South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center

MUSEUM CLOSED: Birthday Party (2 pm - 4 pm)
2025-03-09 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)

Full Worm Moon Hike with Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
2025-03-14 19:30 - 20:30 | SOFO
The full “Worm Moon” was given its name by the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior. At the time of this spring moon, the ground begins to soften, and earthworm castings reappear, inviting the return of robins. In some regions, this is also known as the “Sap Moon,” as it marks the time when maple sap begins to flow, and the annual tapping of maple trees begins. Join us on this leisurely paced hike through Vineyard Field’s open field trails, and then enjoy some light refreshments and convivial conversation.
Co-sponsored by Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt & the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO).
Meet at the SOFO Museum parking lot, 377 Bridgehampton Turnpike, 200 yards north of the RR tracks. To register, email: greenbeltnews@aol.com.
Hike Leader: Jean McDermott, 631-599-2391.

Seal Cruise, co-sponsored with CRESLI
2025-03-15 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-22 09:00 - 11:00 | Southampton
For the second 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.

Annual Spotted Salamander Search with Andy Sabin
2025-03-15 20:00 | Bridgehampton
On this walk to one of our vernal ponds with the “Salamander Commander” Andy Sabin, we’ll be searching for the Spotted Salamander, one of our four native mole salamanders. This salamander is a beauty, with its shiny black body and bright yellow spots. It, like the Eastern Tiger Salamander and the Blue-spotted Salamander, as well as the early-autumn breeding Marbled Salamander, is called a mole salamander because it spends most of its time underground. 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.
Walk Leader: Andy Sabin, SOFO Board of Directors President
This program is for families with children ages 6+.
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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Young Environmentalists Society Movie Showcase
2025-03-16 13:00 | SOFO
We invite you to come and enjoy a selection of film shorts produced by the members of the Young Environmentalists Society (YES!).
This FREE program is for all ages. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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SOFO’s East End Outdoor Nature Education with Crystal at Cupsogue County Park, Westhampton
2025-03-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Westhampton
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 toward 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.
There is a $10 per child admission/material fee, participating adult included.
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!
This program is for children ages 3-7.
There is a $10 per child admission/material fee, which includes a participating adult. 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: Outreach Event
2025-03-21
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/2025-li-natural-history-conference/

New York Marine Rescue Center Seal Advocacy Program Level I Lecture
2025-03-23 10:00 - 11:00 | SOFO
Come join SOFO and the New York Marine Rescue Center for a Seal Advocacy Lecture and training workshop to learn about the seals of New York- including what is normal behavior, challenges they face, the Marine Mammal Protection Act and how you can help educate others!
The Level 1 Lecture discusses the types of seals found in New York and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Program Leader: New York Marine Rescue Center staff
This FREE program is for all ages. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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New York Marine Rescue Center Seal Advocacy Program Level II In-Field Training
2025-03-23 12:00 - 13:30 | Sagaponack
The Level I lecture plus the Level II In-field Training further prepares attendees in assessing a seal’s behavior to provide New York Marine Rescue Center staff with better information and informs on how to educate the public at crowded beaches where a healthy seal may be resting!
Program Leader: New York Marine Rescue Center staff
This FREE program is for ages 18 or older, unless accompanied by an adult. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Observing Glacial Erratics Along the Ronkonkoma Moraine
2025-03-29 09:00 | Sag Harbor
The geologic event that most affected the land surface of Long Island was the advance of a massive continental glacier into this region during the Wisconsin stage of the Pleistocene Epoch. The southernmost Ronkonkoma moraine and the later-formed Harbor Hill moraine to the north are two sub-stages, or positions, of the ice sheet which occurred on Long Island. (https://www.garviespointmuseum.com/)
This walk with Frank will give you an up-close view of glacial erratics–often the size of boulders–deposited as the glacier melted and retreated.
Walk Leader: Frank Quevedo, SOFO Executive Director
This program is for adults and teens.
For non-members, there is a $15 fee per person 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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Alewife Trail Walk (1/2 mile) with Peconic Baykeeper Peter Topping
2025-03-29 09:00 | Southampton
Streams and rivers along the East Coast once “ran silver” every spring as alewives and other diadromous fish made their annual spawning migrations from saltwater to freshwater. Join Peconic Baykeeper Peter Topping for a 1/2 mile walk as we search for alewives in Southampton’s Alewife Creek. Along the way, we will learn about the history of these threatened and ecologically important fish as well as the efforts being made to protect their future on Long Island. This will also be a great opportunity to see osprey, herons, and egrets so bring binoculars! Ticks may be present, dress accordingly. Limited enrollment.
Walk Leader: Peter Topping, Peconic Baykeeper
This FREE program is for adults, teens, and children ages 5+. Advanced reservations are required for all events.
Photo credit: Byron Young

