Nearly five miles of nature trails wind through the property. A self-guiding nature trail for the visually impaired is located near the museum. Descriptive signs in braille and sighted text explain a variety of natural features. We descend among Black Cherry, Oak, Beech, Sassafras, and Tulip Trees as well as large glacial boulders, to the shore of this lovely 72-acre preserve with a picturesque view of Hempstead Harbor. Rocks of the upper shore were blackened by a dried film of blue- green bacteria and inhabited by innumerable small snails, Littorina sp., extending to the middle shore.
Fucoids also produce phenolic compounds functioning as a chemical defense against herbivores.
The green algae Ulva lactuca, Enteromorpha intestinalis, E. linza, and Cladophora sp,, as well as small Blue Mussesls, were common in this area. Overturned rocks and stones revealed hermit crabs in dog whelk shells, starfish, sponges, amphipods, and other small invertebrates.