Celebrating Summer Solstice the Native Way!

While we can’t gather in person for the Center for Environmental Education & Discovery’s Annual Summer Solstice Festival, the tradition of celebrating the arrival of our beloved summer goes on! This time, in the comfort of your own home! Please join us online Saturday, June 20, 2020 from 4-6pm for a free, family-friendly virtual event: Celebrating Summer Solstice the Native Way! 

The Summer Solstice — June 20th this year — marks the longest day of the year and the official first day of the summer season. As always at CEED, we honor the culture of Long Island’s Indigenous Peoples by celebrating their Summer Solstice customs that highlight native plants and animals. Join us for nearly 2-hours of meet & greets, nature tours, LIVE animals and virtual performances as we celebrate the coming of summer and explore our Long Island natives, interspersed with family-friendly music and commentary.

The Zoom-based webinar event will be hosted by CEED’s own Ranger Eric Powers and Arawak Taino Indian artist and storyteller, Ferdinand “Uaian” Bruno.  Eric and Uaian will be our virtual guides, and together we’ll embrace and experience traditions in song, dance, and storytelling by Native American cultural performers; meet live native Birds of Prey; learn about the beauty and benefits of native plants and rain gardens: discover Long Island’s native river otter; and will be entertained by some of our favorite local musicians. 

Featured guests include:

• Shinnecock Cultural Performers
• Uaian, professional storyteller and artist of the Arawak Taino people
• Quogue Wildlife Refuge
• Kevin Walsh, local science educator
• Long Island Explorium
• Anthony Marinello, native gardener & founder of The Long Island Native Plant Gardening Facebook Group
• The New Students – a Brooklyn & Long Island based band performing original songs in an eclectic blend of folk, roots, bluegrass and Americana traditions

Pre-registration is required  for this free virtual event. Stay tuned for details on how to join Celebrating Summer Solstice the Native Way via Zoom Webinar. After registering, you’ll receive a Zoom link that can be used on June 20th for the virtual event.

Pre-registration is required to attend this virtual event via Zoom Webinar. Register here.

This event kick’s off CEED’s 2020 Virtual Nature Series, which is supported by generous funding from Suffolk County. Stay tuned to CEED’s website or Facebook page for information about more free virtual nature events throughout the summer.

CEED is a non-profit nature center in Brookhaven, NY that inspires connection to the joys of nature through education & experience that restores our balance for a healthier community. For more information about CEED and its programs — virtual and in person — please visit CEEDLI.org.