Farmingville, NY – Superintendent of Highways Daniel P. Losquadro is announcing the opening of registration for children’s summer programs at the Holtsville Ecology Site and Animal Preserve.
Visitors to the Ecology Site are invited to walk through the Info Center, greenhouses and animal preserve, home to more than 100 injured or non-releasable wild and farm animals, free of charge (parking fees apply from May through October). Beginning May 27 through September 24, the animals, ranging from peacocks and a bobcat to bears and American bald eagles, are available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m, seven days a week.
For those interested in learning more about the animals who reside at the Ecology Site, tours are available, including self-guided, guided, behind-the-scenes, and group tours. Behind-the-Scenes tours are available by appointment only, for groups of six or more, for $10 per person. In addition, from July 5 through August 30, tour guides are available every other Wednesday at 11 a.m. to take visitors on a guided tour; cost is $5 per person. Call 631-758-9664 to schedule any tours.
The Ecology Site staff also hosts several fun and educational summer programs, including “A Day with an Animal Caretaker” for children entering 4th through 6th grade. Participants are invited to spend time with the caretakers as they feed and care for the animals on Tuesday, July 18, Wednesday, July 26, Tuesday, August 8, OR Wednesday, August 16, from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.; cost is $50 per child.
On Thursday, July 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., children entering 2nd through 6th grade can attend “Calling All Farmers: Get Your Cowboy Hats Out” to learn about cows, pigs, chickens and goats and create a cow planter to bring home; cost is $10 per child (participants are asked to bring an empty vegetable can).
Children interested in learning about cold-blooded animals such as snakes, lizards and turtles can attend “Slithery, Scaly & Spikey…Oh My” on Thursday, July 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The cost for this class, for children entering 2nd through 6th grade, is $10 per child and will include making a reptile planter to take home (participants are asked to bring an empty 16-oz. water bottle with cap).
“Wild Thing” is a program for children entering 2nd through 6th grade who are interested in learning about why wild animals belong in the wild and should not be kept as pets. During this class, which will be held on Thursday, August 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., participants will make a fox or cat planter to bring home; cost is $10 per child (participants are asked to bring an empty vegetable can).
All participants must pre-register for the summer programs at the Holtsville Ecology Site; space is limited and classes will fill quickly. Call 631-758-9664 for more information.
Division of Public Information - Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill
Farmingville, NY 11738
Phone: 631-451-6595