South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center

Story Time – Squiggly Salamanders
2026-07-26 10:30, 2026-07-26 13:30 (America/New_York) | SOFO
Most of our native salamanders have finished their aquatic larval stage and are learning to hide and hunt on land. If we have a wet summer, you may find some salamanders under logs or in leaf litter on the forest floor. Join us for some fun stories to learn about salamanders, meet some of SOFO’s resident salamanders and enjoy a craft to remember our amazing squiggly salamanders!
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl-Oakes, SOFO Environmental Outdoor Specialist
This program is for all ages and is free with Museum Admission. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Seining for Bay Animals with SOFO
2026-07-26 13:30 | Hampton Bays
Join us in pulling a seine net at the shore to see what fish and crabs are making their home there! In the shallow waters of the bay, young fish, crabs, and other marine invertebrates find food and shelter until they grow large enough to move into deeper waters. This nursery is an important resource for fish that people like to eat and for the equally important small fish that the bigger fish need for food. We’ll learn about food webs and sieve the sandy mud to see what other invertebrates are hiding there.
Program Leaders: Sydney Mantione and Tommy Steinbrecher, SOFO Environmental Educators
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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EcoHikes
2026-07-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Hampton Bays
Join us for our Outdoor Nature Hikes! Today, we will be exploring Ponquogue Beach.

We will lead an EcoHike every Tuesday & Thursday of the summer: July 7th through August 13th. Rain cancels.
Fun and educational for all ages! Advance registration is not required.
NOTE: Southampton Town Beach Sticker is required to park.

Montauk Lighthouse Tour
2026-07-28 14:00
YES PRESENTS… As we approach our country’s 250th anniversary, we have organized a tour of the Montauk Lighthouse, which was commissioned by George Washington in 1792! Please join us for this amazing event to learn about the history and natural history of the point.
Ages 10 and up. Admission is free, but parking at the lot is $8.

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Full Buck Moon Hike
2026-07-29 21:00 - 22:00 | SOFO
Join FLPG on a leisurely-paced hike through open-field trails. The July full moon is named the “Buck Moon” as it is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur.
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.

EcoHikes
2026-07-30 10:00 - 11:30 | Amagansett
Join us for our Outdoor Nature Hikes! Today, we will be exploring Promised Land (Napeague Loop).

We will lead an EcoHike every Tuesday & Thursday of the summer: July 7th through August 13th. Rain cancels.
Fun and educational for all ages! Advance registration is not required.

MUSEUM CLOSED: Outreach (1:30 pm - 4 pm)
2026-07-30 13:30 - 16:00

Insects Real & Imaginary: An Interdisciplinary Workshop
2026-08-01 12:00 - 13:30 | Bridgehampton
About the artist who inspired the workshop: Claus Hoie (1911–2007)
A celebrated Norwegian-American artist, Claus Hoie was known for his vibrant, nature-inspired watercolors. His series Insects Real and Imaginary is renowned for its whimsical yet detailed etchings, capturing the essence of bugs, birds, and small creatures through a lens of both scientific curiosity and artistic play.
The Bridgehampton Museum invites you to experience nature through an interdisciplinary lens. This session bridges scientific observation and playful imagination, using a mobile sound installation to create an immersive “audio-landscape.” As students move through distinct zones of sound, they will mirror the layered, textured feel of Hoie’s work, beginning with a guided study of the Insects Real and Imaginary.
Co-sponsored with SOFO and Bridgehampton Museum
Workshop Leader: Stacy Myers, Educator, Bridgehampton Museum
This FREE, drop off workshop is for children ages 10 and up. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Marine Biology and Bird Watching Cruise on Shinnecock Bay
2026-08-02 09:45 - 13:00 | Southampton
On this bay adventure, you’ll participate in a variety of activities performed by marine biologists as you trawl the waters of the bay to learn about its biology and ecology. You’ll help bring in, then study, finfish, and invertebrates. You’ll do a benthic grab sample to examine the type of bay bottom and collect a water sample from below the surface. We’ll keep an eye out for 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 Leaders: Naturalists and Marine Biologists, Southampton Campus, Stony Brook University and SOFO
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 $35/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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EcoHikes
2026-08-04 10:00 - 11:30 | Hampton Bays
Join us for our Outdoor Nature Hikes! Today, we will be exploring Red Creek Park.

We will lead an EcoHike every Tuesday & Thursday of the summer: July 7th through August 13th. Rain cancels.
Fun and educational for all ages! Advance registration is not required.

EcoHikes
2026-08-06 10:00 - 11:30 | Montauk
Join us for our Outdoor Nature Hikes! Today, we will be exploring Shadmoor State Park.

We will lead an EcoHike every Tuesday & Thursday of the summer: July 7th through August 13th. Rain cancels.
Fun and educational for all ages! Advance registration is not required.

