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Overcast Celebrating Arbor Day at Earth Month festivals around L.I.
Being thankful for trees
The trees and shrubs are bursting forth with their buds. As nature comes alive with all the grandeur of spring, Arbor Day beckons: a reminder of the importance of trees. “Earth Month” culminates with activities that bring out the best of our natural world, for everyone to share.
The National Arbor Day Foundation estimates that 18 million trees are planted each year on Arbor Day. Whether or not you’re planting your own, spend some time outdoors this weekend and enjoy the environment around us.
Planting Fields Arboretum’s Arbor Day Festival
Oyster Bay’s Planting Fields Arboretum celebrates the preservation of trees and their importance to the environment at its annual festival, Saturday and Sunday, The more than 4,000 trees in the state park provide a fitting backdrop to the many exhibits and presentations, April 24-25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. There’s something for everyone at this family festival: Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center’s “Birds of Prey” and “The World of Reptiles” programs, illusion and interactive magic at Coe Hall; a family concert and storytelling with Strummin’ and Drummin' and Flumpa and Friends, nature crafts, a tree planting ceremony with Smokey Bear, and more. Highlights include supervised tree climbing for the kids, tree-planting demonstrations and seedling give-aways, and a plant sale, along with a performance by the Chamber Players Piano Trio. Admission is $15 per car, $5 individuals. Once in the park all activities are free.
“Junior Ranger Day” at Sagamore Hill
President Theodore Roosevelt's Oyster Bay residence honors Arbor Day, in a manner highly favored by the 26th president, a conservationist dedicated to trees and forestry. who many consider our “nature president.” Re-enactor James Foote, portraying Theodore Roosevelt, is on hand to greet visitors, Saturday, April 24, which is Junior Ranger Day. Kids can make special commemorative crafts, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, April 25, features a guided nature walk down the trail the Cold Spring Harbor Inlet at 2 p.m. The walk involves some hilly terrain. Check in at the Visitor Center.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, 12 Sagamore Hill Rd, Oyster Bay. (516) 922-4788.
Earth-Fest
The Center for Science Teaching and Learning honors Earth Month with “EarthFest,” on Saturday, April 24. The event, from from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., features workshops, guided hikes, live animals, entertainment and a variety of other family activities.
“It’s a whole day to celebrate the richness of the earth,” said CSTL director Ray Ann Havasy. “The focus is on how animals and people live together on the same earth. We're looking at things we can do every day to help animals and people live better.”
Visitors – of all ages – can participate in workshops on many “green” topics, including energy efficiency, solar energy, gardening, and making the earth and animal-friendly place. Live animal shows featuring CSTL's many residents will give families an opportunity to interact with the creatures who make CSTL their home. The preserve’s beekeeper will conduct a session on beehives and the importance of bees to the environment. Also representatives from various “green” companies will offer tips on natural cleaning and energy conservation.
Guests can stop in the greenhouse to do some container gardening and learn about sustainable gardening. And for those who really want to get “hands on,” Havasy encourages families to help clean the preserve. “If you're ready to pitch in, we’ve got projects for you,” she said.
The fee is $8 per child and $5 per adult, which includes free admission to Amazing Animals, CSTL’s live animal exhibit.
Center for Science Teaching and Learning, 1 Tanglewood Rd., Rockville Centre.
(516) 764-0045 or www.cstl.org.
