Explore local waters this winter with “Passport to the North Fork” — Peconic Baykeeper’s new event series
Even with local and global outdoor challenges, connecting to the coastal environment during the winter can be trying. Since a general trip to the beach might not be top-of-mind when temps hover around 30 degrees, we find prompts and events helpful in getting our families to engage with the watershed. Local non-profit, Peconic Baykeeper understands this and has developed a series of eight events to get you and your kids to the shore this season.
With a mission of protecting and restoring clean water in the Peconic and South Shore Estuaries by bringing clean water-focused programming and awareness to the East End, Peconic Baykeeper has launched Passport to the North Fork, a watershed stewardship and awareness series consisting of eight different programs. Located in Hampton Bays, this is one of the first programs that Peconic Baykeeper is hosting on the North Fork.
“Having both worked and lived on the North Fork, I know how passionate and engaged residents are in caring for the coastal environment,” said Alexa Annunziata, Director of Outreach for Peconic Baykeeper. “We wanted to bring our clean water-focused programming to the North Fork to help folks dive deeper into what it means for them to be watershed stewards. We hope that children can get excited about environmental science and living in a coastal area but also start to recognize that we all have a role in taking care of the spaces we inhabit. We want to provide families and children opportunities to get curious about their own backyards, to ask questions, and to learn together so that outside of programming they can connect back to clean water stewardship.”
Passport to the North Fork, which kicked off in the New Year and will conclude in April around Earth Day, will include one virtual/independent event and seven in-person events designed to engage the whole community with lectures for adults, activities for children, and family-friendly events for the entire family. “Each event stands alone but the ideas and concepts subtly build to help foster learning and appreciation for the watershed,” Alexa shared.
The “passport” part of the series is meant to be a fun way to help folks keep track of what events they have attended and see what’s coming up. Physical passport copies people can be picked up at the events or you can find a printable version on the Peconic Baykeeper website. On the “passport” is a spot for a stamp which can be collected at each event. Each event is worth one stamp.
After all eight events, those with the most stamps will be thanked by qualifying to go out on a pollution patrol or oyster seeding session with Peconic Baykeeper.
“We wanted to give folks a peek into some of the other work we do, having a presence on the water allows us to keep an eye out for pollution, with our 18-foot vessel we traverse the Peconic Bay and South Shore Bays keeping our eye peeled for fish kills harmful algal blooms or marine debris. We also have a community restoration oyster garden where we grow oysters from seed until we can return them to the bay. “Seeding” is the act of returning the adults to the bay. Our days on the water are purposeful and fun, Peconic Baykeeper would like to share those experiences,” said Alexa.
The first event in the series is a virtual/independent one — a month-long beach cleanup. This easily approachable, self-led event includes heading to your favorite Peconic Bay beach or inlet and cleaning up any trash or debris that you find. Snap a photo as proof and send it to Peconic Baykeeper at info@peconicbaykeeper.org to earn your first stamp on your passport. You can also share your beach cleanup photo on Instagram to encourage others to do the same by tagging #peconicbaykeeper #pbkvirtualbeachcleanup. You can then either collect and dispose of the trash responsibly or donate to local artist on a mission, Cindy Pease Roe of UpSculpt who will then transform the trash into works of art. Types of materials she takes include hard plastics, beach toys, bottle caps, straws, rope, fishing gear, mylar balloons, tent material, and kite material. Contact Alexa at alexa@peconicbaykeeper.org to arrange drop-off.
The second event, which will be held in person on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 2 to 4:30 p.m., was designed to challenge the way you think about marine debris. At this workshop, attendees will join Peconic Baykeeper and Upsculpt to make wreaths completely from trash found on our beaches while learning the importance of upcycling. This workshop, which will be held at the Upsculpt Studio located in the Port of Egypt Marine complex, is free to attend but does require registration. One wreath accommodates up to four people, roughly one per household, and will be worked on in groups.
Events to follow include a Watershed 101 Lecture at the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library, which is most appropriate for teens and adults. “This workshop will discuss how water moves through the environment and where the issues arise. Most importantly, this will highlight the concept that all of us have an impact on local water quality issues” Alexa shared. At the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library, there will also be a Water Cycle 101 activity for children followed by a family-friendly nature walk at Paul Stoutenburgh Preserve. “This ‘Bay to Forest’ walk will call back to mind some of the topics discussed in the library activities,” said Alexa. In April, a water pollution activity is scheduled as well as a Rain Barrel making event at Southold High School. The last event, which will be scheduled close to Earth Day, includes a nature walk that will evoke the topics discussed throughout the program as well as what the future might have in store.
Most of the events will be free to attend except for a possible materials fee at the rain barrel-making event. To learn more about this event series and Peconic Baykeeper’s ongoing efforts, visit peconicbaykeeper.org.