Shorebirds like piping plovers and terns are returning to the East End of Long Island for the nesting season. On your way to the beach, stop by and visit Group staff to learn about these shorebirds, the threats they face, and how we can share the shore to protect them!

For more information, contact Group assistant director of environmental education Jennifer Skilbred at jennifer@thegroup.org.

Join the Group and environmental artist and educator Tony Valderrama at Downs Farm Preserve to celebrate the opening of a new exhibit space highlighting the legacy of Theodore “Tipi Ted” Strickroth, and his dedication to Indigenous culture and the wildlife of the North Fork. Light refreshments will be provided. 

For more information, contact Group environmental associate Sofia Vallecillo at sofia@thegroup.org.

Join the Group at The Green School in Sagaponack to learn about local estuarine species and their adaptations through specimens and a live touch tank. Come ready to explore, touch live creatures and examine fun specimens to find out more about who and what lives in the waters of East End of Long Island.

Registration by The Green School is required.

For more information, contact Group assistant director of environmental education Jennifer Skilbred at jennifer@thegroup.org.

Join the Group and ReWild North Fork for a tour and talk of the native plant meadow at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue. You’ll learn about its designation as a Monarch Waystation by Monarch Watch, the native plants that support these critical pollinators, other insects, and wildlife, and how you can create waystations at home and in your community.

Registration is required as space is limited.

For more information, contact Group director of outreach Taralynn Reynolds at taralynn@thegroup.org.

The Group is joining ReWild North Fork for a tour native gardens and meadows across the North Fork. Participants will have the opportunity to meet the gardeners, discover native plants that thrive on the East End, learn how native gardens support biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, and more.

Registration required.

Join the Group outside for a day of volunteer work at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue. We’ll be removing invasive species, trash, and debris and laying down wood chips.

Please bring work gloves and dress appropriately as this weather-dependent event takes place outdoors. Tools will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.

For more information, please contact Group environmental associate Sofia Vallecillo at sofia@thegroup.org.

Shorebirds like piping plovers and terns are returning to the East End of Long Island for the nesting season. On your way to the beach, stop by and visit Group staff to learn about these shorebirds, the threats they face, and how we can share the shore to protect them!

For more information, contact Group assistant director of environmental education Jennifer Skilbred at jennifer@thegroup.org.

Join the Group outside for a day of volunteer work at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue. We’ll be removing invasive species, trash, and debris and laying down wood chips.

Please bring work gloves and dress appropriately as this weather-dependent event takes place outdoors. Tools will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.

For more information, please contact Group environmental associate Sofia Vallecillo at sofia@thegroup.org.

Shorebirds like piping plovers and terns are returning to the East End of Long Island for the nesting season. On your way to the beach, stop by and visit Group staff to learn about these shorebirds, the threats they face, and how we can share the shore to protect them!

For more information, contact Group assistant director of environmental education Jennifer Skilbred at jennifer@thegroup.org.

Join Group environmental associate Sofia Vallecillo for a monthly amateur birding experience at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue. We’ll walk along the trails to identify common backyard birds and spend some time outdoors observing our flying friends.

Bring binoculars if you have them and dress warm as this weather-dependent* event is outdoors. Best suited for teens and adults.

Registration is required as space is limited. For more information, contact Sofia at sofia@thegroup.org.

*Rain Date: Sunday, June 14

Join the Group outside for a day of volunteer work at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue. We’ll be removing invasive species, trash, and debris and laying down wood chips.

Please bring work gloves and dress appropriately as this weather-dependent event takes place outdoors. Tools will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.

For more information, please contact Group environmental associate Sofia Vallecillo at sofia@thegroup.org.

Shorebirds like piping plovers and terns are returning to the East End of Long Island for the nesting season. On your way to the beach, stop by and visit Group staff to learn about these shorebirds, the threats they face, and how we can share the shore to protect them!

For more information, contact Group assistant director of environmental education Jennifer Skilbred at jennifer@thegroup.org.

