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What we're up to:
Nurturing the Natives
With all of the invasive species battling we do, you might find yourself wondering, "What about the natives?" Which plants are Long Island natives, why are they having so much trouble holding their own, and why is it so important that they stick around? Well, here's your opportunity to switch over from the defensive line to the offensive efforts in our ongoing war against invasive species by helping to propagate native plants! We'll be working with the native experts at their home base greenhouse in Riverhead, planting seeds, separating seedlings, and potting plants to ready them for their journey out of the greenhouse and into the soils of Long Island. Come spend the morning learning a whole lot about these ecological heroes and helping to support your local biomes.
Where it's at:
The Greenhouse on SCCC's Eastern Campus, Riverhead, NY.
Please keep my cell phone number (631-786-2605) with you in case there's any confusion.
When we're there:
Saturday, May 12th, 9am-1pm, rain or shine
How many we need:
6 volunteers
What you'll need:
STATE shirt for volunteers with 10+ hours; clothes for gardening; sneakers or boots; snack & water. Peanut butter and jelly lunch will be provided
How to get there:
The Greenhouse on SCCC's Eastern Campus
Click here for directions.
We'll email out to try to set up a carpool, so the sooner you sign up, the earlier we can plan! |
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What we're up to:
Moonlit Horseshoe Crab Research- ADULT FRIENDLY EVENT
Citizen science is becoming increasingly important with all of the environmental hazards at hand. Here's your opportunity to step up and become a part-time citizen scientist; it's easy, fun, and likely to be unlike anything you've ever done before! Now, the time listed is correct— this is a nighttime event. Talk about an awesome Saturday night out! We will meet at 10:15pm SHARP to begin our study. At 10:47, after recording our environmental data, we will work in teams of two to count the spawning horseshoe crabs. Once that part of the survey is completed, we move on to tag and/or measure the critters.
Please note: you MUST have at least one legal parent or guardian participate with you in order to attend this event. This is a rule set up by the research group, and it must be followed. Parents, please come enjoy this unique experience with your son or daughter. It truly is an incredible thing! And, we've chosen some of the earliest events of this year— the research team is usually out there beginning past midnight!
Check out this link for all the information you might need.
Where it's at:
West Meadow Beach, Old Field, NY
When we're there:
Friday, May 18th, 10:15pm-11:30pm, rain or shine
How many we need:
6 volunteers
What you'll need:
See event host's website for details.
How to get there:
West Meadow Beach's WEST Parking Lot
Click here for directions. |
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What we're up to:
Pull and Box at Sunken Meadow State Park
Lets get together and tear up the park! You know, in our usual eco-friendly way, of course. We're looking to get a crew together to do some serious work in Sunken Meadow State Park before the summer crowds start streaming in. There's an impressive array of invasive species in the park, all of which are maniacally working their way down towards the water, which could wreak havoc on the shoreline ecosystems. We will spend the afternoon pulling out these unwelcome invaders, making room for the eco-supportive natives to stretch their roots, vines, stems, and leaves, giving the local wildlife more to munch on and live in. To add to the excitement, we'll have the fun and rare opportunity to wear 'bunny suits'— the one-piece, scientific looking suits that will protect us from elements such as poison ivy during our efforts, as well as providing us with endless giggles. We will then plant native species where the invasives were, making our efforts doubly good. In addition to our invasives work, we'll take the bluebird and kestrel boxes we made this winter and strategically put them up around the park, welcoming these beautiful native birds for years to come!
Where it's at:
Sunken Meadow State Park, Kings Park, NY
Click here for link.
When we're there:
Saturday, May 19th, 1:00-5:00pm, weather pending
How many we need:
10 volunteers
What you'll need:
Ready-to-dirty clothing: STATE shirt (for 10+ hour volunteers), long pants, boots/sneakers; snack and at least one liter of water; SUNSCREEN. Peanut butter and jelly lunch will be provided.
How to get there:
Sunken Meadow State Park
Click here for directions.
Follow signs for Parking Lot/Field #3 |
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What we're up to:
Drain Defenders
Have you ever noticed a small emblem or painted icon near storm drains on the side of the road? They are usually in the shape of fish, or sport phrases such as, "This leads to the ocean— no dumping!" Well, the Village of Poquott has come up with a plan to mark all of their drains in hopes of educating the public and preventing unknowing folks from dumping into these drains chemicals, oils, or other liquids hazardous to prevent them from reaching our water and the creatures that live in it. We will be using caulk to affix small plaques nearby each drain, and next to it, painting on a symbol. Throughout the afternoon, you'll be carted around the small village, visiting all of their 57 drains and making marks that will help to protect our water for years to come.
