The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that new programs have been added to the summer program schedule at Fire Island National Seashore. Special exhibits, tours, and events are planned throughout the season at five NPS sites.

At Talisman, a popular mid-island boating destination, the NPS will offer activities geared for families every Saturdays, July 8 through August 26. Boaters may join park rangers for shelling, seining, clamming, safe boating programs, and nature walks. .

The Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society (FILPS) will award prizes for the most creative lighthouse craft on August 7 for National Lighthouse Day. On August 9, FILPS will feature a special reading of the children’s tale, “Robert’s Tall Friend” in honor of National Book Lovers’ Day.

In Patchogue, visitors are invited to dig in and enjoy free family fun at the park’s native plant pollinator garden during monthly “garden parties” at the Patchogue Ferry Terminal located on the banks of the Patchogue River. On July 23, young children and their caregivers can listen to a reading of, “All the Way to the Ocean” in Spanish and English and then create a maritime craft to take home.

A new exhibit, curated by Auto Body, will feature the work of bird photographer Kyle Kusa at the Wilderness Visitor Center. The exhibit reimagines the 360 degree viewing room on the second floor of the visitor center and is on display through Labor Day.

The William Floyd Estate, a unit of the Seashore located in Mastic Beach on Long Island, will host local artist Jennifer Lucas on August 19 for watercolor painting on the porch of the historic Old Mastic House. Supplies will be provided and visitors will have the opportunity to explore the grounds with a park ranger.

A variety of opportunities for family fun will be offered throughout the summer at the Fire Island Lighthouse, Sailors Haven (Sunken Forest), Talisman, Wilderness, Patchogue Ferry Terminal, and William Floyd Estate. Highlights include:

16th Annual Fire Island Lighthouse Art Show to Benefit the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society, through July 16
Second Annual Day of the Shark on July 23 at Fire Island Lighthouse
Enchanted Evening Walk from Sunken Forest to Cherry Grove, August 26
Wilderness Art Workshops with David Adams, Sunday, July 2, August 6, and September 3
Evening programs at the Wilderness Visitor Center with topics including nocturnal wildlife, America’s national parks, and photography
Decoy Carving Demonstration at William Floyd Estate, Saturday, July 29

About Fire Island National Seashore
About Fire Island National Seashore. Fire Island National Seashore encompasses 26 miles of ocean and bay shoreline, maritime forests, and residential communities. Fire Island’s dynamic coastal landscape is home to a diversity of plants and wildlife and offers a retreat from nearby metropolitan New York. Please visit us online at www.nps.gov/fiis, on Facebook  on Twitter , and on Instagram.

About National Park Service

More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve the local history and create close to home recreational opportunities.  Visit us at www.nps.gov, Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube.