Representatives from the Seatuck Environmental Association recently visited fifth-grade students across the Bayport-Blue Point School District as part of the ISLE (Introducing Students to Long Island Estuaries) program. The partnership provides students with hands-on opportunities to learn about Long Island wildlife, conservation, and local ecosystems.
As part of the program, students visited Patchogue’s Shorefront Park in October, where they observed native gardens and a living shoreline while learning about the importance of protecting coastal environments. Seatuck educators also visited classrooms, including Ms. Mandracchia’s fifth-grade class at Sylvan Avenue Elementary School. During these visits, students worked alongside Seatuck educators to dissect clams and learn about biofiltration. Before the lesson, students studied clam-related vocabulary to prepare for the activity. The learning will continue in February when students explore oysters.
![“Unfortunately, and despite our warnings and advice to leave [Fire Island] while conditions allowed, many decided not only to stay but to come over to the island,” scolded Ocean Beach Mayor James Mallott in an emailed newsletter on the afternoon of Sept. 26, during the height of the nor’easter. “These decisions put themselves and their families in danger and jeopardized our first responders who had to answer calls that never should have been.”](https://www.fireislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/IMG_8692.jpeg?quality=51&w=700)
