MUSEUM CLOSED: Thanksgiving
2023-11-23

Thanksgiving Open House
2023-11-25 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | SOFO
Enjoy free admission at SOFO for the holiday!

Young Environmentalists Society (YES!) Meeting
2023-11-25 10:30 | SOFO
The mission of SOFO’s 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 on the last Saturday of each month, from 10AM to 11:30AM. There is bilingual support for Spanish-speaking participants.
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.
This is a free program, thanks to the generosity of a foundation that prefers to remain anonymous, for ages 10-16.
The date may change for this program. Please contact SOFO at (631) 537-9735 or info@sofo.org for up-to-the-minute information.

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Full “Frost Moon” Hike with Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
2023-11-27 17:00 | SOFO
The Frost Moon is also known as the Full Beaver Moon. For Native Americans this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Join us for this leisurely paced one-hour hike in Vineyard Field, the field behind SOFO.
Hike Leader: Jean McDermott, Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
This free program is for all ages.
To register email: greenbeltnews@aol.com

The Science of Astro-Meteorology and Q&A with Renowned Weatherman Joe Rao
2023-11-30 19:00 | Zoom
For ages, man has attempted to make sense of the changing aspects of the Sun, Moon, and their possible influence on our ever-changing weather. Can a lack of sunspots ultimately lead to a trend toward colder temperatures? Can the changing phases of the Moon and its distance from Earth lead to stormy periods? Or do the movements of the planets have any control over our climate and weather? Can we really put any credence in the forecasts that are issued annually by such publications as the Old Farmer’s Almanac or by other so-called long-range weather experts? The answers may surprise you!
Program Presenter: Joe Rao
For 21 years, Joe Rao was the Chief Meteorologist and Science Editor at News 12 Westchester. He was nominated for 8 Emmy Awards and, in 2015, the Associated Press voted him First among weathercasters in New York State. Since 1986, Joe has served as an associate and guest lecturer at the Hayden Planetarium. He is a Contributing Editor for Sky and Telescope magazine and writes a syndicated weekly column for the online news service, Space.com. Joe also pens a monthly astronomy column for National History magazine and provides astronomical data for The Farmer’s Almanac.
This event is co-sponsored by the Hamptons Observatory and SOFO. For more information on this program, click here!
This free Zoom lecture is for all ages.

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Owling with Joe Giunta
2023-12-02 19:00 | SOFO
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, 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.
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
This annual program is for adults.
For nonmembers, there is a $15 fee for Adults and a $10 fee for children for this program. This program fee will also provide non-members with free admission to the museum on a day of their choice. Members are free. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Turkeys in the Snow ─ Storytime & Craft
2023-12-03 11:00 | SOFO
Wild Turkeys had disappeared from Long Island for many years, but reintroduction efforts have been successful and now many families on the East End can see them in their backyards. Join Crystal for a fun story time about our large, feathered neighbors and make your own paper bag turkey puppet to take home.
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl-Oakes, SOFO Environmental Outdoor Educator
This program is for adults and children ages 3-6.
For nonmembers, there is a $15 fee for Adults and a $10 fee for children for this program. This program fee will also provide non-members with free admission to the museum on a day of their choice. There is an additional $5 materials fee for this program. Members are free. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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MUSEUM CLOSED: Maintenance
2023-12-06, 2024-01-03

Seal Walk at Cupsogue Beach County Park, Westhampton
2023-12-09 10:30 | Westhampton
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.
Walk Leader: Melanie Meade, SOFO Education Director
This program is for adults, teens, and children 6+.
For nonmembers, there is a $15 fee for Adults and a $10 fee for children for this program. This program fee will also provide non-members with free admission to the museum on a day of their choice. Members are free. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Make a Holiday Beach Craft! With Rob “Rockfish” Gelling
2023-12-09 14:00 | SOFO
First learn the natural histories of the animals that produced the shells that we will use to design and build a beach craft. Then check out the live critters that inhabit the shells in our Touch Tank and other museum exhibits. Finally create your beachy craft! Do a beach walk and collect shells, stones, and driftwood to bring to the class if you would like. Beach craft ideas include: a whelk planter, a rock-a-saurus, a beach pebble mosaic, clam shell jewelry dish, a gull feather pen, seaweed mountings, and a starfish Santa.
Program Leader: Rob “Rockfish” Gelling, SOFO Environmental Educator
This program is for adults and children 8+.
For nonmembers, there is a $15 fee for Adults and a $10 fee for children for this program. This program fee will also provide non-members with free admission to the museum on a day of their choice. There is an additional materials fee of $5. Members are free. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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MUSEUM CLOSED: Outreach Event (1 pm - 4 pm)
2023-12-13 13:00 - 16:00, 2023-12-14 13:00 - 16:00, 2023-12-20 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-01-04 13:00 - 16:00

