Free Environmental Programs

All programs are FREE! Registration is required. E-mail npocchiare@brookhavenny.gov to make your reservation. Please provide your name, phone number, and number of people planning to attend with ages of children. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Registrants will be notified if cancelation due to inclement weather. View Flyer

Nature Walks

June 4 & July 30
Cedar Beach- meet at Nature Center - 2 PM

July 2 & Aug 13
West Meadow Beach - 10 AM
Cedar Beach- meet at Nature Center - 2 PM

Please join us as we explore the unique ecology of the beach and salt marsh. We will learn about the different and overlapping ecosystems of flora and fauna, and the habitats that comprise these beautiful places. Please wear closed, comfortable shoes.

Return to Nature Walks

April 2
West Meadow Beach 10 AM
Cedar Beach- meet at Nature Center 10 a.m. and 1p.m.

Please join us as we explore the unique ecology of the beach and salt marsh. We will learn about the different and overlapping ecosystems of flora and fauna, and the habitats that comprise this beautiful place.   Please wear closed, comfortable shoes and bring binoculars if you have them.  

Horseshoe Crab Walk

June 11

West Meadow Beach 10 AM

Ancestors of modern-day horseshoe crabs plied the Earth’s shallow seas over 400 million years ago. Come learn about these fascinating “living fossils” as we examine a live specimen and hike down the shoreline to their spawning areas. 

Osprey & Plover Walks

June 4 & July 30
West Meadow Beach - 10 AM

This unique area provides breeding habitat for these two important avian species. Take a guided walk along the beach to observe these inspiring birds while learning about their natural history. Bring binoculars and wear closed comfortable shoes.

Birding by the Beach

July 9 & August 6
West Meadow Beach - 10 AM
Cedar Beach- meet at Nature Center 2 PM

With their varied marine environments of shoreline, coastal trees and shrubs, and salt marsh grasses, these peninsulas provide year-round homes, breeding opportunities and migratory habitat for a number of bird species. Bring binoculars and wear comfortable shoes to join us on our quest to observe many of our fine feathered friends.

Growing Up Wild - Ages 3-6

June 25 & July 23
Cedar Beach- meet at Nature Center 2 PM
August 27
Cedar Beach Nature Center, 10AM or 2PM

Parents and grandparents are invited to explore nature with their little ones. Each class will focus on a different nature topic and may include a story time, live animals and a related craft or activity.

Full Moon Walk

August 10
Cedar Beach- meet at Nature Center 7:30-9:00 PM
August 11 
West Meadow Beach, 7:30-9:00 PM

Join this fun family walk as we learn about common moon phases and phrases, how the moon drives patterns on earth, it's large role in cultures throughout civilization and how nocturnal animals thrive in the full moon light.

Junior Environmental Stewards -Ages 11+

The junior stewards will discover nature and the unique habitats of the beach and salt marsh as we engage in conservation projects, data collection, and species monitoring.

June 18- Diamondback Terrapin Turtle Watch
West Meadow Beach 10 AM & Cedar Beach 2 PM

The Stewards will help track nesting diamondback terrapin turtles and collect data as part of an ongoing research program. 

June 25 – Horseshoe Crab Survey & Tagging
West Meadow Beach 10AM 

The Stewards will help monitor the beach for these important living fossil species. We will count the number of males and females that are spawning and demonstrate the tagging process.

July 23- Water Quality Sampling
West Meadow Beach 10AM 

The stewards will engage in water sampling of the salt marsh. The various tests will introduce the stewards to accurate data collection and analysis towards a conclusion regarding water quality.

August 20- Seine the Sound
West Meadow Beach 10 AM & Cedar Beach 2 PM

The stewards will collect organisms in the creek and harbor using a seine net. We will identify, measure, and count the various species that call the salt marsh home.