Tags Posts tagged with "Town of Brookhaven Ecology Site"

Town of Brookhaven Ecology Site

By Heidi Sutton

A beloved resident of the Holtsville Ecology Center & Animal Preserve has died. The Town of Brookhaven’s Highway Department and Ecology Center staff have announced that Honey the black bear passed away on Nov. 22 at the age of 27.

“[We] are saddened to report the passing of our beloved Honey, the resident black bear who has delighted and educated children about her species for more than a quarter century. While the average life expectancy for a black bear rarely exceeds twenty years, Honey lived to twenty-seven. This is a testament to the love and exemplary care she received from our dedicated staff,” read the announcement.

Honey, and her brother Pooh, who passed away more than five years ago, were ambassadors for wildlife education to the countless thousands of residents who visit the Holtsville Ecology Center each year..

While the Ecology Center is home to more than 100 injured or non-releasable wild animals and farm animals including deer, a buffalo, bobcat, wild horses, alpaca, buffalo, coatamundi, hybrid wolves, an arctic fox, goats, horses, pigs, cows, alpaca, deer, various birds, pigs and goats, just to name a few, Honey was a favorite among visitors. Many took to social media to pay their respects and share their memories.

“RIP Honey Bear. You are now reunited with your brother Pooh Bear. You both gave my daughter, husband and I so many memories that we will cherish forever,” read one post. “My daughter fell in love with her when we visited a couple of months ago – she’s going to be heartbroken. So very sorry for your loss – thank you for caring and loving her,” read another.

“The injured or domesticated, non-releasable, animals who call the Ecology Center home provide an opportunity for encounters that helps to instill a passion for conservation in our next generation. While Honey will be missed and long remembered, the mission of our Ecology Center lives on,” read the release.

 

Make a garden craft like this unique planter at the Town of Brookhaven’s upcoming horticulture classes. Photo from Town of Brookhaven

Town of Brookhaven’s Ecology Site, located at 249 Buckley Road in Holtsville will host adult horticulture classes on Wednesdays, April 5, 19 and 26 and May 3, 10 and 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn about starting new plants through propagation, growing vegetables from seeds, spring gardening techniques and how to make unique gardening crafts.

Children ages 3 to 5 years old can also get in on the fun with Spring Pee Wee Gardening Classes on Thursdays, April 6, 20, 27 and May 4, 11 and 18 or Fridays, April 7, 21, 28 and May 5, 12 and 19 with class times from 10 to 11 a.m. OR 1 to 2 p.m. Participants will learn about the environment, animals and plants through crafts and stories. Price is $50 for each 6-week session. Registration deadline is March 29. To sign up, call 631-758-9664.