Wildlife and Nature

Bayard Cutting Arboretum

Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park is a 691-acre state park located in the hamlet of Great River, New York, on Long Island. The park includes an arboretum designed by Frederick Law Olmsted for William Bayard Cutting in 1886, as well as a mansion designed by Charles C. Haight.

Dr. Dave's Tip: Beautiful scenery and great hikes!

Website: https://bayardcuttingarboretum.com/

Address: 440 Montauk Hwy, Great River, NY 11739

Elizabeth A Morton Wildlife Refuge

Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge protects 187 acres on the north shore of Long Island’s south fork in the town of Southampton. The refuge is located near Sag Harbor, and includes a peninsula one and a half miles long, locally known as Jessup’s Neck, which separates Little Peconic Bay from Noyack Bay.

Website: https://bayardcuttingarboretum.com/

Dr. Dave's Tip: The chickadees have been tamed over time and will land on your hand if you have seeds!

Address: 2595 Noyack Rd, Sag Harbor, NY 11963

Seal Watching at Montauk Point

Experience seals in their natural environment! Montauk Point State Park will host a series of hikes to observe wintering seals. Beginning in November and continuing through April 2022, a State Park naturalist will lead visitors on a scenic beach walk to an area where up to four species of seals can be observed.

Website: https://liparks.com/longislandseals/_39159/

Sunken Forest - Fire Island

In the heart of the Sunken Forest, it's hard to imagine you're so close to the Atlantic Ocean on a narrow barrier island, where growing conditions are harsh at best. This special forest is comprised of a rare assemblage of plants and is yours to explore.

Website: https://www.nps.gov/fiis/planyourvisit/sunken-forest.htm

Watch Hill - Fire Island

Discover Fire Island's most extensive salt marsh, the beauty of the barrier island's beaches and dunes, and the solitude of a seaside wilderness at this National Park Service site.

Website: https://www.nps.gov/fiis/planyourvisit/watchhill.htm

Caumsett State Park

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, situated on a scenic peninsula extending into Long Island Sound, offers miles of bridle paths, walking, jogging, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and nature trails over acres of woodland, meadows, rock shoreline and salt marsh.

Website: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/23/details.aspx

Address: 25 Lloyd Harbor Rd, Lloyd Harbor, NY 11743

Deep Hollow Ranch

Located in Montauk, New York amidst thousands of preserved acres of spectacular coastal land, Deep Hollow Ranch welcomes visitors from all over the world, from the experienced cowhand to the beginner. Here one can step back in time and catch a glimpse of America’s rich history.

Dr. Dave's Tip: A great place to go horseback riding!

Website: http://www.deephollowranch.org/

Address: 8 Old Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954

Montauk State Park

On the eastern tip of the South Shore of Long Island, Montauk Point State offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean where it meets the Block Island Sound. The view is unique because, when the water is calm, visitors can clearly see the "race" of converging tides from the Atlantic and Block Island Sound.

Dr. Dave's Tip: It's a "different world" out there!

Website: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/montaukpoint/details.aspx

Be sure not to miss: Montauk Point Lighthouse

Canoe or Kayak the Nissequogue River

Paddle along 5.5 miles of incredible unspoiled nature at its finest! Launch from the Smithtown Bull or Kings Park Bluff depending on the tides.

Dr. Dave's Tip: Check the tide chart to see where and when to launch each day.

Website: http://www.canoerentals.com/

Peconic Paddler

Enjoy an amazing adventure kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boarding on the beautiful Peconic River.

Website: https://www.thepeconicpaddler.com/

Address: 89 Peconic Ave, Riverhead, NY 11901

Whale Watching

Did you know that you can see beautiful whales on Long Island? Long Island Whale Watching is an excellent activity for anyone, young to old.

Website: https://liwhaleandsealwatching.com/

Address: 31 Woodcleft Ave, Freeport, NY 11520

Suffolk County Farm

The Suffolk County Farm provides inclusive educational opportunities based in the 4-H Positive Youth Development framework for over 50,000 school children and families each year, to increase understanding of agriculture, nutrition, history, and environmental issues. The farm has cows, horses, goats, pigs, chickens, and more!

Dr. Dave's Tip: Don't miss the goats!

Website: https://ccesuffolk.org/suffolk-county-farm

Address: 350 Yaphank Ave, Yaphank, NY 11980

Quogue Wildlife Refuge

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a 305 acre non-profit nature preserve that was founded in 1934 and is home to diverse wildlife. Free of charge and open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset, you can enjoy walking seven miles of trails to explore diverse habitats including forests and ponds, as well as the ecologically rare Dwarf Pines in the Pine Barrens.

Website: https://quoguewildliferefuge.org/

Address: 3 Old Country Rd, Quogue, NY 11959

Holtsville Ecology Site

The Town of Brookhaven Holtsville Ecology Site and Animal Preserve is located on a reclaimed landfill. Since 1974, when the landfill closed, the Town of Brookhaven Highway Department employees worked to revegetate the hills and build a modern recreational and educational facility.

Website: https://www.brookhavenny.gov/197/Holtsville-Ecology-Site

Address: 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville, NY 11742

Avalon Nature Preserve

Avalon Nature Preserve is located on Harbor Road in Stony Brook, NY. Avalon is FREE and open to the public year round. Parking is available along Main Street, on Harbor Road, and in the shopping center just past the Preserve on Main Street.

Website: https://avalonnaturepreserve.org/

Address: 200 Harbor Road, Stony Brook, NY 11790