Tick Safety and Local Conservation on the Agenda at Nature Walk Series July 16 in Riverhead

The Stony Brook University Office of Health Equity and Climate Medicine Research is partnering with the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Office of Minority Health on its Nature Walk Series, exploring health and conservation.

The third community nature walk will take place Thursday, July 16, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Indian Island County Park in Riverhead.

Gerald Simons, a faculty member of the School of Health Professions Physician Assistant (PA) Program at Stony Brook Southampton, will give a presentation about tick safety before the walk begins, providing tick kits to give out to attendees. The Eastern Long Island Audubon Society will then explore local wildlife and conservation efforts.

Among the tick prevention tips that Simons provides:

• Use of permethrin on clothing and oil of lemon eucalyptus on the skin
• Stay away from tall grass and brush piles
• Shower soon after being outside, and put your clothes in the dryer to kill ticks first, then wash them
• If you are feeling flu-like this summer, don't wait - get checked!

The Stony Brook PA program, located at Stony Brook Southampton, is one of the oldest and highest rated PA programs in the country. For 50 years, it has directly helped solve the healthcare shortage in Suffolk County and beyond. Each year, thousands of applicants apply for only 70 seats.

Attendees are advised to bring water, use sunscreen (at least SPF 30) and wear light-colored clothing, long pants and sleeves, and to consider using bug repellants. The trail is about 1.1 miles long.

To register, call (631) 852-323 or email [email protected].