Virtual Educational Programming with the Quogue Wildlife Refuge

A professional in the lumber industry, New York-based Matthew Beckerle joined Speonk Lumber as a stock counter sales associate in 2018. Apart from providing counter support and handling special orders for the store, Matthew Beckerle enjoys spending time outdoors hiking nature trails in the Quogue Wildlife Refuge.

Comprising more than 300 acres, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge is home to diverse wildlife such as owls, hawks, groundhogs, and foxes. In addition to onsite educational programming, the wildlife preserve offers virtual programming that can be customized to each group’s age and interests. For example, the 45-minute All about Turtles program introduces children to the native species of turtles found on Long Island, as well as terrapins and tortoises. After learning about how to help animals in the wild, children can meet via video some of the live turtles and tortoises the refuge cares for.

The refuge’s virtual programming also includes a session on the nine species of frogs found on Long Island, bats, birds of prey, and ruby-throated hummingbirds.

Pygmy Pines Thrive in a Fire-Prone Pine Barren Ecosystem

Based in Westhampton Beach, New York, Matthew Beckerle worked as a showroom manager and yard foreman at Beckerle Lumber for nearly 40 years. An outdoor enthusiast, Matthew Beckerle enjoys excursions to natural reserves such as the Quogue Wildlife Refuge.

Some of the most unique aspects of the 300-acre New York refuge are rare dwarf/pygmy pines that inhabit a pine barren ecosystem. Long-lived but growing to maturity much smaller than normal trees, pygmy pine trees are hypothesized to have a symbiotic relationship with fire.

The evolutionary niche of the pines reflects a habitat in a dry, windy, raised area that does not have lakes, rivers, and other natural breaks to prevent fire spread. Traditional trees and plants regularly burn down, which creates a nutrient-rich layer of ashy soil that allows life to replenish.

One theory is that the diminutive pygmy trees have a deep pool of clay soil, rich in nitrogen and phosphorous, to draw from. At the surface level, the trees are periodically cut back by the fire, which has a bonsai-like impact on stunting growth. However, with carbohydrates stored in the root systems, they readily sprout back after a fire and grow again. Because it takes time for this underground store of nutrients to replenish, the trade-off is one of endurance for height.

Guided Trail Riding at Jonathan Dickinson State Park

A resident of Westhampton Beach, New York, Matthew Beckerle holds a master’s degree in science education from Iona University. Matthew Beckerle previously served at Jonathan Dickinson State Park as an assistant biologist from 1992 to 1994.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park covers nearly 11,500 acres and offers numerous outdoor recreation activities, including paddling, camping, boating, and horseback riding. Equestrian programs operate seasonally from Thanksgiving to Easter, depending on weather conditions, and include tours via horse-drawn trams, handled rides, and guided rides.

Guided horseback rides at the park are an hour in duration and provide an opportunity for beginner through experienced riders ages 6 years and older to explore the park and its resident wildlife. Animals commonly seen while riding through the park include white-tailed deer and bald eagles. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience while riding in the park, groups are limited to eight people or less, riders are paired with well-trained horses, and an orientation is provided before each ride commences.

Four Ways to Stay Calm When Scuba Diving

New York-based entrepreneur Matthew Beckerle spent more than three decades serving as showroom manager and yard foreman at his family’s lumber business. During this time, he has gained extensive experience in sales and customer service, which he now leverages as stock counter sales professional for Speonk Lumber. Outside of work, Matthew Beckerle maintains an interest in scuba diving.

When it comes to scuba diving, the ability to remain calm when underwater is key for addressing minor diving problems and remembering important diving techniques. Unfortunately, many people struggle with staying calm. Here are a few ways to decrease underwater anxiety when diving:

Meditate

People who are naturally more anxious have a higher likelihood of experiencing anxiety when diving. To help with this, they can meditate to keep calm in their daily lives. Taking a quiet moment to themselves reduces their nervousness and helps them stay calm underwater.

