Many people may not know that there are native whales just a few miles off our Long Island shores.
There are also local hops homebrewers across Long Island that are turning out winning craft ales.
Theses are just a few of the interesting facts about our region that will be shared and discussed at the Whaling Museum’s second annual “Whales, Ales & Salty Tales,” which will take place on Thursday, June 15 from 6 to 8 p.m.
At the event, Dr. Arthur Kopelman and Dr. Howard Rosenbaum, will speak about the incredible cetaceans in New York’s waters, ongoing and cutting-edge research, and efforts to protect these creatures and the ecosystems in which they live.
The evening will also include brewers from Brewers East End Revival Homebrew Club (B.E.E.R.), with a special tasting of a variety of beverages they will be bringing ranging from historical recipes to bold new concoctions.
Kopelman is a population ecologist whose research interests, since 1987, include the population dynamics and ecology of fin and humpback whales of New York and New England.
Since 1995, his interests include the population dynamics of pinnipeds in New York.
He has been the president of the Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island since 2005, and is also a board member of Save the Great South Bay.
Kopelman is also a Full Professor of Science in the Department of Science and Mathematics at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
In May 2010, he was appointed a Distinguished Service Professor by the State University of New York Board of Trustees.
Distinguished Professorship is the highest honor conferred upon instructional faculty in the State University of New York system.
Rosenbaum is a Senior Conservation Scientist and Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Ocean Giants Program, which aims to secure the future of whales, dolphins, marine mammals and other marine species.
For more than 25 years, his work has focused on innovative conservation science for protecting endangered whales and dolphins, and his efforts address current and emerging threats to these iconic marine species and their most biologically important habitats.
Rosenbaum and his team lead marine mammal field conservation projects all around the world, including the Indian, Pacific, Atlantic Oceans as well as the Arctic.
Brewer’s East End Revival Homebrew Club (B.E.E.R.) will be providing tips and tastings of historic ale recipes.
The homebrew club, established in 1996, is a registered club of the American Homebrewers Association.
As the longest-running club of its kind on Long Island, their members span the beer spectrum, from ale and lager enthusiasts, to all-grain brewers, cider- and mead-makers, and certified beer judges.
Many of the current and former members have gone on to successful careers at professional breweries, featuring the likes of Blue Point Brewing Company, Po’Boy Brewery, Great South Bay Brewery, Port Jeff Brewing Company, Long Ireland Brewing, and many others.
There is a suggested donation of $15 per person or $25 per couple for those who wish to attend this event.
The Whaling Museum & Education Center is located at 301 Main Street in Cold Spring Harbor.
For more information, call 631-367-3418 or go to www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.
