All it takes is a hike through the 860-acre nature reserve managed by the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association and you’ll get why their members are so dedicated to enhancing the quality of the region’s natural environment. From dawn to dusk, all along the 14 miles of trails you’ll find forests that are teeming with wildlife, fields dotted with wildflowers, and all kinds of birds, waterfowl and other critters that make their homes in the marsh and wetlands habitats.
Yet for as serenely spectacular as the reserve is, that is only part of what Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association is all about. Yes, there are the historic 19th century farm buildings that the group maintains. And the kid-friendly Buttinger Nature Center where up-and-coming conservationists can get up-close-and-personal with the small animals in the Discovery Rooms and watch bees in action in their demonstration bee hive. And the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House with its gardens and wetlands with plantings designed to attract native butterfly species.
But that still doesn’t cover everything that the member-supported group does. They conduct dozens – actually, make that hundreds – of educational programs for all ages and interests, all designed to help folks understand the importance of preserving the watershed and protecting the environment. The group is committed to helping the 26 communities served by Stony Brook and the Millstone River make smart decisions about land use, water protection and preserving the region’s natural resources.