Tails, Trails, and Treats at the Sweetbriar Nature Center

The Sweetbriar Nature Center held their annual Halloween themed event Sunday, October 30th, called Tails, Trails, and Treats. 

This particular fund-raising event at Sweetbriar is designed for children ages 2-7. “We’re expecting about 300 people,” said Isabel Fernandes, the wildlife care coordinator at Sweetbriar as the festivities got underway.

Many of the Sweetbriar staff were dressed in costume, as were many of the visiting children. The event included a scavenger hunt, walking trails decorated with scarecrows, games, and an animal petting event. At the animal petting demonstration, a volunteer held a hedgehog while the children gathered around for a chance to observe and pet the furry critter.

Sweetbriar Nature Center is a not-for-profit organization located off Eckernkamp Drive, in Smithtown. Its 55-acre property is home to a wide variety of natural habitat, but also includes domiciled wildlife, a visitor’s center, a picnic area and a butterfly tent.

The center functions as an educational resource and venue, while also providing veterinary care and rehabilitation for injured, sick and orphaned wildlife. The Center conducts several educational and fun-raising events each year to support its mission.

Marlena Gallo, who was attending the event with her husband and four children, said that this was their second time attending, and they “enjoy walking the grounds and getting the kids involved with the activities.”

Amanda Namorato, who was attending with her four-year-old daughter Madelyn, said, “enjoys the Halloween theme, the pretty grounds and exploring the day’s activities at Sweetbriar, including the story telling event.”

Sweetbriar has a website, https://www.sweetbriarnc.org/, where visitors to the site can find information on the center’s mission, upcoming events, a photo gallery, and information on how to donate or volunteer.