Oyster Reef Kayak Tour
2026-08-08 09:00 - 11:00 | East Hampton
South Fork Sea Farmers (SF2) is a non-profit organization restoring marine ecosystems on Long Island’s East End by building community-supported oyster reefs in Accabonac Harbor and Three Mile Harbor. Partnering with the East Hampton Shellfish Hatchery, the initiative uses reclaimed shells and volunteers to build, deploy, and monitor reefs that improve water quality, boost biodiversity, and protect shorelines. Each oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water daily, helping remove excess nutrients. The South Fork Sea Farmers project is aimed at creating a self-sustaining system that improves the health of East End bays and creates a cleaner environment for future generations. Our tour will allow us to view the reef structure and scale and then continue along the shoreline in search of salt marsh wildlife.
Co-sponsored with SOFO, South Fork Sea Farmers, East Hampton Shellfish Hatchery, and Paddle Diva
Program Leader: Bob Tymann, South Fork Sea Farmers
This FREE program is for adults, teens, and children 10 and up. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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En Plein Air Painting Class at SOFO
2026-08-08 10:00 - 13:00 | SOFO
This class is one of a series offered through the Bridgehampton Museum. Join us for another summer of building community while expanding your artistic skills! These classes are for students of all experience levels, ages 13 and older. Each class visits another unique location in our community.
Co-sponsored with the Bridgehampton Museum
Class Instructor: Howard Rose, Artist
$20 per class – limited to 15 students per class. Register with The Bridgehampton Museum at https://www.bridgehamptonmuseum.org/pleinair

Feeding Time at SOFO
2026-08-09 11:00 | SOFO
Get ready for a behind-the-scenes tour at SOFO. Tommy will give you a chance to see how we prepare the food for our animals to eat; then, you’ll get up close and personal with the animals as they are fed. We’ll investigate food webs and the differences between carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores.
Program Leader: Tommy Steinbrecher, 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.

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EcoHikes
2026-08-11 10:00 - 11:30 | Montauk
Join us for our Outdoor Nature Hikes! Today, we will be exploring Camp Hero State Park.

We will lead an EcoHike every Tuesday & Thursday of the summer: July 7th through August 13th. Rain cancels.
Fun and educational for all ages! Advance registration is not required.
NOTE: Empire Pass or $8.00 parking fee required.

Raptor Day with Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center - Meet Some Owl Ambassadors for an Owl Story Time
2026-08-11 12:00 | SOFO
Come join us for Story Time with an Owl. Meet an adorable little owl from the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center, hear how they became an ambassador animal, and learn all about their species. Then join us for a delightful children’s story.
Program Leader: Tammy Flannel, Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center
This program is for all ages. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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EcoHikes
2026-08-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Aquebogue
Join us for our Outdoor Nature Hikes! Today, we will be exploring Broad Cove Preserve.

We will lead an EcoHike every Tuesday & Thursday of the summer: July 7th through August 13th. Rain cancels.
Fun and educational for all ages! Advance registration is not required.

Step Back in Time: Sag Harbor Whaling & Waterfront Tour
2026-08-13 11:00 - 12:30 | Sag Harbor
Dive into the rich maritime history of Long Island’s premier historic whaling port. We begin at the museum, housed in a stunning 1845 Greek Revival mansion, to explore the state’s largest collection of whaling equipment, view beautiful authentic scrimshaw, and discover the stories of the crews who sailed the global seas.
From the museum, the tour continues with a scenic walk down to the iconic Long Wharf, where guests can take in the harbor views while discussing its history as a bustling 19th-century port. Finally, we will proceed over the bridge toward North Haven to experience some of the finest panoramic vistas of the waterfront. This excursion offers a sophisticated blend of local history and a classic coastal promenade.
Walk Leader: Stacy Myers, Bridgehampton Museum
This program is for adults and children ages 10 and up. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Learning to Love Pollinating Insects
2026-08-14 10:00 - 11:30 | Bridgehampton
Walking through the garden on a summer day reveals a myriad of insects busily at work. Come learn from Moe Kennedy, Environmental Educator at the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO), about these small but mighty creatures who ensure pollination of our garden plants and food supply. From small flies and wasps, to bees, butterflies and other creatures that offer pollination services, you’ll gain an appreciation for them and lose your fear of insects in the landscape.
Co-sponsored with Peconic Land Trust
Walk Leader: Moe Kennedy, SOFO Environmental Educator
$5/suggested donation. Space is limited; reservations required. Register online with Peconic Land Trust at Events@PeconicLandTrust.org

