Family Hike & Learn: Plastic Fish, Salt Marshes and the Long Island Sound Sunday, April 13, 2008 – 1:00 pm
Presenter: Patti Wood and Alison Beall
We’ll start at Wainwright House where Patti Wood of Grassroots Environmental Education will present “I’ll Have the Plastic Fish Special, Please,” a serious-but-fun interactive educational program on our “throw-away” way of life for school children and adults. We’ll learn how the things we do in and around our homes affect wildlife, threaten our drinking water and impact the Long Island Sound and global warming.
Our next stop is the Marshlands where Alison Beall, long-time curator of the Marshlands Conservancy, leads us on a hike through the 170-acre sanctuary. We may see herons and egrets and possibly hear the call of the Clapper Rail. With a half mile of shoreline, woods, fields, fresh water ponds and an extensive salt marsh, the Marshlands Conservancy is one of the few salt marshes in New York State accessible to the public. Salt marshes are rapidly disappearing. Many people believe their decline is linked to global warming. Learn why the loss of salt marsh habitat is so important. Learn about the 13-year struggle in the 1980’s and the 1990’s to save 23 northern acres and the Peter Jay Mansion from development. Learn about how household pollutants and plastics affect the Marshlands, our salt marshes and our open spaces. An historic timeline and live-fish tanks will be available for viewing in the Marshlands Shelter. The Marshlands is across Milton Harbor from Wainwright House on the Post Road.
The program meets at Wainwright House. Wear long pants, socks and closed shoes for the Marshlands hike.
Alison Beal has been the curator of the Marshlands Conservancy since 1974 and is the Director of the Marshlands Children’s Summer Ecology Program.
Patti Wood is the Executive Director of Grassroots, a science and solution-based environmental organization dedicated to helping people understand the impact that environmental toxins are having on human health. Two of Grassroots more notable programs are the Child Safe Schools Program and the Healthy Lawn Program. Founded in 2000, Grassroots’ Westchester office is at Wainwright House.