Join Group environmental associate Sofia Vallecillo for a monthly amateur birding experience at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue. We’ll check out the bird feeders and walk along the trails to identify common backyard birds and spend some time outdoors observing our flying friends.

Bring binoculars if you have them and dress warm as this weather-dependent* event is outdoors. Best suited for teens and adults.

Registration is required as space is limited. For more information, contact Sofia at sofia@thegroup.org.

*Rain Date: Saturday, May 30

Join the Group and Westhampton Free Library for a virtual talk on horseshoe crabs.

The New York State legislation to regulate management of horseshoe crabs is an important step toward preserving these "living fossils." You’ll learn what horseshoe crabs are and why they’re important to the ecosystem.

Registration is required.

For more information, contact Group director of conservation advocacy Jennifer Hartnagel at jenn@thegroup.org.

Explore the colors of nature through the different seasons using the fluid medium of watercolors. At Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue, environmental artist and educator Tony Valderrama will guide participants as they learn brush techniques to capture their impression of the natural world that surrounds us. All levels welcome.

Registration is required as space and materials are limited. The fee is $15 per person.

For more information, contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at taralynn@thegroup.org.

Join the Group outside for a day of volunteer work at Pipes Cove Preserve. We’ll be removing invasive species, trash, and debris and laying down wood chips as part of the Bay to Sound Trails Initiative Phase 5 project.

Please bring work gloves and dress appropriately as this weather-dependent event takes place outdoors. Tools will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.

The meeting location is located directly across from the intersection of Chapel Lane and Route 25.

For more information, please contact Group environmental associate Sofia Vallecillo at sofia@thegroup.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.

Join Group for the East End, North Haven Point Homeowners Association, and Genet Creek Association to plant beach grass in Sag Harbor.

Beach grass plantings help stabilize dunes, prevent erosion, and support wildlife habitats. 

This event is weather-dependent.* Participants should meet at the cul-de-sac at the end of On the Bluff Road in North Haven Point. Please note there are no public restrooms available.

Please bring gloves. The Group will have shovels available, though you are welcome to bring your own.

Registration is required. For more information, contact Group senior environmental specialist Jennifer Skilbred at jennifer@thegroup.org.

*Rain date: Saturday, April 25 (we will look at the forecast for the week and notify volunteers via email of any changes.

Spend some time outdoors at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue to learn about bugs and use your observation skills to find them in nature! This family-friendly event will teach common bug species and encourage curiosity about the natural environment.

Registration is required. For more information, contact Sofia at sofia@thegroup.org.

Rain Date: Sunday, April 26

Join the Group outside for a day of volunteer work at Pipes Cove Preserve. We’ll be removing invasive species, trash, and debris and laying down wood chips as part of the Bay to Sound Trails Initiative Phase 5 project.

Please bring work gloves and dress appropriately as this weather-dependent event takes place outdoors. Tools will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.

The meeting location is located directly across from the intersection of Chapel Lane and Route 25.

For more information, please contact Group environmental associate Sofia Vallecillo at sofia@thegroup.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.

Join Group for the East End and Surfrider Eastern Long Island Chapter to plant beach grass at Maidstone Beach in East Hampton.

Beach grass plantings help stabilize dunes, prevent erosion, and support wildlife habitats. 

Please bring gloves. The Group will have shovels available, though you are welcome to bring your own.

Registration is required. For more information, contact Group senior environmental specialist Jennifer Skilbred at jennifer@thegroup.org.

Join Group environmental associate Sofia Vallecillo for a monthly amateur birding experience at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue. We’ll check out the bird feeders and walk along the trails to identify common backyard birds and spend some time outdoors observing our flying friends.

Bring binoculars if you have them and dress warm as this weather-dependent* event is outdoors. Best suited for teens and adults.

Registration is required as space is limited. For more information, contact Sofia at sofia@thegroup.org.

*Rain Date: Monday, April 27

Join the Group, Kenney’s/McCabe Beach Civic Association, and the Town of Southold for a cleanup at Great Pond in Southold. Volunteers will help remove phragmites, an invasive species also known as common reed, to help restore this critical habitat and encourage native plant regrowth.

