From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Aug 13 11:39:25 2008 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:39:25 -0400 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] August 13 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <20080813T113925Z_D56700090000@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery August 13, 2008 Pond Life Family Fun Upcoming DEC Events Hudson Valley - Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center Capital Region - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center Central New York - Rogers Environmental Education Center Western New York - Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center Subscribe to Outdoor Discovery or change your subscription options (http://lists.dec.state.ny.us/mailman/listinfo/decoutdoordiscovery). Pond Life Ponds provide a beneficial habitat for a number of animals and plants. Ponds are a type of wetland that can be found in a variety of environments: a city park, on a farm, in the middle of grasslands or in the mountains. You can even build one in your backyard! Some ponds exist year-round, while others dry up at the end of spring. Which types of wildlife live in or near a pond? Frogs, turtles, ducks, fish, snakes, insects, muskrats and beaver call the pond home. Deer, bear and coyotes are among the many animals who visit the pond for a cool drink. Herons fly over the pond hunting for food. Mosquitos that live in the pond provide food for frogs which, in turn, are food for raccoons, herons and snakes. Trees, grasses, reeds and water plants also live in and around the pond. To sustain life, the habitat of a pond needs the following things: ?Water must be of suitable quality and quantity. ?Different types of food must be available. ?Animals must be able to obtain shelter from predators and the elements. ?There must be enough space for the animals to move around and search for food. It's important to keep ponds clean for the plants and animals that use them. Clean up trash, pet waste and other pollutants on the land before rain and snowmelt wash them into the pond. Many curb-side storm sewers lead directly to streams and ponds, so never dispose of anything in them. Pollutants in rain water or litter wash into ponds. The water contained in a pond replenishes groundwater. Groundwater is an essential source of water that farmers and cities depend upon. Ponds also help prevent floods by filling up with extra rainwater, diverting it away from roads and structures. Let your friends know about Outdoor Discovery - forward this e-mail! Back to top Family Fun Make a Water Scope You can make your own water scope to see what's going on under the water?all you need is an aluminum coffee can, plastic wrap and duct tape. Using a can opener, remove both ends of the coffee can. Stretch a piece of heavy-duty plastic wrap over one end and secure it with duct tape (or a large rubber band). Head out to a pond with an adult (wear water shoes or rubber boots to protect your feet) to see what you can find. Lower the end of the coffee can with the plastic wrap into the water and look through the open end. The scope lets you see the water clearly without reflections and ripples. What's In There? Now that you have an idea of what lives in a pond, try taking your own samples. Bring a bucket, a net, a magnifying glass and, of course, an adult and your water shoes. Fill the bucket halfway with water from the pond. From the edge of the pond, use your net to carefully scoop the surface of the substrate (top layer of mud or gravel) into your bucket. What types of creatures did you find? Some may be easy to see, while others can be viewed through the magnifying glass. Take notes and draw some pictures, but be sure to return what you find to the pond. Testing the Waters Water, like all liquids, has an acidity level. The level of acidity determines how the water will interact with other compounds. Acidic liquids have a pH value below 7. Vinegar and lemon juice are examples of acidic substances. Alkalinity is the state of having pH values above 7. Soap and oil are generally alkaline. Purchase some pH test paper at an aquarium store or pet store. Collect samples of pond water and tap water in separate containers. Dip a pH paper into them to find the acidity level. Acid water will turn the paper red, while alkaline water will turn it blue. Compare the shade or color of the paper with the indicator on the container of pH paper to find the level of acidity. How does tap water differ from the pond water? How do you think the acidity level affects the animal and plant life in the pond? Check out Conservationist for Kids (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/40248.html) for more information and activities! Back to top Upcoming DEC Events Hudson Valley Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1833.html) Life in the Water Saturday, August 16 at 10:00 AM Enter the amazing world of aquatic insects and other creatures, and learn what they have to tell us about the health of our streams and watersheds. Come ready to get your feet wet! A Summer Bouquet Saturday, August 23 at 10:00 AM Get to know the goldenrods, asters and other wildflowers that bloom in our meadows and the intricate web of life they support, including migrating monarch butterflies. More events at Stony Kill (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2001.html#august) Capital Region Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html) Pond Exploration Thursday, August 14 at 2:00 PM We'll discover ponds and wetlands and use nets to see what dwells within. We'll also look for frogs, turtles and other pond inhabitants. Goldfinches Tuesday, August 19 at 7:00 PM We'll search for these colorful birds as they sing and soar overhead in their courtship flights, and we'll look for other types of wildlife as well. Bring binoculars, although we have some to lend. Waterfowl Saturday, August 23 at 10:00 AM Join us on an outdoor survey of our ponds as we take a gander