South Shore Nature Center, East Islip

About South Shore Nature Center

South Shore Nature Center is a public nature center located in East Islip, New York, where visitors explore a 200-acre preserve through miles of trails and boardwalks that wind through mature upland forests, freshwater wetlands, and salt marsh. The property stretches to the shores of the Great South Bay. The Orr Wildlife Learning Center, the facility's visitor center dedicated in 2013, features interactive exhibits, live animals, and mounted wildlife specimens displayed in dioramas. The preserve, established in 1977, resulted from a partnership between the Seatuck Environmental Association, the Town of Islip, Suffolk County, and The Nature Conservancy. The property is open throughout the week, with the visitor center operating on weekends and occasionally during weekdays depending on staff availability. Restrooms are available during public hours. The facility provides educational opportunities for schools, scout groups, and the general public interested in exploration and nature study.