South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center

Spring School Break Walk: Scavenger Hunt
2026-04-07 11:00 (America/New_York) | SOFO
Join SOFO’s Environmental Educators for our Spring School Break Nature Education Programs!
Program Leader: SOFO Environmental Educator
This FREE program is for all ages. There is a separate museum admission fee to explore the museum ($10/adult and $7/child ages 3 and up). Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Spring School Break Walk: Wildlife Observations
2026-04-08 11:00 | SOFO

Spring School Break Walk: Signs of Spring
2026-04-09 11:00 | SOFO

Spring School Break Walk: Bugs & Slugs
2026-04-10 11:00 | SOFO

Nature & Birdwatching Cruise with Naturalist Aidan Perkins
2026-04-11 10:00 - 13:00 | Southampton
Join Aidan on an early spring cruise on Shinnecock Bay in search of migrating birds and maybe even a lingering harbor seal! In April, Long Island’s bays see a vibrant influx of migratory birds, including Osprey, Piping Plovers, American Oystercatchers, and many more! Also in the mix are shorebirds like Sanderlings, swallows, and terns, while loons and gannets can be spotted on the water. We may also see some lingering winter waterfowl, including scoters, eiders, and long-tailed ducks.
Program Leader: Aidan Perkins, Wildlife Biologist
This program is for adults, teens, and children ages 10+.
For non-members, there is a $45/person fee. For SOFO members, there is a $35/person fee. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium Tour
2026-04-11 10:45 | Cold Spring Harbor
Meet at the aquarium in Cold Spring Harbor for a guided tour of the aquarium and brook trout hatchery. Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium features the largest collection of live reptiles, fishes and amphibians native to New York State. The trout hatchery tour explains the life cycle of these popular sport fish found in cold, clear streams. Join SOFO to learn more about the freshwater ecosystems of New York State and feed the hungry trout in the outdoor ponds. Limited space, registration required. Registration closes on Thursday, April 9, at 5 pm.
Coordinator: Melanie Meade, SOFO Education Director
This FREE program is for adults & children ages 8 and up. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Bugwatching Buddies: Be Kind to Spiders Week
2026-04-11 11:00 | SOFO
Think spiders are spooky, scary or creepy-crawly? Between building webs, catching insects, and even running on water, you might be surprised to learn how smart, creative, and beneficial spiders really are! In observance of this year’s Be Kind to Spiders Week, come get an up-close look at some of SOFO’s spiders, and learn about the diverse world of one of the most famous arachnids!
Club Leader: Moe Kennedy, SOFO Environmental Educator
This FREE program is for children ages 5-16. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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MUSEUM CLOSED: Outreach Event (10 am - 1 pm)
2026-04-13 10:00 - 13:00

East End Outdoor Nature Education at Sagg Swamp Preserve
2026-04-15 13:00 - 15:00 | Sagaponack
SOFO is offering a monthly program which will take place on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1 pm 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, April 15th at Sagg Swamp Preserve in Sagaponack searching for signs of spring including tree buds, early flowers, bird songs and salamanders. 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 material 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. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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MUSEUM CLOSED: Outreach Event
2026-04-16, 2026-04-28, 2026-05-01

Annual Earth Day Open House: FREE Admission
2026-04-18 | SOFO
Join SOFO in celebrating Earth Day with children’s nature crafts, birding and bug walks, and help plant new seeds for our pollinator garden to attract butterflies!
10:00AM-1:00PM: Children’s Activities and Crafts
10:00AM-11:00AM: Young Birders Club Walk
10:30AM-11:00AM: Bug Search
11:00AM-12:00PM: Pollinator Garden Planting
12:00PM-1:00PM: Meet Long Island’s Raptor Ambassadors with Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center (EAWRC): Advance registration is required

Meet Long Island’s Raptor Ambassadors with Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center (EAWRC)
2026-04-18 12:00 - 13:00 | SOFO
Celebrate Earth Day by meeting some of our local birds of prey up close. The Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center will introduce you to three if it’s resident raptor ambassadors. Hear their personal stories and learn all about these incredible species. Limited seating.
Program Leader: Tammy Flanell, EAWRC
This program is for adults & children preK+.
For members and non-members, there is a $10 fee for adults and a $5 fee for children for this program.

