Earth Day 2025

Brookhaven Lab Earth Day Activities

Outdoor Yoga

4/22 and 4/24, noon - 12:45 p.m., Brookhaven Square Park

Enjoy nature while getting fit at the same time with a free Outdoor Yoga class hosted by the Brookhaven Employees' Recreation Association (BERA). While yoga is traditionally thought of as an indoor fitness program, performing yoga outdoors has many benefits. Practicing in open spaces makes your body work harder to adjust to wind and heat. It is thought to increase blood circulation, reduce anxiety, provide mental clarity, and relieve stress since energy is moving more freely and participants are closer to nature. We encourage you to join instructor Krista Shattess for this yoga flow class, open to all levels. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats but there are some available to borrow should you need one.

The 45-minute class will take place in the center of the site at Brookhaven Square Park. In the event of inclement weather, the class will be relocated to the Recreation Hall (Bldg. 317). Please check the intranet calendar for updates. For more information, contact Kristyn Noren (Ext. 2400).

The Office Swap

4/22, noon - 1 p.m, Berkner Room D

Support Brookhaven Lab's Housekeeping Standard to help ensure a safe, healthy, and clean environment for all workers. Clean out your office, conference rooms, and supply closets and get rid of clutter! Bring unwanted supplies to Berkner Room D and swap or just take what you need – for free! Even if you have nothing to bring, you can stop by and take any item you want! For more information about the annual Office Swap contact Carol Shea (Ext. 6033).

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Youth Tables

Brookhaven Lab is also hosting Take Our Children to Work Day on Tuesday, April 22. Employees encouraged to bring their children/grandchildren to Berkner during lunch time. Be sure to register for Take Our Children to Work Day by the deadline, April 15, 11:59 p.m.

Note: You must VPN into Brookhaven Lab's internal network or be on-site access registration.

Hands-on Archeology Table

4/22, noon - 1 p.m., Berkner

Archaeologists piece together the past from artifacts that are often found left behind by past peoples. Stop by the archaeology table to speak with the Lab's Cultural Resource Manager, Allison McGovern, see examples of artifacts and explore what we can learn from them.

Natural Resources Table, Berkner

4/22, noon - 1 p.m., Berkner

A large number of wildlife call the Lab home. Learn about how we monitor different wildlife populations and see some of the tools we use to track different species.

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Photography Contest Winners Announced

4/22, 11 a.m.

We'll announce the winners and share an online album of all the entries. You'll get to see the wonderful photography taken by Brookhaven Lab staff—and the children of Lab staff—who participate in the contest.

Seedling Giveaways

4/22, noom - 1 p.m.

Erin Gettler from the Garden Club will be outside of Berkner handing out the ever-popular seedlings on Earth Day.

National Weather Service Table, Berkner

4/22, noon - 1 p.m., Berkner

The National Weather Service's New York, N.Y. forecast office (NWS NY), located in Upton, N.Y., is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for about 20 million people in southeastern NY, northeastern NJ, and southern Connecticut. Learn about the products and services NWS NY provides, Spring and Summer weather hazards, and how to be Weather Ready!

Nature Journaling Session

4/23, noon – 12:45 p.m., Gazebo on Brookhaven Avenue (See map)

Unlock the wonders of the natural world and deepen your connection to the environment with Nature Journaling. During the session participants will explore simple techniques in observation, sketching, and writing to enhance our understanding of nature. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just curious about trying something new, this session invites you to slow down, observe your surroundings, and express what you see through sketching and writing.

Why Nature Journaling?

• Reconnect with nature and rediscover the peace found in the outdoors
• Enhance mindfulness through focused observation and creative expression
• Learn valuable skills in sketching, writing, and scientific inquiry
• Build a lasting record of your experiences in nature, one page at a time

The session will take place at the Gazebo, located at the east end of Brookhaven Avenue (see map). Please wear appropriate close-toed shoes for walking in the grass. In the event of inclement weather, registered participants will be contacted. For more information, please contact Jennifer Lucas (Ext. 4298)

Architectural Walking Tour

4/29, noon - 1 p.m.

Learn about the Lab's history while taking in the sun! Join the Brookhaven's Cultural Resources Manager, Allison McGovern, who will introduce you to some of the historic buildings at the Lab and talk about why they are historically important. You will also learn about how the landscape has changed since the Camp Upton era. This is a 1.5-mile walk and will be approximately 45 minutes long. We will meet for the start of the walk at the entrance of Berkner Hall at noon, circle the central part of campus, and end where we started. Participants are encouraged to wear sensible shoes or sneakers, sun protections (e.g., hat, sunglasses, and/or sunscreen, as needed) and to bring their own water. This event is weather-dependent. In the event of rain, registrants will be contacted about a rain date. For more information, contact Allison McGovern (Ext. 8214).

Birding Tour

4/30, noon - 1 p.m.

Discover the surprising diversity of birds that call the Lab home. All are invited to join this lunchtime bird walk led by Erin Gettler, who will identify birds and provide a checklist of some of the more common birds on site. Meet the group at noon in the lobby of Bldg. 400 to be taken to the walking area. Wear suitable shoes and clothes that are as tick-proof as possible – long pants, long sleeve shirt, high socks, etc. You may also like to bring binoculars and have the “Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab” app downloaded to your smartphone. For more information, contact Kristyn Noren (Ext. 2400).