Holtsville Ecology Center Opens To Non-Residents

HOLTSVILLE, NY — Brookhaven Town officials are no longer requiring reservations to visit the Holtsville Ecology Site and Animal Preserve, which is now open to the public, including non-town residents.

The site, which opened May 1 after a long shutdown over the COVID-19 pandemic, has had some improvements to its infrastructure and some new animals have been added to the menagerie, Highways Superintendent Dan Losquadro recently announced. The menagerie now has over 100 animals, including a peacocl, a coatimundi, American black bear, bald eagle, hybrid fox, a buffalo, and some bobcats.

While there is no fee to visit the animal preserve, donations are welcome. Parking fees, however, are in effect to enter the park. The site, which is located on 429 Buckley Rd. in Holtsville, is open Thursday through Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Jacqueline Sweet contributed additional reporting to this story.