Nature calls you on Saturdays at CEED

Albert, the red-footed box turtle, was pretty regal posing for his photo shoot. So was Romeo, the Netherland dwarf rabbit. Both are among the animal ambassadors waiting to see you on the Center for Environmental Education and Discovery’s expansive grounds, especially during CEED’s Open Saturdays starting at 10 a.m.

Plus, the workshops offered are fun—like the cardboard Halloween costume-making party coming up on Oct. 17. Oyster educator, farmer and shucker, Tall Muthashucka Keenan Boyle, will also be performing.

On Oct. 31, World Lemur Day, “We will hopefully show the new movie ‘Island of Lemurs: Madagascar,’” said CEED executive director Sally Wellinger. Primatologist Dr. Patricia Wright of Stony Brook University and a MacArthur Fellow Award winner who helped save a Madagascan rain forest while studying these animals, will be in the film. There will also be lemur crafts.

Better than sitting in front of the tube or your computer. Members are free. Non-members pay $10.

“It’s a fun opportunity to get out, interact with our animals, and do a craft workshop,” said Wellinger during Sunday’s “Fall Fix-It Festival.” 

“I’m trying to create more opportunities for the community to take part in nature,” she added.

Plus, there will be music. Karrthik Pitchayan, the education coordinator, who plays guitar regularly at CEED and has an environmental social media presence, wrote a song with CEED children having a ball in the background, called “Wild Child”; it’s scheduled for release shortly. He handled his guitar with Albert the box turtle on his lap expertly, while event coordinator Ashley Alaia cradled her buddy, Romeo.

There were several organizations on the grounds that day, including Boy Scout Troop 40 from Medford. Boy Scout Jameson Jones, who is heading an Eagle Scout project building kayak racks for CEED, was there selling baked goods with his dad, Bruce Jones, to raise funds for his project. Troop 40 has been involved in several environmental projects for CEED.

“We had over 20,000 participants take place in our educational programs,” said Wellinger as she strolled the sculpture trail, passing 24 creations along the way. “That’s not including social media.”

The artists included Tyler Healey’s “East Southeast,” that looked like it was part of the forest, and Scott McIntire’s and Andrea Cote’s arresting works, but the others provided a welcome surprise at every turn. “Nymph,” by Randy Palumbo, lights up at night.

There’s something for everyone. Nora Fretto of Blue Point had her display of hand-embroidered artwork using repurposed frames and leaves. Also, heirloom photos and custom-made bags and dolls.

Saturday Open Hours was the launch for a new membership drive, noted Alaia. “We’re really excited to create more opportunities for people to regularly visit, connect, learn, and spend time here,” she emphasized.

CEED is located at 287 South Country Road, Brookhaven.