South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center

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

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
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.

Sign Up Here!

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

MUSEUM CLOSED: Maintenance
2024-01-03

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.

Sign Up Here!

Bird Nest Search and Nest-Making Craft
2024-01-07 10:30 | SOFO
Join SOFO for a winter bird nest hunt. Long abandoned nests sit in the trees, waiting to be revealed by the falling leaves of winter. In this program, we will walk through Vineyard Field in search of nests. Afterward, we will create our own nests from natural materials to understand the feat of nest building.
Program Leader: Ian Robinson, SOFO Environmental Educator
This program is for adults and children ages 5-8.
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.

Sign Up Here!

Owl Prowl with Frank
2024-01-07 19:00 | SOFO
Listen for the whinnying sound of the Eastern Screech Owl or maybe the seven-note hoot of the Great Horned Owl on this nighttime owl prowl that marks the beginning of our owls’ courtship season. Frank will present a slide show of our native owls and then lead a walk into the field to search for these nocturnal raptors. Bring binoculars and a flashlight.
Program Leader: Frank Quevedo, Executive Director, South Fork Natural History Museum
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.

Sign Up Here!

Seal Walk at Cupsogue Beach County Park
2024-01-09 10:30 | 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.
Program Leader: Erin Hwong, SOFO Environmental Educator
This program is for adults.
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!

NYSOA Annual Winter Waterfowl Count
2024-01-13 | Montauk to Shinnecock
At one time, a great variety of waterfowl wintered on Long Island; now, due to habitat loss, food scarcity, and the introduction of nonnative species of water birds, our wintering population of waterfowl is slowly diminishing. To assess this situation and record the number of overwintering waterfowl, the New York State Ornithological Association (NYSOA) sponsors an annual waterfowl count throughout the State. If you are an experienced or intermediate birder, we would be delighted to have you join us.
Count Leader: Frank Quevedo, Executive Director, South Fork Natural History Museum
This FREE program is for adults and teens.
To join, call count leader Frank Quevedo at 631.537.9735 for detailed information.

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Birding for Beginners Walk in Vineyard Field
2024-01-13 10:00 | SOFO
Explore Birding as a new hobby: Take a walk with volunteer docents Cindy & Dave in the Vineyard Field behind the Museum and learn how to identify the birds that we might find, including blue jays, black-capped chickadees, starlings, northern mockingbirds, and red-tailed hawks. Listen to the voices and observe the behavior of the birds to help identify them. No prior experience is required. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Program Leaders: Cindy Lenkiewicz and Dave Polek, SOFO Docents
This FREE program is for adults, teens, and children ages 6+. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Hard-shelled Clam Dissection: Biology, Anatomy & Physiology of Mercenaria mercenaria - with Rob “Rockfish” Gelling
2024-01-13 10:30 - 12:00 | SOFO
Join Rockfish for a hands-on experience exploring the ins and outs of this fascinating Mollusk. Does a clam have a heart like we do? Does it have a foot? What do clams eat? Learn not only how the hard-shelled clam performs all the life functions we as humans do but leave understanding how important the popular seafood is to our Long Island economy, how significant the harvest of hard clams has been throughout Long Island history, and lastly how it fits in the current Long Island aquaculture arena. Materials fee: $5.
Program Leader: Rob Gelling, SOFO Environmental Educator and Aquarist
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.

Sign Up Here!

MUSEUM CLOSED: Birthday Party (2 pm - 4 pm)
2024-01-13 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-01-20 14:00 - 16:00

Owl Storytime & Craft
2024-01-14 10:30 | SOFO
Winter is a wonderful time to listen for our local owls since they are setting up their breeding territories, calling to their partners or warning other owls away, and an early sunset lets younger family members listen “at night.” Join Crystal as she reads her 5 year old’s favorite owl story, learn about our local owls, and make a paper bag owl puppet to take home.
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl, SOFO Environmental Outdoor Education Specialist
This program is for children ages 3-7.
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!

MUSEUM CLOSED: School Group (10 am - 1 pm)
2024-01-16 10:00 - 13:00

SOFO’s East End Outdoor Nature Education with Crystal at Quogue Wildlife Refuge
2024-01-17 13:00 | Quogue
SOFO is offering a monthly program that 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.
We will continue our adventures on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, exploring Quogue Wildlife Refuge, learning about the variety of evergreen plants along the trail, and how some animals spend the winter, including some stories and simple nature journals.
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl-Oakes, SOFO Environmental Outdoor Education Specialist. Crystal has worked as an environmental educator at SOFO since 2005 and part-time since 2019 after her son Wyatt was born. Crystal and Wyatt look forward to meeting you and learning with you!
There is a $5 per child admission/material fee, participating adult included.

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Moderately-paced 3+ Mile Hike at the Anna and Daniel Mulvihill Preserve and the William Mulvihill Preserve with Dai Dayton
2024-01-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Sag Harbor
Moderately-paced 3+ mile hike through this historically interesting area. Vernal ponds, kettle holes, glacial erratics, and the Great Swamp.
Hike leader: Dai Dayton, Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt, President
This FREE program is for adults, teens, and children ages 10+.
Advanced reservations are required for all events.

Sign Up Here!

Full "Wolf Moon” Hike with Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
2024-01-25 17:00 | SOFO
Legend has it that native tribes related this moon to the nighttime howling of wolves. Join us to mark the first of the year’s full moons on this leisurely paced one-hour hike through open-field trails and, afterward, warm up with some light refreshments and convivial conversation. Hikes are limited to 25 participants. To register by email, contact greenbeltnews@aol.com. To contact the hike leader, Dai Dayton, on the day of the hike, call 631-745-0689.
Co-sponsored by Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt and South Fork Natural History Museum.
Walk Leader: Dai Dayton, President, Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
This FREE program is for ALL AGES.
Advanced reservations are required for all events.

MUSEUM CLOSED: Outreach Event
2024-01-26

Young Environmentalists Society (YES!) Meeting
2024-01-27 10:00 | 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 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
Club Leader: Mare Dianora, YES! Director, 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 to 16.
The date may change for this program. Please contact SOFO at (631) 537-9735 for info@sofo.org for up-to-the-minute information.

Sign Up Here!
