Family fun at Pine Barrens Discovery Day

Calling all nature boys and girls.

The 12th annual Pine Barrens Discovery Day is scheduled for next week at the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge in Shirley.

The event, slated for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, is designed to showcase one of the Island’s vital nature areas. It features fun shops, nature walks, kids discovery center games and activities, and exhibits for the entire family.

Visitors can experience presentations about Long Island’s birds of prey, marine life, underwater robotics, fire rangers, wildlife forensics and more. Expert naturalists will lead guided walks along the trails of the refuge and on the Carmans River.

Sponsored by the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission and Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, the Discovery Day includes exhibits and presentations by Quogue Wildlife Refuge, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Forest Rangers, Trout Unlimited, Long Island Aquarium, Brookhaven National Lab, Seatuck Environmental Association, Friends of Wertheim, Imagination Nature TV, and more.

The Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge is located at 340 Smith Road in Shirley.