Nature enthusiasts are invited to experience the Full Frost Supermoon during a free hike on Wednesday, Nov. 5, highlighting the ongoing restoration of Southampton’s Vineyard Field and the work of the Friends of Long Pond Greenbelt.
The event begins at 5 p.m. at the South Fork Natural History Museum’s parking lot, 377 Bridgehampton Turnpike.
Jean Mc Dermott, a representative for the Friends of Long Pond Greenbelt, will guide participants on a one-mile, leisurely walk through the grasslands behind the SOFO museum. Although the trail is mowed, she recommends sturdy shoes and tick protection.
“It’s a nice walk in the moonlight,” Mc Dermott said. “A supermoon is closer to the earth in its orbit than usual, so it looks slightly larger than normal.”
She added that Native Americans referred to November’s full moon as the Full Beaver Moon because beavers build their winter dams at this time of year.
“Even if it’s overcast, we still have it (the walk), and it’s a very neat experience. If the moon is out, there’s a pond in the middle of the field that we wind up at and you can see the reflection of the moon,” she said.
The hike is not designed for animal encounters, which may be difficult to see in the dark, but participants can experience the Vineyard Field’s grasslands, which provide habitat for many birds, reptiles, and other animals.
“This hike will bring you through the field, and it’s very tranquil,” she said.
After the walk, board member Doreen Johnston will play the gong to symbolize "full moon vibrations" as participants sip cider and relax.
The 39-acre property reflects the Friends’ long-term effort to restore native grasslands, often by removing invasive species that had blocked a public trail. Owned and preserved by the Town of Southampton, the field has been under restoration since 1997 and received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2000, followed by additional grants.
“It’s been a long process, and we’re still working on it,” Mc Dermott said.
The Friends of Long Pond Greenbelt are seeking new members to support ongoing restoration projects in the Greenbelt, a 1,000-acre area with 13 coastal ponds stretching from Sag Harbor to Sagaponack.
According to the Friends’ website, the Greenbelt hosts more than 30 rare species and others considered critically imperiled. Its location along the Atlantic flyway also attracts more than 100 bird species to the six-mile-long territory of diverse terrain.
"Our main goal is to bring awareness and education to the Greenbelt,” Mc Dermott said.
Membership currently totals about 400, she added.
“Numbers count when we’re going before town boards and trying to get their support for conservation. We’re always looking for additional members to show everyone is on board with preserving this unique habitat.”
Those interested in the moonlight walk can sign up by emailing info@longpondgreenbelt.org. Additional details are available on the organization’s website.