We all love animals don’t we? We have some wonderful places to visit on Long Island where the staff takes care of some incredible animals and educates the community on how we can help and protect them, as well.

I recommend visiting all of the places listed below with your family. They are all wonderful.

Sweetbriar Nature Center

“Sweet Briar Nature Center is a private not-for-profit corporation which exists to provide natural science education services for Long Island residents of all ages and to engage in native wildlife rehabilitation services.’ Through education programs at the center people can better understand and appreciate the animals and nature that surrounds us.

Located at: 62 Eckernkamp Drive Smithtown, NY 11787

Phone: 631-979-6344

 

 

Holtsville Ecology Center

“The Town of Brookhaven Wildlife and Ecology Center Animal Preserve is the home of over 100 injured or non-releasable wild animals and farm animals that are available for viewing.” The playground area is huge and there are swings available for kids to use, as well.

Located at : 249 Buckley Road in Holtsville, NY 11742

Phone: 758-9664 ext. 10

 

 

Quogue Wildlife Refuge

300 acres of land for you and your family to enjoy year round. “The Outdoor Wildlife Complex houses permanently injured wildlife that require human care to survive including a bobcat, owls, falcons, a bald eagle, foxes and other native New York animals.”

Located at : 3 Old Country Rd   Quogue, New York

Phone: (631) 653-4771

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

“the largest living collection of New York State freshwater reptiles, fishes and amphibians. Visitors can tour our two aquarium buildings and eight outdoor ponds, feed the hungry trout, and try our “Catch & Keep” fishing.”

Located at: 1660 Route 25A   Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
Phone: 516-692-6768

 

 

Tackapausha Museum and Preserve

“At the museum you can see live exhibits and monthly scheduled presentations which include; birds of prey, reptiles, amphibians, mammals such as opossums, rabbits, ground squirrels, porcupine and coming soon our amazing and unique Egyptian fruit bats.”

Located at:  2215 Washington Ave  Seaford, New York

Phone: (516) 571-7443

 

 

Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center

” Integrating science, conservation, policy and education, our mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems within New York and the Atlantic Flyway, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.”

Located at: 134 Cove Road  Oyster Bay, New York 11771

Phone: 516-922-3200

 

 

Connetquot River State Park

“maintains 3,473 acres of land and water for the protection and propagation of game birds, fish and animals. Deer and waterfowl are numerous, rare nesting birds, including the osprey, are present and there are numerous rare plants, and other interesting flora, such as trailing arbutus and pink lady’s slipper in their natural habitats. The preserve also has 50 miles of hiking, horseback riding, cross-country ski and nature trails, as well as fishing (by permit only) on the Connetquot River.”

Phone: (631) 581-1005

 

 

Center For Science Teaching and Learning

“Open year-round, CSTL’s live animal exhibit offers visitors of all ages a unique opportunity to meet and encounter a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Visitors to the exhibit can expect a more intimate, family-oriented experience than most zoos, as they interact with chatty parrots, look eye to eye with alligators, pet dwarf goats, hoot at owls, and even gaze into the inner workings of a live honeybee hive. An outdoor butterfly garden gives visitors the opportunity to see hummingbirds and butterflies!”

Located at: 1 Tanglewood Rd.   Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Phone: 516-764-0045

 

South Shore Nature Center

 The Nature Center is beautiful and there are great trails to explore. When you first enter the Nature Center parking lot you will see the Butterfly Garden on your left. You will see a large variety of all kinds of wildlife including many species of birds and water fowl.

The Nature Center property is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the week. The visitor center — which was dedicated in 2013 as the Orr Wildlife Learning Center (“OWL Center”) — is open on weekends from 1 to 4 p.m. and occassionally during the week depending on staff schedules.

Located at: 130 Bayview Avenue, East Islip NY 11730

 

Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve

“The Hoyt Farm Nature Center is an exciting and educational place. There are many live animals, including snakes, frogs, salamanders, turtles, and fish.”

Hoyt Farm is only open to Smithtown residents ALL year round. Non-residents may only park in our lot when they are the guest of a permit holding resident and will be charged a $12 parking fee.

 

Located at: 200 New Highway Commack, NY 11725
Phone: 631-543-7804

 

 

If you have not been to some of these great places on Long Island make it a point to head out with your family and enjoy all the beauty Long Island provides us. Please, support your local farms, nature preserves and centers because they are doing great things for our community.