James Lane Post presents the “East End Community Spotlight” series, highlighting non-profit organizations doing work on the East End. To submit a non-profit organization to be featured in this series, email info@jameslanepost.com.
The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a 305-acre non-profit nature preserve that provides a home to diverse wildlife, open daily for guests to walk its seven miles of trails. The Outdoor Wildlife Complex houses permanently injured wildlife requiring human care to survive. We learned more about the organization.
Can you tell us about your organization?
Since 1934, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge has been a nature preserve that is home to diverse wildlife, including some that are permanently injured and require human care to survive. Three hundred sixty-five days a year, visitors can enjoy walking seven miles of trails to explore diverse habitats, including forests and ponds, as well as the ecologically rare Dwarf Pines in the Pine Barrens. Owls, falcons, hawks, and other native New York animals that have permanent injuries are housed in the Outdoor Wildlife Complex and can be visited any day of the year. Inside the Nature Center, huge picture windows offer spectacular views of Old Ice Pond, as well as a great spot to bird-watch or enjoy some quiet time. Comfy chairs, wildlife exhibits, live animals, a nature library, and a gift shop can also be found inside the Nature Center. Visit Fairy Dell Boardwalk and enter into the beautiful salt marsh habitat of Quantuck Creek. QWR serves as a hub for experiencing and learning about nature through educational programs and events. The preserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and the Charles Banks Belt Nature Center is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends from 11 AM to 4 PM. Admission is free. Dogs, bicycles, and picnicking are not permitted at the preserve.
Could you talk about the importance of this work on the East End?
Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization whose mission is to serve as a responsible land steward of the historic Refuge property and its natural resources, while promoting, implementing, and supporting environmental education. The philosophy is to inspire people to care for the environment by providing experiences that lead them to understand their connection to the natural world. For over 60 years, QWR’s educational school programs and ecology camps encourage children to experience nature and inspire them to become environmental stewards. Programs are offered throughout the year for adults, children, and families. The Refuge is a place where rare habitats and plant species thrive, and where injured wildlife receive the lifelong compassion and care they deserve.
How can the East End community get involved?
There are many ways to get involved with the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. We invite everyone to consider joining as a member. Another way to get involved is to attend Refuge programs and events and learn. We hope that when you come by for a visit, you have time to chat with a staff member and share with us about your experience visiting, provide feedback, report nature sightings, or learn about any Refuge happenings. Folks can also support the Refuge by helping us with our wishlist items, symbolically adopting an animal, engraving a brick in the Butterfly Garden, or making a general donation.