Vail Blydenburgh Sanctuary
Smithtown, Suffolk County
18.9 acres
The Nature Conservancy

Directions:

From the Long Island Expressway (495), take Exit 56 and go north on Rte. 111 (Wheeler Rd.) for 1.8 mile. Turn left at the light and continue on Rte. 111 (now Hauppauge Rd.) for 2.3 miles to the junction of Rtes. 25 and 25A. Turn left (west) onto Rte. 25A and proceed for 0.2 mile. Turn right (north) onto Landing Avenue and proceed 1.1 mile. Turn left onto Eckerncamp Rd. and proceed for 0.1 mile. Turn left into the Environmental Centers entrance and parking area. (Note: This preserve is owned and managed by the Environmental Centers of Setauket-Smithtown.)

History:

up to the 1940s  --  a farm was here along with cows and apple cider production facilities.

1966  --  In memory of her husband, Mrs. Vail Blydenburgh donates the farm to The Nature Conservancy.  

Habitats:

borders on the Nissequogue River

The Environmental Centers of Setauket-Smithtown, Inc.
62 Eckernkamp Dr., Smithtown, Long Island, NY 11787
Open: Mon.-Fri., 9AM-2PM; weekends for programs only
Admission: Vary with programs.

Sweetbriar Farm on 53 acre Vail Blydenburgh Nature Preserve is a nature preserve center run by the Environmental Center of Setauket-Smithtown.  It has exhibits and programs on natural sciences for schools and the public; live specimens. Also programs at Setauket Grist Mill and Frank Melville Memorial Park. Habitats include garden, woodland, field and wetland habitats.