Join the Group at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue to create a winter wood cookie ornament and take a walk on the trails. Led by environmental artist and educator Tony Valderrama, this nature outing is in celebration of the winter solstice.

This event takes place outdoors, please dress appropriately. There is no restroom on site. Space is limited and advanced registration is required.

REGISTER HERE

For questions, please contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at treynolds@eastendenvironment.org.

Join the Group and Artfully Long Island at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue as we welcome the winter months by making a magical winter wand.

We'll begin by exploring the preserve for the perfect stick to make the wand, and then decorate it using yarn, ribbons, beads, buttons, and more.

This family-friendly class will take place outdoors. Please dress accordingly and bring a blanket if you would like to sit on the ground.

Registration is required. There is a $10 non-refundable materials fee.

REGISTER HERE

For more information, contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at treynolds@eastendenvironment.org.

Join Group director of conservation advocacy Jennifer Hartnagel at the East Marion Community Association’s Community Forum to discuss horseshoe crabs and their need for protection in New York’s waters.

Horseshoe crabs have existed for more than 350 million years. We see them spawning on our East End beaches and in the waters where children play. Their eggs serve as a vital food source to migratory shorebirds and numerous fish species. Horseshoe crabs play a vital role in our marine ecosystem, but now, their populations are declining at a rapid pace.

Learn about this unique and important species and how we can advocate for the passage of the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, now awaiting Governor Hochul's signature. 

For more information, contact Jenn at jhartnagel@eastendenvironment.org.

Group for the East End, North Fork Suffolk Alliance for Pollinators, Cornell Master Gardeners, and ReWild Long Island are hosting a native seed and plant swap at Downs Farms Preserve in Cutchogue.

Bring your native seeds and plants to swap with fellow gardeners, and learn about preparing and storing seeds.

For questions, contact northforksap@gmail.com.

In partnership with Group for the East End and the Town of Southold, environmental educator and artist Tony Valderrama will lead a Native American zoomorphic pinch pot workshop in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue.

This program is a perfect blend of art, culture, wildlife, and music. Each student will learn about basic ceramic techniques while creating a personalized clay pinch pot in the form of their favorite animals. Pinch pots were one of the most basic forms of Native ceramics decorated with symbols and designs to share stories. Participants will also learn about Native American culture with samples of artworks and flute music.

Este programa es una mezcla perfecta de cultura, arte, vida salvaje y música. Cada alumno aprenderá técnicas básicas de cerámica mientras crea una olla de barro personalizada con la forma de sus animales favoritos. Estas macetas eran una de las formas más básicas de la cerámica nativa, decoradas con simbolos y diseños para compartir historias. Primero se enseñará a los participantes la cultura nativa americana con muestras de obras de arte y música de flauta.

This program will also be available in Spanish via translator.

Space is limited and required. Please contact Sonia Spar by emailing sonias@southoldtownny.gov or messaging 631.875.6021 via WhatsApp.

Group for the East End director of environmental education Steve Biasetti will lead a guided bird walk at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. 

The Refuge is an excellent stopping off point for south-bound songbirds, and there is a good chance to spot warblers and other migratory birds on their fall migration.  Please bring your own binoculars.

Space is limited to 15 participants, for adults and families with children over 12 years old. Pre-registration is required.

REGISTER HERE

Rain date: Sunday, September 29

The Group will be at the East End Seaport Museum’s 34th annual Maritime Festival in Greenport. Visit us to learn about current initiatives, and sign a postcard to help protect horseshoe crabs.

Discover the cool creatures of the estuary! Group assistant director of environmental education Anita Wright will lead this late summer seining event in Accabonac Harbor.

Dip nets, seine, and buckets will be provided. Water shoes are highly recommended.

This is family-friendly event is perfect for beach lovers of all ages, but parents must accompany children.

Parking at Louse Point, East Hampton Town Parking Permit required.

This program is FREE, and registration is required. For details and to sign up, please contact Anita at acwright@eastendenvironment.org.

Join the Group for a family-friendly tie-dye adventure at Downs Farm Preserve.

What’s better than tie-dye? Tie-dyeing with natural materials! Many common foods in our homes can be used as dyes with their natural pigments and colors. Blueberries make an excellent treat as well as a bright bluish-purple dye. This activity is great for teaching children about the natural ways to dye material (and maybe a chance to make a creative mess).

This activity will include making the dye and creating a unique print on a small canvas bag to take home. Prepare to let your kiddo get a little messy. Registration is required.

REGISTER HERE

For more information, please contact Kristen Bashen at kristen@thegroup.org.

Join the Group and Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge for a talk on ospreys.

We will discuss the osprey’s return to the East End for the summer breeding season, where they come from, and more.

Admission is $10 per person. Friends of Wertheim members and children under 12 free.

