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"While my interest in natural history has
added very little to my sum of achievement, it has
added immeasurably to my sum of enjoyment in life."
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Theodore Roosevelt |
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JANUARY |
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Saturday, January 28, 2012 2:00 PM
Creatures of the Sea...from the Wacky to the Wonderful! with Todd Gardner
Why
don’t fish get crushed under the pressure of the deep sea? How can whales hold their breath for so
long? If corals have been around for more than 300 million years, why are they in such grave danger
over a small increase in global temperature? Why do sharks really attack people? In which species does
the male become pregnant and carry the babies? What does a marine biologist fear most in the water?
These and many other questions will be answered as
we spotlight some well known, as well as some
underappreciated marine creatures and their
remarkable adaptations that make them so fascinating
to us.
Todd Gardner is a biologist at the
Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead, NY and a
professor of Biology at Suffolk County Community
College. He has an extensive background in marine
sciences and has written numerous scientific and
popular articles about his research and experiences
collecting, keeping, and culturing marine organisms.
Between graduating high school in 1988 and returning
to his Suffolk County roots in 2002, Todd’s career
as a marine biologist has taken him on adventures
around the world, during which time he completed a
Master’s degree (researching nutritional needs of
baby seahorses), worked on the production of a
National Geographic Explorer film, and as a
commercial aquaculturist in Puerto Rico. Todd’s
current work at the Long Island Aquarium involves
caring for exhibits, leading collecting excursions,
and of course, continuing his aquaculture research
behind the scenes. To date, he has successfully
raised more than 40 species of marine fish. In his
spare time, Todd dives, photographs marine life,
competes in triathlons, and plays in a blues band.
Download/print the flyer for this program
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FEBRUARY |
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Saturday, February 4, 2012 10:30 AM
Owl Discovery and Craft Program for Kids at The Farm at Oyster Bay
Have
you ever wondered what an owl eats for dinner? Do
you want to know how they find their dinner? Why are
they such excellent hunters? Can they really see in
the dark? Just how many owls live on and visit Long
Island? Join the Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon
Society as we learn the interesting behavior and
life-cycle of the several species of owl which
frequent our area. After the interactive program, we
will turn crafty and create pine cone owls to take
home, as well as dissect a pellet to see just what
it is that an owl eats. A special gift goes to the
child with the biggest “prize” inside their pellet!
Each participant will be provided with material for
their pine cone owl, as well as a pellet of their
own, which they will be able to dissect and examine.
Hurry to sign up: group size limited to 20! Please
call 516-695-0763 to register. Program presented by
Stella Miller, Kelly Simmons and Amelia Weitman.
Location: 510 Split Rock Road,
Oyster Bay, NY
Directions to the Farm at Oyster Bay:
Route 25A to Split Rock Road. (Split Rock Road is
just east of Route 106 in East Norwich). Make right if
coming from west, left if coming from east. Third
driveway on left.
Download/print the flyer for this program
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MARCH |
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012 7:00 PM
World Class Travelers: Bird Migration on Long Island
Long
Island is an exceptional place to study bird
migration, owing to its diversity of habitats and
geographic position. This talk will survey some of
the many places on Long Island where migrating birds
can be seen, with special attention devoted to
shorebirds during spring, pelagic birds from land
during summer, and the visible migration of hawks
and many other species during fall. Bird migration
occurs throughout the year on Long Island, and
birders can deepen their appreciation of birds and
their insights into avian ecology by looking for
seasonal movements at unexpected times and in
unexpected places.
Shai Mitra has studied birds in the
northeastern United States and around the world for
more than thirty years. He received a BA in Biology
from Cornell University in 1989 and a PhD in
Evolutionary Biology from the University of Chicago
in 1996. From 1996-2000 he operated a major
bird-banding station at the Fire Island Lighthouse,
on the South Shore of Long Island. Currently, he is
an Assistant Professor of Biology at the College of
Staten Island, with research interests in the areas
of avian ecology, evolution, and conservation. Shai
is Editor of The Kingbird, the quarterly publication
of the New York State Ornithological Association;
co-compiler of bird records for the New York City
and Long Island region; Chair of the Rhode Island
Avian Records Committee; and co-compiler of three
Christmas Bird Counts on Long Island and Rhode
Island.
Download/print the flyer for this program
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APRIL |
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Monday, April 9, 2012 7:00 PM
Bats: Fact and Fiction with Bill Schutt, PhD
Bats
are essential to the health of our ecosystems. They
are important predators of pests and pollinators and
seed dispersers for countless plants. Despite this,
these wonderful animals have gotten a really bad
rap!
Centuries of myths and misinformation still generate
needless fears and threaten bats and their habitats
around the world. Bat populations are declining
almost everywhere. White Nosed Syndrome is
decimating bat populations at an alarming rate with
over a million bats lost thus far. Losing bats would
have devastating consequences for natural ecosystems
and human economies.
Tonight we will discuss the natural history of bats,
dispel some myths, discover why they are such an
important component in our natural world and learn
about the threats that are facing bats around the
world.
Bill Schutt earned his Master’s degree in biology
from Geneseo State College. He then attended
Cornell, receiving his Ph.D in zoology. After
graduating in 1995, Bill taught for three years at
Bloomfield College in New Jersey while
simultaneously working on a Post-Doctoral
Research Fellowship at the American Museum of
Natural History with bat expert Nancy Simmons. In
1998, Bill accepted a faculty position at
Southampton College (Long Island University). In
2005, he transferred to his undergraduate alma
mater, C.W. Post College , where he is currently an
Associate Professor of Biology (teaching
undergraduate and graduate courses in Evolution,
Mammalogy, Vertebrate Paleontology, and Vertebrate
Anatomy). Additionally, Bill has strong ties to the
American Museum of Natural History, where he is a
Research Associate in the Department of
Mammalogy. He is the author of the critically
acclaimed book “Dark Banquet: Blood and the
Curious Lives of Blood-Feeding Creatures” and is
currently working on his next book titled: "You Are
What You Eat: A Natural (and Unnatural) History
of Cannibalism “ scheduled to be published in the
spring of 2013.
Download/print the flyer for this program
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Saturday, April 21, 9:00am (rain date April 22)
Native Butterfly Garden Planting at the Farm at Oyster Bay
Celebrate
Earth Day by joining us today as we break ground and
plant native vegetation that will attract a variety
of butterflies and insects at the Farm. This
butterfly garden will include both nectar and host
plants to welcome these marvelous creatures. A
picnic lunch will be provided for hungry diggers and
planters. Bring garden gloves if you have them and
clothes you don't mind getting dirty! We will
supply the gardening tools. Come on down to the Farm
and help us honor Earth Day as we create a butterfly
haven!
Directions: 510 Split Rock Road, Oyster Bay. Take
Route 25A to Split Rock Road. (Split Rock Road is just east of Route 106 in East Norwich). Make right if coming from west, left if coming from east. Third driveway on left. You will see the number 510. Follow the driveway into the Farm.
Coordinator: Stella Miller. 516-695 0763 to register.
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Click here to visit our archive of past programs! |
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All meetings are free and open to the public!

Meetings begin at 6:45pm for refreshments and
7:30pm for speakers at:
Cold Spring Harbor Library
95 Harbor Road (Route 25A), Cold Spring Harbor.

Please check this website often for updates
and changes to the schedule. |
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