NATURE MATTERS

Coming across this parable recently got me thinking about how it’s possible to have such differing, even disparate, impressions about the same subject. And it made me think of an individual: so let’s replace the elephant at the center of the discussion with New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright, because just like the elephant being so many simultaneous things, Steve is too.

If you’re familiar with his long standing involvement for preserving historic structures in the Three Villages, like the Roe Tavern or the Rubber Factory houses, or his interest and expertise regarding local history, you would say he’s a history buff, passionate about preserving historic structures.

Get him over to the bluffs at McAllister County Park at the mouth of Port Jefferson Harbor and listen to him explain what he’s seeing in the wind-blasted rocks on the beach or the features of the bluff face itself and you’d know him to be a geologist, deeply informed about, and interested in, Long Island’s unique geology.

Or if you were a student at Stony Brook University, perhaps your connection to Steve was as a professor through one of the courses he teaches, learning about contemporary environmental issues or the history of environmental politics learning about the influential role played by John Muir, Rachel Carson, and Aldo Leopold.

Furthermore, if you’re a saltwater fisherman or general enthusiast of the marine waters surrounding Long Island, then your connection to Steve might be through the legislation he carried to stop the harvest of menhaden (also known as bunker) in New York water’s, thereby fueling a resurgence in the food chain as evidenced by the sharp increase seen in the numbers of humpback whales, tuna, sharks, and birds-of-prey. Breaching whales are now part of our ocean landscape.

Or perhaps it might be through an earlier connection you have with Steve — when he was Director of the Museum of Long Island’s Natural Sciences. Situated on the Stony Brook University campus, the museum introduced the wonders of the natural world to countless students and visitors. Steve the educator was at work.

But perhaps it is through his efforts to preserve land that most people know of Steve Englebright's work. Following in the footsteps of one of the Three Village’s favorite sons — Robert Cushman Murphy — Steve amplified Murphy’s call for the preservation of the Long Island Pine Barrens, the extensive pine forests stretched over tens of thousands of acres of pine forest in Suffolk County; pine trees that knit together a rare ecosystem and which sits over much of the County’s drinking water supply.

In honor of R.C. Murphy, Steve sponsored a resolution, while a Suffolk County Legislator, to rename Peconic River County Park to Robert Cushman Murphy County Park. As a county legislator he played a key role in shaping the County’s $70 million Open Space Bond Act that resulted in the preservation of about two dozen environmentally significant properties throughout the County.

If that's not enough, he also was critical to the success of the Drinking Water Protection Program, funded by a tiny percentage of the county sales tax, still in force today. This program has made a huge difference in protecting Suffolk County’s open spaces and drinking water supplies. And closer to home Steve was an open space champion in successfully advocating for the preservation of Patriot’s Hollow and Rock.

So just like the elephant is a “tree,” a “fan," a “wall," a “spear," a “snake,” and a “rope,” Steve Englebright is a professor, geologist, historian, hydrologist, an educator, a legislator for both Suffolk County and New York State, and a conservationist. But here’s where the parable and reality diverge; while with the parable different experiences led to radically different points of view, different experiences with Steve all point to the same thing ... what a remarkable difference maker he has been in safeguarding what is special about the Three Village community and the Long Island environment.

We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to Steve for what he’s accomplished on our behalf. Thank you Steve!!

A resident of Setauket, John Turner is conservation chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, author of “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Nature Guide to Long Island” and president of Alula Birding & Natural History Tours.

Thursday 26

Native American Drumming

All Souls Church Parish House, 10 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook will hold a Native American Drumming session from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Native American Drumming Meditation is a spiritual healing practice that is thousands of years old. Led by elder drummer, Ric Statler, drumming meditation seeks to integrate the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts of the human self, creating a state of wellbeing. Call 655-7798 for more information.

Friday 27

Sound Symphony concert

The Sound Symphony Orchestra with guest conductor Alex Wen will be performing its annual Family Concert at John F. Kennedy, Middle School, 200 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station at 7 p.m. Program will include The Complete Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Video Games Live, Carmen Suite No. 1, and A Tribute to John Williams. Snow date is Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 , $15 seniors, $10 students at the door. Children 11 and under free. Visit www. soundsymphony.org for more information.

Northport Symphony concert

The Northport Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Richard Hyman, will present a concert of classical music at Northport High School, 154 Laurel Road, Northport at 8 p.m. The concert will feature Symphony No. 1 by Felix Mendelssohn and Symphony and No. 1 (Symphony in C) by Georges Bizet. Tickets are $10 at the door. Visit www.northportsymphony.org for more info.

Friday Night Face-Off

Friday Night Face Off, Long Island’s longest running Improv Comedy Show, returns to Theatre Three’s Second Stage, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson tonight at 10:30 p.m. Using audience suggestions, FNFO pits two teams of improvisers against each other in an all-out championship! Recommended for ages16 and up, due to adult content. Tickets are $15 at the door - cash only. Call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Saturday 28

Port Jefferson Ice Festival

The Village of Port Jefferson presents its 4th annual Ice Festival today and Jan. 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will highlight the sculptures of renowned ice sculptor and Guinness Book of World Records holder Rich Daly of Ice Memories, Inc. Many businesses will have their own personalized ice sculptures in front

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