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LARCHMONT, N.Y. While summer is winding down, grills are being put away and the kids are heading back to school, the Sheldrake Environmental Center in Larchmont is just getting started with some of its biggest activities of the year.
The season is just beginning for us, Program Director Mary Davis said. We are a tiny place with a tiny staff, but we do a lot.
Various educational activities, for both adults and children, are being hosted by the center this fall. For adults, composting and recycling classes and volunteer environmental educator training will be available for area residents.
Its a great group of adults and they go into the local schools and get the kids really excited for field trips to the center, Davis said about the educator training. They just have a ball. Its one thing to have the kids say, its the best field trip they've ever been on, but its great to see the educators out there with the kids exploring the natural world.
In the "Tiny Trekkers" and "Young Explorers" programs, children will be taken around the conservation area by the educators to explore the natural trails while discovering new bugs, animals and plants. The goal is to teach kids about nature and green living. Eco-crafting classes for kids also will be taught this fall by crafter and blogger Richela Morgran. The class will teach kids how to reuse household items to make fun arts and crafts projects.
We are kind of a little oasis in suburbia, Davis said. People dont have to go very far to get here and its a wonderful place to get away from everything.
Also coming up Sept. 22 is the yearly coastal clean-up. This is a day for Mamaroneck and Larchmont community members to participate in a national event, come out and pick up garbage at Manor Beach, Hommocks Conservation Area and the Sheldrake Lake and River.
The Sheldrake Environmental Center also will be having its annual Fall Festival Oct. 14. for families. The event has pumpkin painting, arts and crafts, animals and music and other events.
People just aren't getting outdoors as much, and its really being recommended now by doctors to just get outside, Davis said. The impact of nature on health and well-being, stress-relief, critical thinking and problem solving is actually documented.
To register for fall programs at the Sheldrake Environmental Center visit its website or call (914) 834-1443.
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