Our team at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program recently hosted a special oyster spawning event through our Suffolk Project in Aquaculture Training Program (SPAT), helping bring the next generation of oysters to life. These tiny shellfish play a big role in protecting water quality, supporting marine ecosystems, and sustaining our local shellfish industry.

We are grateful to Legislators Ann Welker, Greg Doroski, and Steve Flotteron for joining us, and to everyone who helped make this event possible. From spawning to restoration, caring for our environment remains one of the greatest acts of love.

To learn more about SPAT: Click Here

Legislator Samuel Gonzalez hosted his 5th Annual International Women’s Day Luncheon on March 6 at Fogo de Chão in Huntington Station. The event brought together community members to celebrate the achievements, leadership, and contributions of women throughout the community while recognizing the importance of empowerment and equity. Among those in attendance was Gary Vogel, owner of a wholesale nursery in Riverhead, who has worked closely with our agriculture department for many years and continues to support local agricultural initiatives near the research lab.

Wellness Event with Assemblywoman Kassay Recap 2/12/26

Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay hosted her monthly Mission Series event, ‘Valentines for Healthcare Workers,’ at the Coram Fire Department. The event, ran in partnership with CCE Suffolk Diabetes Education and Sun River Health, celebrated and recognized the dedication of local healthcare workers while providing meaningful community engagement opportunities.

Douglas brings extensive nonprofit executive and operational leadership experience to his new role. Most recently, he served as Interim Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe, where he helped guide the organization through a period of transition while leading fundraising strategy and overseeing daily operations including finance, human resources, facilities, IT, and capital projects. Known for his collaborative leadership style, Douglas has built a career bringing people together around mission driven work that connects communities with science, history, and education. A longtime Long Island resident, he has worked closely with boards, donors, volunteers, and public partners to turn ambitious ideas into meaningful programs and projects that serve the public good.

2026 Veterinary Medicine Career Exploration

The 2026 Veterinary Medicine Career Exploration Program is underway for high school students in grades 10–12 interested in learning more about veterinary careers. The series of Wednesday evening lectures at the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center is cohosted by Long Island Veterinary Medicine Association (LIVMA). The program covers topics from veterinary college admissions to small animal, zoo/exotics, and specialty medicine, complemented by a veterinarian shadowing experience and farm tour. Participants who complete all requirements earn a Certificate of Completion and eligibility for a veterinary school scholarship through LIVMA. 



Click Here to Register or For More Information

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Summer Camp at the Farm offers K–10 youth hands-on experiences in agriculture, animal science, nutrition, healthy living, and life skills on a historic 150-year-old working farm. Guided by the 4-H Positive Youth Development framework, the program nurtures confidence, teamwork, and respect while creating meaningful, real-world learning opportunities.

The 2026 class of Master Gardener Volunteers began their training and have been hard at work expanding their horticultural knowledge and sharpening their skills to better serve our community. Through hands-on learning and lecture-based instruction, they are preparing for another season of providing research-based gardening advice, educational programming, and community outreach.

National Nutrition Month^®

Each March, we celebrate National Nutrition Month®, a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Established in 1973 as National Nutrition Week and expanded to a month-long observance in 1980, this annual campaign encourages individuals and families to make informed food choices and develop healthy habits that support overall well-being.

Join our 30 Plants a Week Challenge and boost the variety of plant foods you eat. Add more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices to support gut health and overall wellness. Focus on diversity—not perfection—and see how many different plants you can add to your plate this March!

To learn more Click Here

National Registered Dietitian Day 3/11/26

March 11 is National Registered Dietitian Day, a time to recognize the expertise and dedication of nutrition professionals who help our communities build healthier lives. We are proud to celebrate our own registered dietitians—Katherine O’Donnell, Cristina Tierney, Nicole Cappello, Isla Quan Montano, and Linda Altenburger—whose knowledge and commitment make a lasting impact every day.

