter rains will make the ground soggy. This walk will take place only if there have been heavy rains.
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Drawing by Susan Rubin
Workshop Leader: Muriel Appelbaum. Muriel is a working artist with an MFA in Studio Art from Pratt Institute in NYC. She mostly draws from nature—landscapes, people, and live animals. See her artwork at www.murielappelbaum.com.
Do you think you’d enjoy drawing, but can’t seem to find the perfect time to do it? Come draw with us. If you’ve drawn before, come hone your skills in a comfortable and relaxed place and, if drawing is new for you, this is an enjoyable way to get started in an encouraging setting. Bring a 9”x12” drawing pad with a hard back for support and two drawing implements—for example, a very soft (dark) pencil (4B is good), conté crayon, or ballpoint pen.
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
*New STEAM based programming
Program Leader: Melanie Meade, South Fork Natural History Museum Education Coordinator and Environmental Educator
Poetry is a way to express our ideas about our environment. For example: what words do you think of when you look at a tree? Can you use words to make a picture that says something about the importance of trees to wildlife? To humans? To you? We’ll write some tree poems of our own to describe a tree near home or in a park or preserve.
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Photo Credit: Xylia Serafy
Hike Leader: Miles Todaro, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educator
Shelter Island’s Mashomack Preserve is one of the biggest and most spectacular nature preserves on Long Island. Its 2,039 acres protect a huge variety of habitats and countless species of native plants and animals. Join Miles on this six mile loop hike through the heart of the preserve, and learn what you can find in this “Jewel of the Peconic.”
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
*STEAM Programming
Workshop Leader: Melanie Meade, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Education & Outreach Coordinator
Meet the museum’s frogs and toads and learn how they move, catch their food, and survive the winter. Make an origami jumping frog with light up LED eyes! Young children may need adult help to complete the project. Materials fee $5
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
*STEAM Programming
Photo Credit: Paleontological Research Institution
Workshop Leader: Rachel Speckenbach, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educator
In order to survive, animals need to be able to find food and avoid being food themselves. Animals have many different features and traits that help them survive in their environment. This is called an adaptation. When their markings or features allow an animal to blend in with their surroundings, it’s called camouflage. This program will show how prey animals hide from predators using camouflage and participants will then learn how they too can hide in plain sight. Materials fee $2
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Program Leader: John “Barley” Dunn, Director, East Hampton Town Shellfish Hatchery
For growers and harvesters of oysters, an understanding of the diseases, pests, predators, and other problems that can affect oyster survival is essential. Knowledge of potential illnesses, caused by ubiquitous bacteria, will aid oyster growers, harvesters, and the general consumer in avoiding illness when consuming raw shellfish. At this program, you’ll learn about these problems as well as about a simple protocol to follow—similar to the one we use to treat store bought meats and vegetables—in order to avoid illness when consuming raw shellfish.
Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.