Before Bethpage Schools was fortunate enough to hire Mr. Portuese, he spent seven years as the Site Director of the BOCES/SCOPE Outdoor Lab, located in Connetquot River State Park Preserve. Recently, Mr. Portuese took his Environmental Science class to his old stomping grounds.
The 3,500 acres of unspoiled land that make up the preserve was once the home of the Southside Sportsmen’s Club. The club was founded after the Civil War ended in 1866. As our island became populated the land inside the club's boundaries remained pristine. In 1973, it was purchased by the state and became New York’s first preserve. A crystal-clear river runs through it stocked with trout raised at the hatchery, built by the club. Many of the club’s members were captains of industry.
Participating students visited the Grist Mill (built by William Nicoll in 1820), the trout hatchery, Snedecor's Tavern and ate lunch in the former club’s main dining room.
