LI’s Nature Centers, Refuges, Sanctuaries, Preserves

Nature’s tranquility and wonder play an important part in what makes Long Island special. Even so, there are times when we need more than a patch of green or a glimpse of blue to get us through — that’s when we crave escaping to the peaceful beauty of our natural surroundings.

When the mood strikes to escape the bustle and immerse yourself in Mother Nature, check out which of more than 40 nature centers, refuges, sanctuaries, or preserves are nearby and let the flora and fauna do their magic!

BROOKLYN

Fresh Creek Nature Preserve

718-965-8900

https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/fresh-creek-park

 

Gateway National Recreation Area

Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Monmouth County, New Jersey

https://nyharborparks.org/visit-parks/#tab-id-11

 

Marine Park Salt Marsh Nature Trail

718-421-2021

https://www.nycgovparks.org/park-features/hiking/marine-park

Prospect Park Wetland

https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/B073/highlights/11760

Zucker Natural Exploration Area

Prospect Park

718- 965-8951

https://www.prospectpark.org/visit-the-park/places-to-go/playgrounds/zucker-natural-exploration-area/

 

NASSAU

Bailey Arboretum

Lattingtown

516-571-8020

https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/2818/Bailey-Arboretum

Brookside Preserve

Freeport

https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/2833/Brookside-Preserve

Garvies Point Museum & Preserve

Glen Cove

516-571-8010

https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/2821/Garvies-Point-Museum-and-Preserve

Levy Park and Preserve

Merrick

516-804-2000

https://hempsteadny.gov/preserves-and-nature-areas/norman-j-levy-park

Marine Nature Study Area

Oceanside

516-489-5000

https://hempsteadny.gov/preserves-and-nature-areas/marine-nature-study-area

Merokee Preserve

Bellmore

https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/2835/Merokee-Preserve

Mill Neck Preserve

Bayville

516-571-8500

https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/2837/Mill-Neck-Preserve

Muttontown Preserve

East Norwich

516-571-8500

https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/2839/Muttontown-Preserve

South Shore Blueway

Nassau County’s South Shore

https://southshoreblueway.com/

Shu Swamp – Charles T Church Nature Preserve

Mill Neck

http://www.nswildlifesanctuary.org/charles.html

Stillwell Woods Preserve

Syosset

https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/2908/Stillwell-Woods-Preserve

Tackapausha Nature Preserve

Seaford

516-571-7443

https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/2951/Tackapausha-Museum-and-Preserve

Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center

Oyster Bay

516-922-3200

http://ny.audubon.org/about-us/centers-sanctuaries-chapters/theodore-roosevel

Twin Lakes Preserve

Wantagh

516-431-9200

https://hempsteadny.gov/preserves-and-nature-areas/twin-lakes-preserve 

Welwyn Preserve

Glen Cove

https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/2927/Welwyn-Preserve

 

QUEENS

Alley Pond Environmental Center

Oakland Gardens

718-229-4000

http://www.alleypond.com/ 

Gateway National Recreation Area

Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Monmouth County, New Jersey

https://nyharborparks.org/visit-parks/#tab-id-11

Hook Creek Park

Rosedale

212-639-9675

https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/hook-creek-park/map

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

718-338-3799

https://nyharborparks.org/visit-parks/#tab-id-10

Udall’s Cove Park Preserve

Little Neck Bay

212-639-9675

https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/udalls-park-preserve

 

SUFFOLK

Amagansett Wildlife Refuge

Amagansett

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/amagansett/

Avalon Park and Preserve

Stony Brook

631-689-0619

https://avalonnaturepreserve.org/

David Weld Sanctuary

Nissequogue

https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/long-island-david-weld-sanctuary/

Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve

Deer Park

631-444-0200

https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/81065.html

Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge

Noyack

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/elizabeth_a_morton/

Fuchs Pond Preserve

Northport

http://www.huntingtonny.gov/filestorage/13749/13843/15187/99828/153038/17956/Trails_Guide_Fuchs_Pond_Preserve.pdf

Gardiner County Park

West Bay Shore

631-854-4949

https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Parks/Our-Parks/Gardiner-County-Park

Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve

Commack

631-543-7804

https://www.smithtownny.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/1

Long Island State Pine Barrens Preserve

Multiple towns

631-369-3300

https://www.pinebarrens.org/

https://www.pinebarrens.org/on-the-waterways/

Makamah Nature Preserve

Fort Salonga

631-854-4949

https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Parks/Our-Parks/Makamah-Nature-Preserve

Mashomack Preserve

Shelter Island

631-749-1001

https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/long-island-mashomack/

Pine Neck Sanctuary

East Quogue

631-329-3981

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/newyork/places-preserves/long-island-pine-neck-nature-sanctuary.xml

Prosser Pines Nature Preserve

Middle Island

631-854-4949

http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Parks/OurParks/ProsserPinesNaturePreserve.aspx

Quogue Wildlife Refuge

Quogue

631-653-4771

http://quoguewildliferefuge.org/

Sayville National Wildlife Refuge

Oakdale

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sayville/

Seatuck Nature Centers

East Islip

631-581-6908

http://www.seatuck.org

Sunken Forest Preserve

Sailors Haven, Fire Island

631-597-6183

https://www.nps.gov/fiis/planyourvisit/sunken-forest.htm

Sweetbriar Nature Center

Smithtown

631-979-6344

http://sweetbriarnc.org/

Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge

Lloyd Harbor

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/target_rock/

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge

Shirley

631-286-0485

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/wertheim/

Check websites for hours of operation, parking or admission fees, and special events. Some venues operate seasonally or are otherwise weather dependent.

PRACTICE TICK SAFETY!

The peak of tick activity is April through October. Exercise caution, avoid high grasses, brush, and woods whenever possible, and take all protection measures possible as detailed here: https://www.cdc.gov/features/stopticks/index.html.