Wildlife Refuge Center Holds Open House

On Dec. 4, many of the people who have come to enjoy the solitude found at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, as well as some newcomers, found themselves at the refuge for its Holiday Open House – an activity they hope to make an annual event, complete with a lighting.

Tucked away in a corner of Old Country Road in Quogue is a the Quogue Wildlife Reguge, which is a gem of a wildlife sanctuary that some people might not even realize is practically in their own backyard.

Founded in 1934, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a haven for those looking to remove themselves from the hubbub of the Hamptons. And for anyone who make it down to the Refuge there are more than 300 acres of trails that await them, which hikers are free to use 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset.

At the open house was Kevin Falvey of East Quogue, who is also a member of the Refuge and who often brings his family to enjoy all the refuge has to offer.

"The view changes every day," he said, as he and his daughter, Keira, 6, looked through the window of the nature center out onto the pond. "We're an outdoors kind of family, and the refuge bolsters that."

Other families at the open house were there for the first time.  Among them was Zachary and Christopher Berger, of Middle Island, who are 8 and 4, respectively. They came with their mother, Theresa Berger.

While Zachary and Christopher admired the gecko on display in the nature center, Environmental Educator Tony Valderrama prepared to make their day by bringing out the refuge's Chilean Rose-Haired Tarantula.

Although Ms. Berger was a little hesitant to pet the tarantula – she said her arachnophobia definitely affected her daring – her sons' enthusiasm for the arachnid eventually won her over.

It was clear Valderrama had made her sons' day, particularly considering that they had both previously said they wanted to have a pet tarantula.

The refuge has quite a history for its property on Old Country Road, which began as a commercial endeavor, but eventually found its way into the educational sector.

Back in the former part of the 20th century, the Quogue Ice Company used the manmade pond that is the centerpiece of the refuge to harvest ice in the winter, according to Marisa Nelson, the assistant director of the refuge.  Once refrigeration was invented, the ice company went out of business. Then, in the early 1930s, conservationists decided to use the pond as an area to encourage the population of black ducks to increase.

These days, the black ducks are alive and well, and efforts eventually also led to the Quogue Wildlife Refuge's incarnation as a education center.

For at least the last 40 years, the center has strived to educate not only local children, but also adults.

That's an important aspect of the refuge, according to Nelson.

"We want people to know that it's not just for children," she said.

In that vein, the refuge also offers a number of services for adults. In the winter, the refuge will rent out snowshoes and skis, a service that's free its members.

Also offered at the refuge is a Winter Solstice Full Moon Night Hike, which this year will be taking place on Dec. 21 at 5:00 p.m. During the hike, participants will listen for nocturnal creatures and enjoy some night vision activities under the light of the full moon.

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