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 GRAND OPENING SCHEDULED!
The Suffolk County Environmental Center is ready to open to the public! A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Earth Day, April 22nd and a public open house and Eco-Carnival will be held on April 24th. |
The Environmental Center, which is a product of a public/private partnership between Suffolk County and Seatuck, is located on the former Scully Estate, a wildlife sanctuary in Islip that features 70 acres of salt marsh, freshwater wetlands and mature upland forests, and boasts a one-of-a-kind historic mansion designed by renown architect Grosvenor Atterbury.
The opening of the facility comes after a multi-million dollar renovation of the mansion by Suffolk County. The building, which was built in 1917, got a major facelift that included a new HVAC system, fire alarm, storm windows, waste treatment facility, public restrooms, parking lot, and driveway, among other major improvements. In addition, dozens of leaded windows were repaired, the dramatic slate roof was resealed, and the beautiful hardwood floors were refinished. The readying of the facility was a broad effort that involved architects, engineers, biologists, electricians, historians, artisans, and more. It involved three County agencies, two Parks Commissioners, a few public utilities, and countless outside contractors.
The Environmental Center fulfills the wishes of Hathaway “Happy” Scully, who donated the family estate upon her death in 1984 to the National Audubon Society for the purpose of establishing a wildlife sanctuary and nature center. Audubon used the property as a base for its Living Oceans Program for 20 years before selling it to Suffolk County in 2004.
The Earth Day ribbon cutting ceremony will include state and local officials, members of the conservation community, and students from nearby schools. The public open house will take place on Saturday, April 24, when Seatuck will host its inaugural "Eco-Carnival" to celebrate the grand opening of the facility and the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.
The free, all-day event will feature nature programs, storytellers, music, art, live animals, games and food. There will be stations set up where naturalists will help visitors experience the natural diversity of the property, including opportunities to get their hands dirty in the salt marsh, use binoculars to find woodland birds, roll over some logs to look for insects, draw or write in their own nature journal, and pot their own native plant to take home. There will also be bird and botany walks, as well as tours of the historic building for adults.
The day’s stage line-up will include a wildlife show by the Hampton Wildlife Rescue Center, nationally known storyteller Heather Forest, a play featuring local students about the life of Racheal Carson, nature-based songs by Paul Helou, and a rousing musical finale by the Suburban Brothers Band. Children will also have a chance to get a “wildlife face painting” and participate in several nature games. It promises to be a fun-filled day for people of all ages!
See the event poster. |
