Avalon Nature Initiative

04/29/2026

🌿Young Naturalists,

It’s Earth month and what better way to celebrate than to educate others on trees? Join Avalon Nature Preserve and the Village of Head of the Harbor as we give away free saplings to visitors in honor of Arbor Day. We need helpers to pass out trees and direct visitors to a planting demonstration and educational tables on native plants.

🗓️WHEN: Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 10:00am to 1:30pm
📌WHERE: Avalon Barn, 60 Shep Jones Lane, St. James, NY 11780
🕵WHO: Nature Initiative Members ONLY

📌Sign up today
https://avalonnaturepreserve.org/event/arbor-day-tree-giveaway/

WHAT TO BRING:
🧢Hat/bug spray/sunscreen
💧Water bottle/snack
🥾Closed toed shoes

☀️Hope to see you there,
Kayla

04/19/2026

🌿Young Naturalists,

Come join us as we tackle garlic mustard, an easy to pull invasive plant species that is widespread throughout the park. At this time of the year it starts to develop seed pods, which is a primary way of re-populating. Everyone will go home with recipe card for a pesto sauce that can be made from harvesting these invasives (YUM!) We will be meeting in the parking lot of the Bates House at Frank Melville Memorial Park.

🗓️WHEN: Sunday, April 26, 2026 from 10:00am to 12:30pm
📌WHERE: Frank Melville Memorial Park, Bates House - 1 Bates Rd, East Setauket, NY
🕵WHO: Nature Initiative Members ONLY

📌Sign up today
https://avalonnaturepreserve.org/event/garlic-mustard-pull/

WHAT TO BRING:
👖Long sleeve shirt and long pants
💧Water bottle
🥾Sneakers or hiking boots with high socks

☀️Hope to see you there,
Kayla

04/18/2026

Young Naturalists,

It’s time for our seed trays to see the sun! We’ll be adding compost to our raised beds, transplanting seedlings, and sowing our first outdoor seeds. It’s going to be a busy gardening day!

🗓️WHEN: Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
📌WHERE: Avalon Barn, 60 Shep Jones Lane, St James, NY 11780
🕵WHO: Nature Initiative Members ONLY

📌Sign up today
https://avalonnaturepreserve.org/event/seed-starting/

WHAT TO BRING:
👕Layers, clothing that may get a little dirty for planting
💧Water bottle
🥾Closed toed shoes

☀️Hope to see you there,
Kayla

04/17/2026

Come celebrate Earth Day at Wertheim on Saturday, April 18th! The Friends of Wertheim are offering a guided nature walk, and a volunteer invasive plant removal and native planting. Lunch will be provided to volunteers for either the removal or planting session. Visit https://ow.ly/q2Pf50YH0MR or call 631-286-0485 for more information.
Friends of Wertheim NWR

03/27/2026

Applications are open until May 4th!

🌊🐟 Dive into an unforgettable summer experience!

High school students entering grades 10–12 are invited to APPLY for this FREE Marine Studies Enrichment Program hosted by Western Suffolk BOCES!

Spend 4 days and 3 nights on Long Island’s east end exploring marine biology through hands-on fieldwork—investigating marine mammals, fish, shellfish, and algae alongside local experts. From beach explorations to lab-style discovery, it’s an incredible opportunity to learn, connect, and make new friends!

📅 Program Dates: July 7–10, 2026
📌 Application Deadline: May 4, 2026
📣 Mandatory orientation in May

Ready to jump in? Apply today!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSessSVY0nT45EgwbExZVy3CMdrl-IyhD4jai6PLgdYAmcqhBA/viewform

🌐https://avalonnaturepreserve.org/youth-programs/marine-studies/

03/16/2026

🚨We're Hiring a Part-Time Seasonal Program Assistant!🚨

Avalon’s Nature Initiative serves as a unique environmental stewardship program for local youths who are self-motivated, who see themselves as leaders, and who are passionate about nature and the outdoors. Avalon’s Nature Initiative seeks to empower and educate its young participants by coordinating volunteer projects/events with local organizations. These opportunities foster connections between young individuals and the environmental community.

