Back to the Bays Day Returns
Cornell Coperative Extension’s Marine Program is again holding its annual “Back to the Bays Day” centered on music, art, shellfish and fun, to raise awareness and funds in support of their projects, after a hiatus due to the pandemic. These family-friendly events are designed to bring together local communities to learn about the important work the Marine Team is doing, including restoring shellfish and habitat in our bays and promoting sustainable seafood. These events also offer an opportunity to showcase the many educational programs offered at their locations across Suffolk County, and highlight involvement opportunities through CCE’s Back to the Bays Initiative.
On June 5, Strong’s Water Club at 2255 Wickham Avenue in Mattituck will be hosting this event from noon to 4 p.m., the first time it will be held on the North Fork. Strong’s Marine is the lead sponsor of the Mattituck Back to the Bays Stewardship Site, which was added to CCE Marine’s network of shellfish and habitat restoration sites in 2021. Attendees will learn more about eelgrass restoration and the building of a new oyster reef outside the Mattituck Inlet at the event.
The event includes live music by “Tongue and Groove, a live painting performance and art auction by Carolyn Munaco, a Back to the Bays Membership Drive and Raffle, Fish Printing with CCE’s Fisheries Team, Live Marine Animals and Shellfish Restoration Demonstration and Talks by CCE Marine’s aquaculture experts. Guests will also be able to enjoy oysters by Peconic Gold Oysters, $5 glasses of Rosé for the Bays by Borghese Vineyards, and a special small bite menu for purchase from Windamere, the restaurant on site at Strong’s Water Club, featuring local fish tacos, burgers, lobster rolls and more. The sales of food, beverages, art auction, raffles tickets and other items provide the fundraising component that supports the Back to the Bays initiative.
The event is free, but RSVP is requested via backtothebays.org/programs/backtothebaysday2022 Pre-registrants will receive a chance to win a Back to the Bays Gift Basket, valued at more than $300.
For more event information or to donate a prize to be featured in CCE’s Back to the Bays Membership Drive Raffle, contact Kimberly Barbour at kp237@cornell.edu or 631.461.5294. If you can’t make it and would like to contribute to the Back to the Bays efforts, visit backtothebays.org/strongs
