Few organizations contribute as much to preserving our society and culture as The Nature Conservancy. From The Hempstead Plains to Montauk, Long Island's Nature Conservancy preserves the natural beauty and wonder of our past.

Headed, on Long Island, by Sara Davidson, The Nature Conservancy preserves without picketing. Its primary mission is to safeguard plants, animals and the natural environment in which they live. From Long Island to the Caribbean and from Asia to South America, millions of acres have been preserved for all times by The Nature Conservancy. Working with businesses, governments at all levels, and other conservation groups, The Nature Conservancy has gained wide respect for the ways in which it achieves set objectives.

On Long Island, The Nature Conservancy has been effective in preserving over 30,000 acres for future generations. And more projects are in the works.

Beyond preserving lands, The Nature Conservancy provides educational opportunities. In addition the organization offers trips and workshops for Long Islanders to learn more about our birds, animals, insects and their natural habitats.

Here are a few of the upcoming opportunities -- some of which you will not want to miss. First, at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, take a walk through Uplands Farm in Cold Spring Harbor to search out migrating song birds and other wildlife. Then, on Tuesday, June 2, travel by boat to the Conservancy's Mill Cove Sanctuary to see a 1793 mill and dam. Observe, along the way, snowy egrets and American herons.

Next, visit the Cranberry Bog in Riverhead on June 6 at 10:30 a.m. to see one of our area's few remaining white cedar swamps. And then, on June 20, there will be a great opportunity to walk through East Farm at Head of the Harbor and observe a unique mixture of shrubland and wet and dry deciduous trees such as oak, tulip and American beech.

To learn more about these events and upcoming field trips, you can call The Nature Conservancy at 367-3225. By the way -- remember to bring binoculars, sun screen and water to fully enjoy the day.

Beyond its educational efforts, The Nature Conservancy needs volunteers to maintain its trails, work in the office and to participate in the speakers bureau. If you would like to know more about volunteering, call Cynthia McCaffrey at 367-3225.

In addition, The Nature Conservancy can always use additional financial support. Memberships start at only $25. Becoming a member of The Nature Conservancy will place you on its mailing list for announcements about all of the organization's activities. Do not miss out. Sign up now.