EcoFriends, Quogue Wildlife Refuge And Eastern Long Island Audubon Society Hosting Westhampton Beach Earth Day Celebration

Earth Day may have come and gone, but Westhampton Beach is still thinking green.

On Saturday, April 30th, EcoFriends will partner with Quogue Wildlife Refuge and Eastern Long Island Audubon Society to present the Eighth Annual Westhampton Beach Earth Day Celebration. “It is through enjoyment of nature and the outdoors that will inspire people to take individual actions to help preserve our planet’s habitats, resources, and wildlife,” explained Marisa Nelson from the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. “We invite all of you to come and enjoy this special day in our community with us.”

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., guests can partake in ecofriendly activities, entertaining educational programs, and have the chance to sit and back appreciate East End nature. Afternoon highlights will include Birding Walks by the Eastern Long Island Audubon Society, live animal presentations and encounters, up-cycling crafts, exhibits of environmentally friendly products for your abode, garden and personal care, bat-house building, face painting, live music, yoga, self-guided kayaking and canoeing on Old Ice Pond and much more.

“Quogue Wildlife Refuge’s philosophy is to inspire people to care for the environment by providing experiences that lead them to understand their connection to the natural world. We want to help people to develop a love and respect for Earth and all the plants and animals that inhabit it, which will assure better stewardship of our environment,” she noted. “We are thrilled to be co-hosting this event with Eastern Long Island Audubon Society and Westhampton Beach Eco Friends! Come and celebrate the planet with us!”

Once again ecoTech Management will collect a variety of E-waste items. “Gather up all those old computers, faxes, phones, small appliances, cell phone, tablets, gaming devices, TV’s radios, anything that plugs in or runs on battery,” said Beth Ann Felshman, one of the Earth Day organizers. For those with an excess of goods, ecoTech will help out by coming directly to you. “Special pickups can be arranged if your home or business has too much to bring to us…we will come to you,” added Felshman. “Remember it is now the law, you cannot dispose of your Ewaste at the dump. Here is a free and legal way for you to dispose of these items and help our Earth Day Celebrations as well.”

Recycling opportunities include Ewaste by ecoTech Management can be dropped off at the parking lot across from entrance of Quogue Wildlife Refuge; unused prescription drugs, over the counter drugs and vitamins can be dropped off at the Police Station on Potunk and Mill Rds; old sheets, towels, blankets, and pillows, and used pet supplies and toys can be dropped off at Bidewee.

“These recycling programs are important to the protection of our water systems as well as the overall health of our environment. E-waste, prescription drugs and plastic bags make up a substantial amount of our overall landfill and water pollution,” noted Naomi Collins, who helped organize the event. “This is the second year we are able to offer the community education as well as an opportunity for action.”

Along with the events and recycling, the afternoon will include talks with elected and appointed community leaders, who will cover the importance of the environmental issues facing Long Island and the initiatives in place to resolve them.

Quogue Wildlife Refuge is located at 3 Old Country Road in Quogue. For more information, visit quoguewildliferefuge.org.