Alley Pond Takes Flight with New Exhibit

Alley Pond Environmental Center will host a day in honor of our fine-feathered friends on March 26 as the Douglaston nonprofit celebrates the work of a local bird rehabilitator and offers a live demonstration.

The center, located at 228-06 Northern Blvd. in Douglaston, will also debut an exhibit in memory of Arline Thomas, a Hollis resident who helped to care for sick and injured baby and adult birds.

“She was called the bird lady of Queens,” said Irene Scheid, executive director of the environmental center. “We’d send injured birds to her and she’d release them back into the park after rehabilitating them.”

The exhibit, opening March 26 and remaining on display through February 2012, will include art projects and literary works related to birds, especially the bluebird, which is the state’s official bird.

Prizes will be awarded to local schoolchildren whose artistic and literary expressions show an understanding of urban birds. The event will include a live demonstration, during which birds will be allowed to fly around Alley Pond’s building.

Attendees will line up in a formation and the birds will fly through them, Scheid said.

On that same day, the environmental center will present an educational program that includes hawks, falcons and owls. The class will demonstrate how the birds fly, hunt and survive in their environments.

That evening, the center will host an evening of dance with Square Dance caller Jim Emory, who will teach attendees the Do-Si-Do, Promenade and Swing Your Partner.

Alley Pond members will pay $12, while non-members will gain entry for $15. Children, ages seven to 12, will pay $10 each.

Pre-registration for the Square Dance is required. For more information, call 718-229-4000.

On March 27, the environmental center will host a free tree giveaway from 10 a.m. to noon. Visitors to the center must show proof that they are a New York City resident.

The giveaway will be on a first come, first serve basis. There will be five different types of trees given away, including redbud, Kousa Dogwood, Carolina silver bell, burr oak and Littleleaf Linden.

Each tree weighs about 30 gallons, Scheid said.

“They have to be planted on home properties – they are not street trees,” she said.