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MUSEUM CLOSED: Birthday Party (2 pm - 4 pm)
2026-04-19 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-25 14:00 - 16:00

Stargazing Watch Party! Lyrids Meteor Shower
2026-04-19 20:30 | SOFO
The Lyrids will be active from April 14th to April 30th, with the peak on April 21st and 22nd. We will observe the night sky for shooting stars, identify planets and constellations using a laser pointer, and learn how to use the stars like a compass! Binoculars and scopes will be available for use as well. We will utilize both the observation deck and lawn space outside the museum for viewing, so feel free to bring your own food/drinks, lawn chairs, and blankets to complete the experience.
Program Leader: Tommy Steinbrecher, SOFO Environmental Educator
This program is for all ages.
For non-members, there is a $5 fee per person for this program. Members are free. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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MUSEUM CLOSED: School Group (10 am - 1 pm)
2026-04-20 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-21 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-23 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-30 10:00 - 13:00

Earth Day Observed: Garlic Mustard Pull with Friends of Long Pond Greenbelt
2026-04-22 15:00 - 17:00 | SOFO
Help SOFO and FLPG remove the invasive Garlic Mustard Plant! Learn about invasive species and help pull them from the ground. Please prepare to get dirty and take any necessary tick preventative precautions.
This program is rain or shine! However, severe weather conditions will cancel the program.
Workshop Leaders: Rebecca Rogers, SOFO Environmental Educator and Dai Dayton, President, FLPG
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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Seal Cruise, co-sponsored with CRESLI
2026-04-25 10:00 - 12:00 | 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.

Trade Out Your Traditional Lawns!
2026-04-25 11:00 | SOFO
Turn your grass lawn from an ecological dead zone to a thriving native plant community!
While a green grass lawn looks pretty to us, it offers very little to the insects, birds, frogs, and other animals that live in our neighborhoods. As environmental concerns rise, one way you can help at home is by diving into the world of alternative lawns! Lawn alternatives range from fields of clover to prolific fruit and vegetable gardening and can be customized to your needs and accessibility. Join SOFO educator Moe Kennedy for a presentation to learn about how you can turn your grass lawn from an ecological dead zone to a thriving community.
Program Leader: Moe Kennedy, SOFO Environmental Educator
This program is for adults & children 10+.
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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Spring Migration─Birding at Promised Land with Joe Giunta
2026-04-26 08:00 | Amagansett
Join Joe, an expert birder, international birding-tour leader, and delightful teacher on this very popular walk to see birds such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, titmice, chickadees, and bluebirds. Limited enrollment.
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 program is for adults ages 16+.
For non-members, there is a $5 fee per person for this program. Members are free. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Story Time – Fun With Frogs
2026-04-26 10:30, 2026-04-26 13:30 | SOFO
Did you know that not only can you find frogs in ponds but there are also tree frogs on Long Island too? Join us for some stories to learn about our local frogs, meet SOFO’s resident frogs and make a fun frog craft to take home.
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.

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Great East End Cleanup
2026-04-26 11:00
Join SOFO for the Great East End Cleanup! This program organized by Southampton Town and brings together organizations from all around Southampton to help take care of the places we love! Please be prepared to get muddy or sandy! And bring gloves if possible.
Coordinator: Rebecca Rogers, SOFO Environmental Educator
This FREE program is for all ages. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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MUSEUM CLOSED: School Group (10 am - 1:30 pm)
2026-04-29 10:00 - 13:30

Full Flower Moon Hike
2026-05-01 20:30 - 21:30 | SOFO
Join Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt and South Fork Natural History Society on a leisurely-paced hike through open-field trails. In most areas, flowers are abundant everywhere during this time. Thus, the name of this Moon. Other names include the Full Corn Planting Moon, or the Milk Moon. Join us for this leisurely paced one-hour hike in Vineyard Field, the field behind the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO).
Co-sponsored by Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt & SOFO.
Meet at the SOFO Museum parking lot, 377 Bridgehampton Turnpike, 200 yards north of the RR tracks. To register, email: info@longpondgreenbelt.org.
Hike Leader: Jean McDermott, 631-599-2391.
