Rain gardens are easy to install and maintain, look good year-round and help prevent water pollution. 

Planted with native species, these shallow depressions soak up stormwater and support trees, shrubs and flowers that tolerate both wet and dry conditions. Best of all, they provide wildlife habitat that restores ecological balance to our landscapes.

This workshop covers the basics of designing and installing rain gardens, including how to:

• Evaluate, amend and prepare the soil

• Calculate the best dimensions for the natural irrigation source

• Select and maintain the native species

Robin Simmen is a landscape designer and environmental educator who focuses on native plants, sustainable horticulture, and water conservation. Formerly with Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Cornell Cooperative Extension, she holds a B.A. from Cornell University and a masters degree from Conway School of Landscape Design. She is currently a board member and chair of the landscape committee at North Fork Audubon Society.

Registration is required, please register here.

Are you curious about bird watching, but don’t know the first thing about how to do it? Or have you ever been on a birding field trip and said to yourself “this stuff is for the birds,” meaning I’m not seeing what everybody else is seeing! Or maybe you’re thinking “I can’t see anything through these binoculars,” etc.

Well, now you can join Tom Damiani on “small group” field trips with a focus on effectively using binoculars, finding birds using them, and finding the best habitats for birds.

These outings will be held on the first Wednesday of each month, 8 - 10 AM. The bird walk location will be Laurel Lake Preserve. 

This is a zoom presentation. Registration is required, please register here.

Long Island has a wide variety of birds and the songbirds are some of the most beautiful to see and to hear. Using photos and records, Dianne Taggart (long time LI birder) will tell us all about the Songbirds of LI!

Dianne had been birding on LI for over 35 years. Now retired, she spends time spreading the love of birds and birding. She speaks at libraries, Audubon chapters and anywhere anyone wants to learn about our birds.

Photo: Yellow Warbler by J. Jensen

Registration is required, please register here.

Jody Levin will be our guide this week as we explore Jack Levin Preserve

Location: Jack Levin (Arshamamoque) Preserve, Greenport

Photo: Eastern Towhee by J. Jensen

Registration is required, please register here.

Spring migration is here! This week Tom will take us to Granttham Preserve, we hope to see sparrows, hawks (Red-Tailed) and warblers (Palm or Yellow Warblers). 

Location: Granttham Preserve

Photo: White-throated Sparrow by J. Jensen

Registration is required, please register here.

It is International Migratory Bird Day weekend! Click here to learn more about insects and their importance to migrating birds.
MaryLaura Lamont will be our guide this week as we explore this eBird Hotspot, which offers a diversity of habitats from agricultural fields, mixed woods and bluffs leading to the Long Island Sound. 

Location: Hallock State Park Preserve

Photo: World Migratory Bird Day 2024, Environment for the Americas

Registration is required, please register here.

Explore the wonders of nature with Kyra Leonardi as we embark on a journey to spot migrating warblers at Inlet Pond County Park. Learn about these fascinating creatures and celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with us! Rain or shine, the fun continues with exciting indoor and outdoor activities for children. Don't miss out on this educational and entertaining drop-off event! Ages 7-12. Register now to secure your spot. Limited spaces available.

Photo: Osprey by David Brown/Macaulay Library

Registration is required, please register here.

Tom will guide us through this nature trail that meanders through beach, dune, wetland and forest habitats.

Location: Sound View Dunes Park

Photo: Barn Swallow by J. Jensen

Registration is required, please register here.

Tom Damiani will be our guide this week as we explore the trails at Inlet Pond County Park, headquarters of North Fork Audubon Society! See NFAS efforts to clear the preserve of invasive species while walking to the Long Island Sound.

Location: Inlet Pond County Park

Registration is required, please register here.

Tom will take us to Husing Pond Preserve this week. This preserve includes a freshwater pond with marsh and swamp areas along its shores. We hope to see a variety of birds from ospreys to woodland birds.

Location: Husing Pond Preserve

Picture: Woodpecker by M. Shimura

Registration is required, please register here.

Frank Quevedo, Executive Director of SoFo Natural History Museum will team up with NFAS to travel to Shelter Island and explore the Mashomack Preserve.

Bring a snack and water.

Location: Mashomack Preserve

Photo: Piping Plover by J. Jensen

Registration is required, please register here.

This week Tom will be taking us to Broad Cove Preserve.

Location: Broad Cove Preserve

Photo: Swamp Sparrow by J. Jensen

Registration is required, please register here.

The MOE is a nature walk in which we will have an opportunity to explore and experience our local natural landscapes in depth. It’s a full spectrum experience, offered to alleviate our increasing separation from the natural world.

 David Bauer is a yoga therapist who lives and works on the North Fork. He is the Stirling Yogi of Greenport. 

Location: Dam Pond (Ruth Oliva) Preserve

Photo by J. Jensen