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Welcome to Friends of Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge. The Friends of Wertheim is an active, membership supported, group of dedicated people who love and value Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge. We support the refuge through a number of educational programs, interpretive workshops and special events to improve public awareness and enhance visitors and our members refuge experience.

Friends Activities Include

  • Take environmental action to protect our refuge and its environs
  • Provide project volunteers, services, fund raising and general assistance to the refuge
  • Cultivate greater public appreciation of nature and the ecological importance of the Refuge
  • Staff the visitor center Information Desk and the Friends Welcome Cabin
  • Operate the Nature Store at the refuge Visitor Center

Friends Welcome Cabin Open:  Sundays 12:00 to 2:00pm in season

Donate

COVID-19 Update

  • The Visitors Center is now open!
  • The Friends Nature Store is open to shop (cash only at this time).

About Us

photo of Maurice Wertheim

HONORING THE PAST

Maurice Wertheim (1886–1950) was a New York investment banker, philanthropist, and environmentalist who owned 1800 acres of land along the Carmans River, which he used for conserving wildfowl and hunting. In 1947, he and his wife Cecile donated all of this property to the U.S. government as a gift for the American people.

photo of Dennis Puleston

KEEP THE PROMISE

Dennis Puleston (1905-2001) was a British-born American envirnmentalist, adventurer and wildlife artist.  His life-long interest in birds led him to work to prevent the continued use of DDT, which had caused Long Island’s osprey population to decline.   After securing a ban, Puleston and his colleagues founded the Environmental Defense Fund.  A senior naturalist, he also painted and wrote extensively about Long Island wildlife.

group of people

THANKS TO THE FOUNDERS

In July of 1998, Marty VanLith signed the FOW incorporation papers during a busy time which included the acquisition of Southaven Properties and a successful effort limiting the proposed commercial building in the area.

The attendees at a weekend retreat and organizational meeting at Mashomack in October of 1999. Pictured left to right:  Lee Snead, Peter Hutchings, Ellen Dillon, Anne Meinhold, (Alyssa Dillon on mantel), Kathleen O’Connor, Pat Martinkovic, Marty Van Lith and Ray Collins. Board of Directors members not pictured:   Roger Baker, Annette Perry Delhias.

Refuge Friends Group President Claire Goad

Former Refuge Friends Group President Claire Goad

Claire Goad’s fifty years of love and dedication to the Refuge System and FoW has left a valuable legacy to continue.  Her tireless advocacy with federal officials was instrumental in getting the Visitors Center built (she is pictured speaking at the opening ceremony).

kids in life preservers on a dock examining stuff they caught in nets

LOOK TO THE FUTURE

The Refuge gives children an opportunity to discover nature and to return to it over and over–with wonder and appreciation. They will be the next stewards of our Refuge and the environment.

News

Contact and Directions

Refuge Headquarters

340 Smith Road, Shirley 11967

631-286-0485

Nature Trail Hours: Sunrise – Sunset

Visitor Center open: Monday to Saturday 9:00am to 4:00pm

Welcome Cabin Open: Sundays 12:00 to 2:00pm

Mailing Address:

Friends of Wertheim, PO Box 376 – Brookhaven NY 11719

Comments: info@wertheimfriends.org

Click on map for directions to the refuge:

340 Smith Road, Shirley, NY

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