Where it's at:
Steven D. Matthews Preserve, Poquott, NY.
Meeting just off of 25A on Washington St. Please keep my cell phone number (631-786-2605) with you in case there's any confusion.
When we're there:
Sunday, May 20th, 10am-2pm, weather pendin
How many we need:
6 volunteers
What you'll need:
STATE shirt for volunteers with 10+ hours; grunge clothes for working with paint and caulk; sneakers or boots; snack & water. Peanut butter and jelly lunch will be provided.
How to get there:
Stephen D. Matthews Preserve
Click here for directions |
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What we're up to:
Arcadia: This, That, and the Other Thing
The garden is off to a most fantastic start! Our robust seedlings are happily in place, root-crop seeds have been planted every couple of weeks, and the best part is, we're not done planting yet. On this day, we'll be direct-planting seeds, getting a few more plants going in the greenhouse, maintaining what we've put in the ground so far, and constructing more supports and trellises for veggies such as soy beans and cucumbers. Come get your hands dirty and discuss your favorite summertime recipes while planting our warm-weather crops!
Where it's at:
Avalon Park and Preserve Barn, Stony Brook, NY
When we're there:
Tuesday, May 22nd from 3:00pm-5:30pm, weather pending
How many we need:
6 Volunteers
What you'll need:
Ready-to-dirty clothes; sneakers/boots; snack/drink.
How to get there:
Avalon Park and Preserve barn
Click here for directions. |
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What we're up to:
Moonlit Horseshoe Crab Research- ADULT FRIENDLY EVENT
Citizen science is becoming increasingly important with all of the environmental hazards at hand. Here's your opportunity to step up and become a part-time citizen scientist; it's easy, fun, and likely to be unlike anything you've ever done before! Now, the time listed is correct— this is a nighttime event. Talk about an awesome Saturday night out! We will meet at 9:45pm SHARP to begin our study. At 10:16, after recording our environmental data, we will work in teams of two to count the spawning horseshoe crabs. Once that part of the survey is completed, we move on to tag and/or measure the critters.
Please note: you MUST have at least one legal parent or guardian participate with you in order to attend this event. This is a rule set up by the research group, and it must be followed. Parents, please come enjoy this unique experience with your son or daughter. It truly is an incredible thing! And, we've chosen some of the earliest events of this year— the research team is usually out there beginning past midnight!
Check out this link for all the information you might need.
Where it's at:
West Meadow Beach, Old Field, NY
When we're there:
Saturday, June 2nd, 9:15pm-10:30pm, rain or shine
How many we need:
6 volunteers
What you'll need:
See event host's website for details.
How to get there:
West Meadow Beach's WEST Parking Lot
Click here for directions. |
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What we're up to:
B&B Garden at the Library
Our friends at Four Harbors Audubon Society have asked for our help installing an eco-supportive, gorgeous bird and butterfly garden at the Nesconset branch of the Smithtown Public Library. We'll spend the afternoon clearing out the area before orchestrating a variety of plants into a beautiful arrangement for library patrons and local wildlife to enjoy. Come join us for this day's work to leave your mark on a public space, finishing the day knowing how much joy your actions will bring to people and wildlife alike for years to come!
Where it's at:
Smithtown Public Library: Nesconset Branch, Nesconset, NY
When we're there:
Sunday, June 3rd, 11:00am-4:00pm, weather pending
How many we need:
6 volunteers
What you'll need:
Ready-to-dirty clothes; sneakers/boots; snack/drink (at least 1 liter of water!); sunscreen.
Peanut butter and jelly lunch will be provided.
How to get there:
Smithtown Public Library: Nesconset Branch
Click here for directions. |
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What we're up to:
Arcadia: This, That, and the Other Thing
As the summer settles in, our work in the garden begins to pay off. Sugar snap peas should be coming in by the bucket-load, fresh basil should be plentiful, and other crops-- like our tomatoes and peppers-- are likely to start showing signs of production. We will work our way around the garden, maintaining the beds, freeing our veggie plants from creeping weeds, staking, trellising, and thinning until all of our crops are in the best possible stances to grow quickly, largely, and deliciously. Of course, whatever is ready will be harvested and divided amongst the participating volunteers. Join us for a relaxing afternoon in the garden before tackling your last week of school and finals!
Where it's at:
Avalon Park and Preserve Barn, Stony Brook, NY
When we're there:
Friday, June 15th, 3:00pm-5:30pm, weather pending
How many we need:
6 Volunteers
What you'll need:
Ready-to-dirty clothes; sneakers/boots; snack/drink.
