Suffolk County Environmental Center at the Scully Estate
Seatuck is working with Suffolk County to establish a new nature center at the County's Scully Sanctuary. The facility is expected to be open to the public in April 2010, when renovations to the building will be complete.
The 70-acre Scully Sanctuary is located in the Hamlet of Islip, where it borders a 200-acre National Wildlife Refuge. The property boasts a diverse mix of habitats, including an expansive salt marsh, extensive fresh water wetlands and mature upland forests. It also features a one-of-a-kind, 30-room mansion that was designed by world-renowned architect, Grosvenor Atterbury, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Seatuck will operate a full-service nature center at Scully with offerings for the entire community. The organization will build on its current programs to include the full range of educational and cultural opportunities one expects from a nature center.
In addition to expanding its successful pre-school, family and adult programs, Seatuck will host school visits, offer camps for children and present workshops for seniors and educators. The facility will also allow Seatuck to offer programs for private groups (such a scouts and civic organizations), present special events, and host birthday and other private nature parties. Cultural programs that explore the link between nature and art, such as wildlife photography exhibits and painting workshops, will also be included in the nature center's schedule of offerings.
Ultimately, Seatuck envisions the nature center as a place with parents and children exploring together, visitors strolling through the woods, nature lovers watching wildlife, and all enjoying an educational and enriching experience. Seatuck plans to establish one of the premier environmental education facilities in the region; a place that will be the pride of the Old South Islip neighborhood and a cherished resource for the people of Suffolk County.
"Phase I" renovations to the Scully building, which included repairs to the dramatic slate roof and the installation of storm windows, public restrooms, and a new HVAC system, were completed in 2006 "Phase II," which includes the installation of a new fire alarm system, parking lot, walkways, and main entrance, commenced in January 2008 and is due to be completed in early 2010. An exhibit design firm, Whirlwind Creative, Inc., has been retained to prepare a master plan for the center's exhibits, as well as design some initial exhibit installations. The center's grand opening is being planned to coincide with Earth Day 2010 in April.
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