A Nature Year at Stony Brook

Immerse yourself in a full year of local natural history. Twelve months at Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary means 12 different versions of the same beloved place, and this year-long series captures all of them.

Led by our expert naturalists on the first Sunday of each month, move through the full arc of the natural year: from fall butterflies and migrating Monarchs to owls calling on a winter night to dragonflies hovering over summer ponds.

Sessions begin inside with a brief introduction before spending at least 90 minutes actively exploring the sanctuary's trails and boardwalks. Participants build real natural history knowledge, form lasting friendships with fellow nature lovers, and develop the kind of deep, seasonal connection to a place that only comes from returning month after month.

September: Butterflies, Moths, and Their Host Plants

October: Bird and Monarch Migration

November: Fall Colors and Mushrooms

December: Winter Twigs, Buds, and Galls

January: Winter Ecology, Tracks, and Traces

February: Owls in Winter

March: Preparing for Spring

April: Vernal Pool Ecology

May: Spring Wildflowers, Insects, and Bird Migration

June: Dragonflies and Aquatic Invertebrates

July: Night Sounds and Fireflies

August: Reptiles and Amphibians