Join ALS members on a natural history trip... travel near and far!

Learn about and enjoy littoral wildlife and its habitat. You don't have to be a scientist or experienced tripper to hook up for an adventure. A healthy curiosity and a willingness to walk off the beaten path are all you need. Trips range near and far, from half a day to two weeks. Most are appropriate for all ages, sizes, and skills.

Where you can join us in 2005...
For more information and reservations, please use the form page or contact ALS Headquarters at (732) 291-0055.

TRIP INSURANCE is highly recommended especially for some of the more costly trips where ALS's cancellation deadline is early, and to deal with the current policy regarding non-refundable airline tickets. Ask your insurance broker or travel agent.


Check out some of our previous trips and activities and what we are doing next year.
Click HERE for more information.
New Years Day Beach Walk / Montauk Winter Weekend / Florida Everglades / Costa Rica / NY Aquarium / Galapagos Islands - Again! / Assateague Spring Weekend / Jamaica Bay Sunset Cruise

July 20, 2008Summertime Hike along the Beach at Fort Tilden
August 14 - 17, 2008Cape Ann Whale Watch
August 24, 2008Shorebird Festival
August 30, 2008Exploring the Trails of Dead Horse Bay
September 21, 2008The Fascination of Beach Plums at Plum Beach
September 27, 2008Jamaica Bay Sunset Cruise
October 12, 2008Seine the Gulf Stream
October 19, 2008NYC Audubon Hawk Watch
November 29, 2008An Autumn Hike Along the Trails of the North 40 Natural Area
November 6 - 9, 2008Assateague Fall Weekend
November 15, 2008New York Aquarium
December 6, 2008Annual Holiday Party
January 9 - 11, 2009Montauk Weekend
July, 2009Experience Classic Tanzania


Don Riepe, 28 West 9th Road, Broad Channel, NY 11693 (718)318-9344
driepe@nyc.rr.com
ALSHQ, Sandy Hook, Highlands, NJ 07732 (732)291-0055

Summertime Hike along the Beach at Fort Tilden
July 20, 2008

Meet at 9 AM in front of the Visitor Contact Station at Fort Tilden and hike the ocean beach with marine biologist Mickey Maxwell Cohen, co-author of Adventures at the Beach. Learn about shorebirds, fishes, crabs, seashells, and seaweeds that abound along this wild shore. We'll also review some World War II history as we examine the remains of the giant fortifications designed to protect NY Harbor from enemy attack. Binoculars and a hand lens will be helpful. Call Gateway NRA at (718) 318-4300 to reserve.


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Cape Ann Whale Watch
August 14 - 17, 2008

Enjoy a fun-packed weekend in beautiful Cape Ann, MA. Cost: $365 includes 3 nights in historic Gloucester, ½ day whale watch boat trip, evening Essex River cruise, easy canoeing on Ipswich River, birding at Parker River Wildlife Refuge, guided hikes – plus a lobster dinner at the Gloucester House restaurant. Call Don for more information (718) 318-9344 driepe@nyc.rr.com


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Shorebird Festival
August 24, 2008

Come to the 3rd Annual Shorebird Festival at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge for a full day of activity. Learn about the history, ecology, management and identification of the many species of shorebirds migrating through the NYC coastal area. Leaders: Kevin Karlson, co-author of The Shorebird Guide; Don Riepe, former refuge manager; and Lloyd Spitalnik, shorebird photographer. Call (718) 318-9344 to reserve.


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Exploring the Trails of Dead Horse Bay
August 30, 2008

Meet at 9 AM at the main Ranger Station at Floyd Bennett Field and hike the trails and beach at New York's best kept natural secret -- Dead Horse Bay -- along the edge of Jamaica Bay. Join well-known naturalist Mickey Maxwell Cohen, author of Exploring the Trails of Dead Horse Bay and discover little known woodlands, coastal thickets, and a treasure-laden beach. Bring drinking water and sun and insect protection. Binoculars and a hand lens will be helpful. Call Gateway NRA at (718) 338-3799 to register.


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The Fascination of Beach Plums at Plum Beach
September 21, 2008 (tentative)

Meet Mickey Maxwell Cohen, American Littoral Society naturalist, at 9 AM at the Plum Beach Round House parking lot. View the shifting dunes, classic salt marsh and extensive mudflats of Plum Beach as dynamic, ever-changing maritime habitats for myriad seashore species.  During September, hundreds of native beach plums are in full fruit and provide an opportunity for some tasty sampling.    Call Gateway NRA at (718) 338-3799 to reserve.