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Young Environmentalists Society (YES!) Meeting
2025-03-29 10:00 | SOFO
SOFO’s Young Environmentalists Society (YES!) is led by Mare Dianora, an interdisciplinary artist whose practice involves building community and creating connections to home and place. YES! is open to young environmentalists, aged 10-16 and Junior members ages 5-9, who want to help prevent climate change as they discuss various challenges and ideas that can impact our precious environment. The program includes guest speakers and field trips and explores topics such as climate change, aquaculture, environmental career goals, water conservation, local ecology and more.
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. The date may change for this program. Please contact SOFO at (631) 537-9735 or info@sofo.org for up-to-the-minute information. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Celebrate National Plant a Flower Day: Planting Native Flowers
2025-03-29 10:30 | SOFO
Prepare for spring bloom by planting native flowers in pots! Each participant will be able to take home their own pot of native flower seed to nurture at home until it’s time to plant them outside in the spring.
Program Leader: Erin Hwong, SOFO Environmental Educator
This program is for adults, teens, and children ages 5+.
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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Searching for Woodcocks
2025-03-29 18:30 | Bridgehampton
The American Woodcock is well-camouflaged with brown dappled leaf tones, and its foraging behavior keeps the bird’s movements close to the ground, making it hard to spot during the daytime. But at dawn and again at dusk during late winter and early spring, these birds really put on a show. Join SOFO for a short walk through the field and forest of Poxabogue County Park at dusk. As darkness falls, we will listen for the American Woodcock male’s “peent” call and watch for his aerial acrobatics as he tries to woo a female. This program has limited enrollment.
Walk Leader: Melanie Meade, SOFO Education Director
This program is for adults, teens, and children ages 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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Water Cycle Stories & Experiments
2025-03-30 10:30, 2025-03-30 13:30 | SOFO
The first rains in March are a welcome sign that spring is starting and the natural world is waking from winter. But why does it rain? Join us for some fun stories and simple experiments to explore the water cycle that we all depend on.
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl, SOFO Outdoor Education Specialist
This program is for children ages 3-7.
For non-members, there is 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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Searching for Seals with SOFO
2025-03-30 14:00 | Westhampton
Several species of seals come to visit Long Island during the colder winter months in search of food. The three most common species that visit Long Island at this time of year are harbor seals, gray seals, and harp seals. Join us for a guided walk during low tide and learn more about these mammalian winter visitors and how to safely view them.
Walk Leader: Sydney Mantione, SOFO Environmental Educator
This program is for adults, teens, and children ages 8+.
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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MUSEUM CLOSED: Outreach Event
2025-04-01

MUSEUM CLOSED: Maintenance Day
2025-04-02

MUSEUM CLOSED: School Group (1 pm - 4 pm)
2025-04-04 13:00 - 16:00

Early Spring Bird Walk
2025-04-05 09:00 - 10:00 | Southampton
*PLEASE NOTE* This event is currently sold out. To join the waitlist, please call Peconic Land Trust at 631-283-3195 (ext. 122) or email events@peconiclandtrust.org.
April is a great time to get outdoors to view both overwintering birds as well as early spring migrants. While too early for warblers, you may see yellow-bellied sapsucker, brown creeper, and pine warbler along with cardinal, tufted titmouse and more. This walk will be led by Frank Quevedo, Executive Director of South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO). Dress for the weather, bring binoculars and water. Space is limited, reservations required. Rain cancels. This program co-sponsored between SOFO and Peconic Land Trust.
This FREE program is for adults. Advanced reservations are required for all events.
Photo: Peconic Land Trust