This event is weather dependent.* Long sleeve shirts, long pants, and closed toe shoes are required to protect against phragmites. Please bring your own tools, work gloves, and plenty of water.

For more information, please contact Group director of environmental conservation Jenn Hartnagel at jenn@thegroup.org.

*Rain date: Sunday, April 19

This habitat restoration project is made possible by funding awarded to the Town of Southold by a Long Island Sound Futures Fund, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant.

Enjoy the creative blend of fine art and music! Join environmental artist and educator Tony Valderrama will lead a clay creature maracas workshop at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue. Participants will learn how to transform pinch pots into fun, animal-themed maracas that connect culture and creativity through functional, hand-sculpted art.

Registration is required as space and materials are limited. The fee is $15 per person.

For more information, contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at taralynn@thegroup.org.

Join the Group outside for a day of volunteer work at Pipes Cove Preserve. We’ll be removing invasive species, trash, and debris and laying down wood chips as part of the Bay to Sound Trails Initiative Phase 5 project.

Please bring work gloves and dress appropriately as this weather-dependent event takes place outdoors. Tools will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.

The meeting location is located directly across from the intersection of Chapel Lane and Route 25.

For more information, please contact Group environmental associate Sofia Vallecillo at sofia@thegroup.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.

Join Group for the East End, North Haven Point Homeowners Association, and Genet Creek Association to plant beach grass in Sag Harbor.

Beach grass plantings help stabilize dunes, prevent erosion, and support wildlife habitats. 

Please bring gloves. The Group will have shovels available, though you are welcome to bring your own. Please note there are no public restrooms available.

Registration is required. For more information, contact Group senior environmental specialist Jennifer Skilbred at jennifer@thegroup.org.

Join the Group and the Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton to learn all about the magnificent ospreys that visit the island every spring and summer. We’ll discuss the fish hawk’s time on the East End, the 2025 monitoring season, our conservation work, and more.

Registration is required.

For more information, contact Group assistant director of environmental education Jennifer Skilbred at jennifer@thegroup.org.

Join the Group at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue as we build mason bee habitats in a can! Using cut phragmites reeds and recycled tin cans, we’ll create a home for our tunnel-nesting pollinators this spring.

Registration is required for this indoor event. Materials will be provided, but feel free to bring empty, cleaned tin cans. The fee is $10 per person.

For more information, contact Sofia at sofia@thegroup.org.

Join Group environmental associate Sofia Vallecillo for a monthly amateur birding experience at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue. We’ll check out the bird feeders and walk along the trails to identify common backyard birds and spend some time outdoors observing our flying friends.

Bring binoculars if you have them and dress warm as this weather-dependent* event is outdoors. Best suited for teens and adults.

Registration is required as space is limited. For more information, contact Sofia at sofia@thegroup.org.

*Rain Date: Tuesday, March 24

Join the Group, Kenney’s/McCabe Beach Civic Association, and the Town of Southold for a cleanup at Great Pond in Southold. Volunteers will help remove phragmites, an invasive species also known as common reed, to help restore this critical habitat and encourage native plant regrowth.

This event is weather dependent.* Long sleeve shirts, long pants, and closed toe shoes are required to protect against phragmites. Please bring your own tools, work gloves, and plenty of water.

For more information, please contact Group director of environmental conservation Jenn Hartnagel at jenn@thegroup.org.

*Rain date: Sunday, March 15

This habitat restoration project is made possible by funding awarded to the Town of Southold by a Long Island Sound Futures Fund, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step—and a good walking stick. Environmental artist and educator Tony Valderrama will lead a workshop at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue where you’ll craft your own personalized staff using feathers, beads, pigments, and wood-burning techniques. Bring to life a unique design to life that reflects your personal journey and style!

Registration is required as space and materials are limited. The fee is $15 per person.

For more information, contact Group outreach director Taralynn Reynolds at taralynn@thegroup.org.