Feeding Time at the Museum!
2023-12-16 10:30 | SOFO
Join us for a behind-the-scenes feeding tour at SOFO! Erin will give you a chance to see how we prepare the food for our animals to eat. Afterwards, you will get a closer look at our animals as they are fed. During this program, we’ll learn more about food webs and the differences between carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores.
Program Leader: Erin Hwong, SOFO Environmental Educator
This program is for adults, teens, and children ages 10+.
For nonmembers, there is a $15 fee for Adults and a $10 fee for children for this program. This program fee will also provide non-members with free admission to the museum on a day of their choice. Members are free. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Pinecone Creatures
2023-12-17 10:30 | SOFO
Create your own animal using local pinecones. Join us on a small nature walk around our inner loop collecting materials to create your own animals.
Program Leader: Ian Robinson, SOFO Environmental Educator
This program is for adults, teens, and children 6+.
For nonmembers, there is a $15 fee for Adults and a $10 fee for children for this program. This program fee will also provide non-members with free admission to the museum on a day of their choice. Members are free. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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SOFO's East End Outdoor Nature Education with Crystal in Sagaponack
2023-12-20 13:00 | Sagaponack
SOFO is offering a monthly program which takes place on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1 PM for children ages 3 to 7 years and is geared toward homeschooling families. Programs have a variety of activities to strengthen language development, literacy, math, and science and take place at various locations on the twin forks of Eastern Long Island. We will continue our adventures on Wednesday, December 20 in Sagaponack.
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl-Oakes, SOFO Environmental Outdoor Educator. Crystal has worked as an environmental educator at SOFO since 2005 and part-time since 2019 after her son Wyatt was born. She and Wyatt look forward to meeting you and learning with you!
This program is for adults and children ages 3-7.
For this program there will be a fee of $5 per child which includes a participating adult.
There is limited enrollment for this program.

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Visit the Heart of the Amazing Long Pond Greenbelt
2023-12-23 09:00 - 11:00 | Bridgehampton
Meet at the Long Pond Greenbelt Nature Center, 1061 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike for a 3.5 mile walk along the tree ID trail through oak-hickory forest and identify some of our native species. See and learn about the old railroad spur as well as Crooked Pond, Long Pond, Little Long Pond, and Deer Drink, four of the 13 coastal plains ponds of the LPG.
Hike Leader: Dai Dayton, President, Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
This free program is for adults, teens, and children 10+.

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"Whale Watching" with Fish Guy Photos
2023-12-23 10:30 | SOFO
Through his many pictures and videos, ‘go’ whale watching with the Fish Guy. Learn about the many species of whales and dolphins that can be found in the waters of Long Island. This is a family friendly lecture, good for children and adults alike.
Program Leader: Christopher Paparo, Fish Guy Photos
This program is for all ages.
For nonmembers, there is a $15 fee for Adults and a $10 fee for children for this program. This program fee will also provide non-members with free admission to the museum on a day of their choice. Members are free. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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MUSEUM CLOSED: Christmas Day!
2023-12-25

Winter School Break Walks - Exploring with Our Five Senses
2023-12-26 10:00 - 11:00 | SOFO
One Hour Outdoor Nature Adventures for Children of all Ages In Vineyard Field, the field behind the museum, with the SOFO Environmental Educators.

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Full “Cold Moon” Hike with Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
2023-12-26 17:00 | SOFO
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 SOFO.
Hike Leader: Dai Dayton, President, Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
This free program is for all ages.
To register email: greenbeltnews@aol.com.

Winter School Break Walks - Nature Scavenger Hunt
2023-12-27 10:00 - 11:00 | SOFO

Winter School Break Walks - Pirate Treasure Hunt
2023-12-28 10:00 - 11:00 | SOFO

Winter School Break Walks - Animal Signs and Phenomena
2023-12-29 10:00 - 11:00 | SOFO

SOFO Young Environmentalists Society (YES!) Meeting
2023-12-30 10:30

MUSEUM CLOSED: New Year's Eve (1 pm - 4 pm)
2023-12-31 13:00 - 16:00

MUSEUM CLOSED: New Year's Day
2024-01-01

Birding with the Fish Guy: A Multimedia Presentation
2024-01-06 10:30 | SOFO
Take a look at the sea’s feathered friends with Chris Paparo in this multimedia presentation. Find out what Long Island birds can be observed close to the shore. Learn details about wading birds, waterfowl, and raptors, as well as where one can go to observe each of them.
Program Leader: Christopher Paparo, Fish Guy Photos
This program is for all ages.
For non-members, there is a $15 fee for adults and a $10 fee for children for this program. This program fee will also provide non-members with free admission to the museum on a day of their choice. Members are free. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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