Bugwatching Buddies Club ─ Build a Bee House
2026-08-15 11:00 | SOFO
World Honeybee Day is celebrated on the 3rd Saturday of August each year. In honor of one of our most popular pollinators, join the Bugwatching Buddies Club to learn how to build your own bee house and provide shelter for the different types of bees in your yard. Everyone attending the program will design and take home their own bee house.
Club Leader: Moe Kennedy, SOFO Environmental Educator
This FREE program is for ages 5-16. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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The Sun: Secrets of Our Closest Star
2026-08-19 19:00 - 20:30 | SOFO
On August 19th at 7:00 PM, NASA Solar System Ambassador William Francis Taylor, MSc, will present a free, in-person lecture entitled, “The Sun: Secrets of Our Closest Star.” In this illuminating lecture, William will explore the mysteries of the Sun: discuss how the Sun shines, how it changes daily, what its far future holds, the impact it has on the Earth, and what studying the Sun tells us about the stars. You’ll also learn about the other exciting celestial events heading our way in the coming months. Weather permitting, after the lecture, Hamptons Observatory astronomers will provide guided tours of the sky via telescope. This event will be co-hosted by and held at the South Fork Natural History Museum in Bridgehampton.
Speaker: William Francis Taylor, MSc, Hamptons Observatory Senior Educator
This FREE program is for all ages. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Tour of Amagansett Life-Saving Station
2026-08-21 11:00 - 12:30 | Amagansett
Join the Bridgehampton Museum, Water Mill Museum, and SOFO for a collaborative tour of the Amagansett Life-Saving & Coast Guard Station. This experience highlights the intersection of cutting-edge (for 1902!) engineering and the delicate science of our coastal ecosystem.
Engineering for Survival (led by Bridgehampton Museum): Discover the pre-industrial “high-tech” tools used to save lives. Step inside the station to see the Quonochontaug-style architecture—specifically designed for rapid response—and learn the mechanics of the Lyle Gun, a cannon engineered to fire rescue lines over a thousand feet to shipwrecks.
The Physics of the Surf (led by Bridgehampton Museum): Explore the design of the Beebe surfboat, a marvel of weight and buoyancy engineering that allowed “surfmen” to launch into massive Atlantic breaks that would swamp any normal vessel.
Co-sponsored with SOFO, Amagansett Life-Saving & Coast Guard Station, Sag Harbor Whaling Museum, Bridgehampton Museum, and Water Mill Museum
Tour Leader: Amagansett Life-Saving Station staff and Stacy Myers, Educator, Bridgehampton Museum
This FREE program is for adults, teens, and children ages 8 and up. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Young Birders Club Meeting
2026-08-22 14:00
Birding is a great way to make new friends, learn about the environment, and get outdoors. Join our Young Birders Club! The Club 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 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.

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Native American Zoomorphic Pinch Pots Art Workshop with Environmental Artist Tony Valderrama
2026-08-22 14:00 - 15:00 | SOFO
This program is a perfect blend of culture, art, wildlife and music. Each participant will learn about basic ceramic techniques while creating a personalized clay pinch pot into the form of their favorite animals. Pinch pots were one of the most basic forms of Native ceramics decorated with symbols and designs to share stories.
Participants will first be introduced to Native American culture with samples of artworks and flute music!
Workshop Leader: Tony Valderrama, Environmental Artist
This FREE program is for all ages. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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MUSEUM CLOSED: Outreach Event (10 am - 1 pm)
2026-08-25 10:00 - 13:00

The Secret Life in a Pond: Life Cycles and Survey of Freshwater Invertebrates
2026-08-26 13:00 - 15:00 | SOFO
The freshwater ponds in the field behind the museum host an amazing amount of life in even a few buckets of water. Discover, observe, draw, and record the species found, from animals that always stay tiny to animals that start microscopic but grow as big as your hand. There will be a variety of magnifiers, microscopes, record sheets, drawing supplies and books available, just bring your curiosity! There will be a short introduction to the species found and the changes to the ponds over the last three years.
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl-Oakes, SOFO Environmental Outdoor Specialist
This program is for adults and children ages 10 and up. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Full Sturgeon Moon Hike
2026-08-28 20:30 - 21:30 | SOFO
Join FLPG and SOFO on a leisurely-paced hike through open-field trails. The Native American fishing tribes are given credit for the naming of this moon, since sturgeon were most readily caught during this month. A few tribes knew it as the Full Red Moon because, as the moon rises, it appears reddish through any sultry haze.
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.

Storytime: Food Chains, Food Webs, & Feeding Time
2026-08-30 10:30, 2026-08-30 13:30 | SOFO
Every animal needs to eat and is an important part in the web of life, from tiny plankton, to crawlies on land and in water, to larger scaly, feathery or furry wild neighbors. Join us for some fun stories, a craft, and watch or feed some of SOFO’s resident animals their favorite foods.
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl-Oakes, SOFO Environmental Outdoor Specialist
This program is for all ages and is free with Museum Admission. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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