Upcoming Events
Winter Wildlife of the Port Washinton Peninsula
Date & Time: Tuesday, February 10, 7:00 PM
Location: Port Washington Public Library — Lapham Room (Main Auditorium)
Presenter: Stéphane Perreault
The Port Washington Watershed Biodiversity Coalition invites the public to a free presentation, “Winter Wildlife of the Port Washington Peninsula,” to be delivered by naturalist Stéphane Perreault on Tuesday, February 10 at 7:00 PM at the Port Washington Public Library (Lapham Room / Main Auditorium).
The presentation explores the surprising diversity of wildlife active during winter months on the Port Washington Peninsula. Using photography, local research, and citizen science survey results collected from December through March, Perreault highlights wintering waterfowl, land birds, mammals, bats, and specialized insects that remain active despite cold conditions. The program emphasizes the remarkable adaptations that allow many species not just to survive, but to thrive during winter.
Topics include wintering geese, ducks, grebes, and loons observed across Manhasset Bay, Leeds Pond Preserve, Shore Road, Sands Point Preserve, North Hempstead Beach Park, and Roslyn Pond; land birds including year-round residents, winter migrants, and irruptive species; winter mammal behavior; and recent local research documenting winter bat activity, including confirmation in 2024 of vocal behavior by Silver-haired Bats following a 2023 scientific discovery.
Stéphane Perreault is the Naturalist at the Greentree Foundation, a Manhasset-based nonprofit organization focused on peace, sustainability, and philanthropy. His work includes year-round biodiversity documentation and ecological research across the Foundation’s property and the surrounding region.
The Port Washington Watershed Biodiversity Coalition is a partnership of ten local organizations working together to conserve and restore biodiversity across the Port Washington watershed. The Coalition advances science-based conservation through natural resource inventories, habitat assessments, stewardship, education, and citizen science, collectively stewarding over 1,000 acres of diverse natural habitats.
See below for a silent sonogram of the gray-haired bat, a winter-active species in our region.
Upper Beach Habitat at Sands Point Preserve in Winter, by Stephane Perrault, January 2021
The silent song: Stunning sonagram of a song of Silver-haired bat recorded in December 2024 in Manhasset - 22 signals emitted within one second, above the human hearing range.
Recent Past Events
A Unique Gathering of Butterflyweed Seeds and Nature Walk at the Guggenheim Preserve
A Unique Gathering of Butterflyweed Seeds and Nature Walk at the Guggenheim Preserve
Summer flowering Butterflyweed in neon orange (left) Fall gives way to goldenrods in yellow and little bluestem grass in purple
Date and Time: Thursday, September 11th, 3:00pm to 4:30pm.
Meeting Location: The Dead end of Fairfield Ave. Port Washington, NY, 11050
Jointly Hosted by: The Long Island Native Plant Initiative (LINPI) and the Port Washington Biodiversity Coalition
Come with family and friends to a unique event that combines seed collection with a guided nature walk! Together we’ll help protect the genetic diversity of the regionally uncommon butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa)—the sole host plant of the critically imperiled Monarch butterfly (that we will see, in abundance). Along the way, we’ll discover the fascinating lives of plants, insects, and migratory birds within this 9-acre meadow and 7-acre forest, and see what makes it such a special place.
We will also honor the legacy of PW Green 501(c)(3), which for over 20 years worked to protect and maintain the Preserve through mowing and to host educational walks for Port Washington Public School classes. PW Green disbanded in early 2025, and stewardship of the Preserve has now been passed to ReWild Long Island 501(c)(3).
The seed collection will be led by biologist Greg Lowenthal, President of the Long Island Native Plant Initiative. Prior to seed collection will be a nature walk led by David Jakim, leader of New York Wild Walks, member of Transition Town Port Washington, the Port Washington Biodiversity Coalition, and former member of PW Green.
Baxter's Pond Guided Nature Walk and Fall Clean Up
Join the Baxter's Pond Foundation on Saturday, September 20, at 9 am for our Early Fall Clean-Up followed at 10 am by a Guided Nature Walk along Baxter’s Pond and through the Barbara Johnson Park & Preserve with expert field biologist David Jakim of the Port Washington Coalition for Biodiversity and Director at New York Wild Walks. We are proud to co-sponsor this event with the Port Washington Public Library!Join the Baxter's Pond Foundation on Saturday, September 20, at 9 am for our Early Fall Clean-Up followed at 10 am by a Guided Nature Walk along Baxter’s Pond and through the Barbara Johnson Park & Preserve with expert field biologist David Jakim of the Port Washington Coalition for Biodiversity and Director at New York Wild Walks. We are proud to co-sponsor this event with the Port Washington Public Library!