Skip Caffeine and Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant and is linked to various mood disorders, even when consumed the night before a dive. Avoiding any booze reduces the risk of anxiety the day of the dive. Meanwhile, caffeine is a stimulant that is a known trigger for anxious feelings, so it’s also best avoided.

Dive According to Skill Level

Before getting in the water, divers should make sure that their planned dives match both their skill and comfort level. Diving beyond their skill level increases the likelihood that divers will experience situations that provoke anxiety, such as a longer ascent to the surface.

Learn about Marine Life

When divers encounter marine creatures that they are unfamiliar with, they often react with fear and stress, regardless of whether the creature is dangerous or not. Reading up on the local marine life helps divers be more prepared for the animals they may see underwater so they don’t freak out.

How Trees Benefit Ocean Health

The former yard foreman and showroom manager of a family-owned, New York-based lumber company, Matthew Beckerle currently provides counter support and organization for Speonk Lumber as a stock counter sales professional. An avid conservation professional, Matthew Beckerle is interested in the link between ocean health and trees.

Many people know that trees improve environmental health by removing carbon dioxide from the air and cooling the earth. However, they may not realize that trees also play a big role in ocean health.

The reason trees help with ocean health ties back to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Normally, CO2 moves between the surface of the ocean and the atmosphere until both levels are equal. This means that the higher the atmospheric CO2 levels are, the more CO2 is absorbed by the ocean. As it stands, roughly 25 percent of all CO2 emissions produced by human activities is absorbed by the ocean.

As the ocean absorbs more CO2, the pH of the seawater changes and it becomes more acidic, a process known as ocean acidification. When the water becomes more acidic, it threatens the viability of many marine ecosystems. Since trees absorb CO2 in the atmosphere, planting more trees actually reduces ocean acidification, since the ocean water must absorb less atmospheric CO2 to achieve equilibrium.

Volunteer Opportunities at Quogue Wildlife Refuge

Matthew Beckerle has worked in the lumber field for more than four decades, and currently assists with sales and stock operations at Speonk Lumber in Speonk, New York. Outside of his work in the lumber industry, Matthew Beckerle supports local parks and nature preserves such as Quogue Wildlife Refuge, where he has helped with conservation efforts.

Founded in 1934, the 300-acre Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a nonprofit nature preserve that offers miles of beautiful walking trails through forests, ponds, and other native habitats. The refuge also offers educational programs and wildlife exhibits at its Charles Banks Belt Nature Center, and cares for injured wildlife at its Outdoor Wildlife Complex.

Quogue Wildlife Refuge relies heavily on volunteers to maintain its grounds and operate its many programs. Trail maintenance volunteers spend their time trimming trees and clearing the seven miles of walking trails in the refuge, while volunteer educators guide school and Scout groups on tours. The Nature Center also relies on volunteers to meet and greet visitors, answer phones, and provide general information about the refuge’s public programs.

To learn more about volunteering at Quogue Wildlife Refuge, please visit quoguewildliferefuge.org/get-involved/become-a-volunteer.

Fun Activities in Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Sales professional Matthew Beckerle possesses more than 40 years of experience in the New York lumber industry. Matthew Beckerle also has a background in wildlife conservation education. He previously served as an assistant biologist for the Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Southeast Florida.

The largest conservation area of its kind in the region, Jonathan Dickinson State Park covers more than 11,000 acres. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities for visitors of all ages.

Camping: Visitors can reserve campsites suitable for tents or RVs. There are also 10 small cabins that can be rented out. While camping, visitors can hike or mountain bike down pristine trails, or rent canoes or paddleboards.

Boat tour: Guided tours go up and down the Loxahatchee River four times a day. During the 2-hour ride, knowledgeable guides provide insight into the river’s ecosystem. Visitors can also catch a glimpse of the park’s diverse wildlife, which includes alligators and bald eagles.

Equestrian activities: During cooler times of the year, visitors can tour the park on horseback or by horse-drawn carriage. Young or novice horse riders can opt for a shorter riding session that is closely guided by a professional.