The Nature Explore Classroom at Bailey Arboretum in Locust Valley, New York
Bailey Arboretum is celebrating their 2nd year as a certified Nature Explore Classroom.
The Children’s Habitat grows more beautiful with every passing season. Major improvements this year include the addition of several planting areas. Some of these areas will be used in the future to grow pumpkins for their annual Pumpkin Festival (October 24th this year). Www.baileyarboretum.org includes many ideas for parents who want to make sure their children have nature rich adventures.
Dan Kreisberg, also known as “Nature Dad” in the Long Island area, leads a family Nature Adventure one Sunday a month at the Arboretum. Notice of the schedule is sent out through local schools to more than 2500 families.
Bailey Arboretum is host to many groups of children, from programs such as Girl Scouts, Girls and Boys Club, elementary schools and high school students, who enjoy the Habitat and trails. A volunteer “Mrs. Bailey” leads pre-school groups around the Habitat and into the woods.
On May 16th, the Arboretum held its fourth annual Family Day with more than 1000 visitors. Children built fairy houses in the woods after gathering materials, played in the Habitat, worked on a huge mural, and made music with a local musician. There were Pond Study groups, a display of animals, and the local “Bee Man” displayed and talked about bees.
Volunteers for Wildlife will be moving their headquarters to Bailey Arboretum this summer. They will bring with them a professional nature educator and also a number of un-releasable animals including owls, hawks, ducks, and opossum.