How you can get involved on Long Island this Earth Day
Helen Watrous, a field biologist with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, Audrey Santamaria, of Riverhead, Tracy Lehman, of Manhattan, and her son Jack, 17, scavange the beach for trash during a beach cleanup hosted by Atlantic Marine Conservation Society at Hallock State Park Preserve in Riverhead. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
There are many ways to celebrate Earth Day — connecting with nature and learning more about the animals that inhabit your community is just a start. If you're looking to get involved this Earth Day, here are local environmental organizations to visit and events to attend across Long Island to raise awareness and "go green."
The WaterFront Center in Oyster Bay is hosting a spring break science week program. Credit: The WaterFront Center
SPRING BREAK SCIENCE WEEK PROGRAM Learn about animals in the touch tank, join in on a beach scavenger hunt and more. Program runs 1 to 4 p.m. April 18-22 at The WaterFront Center; 1 West End Ave., Oyster Bay, $165, thewaterfrontcenter.org.
EARTH DAY PADDLE Experience the Carmans River in early spring and observe birds and wildlife in their natural habitat from 6 to 8 a.m. on April 22. The Carmans River Canoe & Kayak tour takes two hours and snacks and beverages are provided. Space is limited and reservations are required; $30 if you bring your own kayak/canoe, $55 for a single kayak rental and $65 for a canoe. Participants should dress in quick-dry clothing; 2979 Montauk Hwy., Brookhaven, eventbrite.com, 631-987-1023.
DOCS EQUINOX FILM SERIES See nature films screened in partnership with the Hamptons Doc Fest. Films include “Bring Your Own Brigade,” which looks into wildfires and the severity around the world at 6 p.m. on April 22, “The Velvet Queen,” a documentary set in the Tibetan highlands at 2 p.m. on April 23; and “River,” which explores the relationship between humans and rivers, narrated by Willem DaFoe, at 3 p.m. on April 24. Admission is $15; Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton, southamptonartscenter.org, 631-283-0967
Abby Gross, and Miri Friedman participate in a science experiment that teaches them about different techniques scientists use to clean the oceans after oil spills at the Long Island's Children Museum in East Garden City. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
EARTH DAY FOR TEENS AND ADULTS Join Long Island Children’s Museum experts on Earth Day to find discuss climate change at 5:30 p.m. April 22 at the museum. Free, but tickets are required; 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, licm.org.
SCIENCE MUSEUM OF LONG ISLAND PLANETEERS Drop-off holiday program for children focuses on how to make the planet a better place. It explores the rain gardens, compost facility and more, along with eco-friendly projects learning how to be green from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 22, $90, $5 discount for sibling registration,must register; 1526 N. Plandome Rd., Manhasset, smli.org.
BEACH CLEANUP IN EAST MARION Bring water and work gloves and help remove debris from the waterfront of Cove, Dam Pond and Truman’s beach to help ensure a healthy marine environment for wildlife and humans alike from 10 a.m. to noon April 22 with the Peconic Land Trust and the Surfrider Foundation Eastern Long Island Chapter. Meet at Truman’s Beach Route 25, East Marion, register at peconiclandtrust.org, 631-283-3195.
BEACH WALK AND CLEANUP IN RIVERHEAD Join the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society for a beach walk and cleanup at Hallock State Park Preserve. Walk along the beach and pick up debris so it doesn't wash back into Long Island Sound; 10 a.m. April 23. All beach cleanup supplies will be provided, but it is recommended to bring your own gloves; 6062 Sound Ave., Riverhead, email education@amseas.org for advanced registration, amseas.org.
John Turner, right, co-founder of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society, looks for a bird through his binoculars as he leads a hike through the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. Credit: Barry Sloan
WILDLIFE REFUGE EARTH DAY Celebrate nature and the planet at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge with guided birding walks, live animal presentations, crafts, environmental exhibitors and self-guided kayaking and canoeing on Old Ice Pond from noon to 3 p.m. April 23; 3 Old Country Rd., Quogue, quoguewildliferefuge.org, 631-653-4771.
