Home News Local News Earth Day celebration coming to Downs Farm Preserve, full slate of family...

Earth Day celebration coming to Downs Farm Preserve, full slate of family programs on agenda

Nature programs at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue have gotten a warm response over the cold winter — and a full slate of fun family programs are planned for the months ahead.

Former executive assistant for the Southold department of public works Jim McMahon and Missy Weiss, of Group for the East End, came before the town board at Tuesday’s work session to discuss the popular programs and new events planned for this year.

Sessions on how to “Build a Birdhouse,” and “Kitchen Chemistry for Kids,” as well as a Family Scavenger Hunt brought scores out to the Preserve, McMahon said.

“We have an age group from three to 93,” McMahon said. “When you’re doing a program like identifying trees without leaves, you wonder who’s going to show up, but you get people,” he joked.

Another popular attraction at the Downs Farm Preserve, McMahon said, was a little toad, no bigger than a thumbnail, found at Town Hall that was nurtured in a tank and is “now as big as a golf ball. The kids love him.”

Weiss handed out a sheet of documenting how many participants each program garnered last year, with a total of over 800 attending over 37 programs. “We had really great turnouts,” she said.

This year, larger events are on the agenda, including a proposed Earth Day celebration on April 26, with groups such as the Peconic Land Trust and the Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center invited.

“We have a hidden jewel. This is a way to expose people to the location,” Weiss said.

Another project scheduled for this year is the creation of a rain garden, which will be planted by Mattituck High School students; the project is funded by the Peconic Estuary Program, Weiss said.

Interns from Mattituck High School are also onboard to help maintain the tanks, walk the trails and help with educational programs.

Councilwoman Jill Doherty suggested perhaps high school shop classes could help to construct picnic tables for the Preserve.

Recently, a story panel was installed for young children at the Preserve that loops the entire trail and “encourages family members with little ones to get out and explore,” Weiss said.

McMahon asked the board to appropriate $5000 for future plans, including a filtration system for the tanks; the board agreed.

Looking ahead, McMahon said a donation of an extensive Indian artifact collection is expected.

Another future event involves an author who plans to present a program on wampum and early settlers; she plans to dress in Colonial garb, McMahon said.

Weiss shared some comments left by visitors to the Preserve. “Thanks for all the work you put into the scavenger hunt,” wrote Lisa Tuthill. “It was fabulous. Everyone I’ve talked to had a great time and is excited to have ‘discovered’ Downs Farm Preserve.”

On June 30, 1997, the Town of Southold acquired title to the 51 acre parcel on Downs Creek, in Cutchogue, from the estate of William J. Baxter. The public can enter the preserve on Route 25, just east of the entrance to Cutchogue, at 23800 Main Road.

The Downs Farm Preserve is a “significant natural and historic resource that encompasses a Native American fort site, scenic woodlands and tidal wetlands,” according to the Southold town wbsite.

The Downs Farm Preserve is designated as a New York State Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat and included in the Suffolk County Peconic Bay Estuary Critical Environmental Zone, as part of the Peconic Pinelands Maritime Reserve. The land was preserved through the efforts of the town and the Peconic Land Trust.

Other programs scheduled for the year ahead include an “Invasive Species Hunt/Hike,” “Herbs, Hives and Honeybees,” “Introduction to Composting,” “Owl Prowl and Owl Pellet Dissection,” “Family Nature Bingo,” “Plants as Medicine,” “Pine Cone Bird Feeders,” “Freshwater Turtles of the North Fork,” “Build a Birdhouse Workshop,” a “Full Moon Walk,” and more.

For a full list of programs and information, call 631-765-6450 ext. 219.

SHARE