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diverse ecological landscapes, including forests, riparian wetlands, intertidal beaches and a large open grass meadow. Rising about 60 feet above Manhasset Bay, the property serves as a springboard for the detailed investigation of these local ecological habitats.

Robert Sizer, a wealthy New York businessman, began construction of his family summer residence nearby in about 1903-1905. The estate consisted of three historic buildings and several smaller structures that were designed in the late 19th-Century shingle style so popular on Long Island at that time. He called the summer estate Norwood.

In 1927, maritime attorney Herman Goldman purchased Norwood as a family weekend country retreat. Goldman made major changes to the entire property. The main house was extensively remodeled and redecorated. The open farmland fields were landscaped. Additional acreage was purchased from neighbors, making his holdings a total of 36 acres with Manhasset Bay beaches to the west and Leeds Pond marshland to the south. Three structures are currently used by SMLI for its programs.

Like many organizations during the last few years, SMLI struggled to define itself during the pandemic. It is, after all, a hands-on, in person learning center. But the museum found a way to forge ahead by leaning into outdoor programs. They have established several native plant gardens, including a rain garden funded by a grant from Long Island Sound Futures Fund. This garden prevents rainwater from running down the length of the property and into the bay, and instead draws water deeper into the soil, recharging the aquifer.

“From a scientific point of view, what humans have done with their activities up until today is we’ve interrupted the carbon cycle. What we need to do is take carbon out of the air and put it into the ground. All these plantings, of course, are away because plants will breathe in co2, capture sunlight and become a body that sustains us and brings us oxygen. And so we’re all about any method, earth friendly methods that help capture carbon, put it into the ground, and also purify and, and sustain our aquifers.” Hildur Pálsdóttir. president of the museum, said.

In addition to the native gardens, an ambitious project to remove kudzu vines from the surrounding forest is underway. This invasive species can grow a foot a day, strangling trees and devouring whole forests. These vines were removed mechanically with digging machines, and the open spaces planted with oak and tulip seedlings.

“We’re also interested in working with the native pollinator plants or planting perennials. That’s where Audubon comes in. And Rewild Long Island is collaborating with them on planting native plants,” Pálsdóttir said, referring to the partnerships with local organizations to plant and maintain the gardens.

Planting sustainable vegetable gardens is another important project that allows people to gather in the community and learn, with tasty harvest as an added bonus. Everything on the site is grown without the use of pesticides.

“We don’t put as you saw on the lawn; we don’t put down pesticides. we have children playing in this area, so it’s chemical-free.

The vegetable garden is organic. In the pollinator gardens, we have monarch butterflies, hummingbirds. We teach our children how to grow vegetables and why and how to do it sustainably.”

The Museum also began hosting a series of outdoor concerts called Live at Five. The event grew out of a desire to gather and raise both funds and awareness about the museum. It was a safe way for people to get out and restore community is an uncertain time. Now in its third year, this fundraiser is held multiple times throughout the summer. Each concert features family-friendly music, alcoholic beverages, food trucks and vendors.

Looking to the future, the mission of the museum remains unchanged. The whole purpose of the organization is to inspire children to make science a part of their lives. The focus is now on sustainability and climate.

“We’re now interested in really coming back to Earth,” said Pálsdóttir. “I think scientists have contributed in ways that are regrettable today with their inventions, like the nuclear bomb or ways of polluting. And now with climate change, we’re very interested in teaching our children earthbased methods in science, in nature, and even sustainability in terms of how to live with the earth, and belong to the ecosystem, and be good stewards.”

The museum is an oasis of nature in a busy world, nurturing young minds and planting seeds of wonder. Being outdoors allows the children to observe human impacts on the world directly, but it’s also where they can be most in tune with the environment. “To educate in a nature-based setting is joyous. It’s a joyful activity. That you know, when we’re out here with the children, you can’t but feel part of the ecosystem because...you just feel youself inspired by the trees, the bees, the birds. We’re so blessed with this outdoor classroom that includes the woodlands, the pond and the bay. We care a great deal about ecological health (of the earth) and how we affect it.”

Executive Director Kristen Laird echoed this sentiment. “As we head into our 60th year, SMLI remains committed to programming that allows children to discover the power of science through the fun of science. The COVID pandemic and environmental crisis showed the world that our future lies in the hands of our tiny future scientists and when it comes to fostering a love and interest in science there is no better place than SMLI. The hands-on learning benefits that students experience at SMLI helps children of all ages retain knowledge and grow.”

SOLD & PENDING IN Q1 2023

244-20 73rd Avenue, Li le Neck, $931,000

305 Circle Drive, Manhasset, $999,000

154 Manhasset Woods Road, Manhasset, $1,886,000

48-20 217th Street, Bayside, $1,050,000

69 Mill Spring Road, Manhasset, $2,650,000*

141 Village Road, Manhasset, $1,450,000*

63-08 75th Street, Middle Village, $1,355,000

305 Nassau Avenue, Manhasset, $1,949,000*

21-23 31st Street, Astoria, List Price: $2,199,000

117 Croyden Court, Albertson, List Price: $1,149,888*

139 Darters Lane, Manhasset, List Price: $1,299,000

6 Litch eld Road, Port Washington, List Price: $1,295,000*

Available Properties

28-25 31st Street, Astoria, $3,600,000

66 Wolver Hollow Road, Upper Brookville, $4,100,000

1270 Plandome Road, Manhasset, $3,800,000

135 Woodhill Lane, Manhaset, $3,850,000

69 Castle Ridge Road, Manhasset, $9,000/month

23 Bayview Avenue, Port Washington, $1,599,000

16 Shoredale Drive, Manhasset, $1,388,000

Irene (Renee) Rallis

Lic. Assoc. R. E. Broker

O 516.944.2583 | M 516.241.9848 irene.rallis@elliman.com elliman.com

PINNACLE AWARD WINNER**

#1 AGENT IN MANHASSET**

$81M SOLD & UNDER CONTRACT IN 2022

#2 LONG ISLAND AGENT BY VOLUME

#2 LONG ISLAND AGENT BY GCI

#5 AGENT BY TRANSACTIONS