Back To The Bays Fundraiser Supports Local Marine Program

“Living on an island surrounded by water, it is vital to provide programs to our children that will connect them to the ocean and bays around Long Island, so they can appreciate and protect it for future generations,” said Frank Quevedo, Executive Director of South Fork Natural History Museum (SoFo). “The Back to the Bays Event will enable SoFo to continue and expand on this program.”

On Saturday, September 19th, SoFo will once again partner with Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program to pay tribute to local marine life during the Back to the Bays Benefit at SoFo.

“We are so happy to be expanding upon our past collaborative fundraising efforts with SoFo this year,” expressed Kimberly Barbour, Cornell’s Marine Program Outreach Manager. “Transitioning from our past years’ Save our Seagrass Celebrations, we are collaborating with SoFo to present our Back to the Bays Benefit, raising funds to expand the scope of marine science and stewardship programs that we will be offering to the public at SoFo in 2016.”

From 5 to 8 p.m., partygoers will listen to music from Alfredo Merat, nosh on culinary offerings from Bay Brothers Catering, as well as a plentiful raw bar, and sip on craft beer from Montauk Brewing Company, and wine from Wolffer Estate Vineyard and Channing Daughters Winery.

“With proceeds from this event we’ll be able to not only offer our eelgrass restoration workshops, but get the public involved with our marsh and dune grass cultivation for coastal restoration project and introduce them to aquaculture and opportunities to grow their own shellfish with our SPAT program,” noted Barbour.

Back to the Bays is an initiative of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Marine Program that is dedicated to offering communities, individuals, and businesses opportunities to give back and help preserve our marine resources and maritime heritage for generations to come. The initiative’s mission is to grow stakeholder engagement in their Water Quality Protection Efforts; Habitat Improvement Projects; Shellfish and Finfish Research and Restoration; and Youth and Community Education Experiences.

Tickets are $75 for general admission and $50 for students.

South Fork Natural History Museum is located at 377 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike in Bridgehampton. For more information, call 631-537-9735 or visit sofo.org. For tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com.