Farmingville, NY - The Town of Brookhaven has announced the schedule of May 2017 Environmental Programs at West Meadow Beach in East Setauket and Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai. All programs are free, but registration is required. To register, email Nicole Pocchiare at npocchiare@brookhavenny.gov and leave your name, phone number and the number of people who will be attending each program. Programs are sponsored by the Town of Brookhaven and conducted by Environmental Educator Nicole Pocchiare. West Meadow Beach is located at 100-110 Trustees Road in Stony Brook and Cedar Beach is located on Harbor Beach Road in Mount Sinai.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
Junior Beach Steward - Ages 9 to 12 at West Meadow Beach - May 13, 9 to 11 a.m. and May 20, 1 to 3 p.m.
Be a Beach Steward for a Day! This program will give participants an opportunity to discover West Meadow Beach up close as they hike, explore, solve nature mysteries, use their five senses, identify the plants and animals of West Meadow's varied habitats, and help with species monitoring programs.
Growing up Wild at West Meadow Beach and Cedar Beach - Ages 3 to 5 West Meadow Beach: May 12 and May 19, 1 to 2 p.m. / Cedar Beach: May 18 and May 25, 10-11a.m.
Parents and grandparents are invited to explore nature with their little ones. Each class will focus on a different nature topic and will include a story time, live animals and a related craft or activity.
FAMILY PROGRAMS
Full Moon Walk at West Meadow Beach - May 12, 8 p.m. Watch the sun set and the "Full Flower moon" rise on this fun family walk down Trustees Road. Learn about common moon phrases, how moon cycles impact nature and which nocturnal animals call West Meadow home. (Flashlights, insect repellent recommended.)
Horseshoe Crab Walks at West Meadow Beach - May 13 and May 26, 6:30 p.m. 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 West Meadow Beach to their spawning area to tag mating pairs. Water shoes, insect repellent recommended.
Awesome Ospreys/Precious Plovers at West Meadow Beach - May 19, 6 p.m. West Meadow Beach provides breeding habitat for two important avian species, the Osprey, a species of Special Concern in New York, and the New York State Endangered Piping Plover. Take a guided walk along the beach to observe these awesome birds while learning about their natural history and past and present conservation efforts to help restore their populations. Binoculars, insect repellent recommended.
Birding by the Beach at West Meadow Beach - May 20 and May 27, 9 a.m. With its varied marine environments - shoreline, sand flats, salt marsh and maritime forest, West Meadow Beach provides year-round homes, breeding opportunities and migratory stopover habitat for a host of bird species. Don your binoculars and comfortable shoes and join us on our quest to observe many of our fine feathered friends.
Nature Walks at West Meadow Beach - May 20, 3:30 p.m. and May 27, 1 p.m. West Meadow's varied habitats comprise an essential marine ecosystem that supports numerous species of plants and animals. Join us for a guided walk along the beach and Trustees Road to experience nature at the beach. Binoculars and comfortable shoes recommended.
If you have a school class, scouting organization or other community group interested in participating in environmental education programs at West Meadow, please contact the Town of Brookhaven Division of Environmental Protection at 631-451-6455. Weekend, morning and summer programs for residents will be listed in the Town's Recreation Guide.
Division of Public Information - Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill
Farmingville, NY 11738
Phone: 631-451-6595