2022 Field Trips

By land or by sea, there’s a lot to experience in the New York Region. Sign up for a field trip to connect, explore and get inspired!

Make your field trip selection/s on the Conference Registration Form either during or after registration. There is limited space available on all field trips. Reserve early as they may sell out quickly! You can add field trips to your registration at any time.

ALL-DAY TRIPS | POST-CONFERENCE TRIP | EXPLORE ON YOUR OWN

All-Day Field Trips

All-day field trips will depart from campus on Tuesday, July 12. Times are approximate and include travel time to/from campus. Not all field trips will return the campus at the end to the trip.

Explore the Biology and Geology of Caumsett State Park

Age: Adults and Youth
Cost per person: $60
Time: 8:00am departure, returns to Hofstra campus by 5pm
Lunch: Boxed lunch provided
Transportation: Provided

Site visit to the Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, the former Marshall Field Estate - Explore the geology and biology of a north shore beach on Long Island Sound, which is strewn with New England erratics carried by glaciers 20,000 years ago. We’ll see dramatic cliffs demonstrating many geological processes including erosional sorting which forms alluvial fans. The cliffs and extensive salt marshes are home to cliff swallows and other unique wildlife. We will also tour the Nassau County Board of Cooperative Educational Services Environmental Center, our host for the day.

Naturalist-led Tour of Protected Freeport Bay in Covered Motor Catamaran and Visit to S.P.L.A.S.H. Center

Age: Adults and Youth
Cost per person: $60
Time: 9:30am departure, ends in Freeport*
Lunch: On own
Transportation: Partial

Explore Freeport Bay in a covered catamaran from 10 am to noon. We’ll see bay houses, birds, and the south shore's extensive marshes, then perform water quality data collection, discuss environmental design, hardened shorelines, etc. Upon our return to Freeport, we’ll tour the S.P.L.A.S.H. Environmental Education Center, headquarters of a local volunteer organization which runs school programs and has 7 volunteer vessels, which go out daily to clean the marshes and waterways. Following this, you’ll be free to explore Freeport’s nautical mile, docks, fish markets, clam bars, and restaurants. Lunch is on your own.

*You’ll remain in Freeport for dinner on your own or to board the Sapphire Princess for the 6pm evening dinner cruise (included with Full Registration or requires pre-purchase). There will be buses available after the evening event to return to Hofstra.

Explore the Ecology of the South Shore of Long Island by Kayak and Trail at the Oceanside Marine NATURE Study Area

Age: Adults and Youth
Cost per person: $100
Time: 9:00am departure, returns to Hofstra campus by 5pm
Lunch: Boxed lunch provided
Transportation: Provided

We’ll depart from Freeport Park to explore the marshes of Long Island’s South Shore by kayak. Kayaking is the best way to observe the wildlife of the marsh and bay. We will paddle into the marshes, past historic bay houses and into the midst of shorebird colonies. We’ll also take some water chemistry readings from the kayaks. Then we’ll travel a short distance by bus to the Oceanside Marine Nature Study Area. After lunch, we will tour the facility and take a guided walk on the trails through upland forest and intertidal marsh areas. We will see an osprey nest, and seine and use a dipnet to sample local marine organisms.

Explore Nearshore Areas by Boat to See Local Humpback Whales, Dolphins and Turtles, Followed by a Visit to the S.P.L.A.S.H. Center and Nautical Mile

Age: Adults and Youth
Cost per person: $100
Time: 9:30am departure, ends in Freeport*
Lunch: Boxed lunch provided
Transportation: Partial

We’ll board a modern, comfortable vessel from which to enjoy whale watching from 11:00-3:00. Humpbacks and dolphins are commonly seen within a mile of the shoreline. Upon return to Freeport, tour the S.P.L.A.S.H. Environmental Education Center, headquarters of a local volunteer organization which runs school programs and has 7 volunteer vessels, which go out daily to clean the marshes and waterways. Following this, you’ll be free to explore Freeport’s nautical mile, docks, fish markets, clam bars, and restaurants.

*You’ll remain in Freeport for dinner on your own or to board the Sapphire Princess for the 6pm evening dinner cruise (included with Full Registration or requires pre-purchase). There will be buses available after the evening event to return to Hofstra.

Post-Conference Trip

The NMEA Post Conference Field Trip will depart from Hofstra on Thursday July 14 at 9:00am and return to Hofstra at approximately 8:30 pm. 

Sea the City: A Nautical Tour of Marine Attractions in the Big Apple

Cost: $95/person

Coney Island and New York Aquarium—We’ll board a chartered bus at Hofstra University headed to the New York Aquarium (NYA) in Brooklyn’s Coney Island. There will be a behind-the-scenes tour, as well as time to wander the aquarium on your own. You will have a chance to stroll along the boardwalk, buy lunch (such as a Nathan’s hot dog), view the Coney Island amusements, and enjoy the beach with an option to swim.

The South Street Seaport on Manhattan Island—Next, we’ll take the bus from the NYA to the Passenger Ferry in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. We’ll take the ferry to Pier 11 in Manhattan, with close-up views of the Statue of Liberty, Governors Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge. From there it’s a short walk along NY Harbor to the South Street Seaport, where we’ll take a walking tour of the maritime attractions. After that, we will enjoy dinner in a restaurant in nearby Chinatown. The trip back to Hofstra will take in passing views of different sites including the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, Times Square, and Central Park.