Laurie Farber has always been interested in the environment and wanted to help children make a special connection with the Earth. In 1989, the Jericho resident founded Starflower Experiences, a nonprofit organization that offers environmental programs and presentations at local elementary schools.

A former biology teacher and Fire Island park ranger, Laurie knows firsthand how important it is to enable children to connect with nature at a young age and to help them more deeply understand and appreciate the geography of their own environment. “My mission was to help people improve their relationship with the Earth,” Laurie says. “I wanted to provide an education [experience] that was effective and unique. “

Starflower’s programs help nurture a feeling of accomplishment and, in turn, the desire to learn more about environmental issues. Their outdoor-based programs include Earthkeepers and Rangers of the Earth that were designed by the Institute for Earth Education, the world’s largest organization for educators in the environmental movement. Based on the book Earthkeepers, young learners are rewarded with special keys, which open locks on boxes that contain environmental “secrets” that are made known to Earthkeepers only after they complete the program.

Starflower also does presentations on water conservation and has been working with water districts in Plainview and Great Neck North, culminating in the students involved in the project pledging to not waste water. According to Laurie, Starflower works with more than 1,000 children a year, but would like to do more with our local school districts.

Starflower’s home base is Manor Farm in the Town of Huntington and they are also the official park steward for Berkeley Jackson County Park, which is adjacent to Manor Farm. At the park, students repair nature trails, restore plants to their native habitat and remove non-native plants. “We use activities that help children understand basic ecological processes. It gets them in touch with the natural world,” Laurie explains. “They get to spend some time alone and just use their senses.”

For the future, Laurie is working on a new project called Gardens of Eden that will eventually be training people to grow their own food at home. “That’s where it’s going to be more effective and where people can see direct results for themselves,” she says.

Laurie says that the goal of Starflower Experiences is to help people understand the world around them, to realize the consequences of their actions and to get them to adopt new behaviors that have less impact on the natural processes of the Earth. “Our programs require a little more commitment and effort from everyone,” she says.

For more information go to www.starflowerexperiences.org or call 516-983-6152.

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