DARK SKY WEEK Visit Custer Institute and Observatory to experience the dark skies and learn about what you can do to protect the night sky at 8:30 p.m. April 23; if the weather is clear, the dome and other on-site telescopes guided by staff will be open for viewing. Guests may arrive any time between 8:30-11:30 p.m., $5 suggested donation for adults, $3 ages younger than 16; 1115 Main Bayview Rd., Southold, custerobservatory.org, 631-765-2626.
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY AT LI EXPLORIUM This program explores Long Island's natural environment through hands-on activities and presentations from 9 to 11 a.m. April 23 at the Long Island Explorium. The museum will also feature Earth Day exhibits and live music on the patio from 1 to 5 p.m. Entry to the celebration is $5; 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson, longislandexplorium.org, 631-331-3277.
SPRING APPRECIATION DAY Enjoy live music, a petting zoo, scavenger hunt, antique car show and more at 1:30 p.m. April 23 at the Stony Brook Village Center. The Stony Brook Grist Mill will be open for tours ($4 for adults, $2 for children, cash only). Free; Main Street, Stony Brook, stonybrookvillage.com, 631-751-2244.
The Fire Island Lighthouse at Robert Moses State Park. Credit: Danielle Silverman
EVENING TOWER TOUR Experience the sunset from a new perspective from the top of the Fire Island Lighthouse at 7 p.m. April 23. Reservations are required and admission is $25. Park at Robert Moses Field 5 and walk east to the lighthouse. Bring a flashlight for your walk back. Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society, fireislandlighthouse.com, 631-583-5901.
SEASON KICK OFF AND EARTH DAY EVENT The Roosevelt Community Garden has provided a spot for members to come together and enjoy the process of growing their own produce. At 10 a.m. on April 23, participate in hands-on gardening activities, garden education and refreshments. If you are interested in volunteering, email Andrea Millwood at andrea@northshorelandalliance.org; 59 E. Fulton Ave., Roosevelt, northshorelandalliance.org.
EARTH DAY 5K Celebrate preserving Mother Earth with a 5K ($30 in advance/ $35 on race day) through the tree-lined bike paths at Eisenhower Park at 9:30 a.m. April 24. There will also be a free kiddie fun run starting at 9 a.m. All participants will get an Earth Day 5K medal and T-shirt; Meet at Field 2, East Meadow, elitefeats.com.
Wildlife care coordinator Isabel Fernandes holds a red-tailed hawk at Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown. Credit: Chris Ware
EARTH DAY AT SWEETBRIAR NATURE CENTER Celebrate the wonders of the natural world by meeting resident animals and joining a scavenger hunt from 1 to 3 p.m. April 24 at Sweetbriar Nature Center. Admission is $10 for children and $5 for adults; 62 Eckernkamp Dr., Smithtown, sweetbriarnc.org, 631-979-6344.
BEACH CLEANUP IN FORT SALONGA The New York Marine Rescue Center conducts beach cleanups at various locations around Long Island to help eradicate marine debris from the local environment. Cleanups are scheduled at Fire Island Wilderness Visitors Center in Shirley and Crab Meadow Beach in Fort Salonga from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 24, signupgenious.com.
PLANTING FIELDS SPRING 5K Run or walk through woodland trails as you make your way around the historic landscape of Planting Fields from 8 to 11 a.m. April 24. All registrants will receive a personal bib, photo, $35 registration fee, $30 in advance; contact Josh Rosenbaum at jrosenbaum@plantingfields.org to register; 1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay.
"Wildman" Steve Brill will lead a foraging session through the grounds of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum & Planetarium in Centerport this spring. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
WILDMAN STEVE BRILL Take a three-hour spring foraging tour to find edible plants at 1 p.m. April 24 at Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park. Meet at the benches between the bathhouse and parking Field 1, $20 suggested donation for adults, $10 children younger than 12, call to sign up at least 24 hours in advance, wildmanstevebrill.com, 914-835-2153.
BAY CLEANUPS Become a S.P.L.A.S.H. (Stop Polluting, Littering and Save Harbors) volunteer and patrol the South Shore of Long Island’s urban waters removing debris, monitoring and identifying pollutants. Cleanup boats depart from Freeport, Wantagh/Bellmore/Merrick, Massapequa, East Rockaway/Bay Park, Lindenhurst and Island Park/Long Beach areas. Tours vary; operationsplash.org, 202 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport, $20 registration fee applies, $25 for family, 516-378-4770.
