Free Nature walks this summer offered Protectors of Pine Oak Woods

Protectors of Pine Oak Woods offers Free Nature Walks to Pond and Park
for Children and Parents
With Experienced Naturalists—All on Staten Island!

Sunday, June 26, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Wolf's Pond Park Ancient Forests - Entrance off Cornelia Street off Hylan Blvd. Meet at the farthest reach of the parking lot by the restrooms. Explore this living forest of ancient trees and see re-creation at work Marvel at this wonderful park of seashore and pond, hills and ridges, streams and cool arboreal woods. Contact Hillel Lofaso at (718) 751-6629.

Saturday, July 2, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Mount Loretto – The morning’s focus will be on the breeding birds that may be present in the fields and hedgerow such as Willow Flycatcher, Indigo Bunting, Orchard Oriole and any other surprises that may be present.  Meet in the parking lot on Hylan Blvd.  It may be early in the morning, but the birds will be singing before the heat of the day.  We need to listen for their songs and call notes as we wander the trails.  For more information call Howie Fischer at (718) 981-4002.

Saturday, July 9, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Old Mill Road - We'll follow the multi-use trail overlooking Fresh Kills, pass the famous Hessian Spring as it crosses the path and view Fresh Kills estuary and work our way to the remains of Ketchum’s Mill. Along the way we’ll observe traces of the past, examine the present woodland ecosystems and search for evidence of present inhabitants especially deer and other mammals.  Parking is available at the start of Old Mill Road, alongside the church.  For more information call Clay Wollney at (718) 869-6327.

Saturday, July 16, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Forest Restoration Workshop at Egbertville Ravine - Meet at the side of Meisner Ave. (toward the Eger Home) close to the intersection of Meisner andRockland.  We will follow the White Trail south to Nevada Avenue and uproot Multi-flora Rose, Oriental Bittersweet and; perhaps, Garlic-Mustard.  If you don't have your own, Protectors will supply gloves, loppers and pruners (& refreshments).  After a two hour work session (our 181st workshop), we will take a short walk over nearby trails.  For more information call Don Recklies at (718) 768-9036 or Chuck Perry at (718) 667-1393 for more information.
Sunday, July 17, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Clay Pit Pond Park – This ecological wonderland hosts a variety of habitats.  And among the woodlands and native flowers we will search for dozens of butterflies utilizing the park’s flowers, trees and shrubs.  Meet in the Nature Center parking lot.  For more information call Cliff Hagen at (718) 313-8591.
Saturday, July 30, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Page Ave Beach - We’ll begin with a look at the local geology then move to examining the flotsam and jetsam accumulated at the high tide lines to see what nature's debris has to tell us.  As the water recedes with the tide we'll move into the intertidal zone to find out what sorts of living things survive in this challenging environment.  A variety of crabs, snails, clams, worms and small fish are likely to be discovered.  It's going to be muddy so dress appropriately. Meet at the parking lot at the bottom of Page Avenue below Hylan Blvd. For more information phone Clay Wollney at (718) 869-6327.
Saturday, August 6, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Long Pond Park - From reptiles and amphibians to birds and mammals, we’ll look for signs of animal life during this one and a half mile hike to through the woodlands of Long Pond Park.  In addition evidence of the geologic history and human influence on the park will also be observed.  Meet at PS 6, on Page Avenue and Academy Avenue about 3 blocks NW of Hylan Blvd. For more information phone Clay Wollney at (718) 869-6327.
Sunday, August 7, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Clay Pit Pond Park – This ecological wonderland hosts a variety of habitats.  And among the woodlands and native flowers we will search for dozens of butterflies utilizing the park’s flowers, trees and shrubs.  Meet in the Nature Center parking lot.  For more information call Cliff Hagen at (718) 313-8591.
Saturday, August 13, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Conference House Beach - Past and present blend in the Conference House Park where history stretches back thousands of years with the seasonal occupation of the Lenape and hundreds of years with the habitation of the Dutch and English.  We’ll observe evidence of the human occupation of the area, observe local geology and discover what the natural and unnatural debris at the high tide line has to reveal. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Hylan Blvd. on the left. For more information phone Clay Wollney at (718) 869-6327.
Saturday, August 20, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Forest Restoration Workshop at LaTourette multi-purpose path (the bike path) - Meet at the bike path entrance on the Old Mill Road next to St. Andrews Church (the old one).  We will walk along path toward its T-junction where we will cut invasive vines that strangle saplings on the north side of the trail.  If you don’t have your own, Protectors will supply gloves and pruners (& refreshments).  After a two hour work session (our 182nd consecutive monthly workshop), we will take a short walk over nearby trails. For more information call Don Recklies at (718) 768-9036 or Chuck Perry at (718) 667-1393.
Sunday, August 21, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Magnifying Nature at the Greenbelt Nature Center - Celebrate Staten Island's 350th birthday, naturally, in the heart of the Greenbelt. Two of the borough's premier environmental organizations, the Greenbelt Conservancy and Protectors, are joining forces to bring an afternoon of learning to examine nature more closely, with a variety of lenses, as well as the naked eye.  All children will receive a magnifying glass courtesy of Protectors.  For registration or more information call Jessica Kratz at (718) 351-3450 or Chuck Perry at (718) 667-1393 or email naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org.
Saturday, August 27, 8:00a.m. to 10:00a.m.
Clove Lakes Park - Walk the watercourse of Clove Lakes Park and search for the "early bird specials" of fall.  A north wind might bring dozens of species of warblers, and various neo-tropical migrants from the Catskills and Adirondaks on their trip south for the winter.  Meet atop the Martlings Ave. Bridge.  For more information call Howie Fischer at 718-981-4002.