In celebration of National Hiking Day, The South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center (SOFO) in Bridgehampton is offering a guided hike at the Wolf Swamp Preserve on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 10:30 a.m. The event, which lasts about an hour, provides an opportunity to connect with nature and get outdoors before the New Year.
“For my programming, I decided that it would be fun if I focus on nature-related national holidays that occur each month, so I saw there was National Hiking Day and I thought it would be an opportunity to go out on a hike,” SOFO Environmental Educator Erin Hwong told South Shore Press. The hike ties in with SOFO’s goal, she said, which is to highlight the natural environment of Long Island's eastern end. “At this time of year many creatures are starting to hibernate,” she said, “yet hikers may still spy some waterfowl and can observe the native trees and vegetation.”
The hike, designed for those eight and older, will take participants through land owned by The Nature Conservancy, a Virginia-based environmental group with preserves across the U.S. Wolf Swamp Preserve is part of the largest protected natural area along the Peconic Bay, crucial for preserving local water quality. The 20-acre preserve features an oak-beech forest with century-old trees, a tupelo swamp, a frog habitat, and several hundred feet of Big Fresh Pond, home to osprey, dragonflies, and wintering waterfowl.
The preserve was a gift from philanthropist Elizabeth Morton Tilton in 1957.
With temperatures dropping, Hwong advises wearing long pants, a jacket, and sturdy footwear like hiking boots. The leisurely-paced hike is open to newcomers and all fitness levels. Participants must register in advance at sofo.org/calendar, by emailing info@sofo.org, or by calling 631-537-9735. SOFO members can join for free, while non-members pay $15 for adults and $10 for children. Everyone who registers will also receive a Family Day pass, covering up to six people for a future visit to the museum.
SOFO, located at 377 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, has been a local hub for nearly 20 years. The museum features two floors of exhibits, including a touch tank with oysters, crabs, sea stars, and other marine life. Visitors can also see native salamanders, such as the endangered eastern tiger salamander, and rehabilitated turtles, including the common snapping turtle, which cannot return to the wild.
“The museum’s main mission is to focus on the habitats and the animals of the eastern end of Long Island, so we only feature native animals and wildlife in the museum,” Hwong noted.
In addition to Saturday’s hike, SOFO offers a variety of events each month, giving families more opportunities to explore nature close to home. With the exception of major holidays, the museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.