For more information and to register, call Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge at 631.286.0485.

Join the Group on a nature walk to reconnect with the natural world around us at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue. We will wander the trails, slow down, and notice what most of the world walks past; the beauty of nature amid summer.

This program is best suited for those ages 12 and up. Please dress appropriately (tick season is here). Registration is required and space is limited to 12 people.

REGISTER HERE

For more information, please contact Kristen Bashen at kristen@thegroup.org

Join the North Fork Suffolk Alliance for Pollinators for a self-guided tour of public and private gardens across the North Fork. These gardens are in various stages of transformation to eliminate invasive species, incorporate more native plants, and provide critical habitat for wildlife.

The tour begins at Custer Preserve in Southold. Maps will be available at Custer Preserve, as well as 1489 Sound Avenue in Baiting Hollow and North Fork Audubon Society in Greenport.

Group for the East End is a proud co-founder of the North Fork Suffolk Alliance for Pollinators. For more information, contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at treynolds@eastendenvironment.org.

This event is free and reservations are not needed.

Join us on a nature walk at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue to reconnect with the natural world around us. We will wander the trails, slow down, and notice what most of the world walks past; the beauty of nature amid spring!

Please dress appropriately (tick season is here) and bring a flashlight if you have one. Registration is required and space is limited to 12 people. This program is best suited for those ages 12 and up.

REGISTER HERE

For more information, please contact Group conservation and advocacy specialist Kristen Bashen at kristen@thegroup.org.

Group environmental associate Marina DeLuca will present a local history of the osprey at Inlet Pond County Park, in partnership with North Fork Audubon Society.

Discover the history of the iconic fish hawk’s return from the brink of extinction, their unique adaptations, key identification markers, migration patterns, and more. Marina will discuss the osprey’s return to the East End for the summer breeding season and ways to manage and prevent inopportune nesting. 

Following the talk will be a group birding walk in celebration of the osprey with guide Kyra Leonardi. Whether you're an avid birder or just starting out, all are welcome.

Registration is required.

REGISTER HERE

Join us on a nature walk at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue to reconnect with the natural world around us. We will wander the trails, slow down, and notice what most of the world walks past; the beauty of nature amid spring!

Please dress appropriately (tick season is here) and bring a flashlight if you have one. Registration is required and space is limited to 12 people. This program is best suited for those ages 12 and up.

REGISTER HERE

For more information, please contact Group conservation and advocacy specialist Kristen Bashen at kristen@thegroup.org.

Quogue Wildlife Refuge is returning to Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue with some amazing animal friends! Come meet some of their resident animals and learn about wildlife local to the area, and beyond.

This is a free family-friendly program, but registration is required.

REGISTER HERE

For more information, please contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at treynolds@eastendenvironment.org.

Join the Group at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue to help cleanup habitat restoration areas! Lend a hand as we remove invasive species and grasses, giving native plants a chance to thrive.

Please bring water and gloves. Dress appropriately - we will be working in areas with possible exposure to poison ivy and ticks.

For more information, contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at treynolds@eastendenvironment.org.

Join the Group a guided twilight nature walk at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchougue. Learn about light pollution, how it affects our ecosystems, and tips and tricks to protect our night sky. We will discuss many plants and animals at the preserve and how our environment changes when the sun sets.

This program is best suited for those ages 12 and up. Please dress appropriately (tick season is here) and bring a flashlight if you have one. Registration is required and space is limited to 12 people.

REGISTER HERE

For more information, please contact Group conservation and advocacy specialist Kristen Bashen at kristen@thegroup.org.

The Group is joining Peconic Baykeeper for a panel discussion at the Cutchogue New Suffolk Library on the importance of septic upgrades. This discussion is designed to help the community explore the process of septic upgrades, the environmental benefits of upgrading, and to address questions or concerns raised by the public. Community members can submit questions ahead of the event here.

Panelists include Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski, Peconic Baykeeper executive director and baykeeper Pete Topping, Group for the East End president Bob DeLuca, Bryan McGowin and Kevin McGowin of Advanced Wastewater Solutions, Peconic Estuary Partnership outreach coordinator Valerie Virgona, and Julia Priolo of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

Registration is required. REGISTER HERE

Join the Group at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue to help cleanup habitat restoration areas! Lend a hand as we remove invasive species and grasses, giving native plants a chance to thrive.

Please bring water and gloves. Dress appropriately - we will be working in areas with possible exposure to poison ivy and ticks.

For more information, contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at treynolds@eastendenvironment.org.

Hit the trails with the Group at Downs Farm Preserve for a guided nature walk to learn bird identification basics.This foundation will help you identify birds in your yard and beyond. You will have the opportunity to put your new skills to the test on the trail and at the Group’s Project Feederwatch station.

