South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center

Who’s Hungry?! with SOFO
2026-03-12 11:00, 2026-03-05 11:00, 2026-02-12 11:00 (America/New_York) | SOFO
Introducing “Who’s Hungry?!” with SOFO! Join us for this FREE hands-on experience and help the staff feed our resident animals! This will be a weekly activity every Thursday at 11 AM. We’ll feed different animals each week, so be sure to join us regularly.
This experience is appropriate for all ages. It is free for SOFO members and included with museum admission for non-members. Registrations are not necessary.

MUSEUM CLOSED: Birthday Party (2 pm - 4 pm)
2026-03-08 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-22 14:00 - 16:00

East End Environment Series: Thar She Blows: Whaling in New York
2026-03-07 15:00 - 16:00 | SOFO
This is the eighth lecture of our East End Environment Series!
While Native Americans were the first people to whale in New York, Europeans arriving on the shores of New York quickly came to see these ocean mammals as a valuable commodity. Starting in the 1640s, Long Island towns such as East Hampton and Southampton formed local shore whaling companies that led to the whale becoming New York’s first “cash crop.” This industry would then help drive the local economy in the 19th century as young men travelled the world, pursuing whales for their oil and bones. Today, whales continue to attract New Yorkers, though no longer for hunting, but rather for whale watching. This presentation will explore how whaling has shaped New York’s maritime communities and culture.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Presenter: Dr. Tara Rider, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University
This FREE program is for adults and children ages 8+. Advanced reservations are required for all events.
Please note: this program was rescheduled from February 7.

Sign Up Here!

MUSEUM CLOSED: Private Event (1 pm – 3 pm)
2026-03-05 13:00 - 15:00

MUSEUM CLOSED: Maintenance
2026-03-04, 2026-02-23, 2026-02-09

MUSEUM CLOSED: Birthday Party (2 pm – 4 pm)
2026-03-01 14:00 - 16:00 | SOFO

Seal Cruise, co-sponsored with CRESLI
2026-02-28 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-02-15 12:00 - 14:00 | Southampton
For the third year in a row, the Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island (CRESLI) and the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center (SOFO) are co-sponsoring seal cruises. Join us as a CRESLI scientist leads 2-hour expeditions to view, photograph, and gather information about the diversity and distribution of the seals in Shinnecock Bay. You’ll learn about the different species of seals in our waters, as well as the characteristics and behaviors that allow these animals to thrive. You’ll hear about the history of seal exploitation and recovery and see these animals in their natural habitat.
CRESLI Seal Cruises on the RV Peconic around Shinnecock Bay will meet and board 30 minutes before the listed departure time at the dock area (address: Stony Brook Marine Station, 8 Little Neck Road, Southampton, NY 11968).
This program is for adults, teens, and children ages 8+. The cost for the cruise is $40 per person.
Spaces are limited and registration is required. Registrations can be made by visiting cresli.org.

MUSEUM CLOSED: Outreach Event
2026-02-27
We are a nonprofit partner for this year’s Long Island Natural History Conference, managed by Seatuck and the Long Island Nature Organization (LINO). We look forward to seeing everyone at the conference!
For more information, please go to: https://seatuck.org/2026-li-natural-history-conference/https://seatuck.org/2026-li-natural-history-conference/.

Who’s Hungry?! with SOFO
2026-02-26 11:00 | SOFO
Join us for this FREE hands-on experience and help the staff feed our resident animals! This will be a weekly activity every Thursday at 11 AM. We’ll feed different animals each week, so be sure to join us regularly.
This experience is appropriate for all ages. It is free for SOFO members and included with museum admission for non-members. Registrations are not necessary.

MUSEUM CLOSED: Inclement Weather
2026-02-24, 2026-02-23

Food Chain Stories and Feed the Animals
2026-02-22 13:30, 2026-02-22 10:30 | SOFO
Join us for some fun stories explaining the food chain, watch some of SOFO’s resident animals enjoy their favorite foods, and create your own food chain craft.
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl-Oakes, SOFO Outdoor Education Specialist
This program is for families.
For non-members, this program is included in the museum admission fee. Members are free. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

Sign Up Here!

Birding for Beginners
2026-02-21 10:30 | Southampton
Explore Birding as a new hobby: Take a walk with volunteer docents Cindy & Dave and learn how to identify the birds that we might find, including blue jay, black-capped chickadee, starling, northern mockingbird, and red-tailed hawk. Listen to the voices and observe the behavior of the birds to help identify them. No prior experience required. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Walk Leaders: Cindy Lenkiewicz and Dave Polek, SOFO Docents
This FREE program is for all ages. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

Sign Up Here!

Young Birders Club Walk with Aidan Perkins
2026-02-21 10:00
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 10AM on the third Saturday 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. 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.
Club Leader: Aidan Perkins, Wildlife Biologist
This FREE program is for ages 8-18. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

Sign Up Here!

Winter School Break Walks: Where Do Bugs Go in Winter?
2026-02-20 11:00 | SOFO
Join SOFO’s Environmental Educators for our Winter School Break Nature Education Programs!
These programs are for children of all ages.
This FREE program is for all ages. There is a separate admission fee to explore the museum ($10/adult and $7/child age 3 and up). Advanced reservations are required for all events.

Sign Up Here!

Winter School Break Walks: Scavenger Hunt
2026-02-19 11:00 | SOFO

CANCELED: East End Outdoor Nature Education at Wildwood State Park, Wading River
2026-02-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Wading River
This program has been cancelled due to weather forecast and trail conditions. Please join us next month!

SOFO is offering a monthly program which will take place on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1 pm for children ages 3 to 7 years and is geared towards homeschooling families. Programs will have a variety of activities to strengthen language development, literacy, math, and science and will take place at various locations on Eastern Long Island.
We will continue our adventures on Wednesday, February 18 at Wildwood State Park in Wading River searching for signs of winter animal activity and insect signs including galls and egg cases. We will enjoy some fun stories, simple nature journals, beginner graphing, and worksheets to take home.
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl-Oakes has worked as an environmental educator at SOFO since 2005 and part-time since 2019 after her son Wyatt was born. Wyatt and I look forward to meeting you and learning with you!
There is a $10/child fee (participating adult included) 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.

Winter School Break Walks: Searching for Winter Wildlife
2026-02-18 11:00 | SOFO

Winter School Break Walks: How Plants Survive Winter
2026-02-17 11:00 | SOFO

Winter School Break Walks: Animal Tracks─Who was Here?
2026-02-16 11:00 | SOFO

Feeding Winter Birds: Make a Natural Bird Feeder
2026-02-15 11:00 | SOFO
In winter, birds sometimes need a little help getting enough food to make it through very cold, snowy weather. You can help the birds by making bird feeding stations from natural materials and adding high-energy bird foods like peanut butter and winter bird seed. All materials will be provided.
Program Leader: Rebecca Rogers, SOFO Environmental Educator
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.

Sign Up Here!

SOFO’s Bug Club: Bugwatching Buddies
2026-02-14 11:00 | SOFO
This Week: Bug Themed Valentines with Candy Treats.
We Love Bugs! Celebrate Valentine’s Day by making a bug-themed valentine for your friends and family. Crafting materials and Valentine’s candy will be provided.
Club Leader: Moe Kennedy, SOFO Environmental Educator
This FREE program is for ages 5-16. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

Sign Up Here!

YES! Animal Mask Workshop
2026-02-08 14:00 | SOFO
This workshop is free (for ages 5-10), but registration is required at sofoyes@gmail.com. This is a drop-off program but parents are welcome to explore the museum.