We are seeking a Seasonal/Part-Time Program Assistant for May-August 2026. The Program Assistant will be working to oversee teen volunteers on projects, to help with set up and breakdown of projects, to present content, and to assist with other programs as needed.

🕰Hours per week: 10-15 (on average, subject to change)
💲Compensation: $18/hour
📮Application Deadline: open until filled

✨QUALIFICATIONS✨
▪️Ability to withstand the outdoors for long periods of time in variable weather conditions
▪️Demonstrates a leadership role or has previous experience working with children
▪️Applicant must be at least 18 years of age
▪️High School Diploma or GED is required
▪️Prior experience in environmental science or related field projects is a plus
▪️First Aid/CPR certification is required (or ability to become certified upon hire)

📨To apply, email your resume to [email protected]

01/09/2026

🌲🪵Young Naturalists and Fellow Nature Lovers,

Our latest newsletter is out now! Take a look at what we've been up to and the accomplishments of our members as we closed out 2025.
🔗https://avalonnaturepreserve.org/natureinitiativeblog/october-december-2025-newsletter/

🌞 Kayla

12/23/2025

🪵🌿 Young Naturalists and Fellow Nature Lovers,

Our final Creature Feature of 2025 shines a spotlight on the Great Horned Owl!

A Great Horned Owl’s eyes are enormous, so large, in fact, that they make up about 3% of the bird’s total body weight. Their eyes contain far more rods than cones, giving them exceptional night vision. Because owl eyes are tube-shaped and can’t move within their sockets, they swivel their heads instead while still maintaining impressive depth perception.

Their distinctive facial discs help funnel sound directly to their ears, making them incredible hunters. Around this time of year, you may even hear males and females duetting at dusk as part of their courtship rituals.

Keep your eyes (and ears) open - you never know who might be watching from above! 🦉

🔊Listen to a Great Horned Owl calling courtesy of Cornell Lab: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/132729861

☀️ Kayla

12/15/2025

🪵🌿 Young Naturalist

🚨We've had a slight adjustment to our program schedule, due to the weather on Sunday, December 14th our scheduled Owl Prowl was canceled. We have rescheduled it to create a longer event for this upcoming Saturday, December 20th!🚨

Join us for an exciting evening of campfire cooking and owls! We’ll begin this two-part program with a potluck cookout where each volunteer will be asked to bring either a food or beverage item. Then let’s warm up while enjoying a special presentation by naturalist and educator Jim MacDougall. As we wrap up, we’ll venture out onto the trails for a night walk in search of owls and other nighttime wildlife using a fun, safe and easy method.

Join us on Saturday, December 20 from 6:00pm - 8:30pm at the Avalon Barn.

Register today!
https://avalonnaturepreserve.org/event/end-of-year-campfire/

Hope to see you there!

WHAT TO BRING/FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS:
🧤 Clothing: winter gear (hat, gloves, etc.), warm layers, high socks, hiking boots or sneakers
🔦Headlamp or flashlight (We will have extra)

☀️ Kayla

12/13/2025

🪵🌿 Young Naturalist

Let’s enjoy sitting around the campfire with like minded Nature Initiative students as we discuss what our favorite projects were this year. We’ll have a potluck cookout where each volunteer will be asked to bring either a food or beverage item and then we’ll wrap up the program by observing winter constellations and other deep sky objects through the telescope with our astronomy team!

Join us on Saturday, December 20 from 5:00pm - 7:00pm at the Avalon Barn.

Register today!
https://avalonnaturepreserve.org/event/end-of-year-campfire/

WHAT TO BRING/FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS:
🧤 Clothing: winter gear (hat, gloves, etc), warm layers
🔦Headlamp or flashlight (We will have extra)

☀️ Kayla