Smithtown Youth Bureau Beautifies Sweetbriar Nature Center

SMITHTOWN, NY — The Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau enlisted the help of 15 young volunteers to participate in a beautification project at Sweetbriar Nature Center on July 30, the Town said in a news release. Staff members from the Nature Center joined forces with Youth Bureau Volunteers ranging in age from middle to high School to help clean the grounds and plant donated landscape materials.

"This was a fantastic way for our youth to help give back to such a devoted organization, which has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic," Supervisor Edward Wehrheim stated. "Sweetbriar Nature Center has done so much for our community for over 50 years… It is especially wonderful to witness our young generations come together to help the center, and the wildlife rehabbing throughout the 54 acres of natural habitat."

Approximately $500 worth of perennials, hydrangeas and shrubs were donated courtesy of Decker's Nursery in Greenlawn. Decker’s Nursery worked with the volunteers to hand pick the best plant-life for the butterfly garden and the surrounding grounds. Additionally, the Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau purchased and donated a number of native perennial pollinator plants to be placed along the flag garden, located in front of the main house. The team of young volunteers plan to return to Sweetbriar Nature Center in August to help maintain the gardens.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Sweetbriar Nature Center has been forced to cancel many of the fundraising initiatives hosted throughout the year which typically fund the needs of those animals rehabbing at the preserve. Last week residents took to Amazon and local grocery stores, delivering boxes of fresh produce, seeds and nuts to feed the wildlife.

For more information about Sweetbriar Nature Preserve, visit its website or call 631-979-6344.

Photos

All photos courtesy Town of Smithtown