Registered Dietetic Technician Day 3/12/26

March 12 is Registered Dietetic Technician Day, recognizing the important role dietetic technicians play in delivering practical, community-based nutrition education. We are proud to highlight members of our SNAP-Ed team—Scenquetta Dixon, Melek Baba, and Marta Blanco—whose dedication and outreach help individuals and families make healthy, informed food choices every day.

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Join us on March 18, 7:00PM for the Energy Literacy Workshop at Harborfields Public Library. Hosted by the Long Island Clean Energy Hub, this free event will help adults learn simple ways to improve home energy efficiency, explore available rebates and incentives, and connect with energy advisors. Participants will also receive a complimentary Energy Savings Kit to take home!

Young explorers dove into the world of Arctic wildlife, learning about the unique animals that thrive in some of the coldest places on Earth. From icy habitats to amazing adaptations, it was a fun and engaging day of hands-on discovery.

Our Marvelous Marine Mammals program was a wonderful success. Participants learned about the fascinating adaptations of whales, seals, dolphins, and other marine mammals while exploring how these animals survive and thrive in ocean environments. The students created crafts of marine mammals. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a fun and educational experience—we loved diving into the world of marine life together.

Our reptile and seashore touch tank table brought hands-on learning to the STEAM event at Brentwood High School on 2/28. Students had the opportunity to explore marine life up close and learn more about reptiles and coastal ecosystems through interactive discovery. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to ask questions, observe, and engage with science in action.

These oysters were generously provided by our CCE marine hatchery production team and added to our touch tank for hands-on learning. They gave participants the opportunity to explore shellfish up close and learn more about the role oysters play in healthy marine ecosystems at our Sea Explorers Marine Camp 

Staff from the CCE Marine Program and Fisheries Program at Cornell Cooperative Extension joined representatives from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning for an early morning tour of the Fulton Fish Market. The visit offered a firsthand look at the market in full operation, moving seafood from around the world throughout the region, and provided valuable time to discuss future collaboration on seafood-related initiatives.

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CCE Suffolk’s Back to the Bays initiative will host a marsh cleanup on March 14, 2026, along Dune Road near Tiana Bayside and surrounding areas. Volunteers will help restore the marshlands, learn about the importance of marsh grasses, and join a social meetup afterward at Whales Tale HB.



To register for this event: Click Here

Be on the lookout for an important water quality and septic system survey funded by the Long Island Sound Partnership. The survey will be mailed to Long Island homeowners on March 11 and is expected to arrive around March 13. Your participation will help inform efforts to protect local water quality and improve septic system management across the region.

Join us this April for our Spring Beach Walks at the Sport Fishing Education Center in Babylon. Children ages 6–12 will explore the sandy beaches and salt marsh habitats of Long Island’s South Shore, discovering marine life and learning fun facts about the creatures that call our barrier beaches home. This 1.5-hour outdoor adventure will take place April 7 or 8 from 9:30–11:00 a.m. Tickets are $28 per child and must be purchased online in advance. Space is limited.

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Sea Explorers Marine Camp

Sea Explorers Marine Camp is for children looking to learn more about marine life. Our marine instructors will guide your child through interactive, hands-on learning experiences designed to be educational and fun. Each Week has different themes that will keep the children busy all summer

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Sea Stars Marine Camp



Each day features hands-on activities, outdoor games, arts and crafts, and engaging environmental lessons. Perfect for children interested in marine biology or curious about Long Island’s marine wildlife, week-long sessions immerse campers in marine science through interactive learning.

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Sea Explorers Marine Camp

Located on Long Island’s North Fork between the Long Island Sound and Great Pond, Peconic Dunes offers one-week overnight and day camps with activities ranging from kayaking and snorkeling to arts, environmental science, and team sports.

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Sea Stars Marine Camp



At Sea Adventures Marine Camp, campers explore Long Island’s coastal habitats from sea floor to saltmarsh. Based at CCE Marine Program’s waterfront facility in Southold, campers engage with habitat restoration, aquaculture, water quality, and citizen science projects, while also enjoying beach-based water activities.

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