2025 Educational Accomplishments
March 2025:
March 24th: Award from the BFL to FoBB’s Maria Slavnova -
The Brookhaven Free Library (BFL) presented FoBB’s Co-Director & Education Director, Maria Slavnova, with their 10th Annual Community Partner in Literacy Award! Maria collaborated with BFL during the 2024 season, conducting educational seminars & hands-on workshops in Bellport Bay.
The initiatives emphasized the importance of shellfish restoration, creating a chance for both children & adults in the community to learn about the remarkable filtering abilities of shellfish, as well as their vital role in enhancing the ecosystem & water quality of our bays & estuaries.
April 2025:
April 1st, 2nd: Longwood Middle School Presentations -
On April 1st and 2nd, FoBB educators Maria and PJ gave a series of presentations at Longwood Middle School in Middle Island, NY. Along with learning about oysters and the important role they play in Long Island‘s bays and estuaries, students also had an up-close look at shellfish and other marine organisms that call oyster reefs home. In total, we reached over 500 middle school students.
April 19th: Longwood Public Library “Earth Day Every Day” Tabling Event -
On April 19th, FoBB educators Maria and PJ tabled at the Longwood Public Library in Middle Island for their annual “Earth Day Every Day” event, sharing FoBB’s mission of shellfish conservation and restoration with residents. During the event, we discovered two Longwood High School environmental science students, Sophia and Emily, who became FoBB interns this summer. Approximately 80 people were in attendance.
May 2025:
May 30th: Longwood Public Library Program -
On May 30th, FoBB Educators Maria and PJ gave a brief presentation to young patrons of the Longwood Public Library in Middle Island, NY. Children ages 6-11 learned about the importance of oysters in our bays, and got an up-close look at some of our native marine species in several touch tanks. In total, 10 children participated in this event.
June 2025:
June 21st: Adult Seine Program w/ Brookhaven Free Library at Mother’s Beach -
On June 21st, FoBB educators Maria, PJ, and Nikolle hosted a seine netting workshop for the adult patrons of the Brookhaven Free Library. Alongside finding native species, over 30 polluting golf balls were removed from the beach. 6 patrons were in attendance.
July 2025:
July 19th: FoBB & Bellport Brookhaven Historical Society children's event at Mother’s Beach -
On July 19th, FoBB Education director Maria Slavnova, alongside Longwood High School environmental science students Sophia and Emily, led a seine workshop at Mother’s Beach in Bellport. 9 children and their families learned about the importance of oysters and FoBB’s mission to restore these organisms to our Bay. Afterwards, the young environmentalists netted for marine species and discovered the diversity of animals and plants that call Bellport Bay home.
July 26th: Bellport Day -
On July 26th, the FoBB team shared literature and information about FoBB with Bellport community members and the broader Suffolk County area. Merchandise was sold to raise funds for our mission.
July 26th: Bellport Village Program Fund “Family Night” -
FoBB collaborated with Bellport Village Program Fund for “Family Night”, hosted on Mother’s Beach. FoBB educators Maria, PJ, and Isabella gave attendees a brief presentation on how to use seine nets to capture, identify, and release marine organisms. Concluding the day, attendees planted 15,000 juvenile clams into Bellport Bay. Approximately 100 people attended the event.
August 2025:
August 14th: Brookhaven Free Library “Home for a Hermit Crab” -
FoBB Education Director Maria Slavnova was invited to give a brief presentation about our native shelled friends and lead a touch-tank experience for the young patrons of the Brookhaven Free Library. About 20 children and adults were in attendance.
July 28-31st, August 4-7: Friends of Bellport Bay (FoBB), Center of Environmental Education and Discovery (CEED), and the Bellport Boys and Girls Club (BBGC) - Marine Science Adventure Camp
In July and August, FoBB partnered with CEED and BBGC to offer two weeks of marine science programming with an emphasis on local ecology and conservation. With funding graciously provided by the David M. Duffy Jr. Foundation, we were able to offer underserved students an opportunity to make their mark on the future health of our Bay.
During the first week, our FoBB campers took a tour of the Bellport Bay and our various projects. With the help of FoBB co-founder Katia Read and board member Rae Specht, campers created “reef balls”, which serve as an ideal substrate for oyster recruitment. Concluding the week, campers went to Mother’s Beach to catch and identify native marine species.
During the second week, students brainstormed, designed, and assembled research posters about their chosen local marine science topic. Campers learned how to identify reliable scientific sources and compile information to create educational, creative, and appealing posters. These posters were later displayed during the student showcase at the Boys and Girls Club.
October 2025:
October 10th: Centereach High School Environmental Science Class Presentation -
On October 10th, FoBB education director Maria Slavnova was invited to Centereach High School to speak about FoBB’s mission to restore oysters to the Great South Bay. This environmental science class will raise its own oysters early next year as part of their water filtration curriculum. 17 students were in attendance.