How to get there:
Avalon Park and Preserve barn
Click here for directions. |
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What we're up to:
Pulling from the Pond
This is one of my favorite events of the year! The Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge has invited us to help in their efforts to stop the Water Chestnut—a non-native, extremely invasive species—from taking over Mill Pond in Oyster Bay. One group will hop into canoes and slowly travel around the pond, scanning for the chestnut and pulling it into our canoes as we find it. Another crew will be on shore collecting the catches and swapping out into canoes throughout the afternoon. Come be an active part in preserving a native aquatic ecosystem while having fun in the sun on the water! Don't have any canoeing experience? No problem! It's never too late to learn!
While you should always be on time for events, it is especially important that you're timely this morning because we'll be setting out in canoes right away and can't wait around for stragglers!
Finally, we MUST have all participants signed up by JUNE 6TH at the very latest, as the nonprofit we are working with needs to know how many people to expect and have participants fill out a clearance form! So, sign on up and start getting your sea-- er-- pond-legs ready!
Where it's at:
Mill Pond, Oyster Bay, NY
When we're there:
Saturday, June 16th, 9am-2pm, weather pending
How many we need:
8 Volunteers
What you'll need:
Water-friendly clothing (bathing suit under STATE t-shirt, shorts, water shoes/flip flops, hat); sunscreen; and water.
Peanut butter and jelly lunch will be provided.
How to get there:
Oyster Bay Mill Pond
Click here for directions. |
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What we're up to:
Back to the Garden: Sweetbriar T.L.C.
This is a bi-weekly event! Every other Tuesday morning, we're meeting at Sweetbriar Nature Center to see what kind of T.L.C. (tender loving care—not the TV channel, nor the 90's pop group) we can give the gardens. Hang out with butterflies, be amongst fellow Long Islanders in the native garden, or practice your veggie cultivation skills while lending your helping hands to this great nature preserve! Come with us to this event once, or every other Tuesday, or if you love it there (like I do) you can set up a schedule with Sweetbriar's resident gardeners to spend time in the gardens independently.
Where it's at:
Sweet Briar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown, NY
Click here for link
When we're there:
Tuesday, June 26th, 9:00am-12:00pm, weather pending
How many we need:
6 Volunteers
What you'll need:
Ready-to-dirty clothes; boots/sneakers; sunscreen!; snack and lots of water!
How to get there:
Sweet Briar Nature Center
Click here for directions. |
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What we're up to:
Pulling from the Pond
This is one of my favorite events of the year, and luckily this year, we get to participate twice! The Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge has invited us to help in their efforts to stop the Water Chestnut—a non-native, extremely invasive species—from taking over Mill Pond in Oyster Bay. One group will hop into canoes and slowly travel around the pond, scanning for the chestnut and pulling it into our canoes as we find it. Another crew will be on shore collecting the catches and swapping out into canoes throughout the afternoon. Come be an active part in preserving a native aquatic ecosystem while having fun in the sun on the water! Don't have any canoeing experience? No problem! It's never too late to learn!
While you should always be on time for events, it is especially important that you're timely this morning because we'll be setting out in canoes right away and can't wait around for stragglers!
Finally, we MUST have all participants signed up by JUNE 18TH at the very latest, as the nonprofit we are working with needs to know how many people to expect and have participants fill out a clearance form! So, sign on up and start getting your sea-- er-- pond-legs ready!
Where it's at:
Mill Pond, Oyster Bay, NY
When we're there:
Thursday, June 28th, 9am-2pm, weather pending
How many we need:
8 Volunteers
What you'll need:
Water-friendly clothing (bathing suit under STATE t-shirt, shorts, water shoes/flip flops, hat); sunscreen; and water.
Peanut butter and jelly lunch will be provided.
How to get there:
Oyster Bay Mill Pond
Click here for directions. |
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What we're up to:
Extreme Makeover: Pond Edition- Phase II
So now the pond is clean, the stage is set, and we're ready to make some magic happen. We'll use a design created by STATE members to plant aquatic flora in the pond, providing cleaning for the water, beauty for the people, and habitat for the creatures. What could be better? Oh, maybe taking your friends and family by and saying, "Yeah, I did that."
Where it's at:
Three Village Garden Club Arboretum, East Setauket, NY
Click here for link
When we're there:
TBD
How many we need:
8 Volunteers
What you'll need:
Ready-to-dirty clothes (pants, long sleeved shirt, sweatshirt and/or water-resistant jacket); high muck/rain boots; snack and drink.
How to get there:
Three Village Garden Club Arboretum
Click here for directions. |
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