Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk at Mashomack Preserve, where fall programs and events connect us with nature.
“As the colder winds begin to blow and leaves begin to change color, Mashomack comes alive with the sounds and sights of fall,” the preserve says in its monthly newsletter.
“Take a walk along our Coastal Loop as the marsh grasses start to turn their yellows and golds, or stroll through the meadows as the sumac shows off its vibrant reds. The oaks, hickories, and sassafras will follow in their transition of color later in the season.”
For the most up-to-date information on fall color, visit the New York Fall Foliage Report.
The restrooms at Mashomack’s Visitor Center are open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM; you can see exhibits at the center Thursday through Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM.
Fall programs and events
To reserve a place in any of these programs, email MashomackPreserve@tnc.org.
October Book in the Woods
The Book in the Woods for October is “Squirrel’s Family Tree” by Beth Ferry with illustrations by A.N. Kang. Pages are posted along the family-friendly half-mile Red Trail, which begins near the Visitors Center. This fun rhyming book follows Squirrel and her family through the seasons and tells the story of how acorns, oaks, and squirrels help one another. Book in the Woods at Mashomack is a perfect family nature adventure and a great way to get your kids into the outdoors.
Volunteer Coastal Cleanup
Come out for a day of volunteering with the preserve staff to clean up our coastline. “Together, we can help keep our environment free of litter.
- Sunday, October 9, from 10 AM to noon
Saturday Seedlings
Mashomack offers a series of hands-on learning opportunities — one Saturday a month — for kids ages 4 to 8. During these hour-long programs, youngsters will explore the natural world and learn about different animals and habitats at the preserve. Sign up for one or more of the Saturday, 9 AM sessions:
- October 22 – Noctural Nature
- November 12 – Hibernation Huddle
- December 10 – Seasonal Snowflakes
Activities include crafts and snacks. There is no charge, but reservations are required.
Halloween Nature Trail
After a pandemic hiatus, the Halloween Nature Trail is back. This fun, family-friendly hike is filled with a few Halloween tricks, mainly treats! The program begins at the Visitor Center, and guests can take a half-mile walk along our storybook trail, meeting some creatures in the forest.
Mashomack Preserve will provide seasonal refreshments.
- Saturday, October 29, from 5 to 7 PM
Hunters of Color
Mashomack Preserve will be closed to the public on Saturday, November 5, and Sunday, November 6, for a Hunters of Color program. Hunters of Color is an organization dedicated to fostering a more equitable and inclusive community for hunters.
Visit the Hunters of Color website to learn more about its efforts to offer safe opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) to learn how to hunt, harvest, and prepare white-tailed deer. The Nature Conservancy, which owns and operates Mashomack Preserve, said it supports Hunters of Color in increasing BIPOC participation in hunting for conservation, food sovereignty, and preserving ancestral traditions.
