JANUARY

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BAY TO SOUND TRAILS: BIG CLEAN-UP #3 (GREENPORT) [FAMILY FUN!]
Saturday, January 23
(10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)

With winter here, the time is right to tackle clean-up along Monsell Trail. Join the Group and our partners from North Fork Audubon Society as we take on Big Clean-Up #3. After hundreds of hours of hard work, Moores Woods is looking great and we are ready to focus our clean-up efforts on the long-neglected Monsell Trail. Given the season, this cleanup will set a modest goal of filling a 5-yard dumpster with debris illegally dumped along the trail. Monsell trail will serve as a vital connection in the Bay-to-Sound Trails project, providing nature trails and bike paths linking Greenport's waterfront to the shore of Long Island Sound. Stop by for an hour or stay for three. We hope to continue our tradition of making this a true community event with families, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Village and Town Board members, and anyone else interested in joining us. Please bring your own gloves. Please contact Jeremy Samuelson to let us know you are coming (so we can have enough bags, drinks, etc.), or if you need additional information: 631-765-6450 ext. 209 or jsamuelson@eastendenvironment.org.

MEET MORTON'S CHICKADEES (NOYACK) [FAMILY FUN!]
Saturday, January 30
(10:30 a.m. to noon)

The black-capped chickadees of Morton National Wildlife Refuge will feed right out of one's hand! During a short nature walk through the woods to Peconic Bay, we'll spend some time attempting to meet these energetic songbirds up close. The walk is appropriate for the entire family; birdseed will be provided. For reservations or more information, please contact Steve Biasetti at 631-765-6450 ext. 205 or sbiasetti@eastendenvironment.org.

CALL FOR OSPREY POLE SURVEY VOLUNTEERS
During the Month of January

Volunteers who enjoy the outdoors during the winter months are needed to conduct a survey of the Group's osprey poles in Southampton and East Hampton Towns. Following the survey, we will evaluate which poles need to be fixed or replaced in preparation for the coming osprey nesting season. This project is time-flexible and can be taken on by individuals, classrooms, or families during the month of January. For more information, please contact Kate Schertel at 631-765-6450 ext. 208 or kschertel@eastendenvironment.org.

February

CALL FOR OSPREY POLE REPAIR VOLUNTEERS
Dates TBD between February 15 and March 12

Group for the East End is looking for team-oriented community members to help fix or replace osprey poles for the upcoming nesting season. Volunteers will join Group staff at one or more osprey pole sites on the South Fork. Dates and times will be scheduled based on pole locations and availability of volunteers. If you are interested in participating, please contact Kate Schertel at 631-765-6450 ext. 208 or kschertel@eastendenvironment.org. PLEASE NOTE: This project involves heavy lifting and takes place in a cold, outdoor environment. Participants must be 18 years of age or older and must be physically fit. Both male and female volunteers are welcome!

WINTER HIKE AT LONG POND GREENBELT (SAG HARBOR) [FAMILY FUN!]
Sunday, February 21
(10 a.m. to noon)

Get out of the house and enjoy the crisp cool air of winter! Join us for a hike in beautiful Long Pond Greenbelt preserve. For reservations or more information, please contact Jennifer Skilbred at 631-765-6450 ext. 212 or jskilbred@eastendenvironment.org.

MASHOMACK: JEWEL OF THE PECONICS (SHELTER ISLAND)
Saturday, February 27
(10 a.m. to noon)

The Nature Conservancy's Mashomack Preserve ? encompassing nearly 2,100 acres ? makes up fully one-third of Shelter Island. Join us for an informative three-mile hike through the woodlands, wetlands and grasslands of this special place. For reservations or more information, please contact Steve Biasetti at 631-765-6450 ext. 205 or sbiasetti@eastendenvironment.org.

March

AFTER-SCHOOL HIKE AT LAUREL VALLEY (NOYACK) [FAMILY FUN!]
Friday, March 5
(3:30 to 5 p.m.)

Spend some time outside this afternoon, and join us on a children's exploration in a beautiful local preserve, at Laurel Valley County Park. For reservations or more information, please contact Jennifer Skilbred at 631-765-6450 ext. 212 or jskilbred@eastendenvironment.org.

INTERPRETING THE NATURAL HISTORY OF A SPRINGS WOODLAND (SPRINGS) [FAMILY FUN!]
Saturday, March 6
(1 to 2:15 p.m.)

Learn how the shapes and sizes of trees, forest type and topography can reveal the natural history of a Springs woodland. We'll walk on a forested trail, which winds through Springs School property and the Lassaw Preserve. This is a relatively short (about 1/2 mile), family-friendly hike. We'll meet at the playground behind Springs School. For reservations or more information, please contact Anita Wright at 631-765-6450 ext. 206 or acwright@eastendenvironment.org.

HOORAY! DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME CELEBRATORY HIKE! (SOUTHOLD)
Monday, March 15
(5:30 to 7 p.m.)

The days are getting longer! This year, Daylight Savings begins on Sunday March 14th. Join us the very next day on a hike at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue (Southold Town) to celebrate the added daylight! Come learn about the site's unique history. For reservations or more information, please contact Jenn Hartnagel at 631-765-6450 ext. 211 or jhartnagel@eastendenvironment.org.

READ, LEARN AND RESPOND: EATING LOCALLY
Friday, March 19th
(11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)

Group for the East End and the Southold Free Library will co-sponsor a book discussion to gain perspective about eating locally. Plenty: One Man, One Woman, and a Raucous Year of Eating Locally takes place in the Pacific Northwest, but provides unique lessons that can be used in our area as well. The lunchtime chat will include a discussion of the book and a special presentation. Bring your own lunch or reserve one featuring local ingredients by The Piping Plover Cafe ($15). We'll also raffle off a free copy of the HEP Guide to Long Island Farm Stands: Farmers Markets, CSA, and Local Purveyors. The discussion will be held in the community room in the lower level of the Southold Library. Space is limited to 30 participants. To sign up and reserve a lunch please contact Kate Schertel at 631-765-6450 ext. 208 or kschertel@eastendenvironment.org.

ARE YOU VOLUNTEERING ON TEAM WILD? (SOUTHOLD)
Saturday, March 20
(10 a.m. to noon)

Have you ever come across an injured wild animal and wished you knew what to do to help? If so, this program is for you! Join Group for the East End and the Wildlife Rescue Center for a special training session to become an official member of "Team Wild". Participants (ages 10 and over) will learn about the work of a wildlife rehabilitator and then "meet" some amazing local wildlife species including a great horned owl and red-tailed hawk. Everyone who attends will receive a Team Wild certificate, which qualifies you to recognize and rescue injured animals. For location and other information, please contact Kate Schertel at 631-765-6450 ext. 208 or kschertel@eastendenvironment.org.

EARLY SPRING WILDLIFE ON THE BARRIER ISLAND (HAMPTON BAYS)
Sunday, March 28
(noon to 2:30 p.m.)

Hampton Bays' barrier island provides excellent wildlife-watching opportunities throughout the year. During this early-spring search we hope to find harbor seals, loons, great blue herons, great egrets, long-tailed ducks, snow buntings, marsh hawks, and perhaps a short-eared or snowy owl. Binoculars are required. For reservations or more information, please contact Steve Biasetti at 631-765-6450 ext. 205 or sbiasetti@eastendenvironment.org.