Seatuck’s education programs seek to expose people to the diversity, beauty, and wonder of Long Island’s natural world. Such authentic outdoor experiences are the foundation upon which people develop their connection to the environment and concern for its conservation. Our programs foster a greater appreciation and understanding of Long Island wildlife and ecological systems in support of long-term conservation of the environment.
Professional Teacher Development
Seatuck has been providing professional development opportunities for teachers for over a decade. This work focuses on helping teachers develop a deeper understanding of Long Island’s natural history and learning techniques for using the outdoors as an extension of the classroom and incorporating the natural world into daily lessons. Seatuck’s work with teachers includes both the annual year-long Greentree Foundation Teachers’ Ecology Workshop and custom, shorter trainings for teacher groups, grade levels, administrators, schools or districts.
Day in the Life
A Day in the Life A Day in the Life Program Seatuck participates in the annual Long Island “A Day in the Life” program, which was initiated on Carmans River in 2014 by the Long Island Pine Barrens Commission in
Quail in the Classroom
Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus) are a native North American ground bird that historically ranged across much of the Central and Eastern United States. The species, which thrived when forests were cleared and mixed-use agriculture characterized the Colonial landscape, has suffered dramatic declines in the past century as grassland habitat has been lost to development and industrial agriculture.
Native Schoolyard Garden Program
Seatuck’s Native Schoolyard Garden Program engages students in planning, prepping, planting and nurturing small native gardens on their school grounds. In the process, students gain valuable knowledge about their local environment and the natural world as teachers can easily incorporated lessons on the life cycle of plants, the role of insects as pollinators and decomposers and the value of native plants to birds and other wildlife, just to name a few.
School Programs & Field Trips
Seatuck offers a range of programming for school districts. We provide in-class presentations and outdoor programs, which can be held on school grounds, at parks and preserves near the school or at other exciting locations across Long Island. We also offer field trips to one of three educational facilities: The Suffolk County Environmental Center in Islip, the South Shore Nature Center in East Islip, and the Sherwood Jayne Farm in East Setauket.
South Shore Nature Center
The South Shore Nature Center is a public nature center located in East Islip, New York. The facility is operated by the Seatuck Enviornmental Association through a partnership with the Town of Islip, which owns the property together with Suffolk County and The Nature Conservancy.
General Public Programs
Our all-ages programs are targeted for family groups and designed to be suitable for everyone. Our adult programs are more challenging, offer a higher-level interpretation & instruction, and focus on more sophisticated topics.
After School Programs
Seatuck offers adventurous after-school programs for students from Kindergarten to 12th Grade. Register today for the upcoming school year!
Summer Programs
Seatuck’s summer programs are perfect for children with an interest in nature, animals or plants. Registration now open.