South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center

Celebrate National Plant a Flower Day: Planting Native Flowers
2025-03-29 10:30 (America/New_York) | 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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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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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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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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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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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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Seal Cruise, co-sponsored with CRESLI
2025-03-22 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-15 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-08 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-03-01 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-02-22 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.

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/

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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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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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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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.

MUSEUM CLOSED: Birthday Party (2 pm - 4 pm)
2025-03-09 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-02-22 14:00 - 16:00

Annual Blue-spotted Salamander Search with Andy Sabin
2025-03-08 19:30 | Montauk
Montauk’s vernal ponds are some of the few places in the world where the Blue-spotted Salamander, in its purebred form, can be found. Join “Salamander Commander” Andy Sabin on this nighttime expedition as we search for this unique native species. 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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Worms Eat My Garbage─Getting Started with Composting at Home with Rob “Rockfish” Gelling
2025-03-08 10:30 - 12:00 | SOFO
Nearly 30% of our garbage or municipal solid waste (MSW) is organic and could be allowed to biodegrade with the help of red worms in a composter on your own property. This would reduce greenhouse gases produced by the transport of our waste from the curb, cut down the volume that is taken to landfills and/or burned in incinerators and in the end, make fertile soil for use in and around the home. So meet Rockfish to learn the best way to make the recycling of our food and yard waste an earth friendly activity that will be easily added to your weekly routine!
Participants will build a mini composting worm bioreactor in a jar!
Program Leader: Rob “Rockfish” Gelling, SOFO Environmental Educator
This program is for adults, teens, and children ages 9+.
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: Maintenance Day
2025-03-05

What is a Stick Bug?─Learn About These Insects and Create Your Own Stick Bug
2025-03-02 10:30 | SOFO
Is it a stick? Is it a bug? Why do these insects look so strange? Learn about these unusual creatures and create your own stick bug with twigs, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes.
Program Leader: Sydney Mantione, 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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Annual Eastern Tiger Salamander Search with Andy Sabin
2025-03-01 19:30 | Bridgehampton
“Salamander Commander” Andy Sabin will take us into the nighttime woods in search of the largest of our native salamanders, the endangered Eastern Tiger Salamander. Don’t miss a rare opportunity to see this salamander as it makes its way to the pond to mate and to lay its eggs. 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. *Please note: this program was rescheduled from 2/15*
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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Birding for Beginners Walk in Vineyard Field
2025-03-01 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 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.
Program Leaders: Cindy Lenkiewicz and Dave Polek, SOFO Docents
This FREE program is for adults, teens, and children ages 10+. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Animals in Winter Stories & Meet the Animals
2025-02-23 13:30, 2025-02-23 10:30 | SOFO
Animals have many ways to survive the winter. Some move south, some sleep, and some stay active all winter. Join us for some winter stories to learn what our backyard neighbors do during the winter and meet some of SOFO’s reptiles and amphibians.
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl, SOFO Outdoor Education Specialist
This program is for families with 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!

Young Environmentalists Society (YES!) Meeting
2025-02-22 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.

Sign Up Here!

Winter School Break Walks: Winter Bingo
2025-02-21 10:30 - 11:30 | 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 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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SOFO’s East End Outdoor Nature Education with Crystal at Sagg Swamp, Sagaponack
2025-02-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Sagaponack

Winter School Break Walks: Scavenger Search
2025-02-19 10:30 - 11:30 | SOFO