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Jamaica Bay Sunset Cruise
September 27, 2008
(4:00 - 7:00 PM)

Join us for a special 3-hour narrated tour of the backwater marshes of Jamaica Bay. Learn about the history, ecology & wildlife of this 13,000 acre preserve. See nesting peregrine falcon, osprey, terns, oystercatchers as well as egrets, herons and migrating shorebirds. Cost: $45, includes wine & cheese, fruit, drinks, snacks. Leaders: Mickey Cohen, Don Riepe. Call (718) 318-9344. E-mail: driepe@nyc.rr.com

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Seine the Gulf Stream
October 12, 2008 (tentative)

Meet Mickey Maxwell Cohen, American Littoral Society naturalist, at 10 AM at the main entrance Ranger Station at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. Don waders and haul a seine net to sample the living treasures of Jamaica Bay.  October brings the warm water of the Gulf Stream to Jamaica Bay, and along with it, interesting tropical fish and other southern species.  Nets and waders will be provided.  The group will carpool to the program site at the historic seaplane ramp. Call Gateway NRA at (718) 338-3799 to reserve.


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NYC Audubon Hawk Watch
October 19, 2008 (tentative)

Meet naturalist Don Riepe at 10 AM at Building 1, Fort Tilden, for a hike to the dunes, woods and hawk watch platform during peak hawk migration. Bring binoculars and lunch. For information, call (718) 318-9344.


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Assateague Fall Weekend
November 6 - 9, 2008 (tentative)

Visit this great natural area along the Virginia coast.  Cost:  $345 ?? includes 3 nights (double occupancy) at the Refuge Motor Inn, guided hikes (woodland trails, beaches, dunes, and marsh), and Saturday night seafood buffet – all the oysters you can eat!  Enjoy great waterfowl birding.  Leaders: Mickey Cohen and Don Riepe.  Call ALS at (732) 291-0055 for more information and reservations.


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An Autumn Hike Along the Trails of the North 40 Natural Area
November 29, 2008 (tentative)

Meet Mickey Maxwell Cohen, American Littoral Society naturalist, at 10 AM at the main entrance Ranger Station at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn.  Take in the North 40 Natural Area in its autumn splendor.  Discover the birds, wildflowers, fruits, and fall foliage in a developing woodland.  The group will carpool to the program site on Floyd Bennett Field.  Bring binoculars. Call Gateway NRA at (718) 338-3799 to reserve.


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New York Aquarium
November 15, 2008 (tentative)

Join us for a 2 hour “behind-the-scenes” tour with senior marine educator Bob Cummings.  See sea otters, sharks, penguins, walrus, octopus, local & tropical fish.  Cost:  $25 ($15 for kids under 16).  Meet at 10 AM at aquarium entrance.  Send check to Don Riepe, 28 West 9th Road, Broad Channel, NY 11693. For more information, call (718) 318-9344.


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Annual Holiday Party
December 6, 2008 (tentative)

Join ALS members for a fun evening raising funds for the Northeast Chapter.  Eat, drink and be merry in the Art Deco splendor of the historic Ryan Center (former control tower) on Floyd Bennett Field, New York first municipal airport.  Don Diego and his flamenco troop will perform, as well as an encore by an exotic (a.k.a. belly) dancer.  Cost: $45.  Meet at 3 PM for a brisk walk through the North 40 Trail; party starts at 5 PM.  Don’t forget something for the Ugly Auction. For more information, call (718) 318-9344.


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Montauk Weekend
January 9 - 11, 2009 (tentative)

Join ALS and NYC Audubon members for a weekend at the luxurious Manor House, with its heated pool, Jacuzzi, spacious lobby and restaurant.  Visit the eastern tip of Long Island during “quiet time” and peak winter birding.  See thousands of waterfowl, including loons, mergansers, eiders, scoters and goldeneye, as well as lots of seals.  Visit Montauk Bluffs, the Walking Dunes, Oyster Pond and Hither Woods. Cost: $345 includes 2 nights (double occupancy), 5 meals, 5 guided hikes, 2 evening programs and star watch, plus free pickup at LIRR station.  Leaders:  Mickey Cohen, Steve Finn, Mike Bottini, Rob Villani and Don Riepe. For more information, call (718) 318-9344.


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Experience Classic Tanzania
July 16-18, 2009

Plan ahead to join Mickey Maxwell Cohen on an ALS-sponsored safari to East Africa. Click here to read the brochure on Tanzania. For information call Mickey at (718) 471-2166.


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Don Riepe, 28 West 9th Road, Broad Channel, NY 11693 (718)318-9344
driepe@nyc.rr.com
ALSHQ, Sandy Hook, Highlands, NJ 07732 (732)291-0055

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