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The American Chestnut Story and Elliston Park Chestnut Tree Survey
2025-04-05 10:00 - 11:30 | Southampton
Join Environmental Educator Rockfish Rob and Horticulturist April Gonzalez for nature walk & tree tour in Emma Elliston Memorial Park. The tree identification and talk will focus on the American Chestnut, its importance, its decimation by a fungal blight and the latest on the restoration and the cultivation of blight resistant varieties. Participants will get to take with them a chestnut seed to watch germinate at home!
Walk Leaders: April Gonzalez and Rob “Rockfish” Gelling, SOFO Environmental Educator
This FREE program is for adults, teens, and children ages 10+. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Make Your Own Nature Greeting Card
2025-04-05 11:00 - 12:00 | SOFO
Join SOFO in celebrating National Greeting Card Day by making your own greeting cards using natural materials. We’ll use leaves, flowers, and paints to decorate greeting cards; participants will be able to bring home their handmade cards.
Program Leader: Erin Hwong, SOFO Environmental Educator
This program is for adults, teens, and children ages 5+.
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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East End Environment Series: Latest Results of the Long Island Mammal Survey
2025-04-05 16:00 - 17:00 | SOFO
This is the third lecture of our East End Environment Series!
Join SOFO for light refreshments and a presentation with Mike Bottini, Seatuck Environmental Association’s Wildlife Biologist.
We will discuss the major changes in the distribution of terrestrial and semi-aquatic mammals on Long Island since the last survey done in the 1960’s by Paul Connor, along with some interesting natural history and behavior facts for certain species. Attendees will also learn how this information will be used in future management of our furbearers, as well as how to get involved in the ongoing survey, and what data gaps need to be filled.
Program Leader: Mike Bottini, Seatuck Environmental Association’s Wildlife Biologist
This FREE program is for adults, teens, and children ages 8+. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Pop Up Pond Workshop
2025-04-06 13:30 - 16:00 | SOFO
When we stand at the edge of a pond, we tend to notice the larger animals like frogs, turtles, and birds. But why do those animals choose to live at or visit the pond? We would need to get in the water to see the multitude of smaller animals that keep a pond healthy, but mud would be easily stirred up by a diver or ROV.
Join Crystal after she has collected pond water in a variety of containers, with plenty of time for mud to settle and creatures to start moving and help collect and identify the secret life in the pond with a variety of magnifiers and microscopes. This pop-up exhibit will be held the first Sunday of the month, April through September, so stop by to see how pond life changes through spring and summer!
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl-Oakes, SOFO Environmental Outdoor Education Specialist
This FREE program is for all ages. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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MUSEUM CLOSED: Private Event (2 pm - 4 pm)
2025-04-11 14:00 - 16:00

Vernal Pool Exploration
2025-04-12 10:30 | Bridgehampton
Vernal pools, a type of small seasonal wetlands, are incredibly important ecosystems here on Long Island. Join Jake for a deep dive into these wonderful wetlands. We’ll take a short walk to several pools, all while learning about their formation, function, and ecological importance. Attendees will have the opportunity to observe some of the invertebrate species that call these pools home, as well as the egg masses left behind by breeding amphibians.
Program Leader: Jake Kushner, SOFO Environmental Educator
This program is for adults, teens, and children ages 8+.
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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Full Pink Moon Hike with Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
2025-04-12 20:00 - 21:00 | SOFO
The Pink Moon name comes from the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. Other names for this month’s celestial body include the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and among coastal tribes the Full Fish Moon, because this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn.
Co-sponsored by Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt & the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO).
Meet at the SOFO Museum parking lot, 377 Bridgehampton Turnpike, 200 yards north of the RR tracks. To register, email: greenbeltnews@aol.com.
Hike Leader: Jean McDermott, 631-599-2391.

Nature & Bird Watching Cruise with Stony Brook Southampton
2025-04-13 09:45 - 13:00 | Southampton
Let’s venture by boat into the remote areas of Shinnecock Bay onboard Stony Brook University/Southampton’s 45-ft. research vessel, R/V Peconic, and marvel at the wealth of migratory birds and waterfowl that inhabit the region at this time of year. We’ll cruise along areas of the salt marsh and flats that are not visible by land and hopefully witness the activities of a variety of wildlife. Bring binoculars and a light snack.
Program Leader: Frank Quevedo, SOFO Executive Director
This program is for adults, teens, and children ages 8+.
For non-members, there is a $45/person fee. For SOFO members, there is a $30/person fee. 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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