Events Calendar
Winter/Spring 2012
Photography Club Meetings
The Sweetbriar Nature Photography club meets on the 1st, 2nd and
3rd Mondays of each month at 7:30 p.m. Visitors are always welcome. Activities include guest speakers, entertaining slide shows, instructional
programs, photo competitions, field trips and more. Our club is
a member of the Photographic Federation of Long Island.
Call Ed Sambolin at (631) 439-0812 for more information.
What's going on at Sweetbriar?
Did Sweetbriar Sam See His Shadow?Will Sweetbriar's resident groundhog see his shadow, or will there be a short winter? Come to Sweetbriar and meet Sam, take a jaunt along the trails to see what other life is around while we enjoy a crisp winter's day, and create a pop-up ground hog to take home.
Date: Saturday, February 4, 1 to 2:30pm
Ages: Families
Fee: $5/child for members and scouts, $6/child for non-members
Who Done It?
A mystery has occurred at Sweetbriar Manor. Meet the wild suspects. As Sherlock Holmes would have said, "The Game Is Afoot!". Be a detective and collect clues to help solve the mystery. Dress warmly, this could involve following animal tracks.
When: Sunday, February 19, 1pm – 3pm
Who: Families
How Much: $5/child for members and scouts, $6/child for non-members
Nocturnal Wanderings: In Search of Owls
Sweetbriar will be openings its gates under the cloak of darkness to search for the mysterious night flyers better known as owls. So come dressed in warm clothing and wander the preserve in search of owls as a leader attempts to call them in. A Sweetbriar naturalist will introduce participants to some of our resident nocturnal animals including at least two of our owls. End the evening with an edible owl treat. Bring a flashlight.
When: Friday, March 2, 7:30pm to 9:30pm.
Who: Families and Scouting Groups
How Much: $5/person for members and scouts, $6/person all others
Sensational Snakes
Meet seven slithery kinds of snakes and learn how each is adapted to where they live. Play some silly scaly games and make a craft to take home.
When: Sunday, March 18, 1pm-3pm
Who: Families
Yard Sale for Wildlife at Sweetbriar Nature Center
Sweetbriar Nature Center is holding a yard sale to support its mission of nature education and wildlife rehabilitation. Items include household goods, collectibles, antiques, and more.We will accept donations but please call first. NO EARLY BIRDS!
When: April 28 & April 29, 10am to 3pm
Who: Open to the public
How Much: No Entry Fee. Donations appreciated.
Spring Festival
Sweetbriar welcomes the season with a fun filled day of face painting, games, stories, wildlife programs, egg hunts, animal presentations and a guest appearance by the Easter Bunny.
When: Saturday, April 7, 1 to 4pm
Who: Families
How much: $7/person
Wildlife Baby Shower
Celebrate Mother Earth and all her wildlife babies and support Sweetbriar as it gets ready for the spring and summer season when we care for many orphaned and injures animals. Meet some of our success stories and see how a baby squirrel and baby bird is cared for. Take a nature walk to find signs of animal homes where baby animals are being raised, and make a fun craft.
When: Sunday, April 15, 1 – 3:30 pm
Who: Families and Scouting Groups
How Much: $5/person for members and scouts, $6/person all others.
Wonderful Wetlands
The geese, ducks, turtles, and frogs are all returning home from their winter trips or waking up from their long winter slumbers. Meet some of these animals and then take a walk along the Nissequgue River to learn about this special natural place and the creatures that call it their home.
When: Sunday, May 6, 1pm to 3pm
Who: Families
How Much: $5/person for members and scouts, $6/person all others
Rainbows in Nature: A Celebration of Spring
(Take a sneak peak into Long Island's only enclosed Butterfly Garden)
Come visit Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown for an afternoon of treasure hunts, an animal presentation, relay races, face painting, and of course tours of our wondrous enclosed Butterfly Garden. Highlighting the event will be local author, Michelle Zimmerman, as she leads children on magical adventures through story and a full spectrum of rainbow fun including a butterfly hunt and a rainbow butterfly craft to take home. Make sure you join one of our educators for a walk to discover the beauty of spring at the nature preserve.
When: Saturday, May , 1-3:30pm
Who: Families, Scouting Groups
How much: $6/person
Turtle Walk
Join us in our annual turtle count. We will locate the Eastern Box Turtles that call Sweetbriar home. The turtles will be examined and tagged and released. There will be a presentation on LI turtles and a turtle craft. Wear long pants and closed toe shoes. When: Saturday and Sunday, May 26-27, 9am to noon.
Who: Anyone who loves turtles and wants to help out the nature center
How Much: $5/person for members and scouts, $6/person all others
Wildlife and Craft Fair
Join us at our annual event and the Grand Opening of our enclosed Butterfly Garden. The event features flight demonstrations with birds of prey, a live Arctic wolf, exotic wildlife presentations, entertainment, wildlife exhibits, face painting, children's crafts, and much more.
When: Saturday, June 2, 10am to 5pm
Who: Families
How much: Donations appreciated. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Some activities, such as face painting and crafts, also have a mode
Insectigations
Learn about the lives of insects that inhabit our gardens and natural meadows Meet some bugs up close, and go on a bug safari. There might even be a surprise bug puppet show. Then make a fun craft and enjoy a healthy snack.
When: Sunday, July 15, 1–3:30 pm