This event is for ages 12 and up. Registration is required and space is limited to 12 people. This event is weather permitting. Please dress warmly and bring binoculars if you have them. There is no bathroom available onsite.

REGISTER HERE

If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Bashen at kbashen@eastendenvironment.org.

Take action for the environment and join us for a beach cleanup! The Group, Kenny’s McCabe’s Beach Civic Association, Southold Peconic Civic Association, and Town of Southold are partnering for an Earth Day beach cleanup at Goldsmith’s Inlet in Peconic.

Volunteers should meet at Goldsmith’s Inlet or Soundview Dunes County Park. Please wear gloves. Trash bags, pails, and pickers will be available.

For more information, contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at treynolds@eastendenvironment.org.

Support pollinators and wildlife with a native plant garden. In partnership with the Suffolk Alliance for Pollinators, the Group is hosting a native plant and seed swap event and an invasive species walk at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue.

Native Plant & Seed Swap 10 a.m. - 1p.m.
Invasive Plant ID Walk 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Registration not required. For more information, contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at treynolds@eastendenvironment.org.

In partnership with North Fork Audubon Society, Group for the East End environmental associate Marina DeLuca will give a Zoom presentation on the local history of the osprey.

This iconic species had once been on the brink of extinction, but thanks to decades of conservation efforts, the osprey is once again thriving. This talk will cover the osprey’s history, unique adaptations, key identification markers, migration patterns, the summer breeding season, and ways to manage and prevent inopportune nesting. 

This is a free virtual program. Registration is required.

REGISTER HERE

For more information, contact Marina at mdeluca@eastendenvironment.org.

Join the Group for a unique exploration of the winter trail at Downs Farm Preserve. We will lead you through the winter forest as it holds its unique charm, offering insights into the hidden wonders of nature during the colder months. Discover the beauty of winter flora and the subtle textures of dormant plants waiting for the warmth of spring. 

This event is for ages 12 and up. Registration is required and space is limited to 12 people. Please dress warmly. There is no bathroom availableonsite.  

REGISTER HERE

If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Bashen at kbashen@eastendenvironment.org.

Spread love to our feathered friends and create DIY heart-shaped birdseed ornaments with the Group at the Peconic Community Center. Crafted with care, they not only add a touch of nature to your surroundings but also provide nourishment for birds during the winter. Gift these creations to friends and family, and watch as the local bird community enjoys these handmade treats.

This event is for ages 8 and up. Registration is required and space is limited to 15 people. 

REGISTER HERE

If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Bashen at kbashen@eastendenvironment.org.

Environmental artist and educator Tony Valderrama will lead a Native American talking stick workshop at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue. This creative, cultural experience will explore the talking stick, a ceremonial object that symbolizes respect within a group setting. You’ll create your own using wood, beads, and feathers to embellish your design.

Tony creates works inspired by the human-nature connection. Influenced by his indigenous Taino roots, his art incorporates sculptures, paintings, and installations. His work with rescued wildlife and birds of prey is a prominent theme.

REGISTER HERE

For more information, contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at treynolds@eastendenvironment.org.

Join Group for the East End and Artfully Long Island for a Spooky Season Art & Play Party at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue. Families with children up to 6 years old will enjoy holiday-themed art projects and sensory activities. Come dressed in your costumes, make a haunted house collage and a yarn wrapped ghost puppet on a stick, decorate pumpkins with golf tees, play with pinecones, and enjoy other fall and Halloween-themed activities!

Materials for this program are upcycled. Use nature’s back drop to find more materials for your crafting adventure! Fee is $12, which includes all materials. Advance registration is required.

REGISTER HERE

For more information, contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at treynolds@eastendenvironment.org.

Join Group for the East End at Arshamomaque Preserve to spread wood chips on the trails and remove trash as part of our ongoing partnership with the Town of Southold on the Bay to Sound Trail Project. Volunteers will help remove garbage and various debris to support a healthy trail system, benefitting wildlife and the community. 

This event is weather permitting. Please bring gloves.

For more information and sign up as a volunteer, please contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at treynolds@eastendenvironment.org.

Work conducted on the Bay to Sound Trails Phase 5 project is being funded by the New York State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund.

Lend a hand in supporting the North Fork Pollinator Pathway at Custer Preserve for a special native planting! The Group, Southold Peconic Civic Association, and Town of Southold will lead this planting with volunteers on Monday, October 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Volunteers have spent the summer removing countless invasive species at this Southold Town preserve. Now, thanks to a special grant from ReWild, we’ll be installing hundreds of native species to help support pollinators like butterflies, birds, bees, and more. 

Please bring your own gloves and water. Other tools will be provided. 

For more information, contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at treynolds@eastendenvironment.org.