Author: FOW administrator

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2025 Annual Meeting

Saturday, November 8

2:00 PM

LOCATION UPDATE:
Mastic-Moriches-Shirley Community Library – Main Branch
407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, NY
Join us for the Friends of Wertheim Annual Meeting, where we’ll gather to reflect on the past year’s accomplishments and look ahead to exciting initiatives for the refuge. This is a chance to connect with fellow members, hear important updates, and engage with those working to protect one of Long Island’s most vital natural spaces.
On the Agenda:
Annual budget review
Project and program updates
Special guest speaker: John Turner
And more!
We’re honored to welcome John Turner — a renowned Long Island naturalist, author, and conservation leader whose work has shaped environmental policy and public awareness for decades. John has devoted his life to strengthening the bond between people and the natural world. He’s held numerous leadership roles at the State, County, and Town of Brookhaven levels.

He is also:
Co-founder of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society
Board member of the SoFo Natural History Society
Conservation Committee Chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society

John will share insights from his remarkable career in conservation and speak to the importance of community-driven stewardship in preserving our natural heritage.
We hope you’ll join us!
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Feathered FamilyFun…Summer’s LINesting Birds

So many birds on Long Island and so many are here in summer raising a family! It makes summertime so much fun! Using fun facts and wonderful photos, Dianne Taggart, long time LI birder, will tell us all about the amazing nesting birds of LI.

Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

In the Visitors Center at the

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, 340 Smith Rd., Shirley, NY 11967

631-286-0485
$5.00 admission

Free for FOW members and children under 12

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2025 Spring Bird Walk

A spring bird walk will be held on Saturday, May 17th, 2025, from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at Wertheim NWR. Join MaryLaura Lamont on the White Oak trail and bring binoculars! *Rain cancels program

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2024 Annual Meeting

Please join us for our annual meeting at
Wertheim Visitors Center November 9th @ 2 pm

Meeting Agenda:
1). Business meeting
      Election of officers for the board
      Budget for 2025
2) Acknowledgements
3) Walk  for the Wild – Judy Garbato
4) Refuge Update and visitor center project update
5) Guest Speaker- Bob McGrath, history of LI naturalists

*MEMBERS ONLY*

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Walk for the Wild Event

Join Friends of Wertheim in a Walk for the Wild and show your support by donating to our efforts. Each step and every dollar helps protect vital habitats and preserve our wildlife. We hope to see you on October 14th and October 19th for our guided walks and special events! Of course, you can take the 5K challenge anytime during National Wildlife Refuge Week of 10/13-10/19/24. Sign up now!

Click here to register

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Annual Meeting 2023

aerial view of mouth of river

On Nov. 18th, FoW held their annual meeting at the Visitor Center.

1. Acting President June Champion’s Report: While Covid sidelined us for a while, we are confident in the process of revitalization and will be better able to serve the Members and the Refuge. New candidates for the board Judy Garbato and Don Lanham were introduced. She thanked the many front desk volunteers and Eileen Oakes for her continuing efforts on behalf of the Nature Store.

2. Budget Vote: Treasurer Ada Graham presented a comprehensive outline of expenditures. She also explained that the monies previously collected for a Wall Mural project (sidelined due to Covid) is currently in a money market account and is still dedicated to being used for some type of display.

3. Summer Camp Program Update: Melissa Parrott has retired from running the program and left us in good hands with Tim Motz, the new Camp Director.

4. Votes: the 2024 budget was approved, as were the new board members. The slate of officers was also approved: June Champion, president; Annelies Kamran, vice president; Ada Graham, treasurer; and Joann Zurlo, secretary.

5. Refuge Update: Ann Marie Chapman, Visitor Services Manager, gave a comprehensive update on Refuge activities (too numerous to list!)

6. Guest Speaker: Thomas V. Schultz, co-founder and Director of Water Operations for the Friends of Bellport Bay, Inc. He spoke of the diminishing shellfish population in L.I. bays due to overharvesting and pollution. FoBB’s main mission is to collaborate with communities, municipalities, and environmental organizations to rehabilitate and restore lost shellfish populations. They are accomplishing this by building sanctuary reefs, supporting aquaculture, and seeding oysters. FoBB, FoW, and the Refuge are in the initial stages of planning for a sanctuary reef at the mouth of Carmans River.

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