at common ducks and geese. Insects Tuesday, August 26 at 7:00 PM Field insects are in full chorus, big enough to be easily seen and caught. We will capture insects with nets, observe and identify and finally release them all. More events at Five Rivers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1980.html#August) Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Bug Bonanza (Children's Program) Saturday, August 16 at 10:00 AM The warm days of summer are prime time for finding insects and spiders. Kids can make their own bug-collecting container and then catch some creatures for observation with Rogers staff. Please call 607-674-4017 to register. White-tailed Deer in New York Saturday, August 23 at 11:00 AM You see them in fields and find signs of them in the forest. You may even have them munching on plants in your yard. What is the deal with deer in NY? Find out more about deer biology and population status. More events at Rogers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2006.html#August) Western New York Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1837.html) Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959. Full Moon Sturgeon Walk Friday, August 15 at 8:00 PM Enjoy a walk in the woods by the light of the full moon. Pond Life Saturday, August 16 at 10:30 AM Dive into the world of aquatic organisms and see what's living in our ponds! For children ages 6 to 12; parent or guardian must attend. Night Sky Thursday, August 21 at 8:30 PM Learn about the constellations that are visible this month, and view the craters of the moon as it goes into the last quarter. For adults and children age eight and older only. Ice Cream Social Fundraiser Saturday, August 23 at 1:00 PM Enjoy tasty treats and family entertainment as you help support the Friends of Reinstein Nature Preserve. Call for information and ticket prices. More events at Reinstein (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html#august) Events at other Nature Centers throughout the State Visit DEC's website for more information and programs Subscribe to the Conservationist magazine? New York's award-winning publication with astonishingly beautiful photography and captivating articles. Back to top This email was sent by: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233 We respect your right to privacy - view our policy (http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/27720.html). Having problems viewing this newsletter? View it on the DEC website (http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/43355.html). -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 61277 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 4939 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 16725 bytes Desc: not available URL: From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Mon Aug 25 10:16:51 2008 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:16:51 -0400 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] August 27 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <20080825T101651Z_D56700090000@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery August 27, 2008 Ladybugs Family Fun Upcoming DEC Events Long Island Hudson Valley - Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center Capital Region - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center Central New York - Rogers Environmental Education Center Western New York - Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center Subscribe to Outdoor Discovery or change your subscription options (http://lists.dec.state.ny.us/mailman/listinfo/decoutdoordiscovery). Ladybugs Ladybugs are beetles that are about 1/4" long. They are most often brightly colored and have a variable number and pattern of spots on their backs. The orange-red colored, nine-spotted ladybug is New York State's official insect. Once a common sight throughout the state, this native species of ladybug is now very rare, having been replaced by introduced exotic ladybugs. Ladybugs are highly regarded as one of our most beneficial insects because they feed on pest aphids, with adult ladybugs consuming as many as 100 aphids each day. Often, ladybugs will look for place to spend the winter inside your home, congregating in groups on walls. Superstitions and folk lore told of ladybugs' supernatural powers and warned that to kill one was unlucky, and to release one brought good luck. Send us an e-mail and tell us what you think about Outdoor Discovery. Let your friends know about Outdoor Discovery - forward this e-mail! Back to top Family Fun Ladybug Hunt Aphids are small plant-eating insects that feast on a variety of different vegetation, and ladybugs eat aphids. To help control the aphid population and save our crops, the U.S. Department of Agriculture developed a plan in the 1940s. Most of our crops like soybean, alfalfa and wheat, along with many fruits and vegetables, originally came from foreign countries. Even our worst pests are non-native species. What better way to protect foreign crops from foreign pests than to bring in foreign ladybugs! Unfortunately, over the last decade, our native ladybug?the nine-spotted ladybug?has been disappearing. So while the foreign ladybugs are helping to protect our crops, are they hurting the nine-spotted ladybug? Scientists at Cornell need your help to find out. To participate in the Lost Ladybug Project, go outside and collect some ladybugs. Take lots of pictures of the ladybugs that you find. Send the digital photos, along with the time, date, location and type of habitat to Cornell. Remember to let the ladybugs go once you have taken their picture. Ladybug, Ladybug Fly Away Home Ladybugs are a great addition to any garden. Harvest time is almost here for many late-season vegetables, so give some ladybugs a home in your garden. Rinse out a cardboard milk or orange juice container and cut a flap on one long side by cutting around three sides. Fold open this "door" and cut several ?"-wide slits parallel to the ground as access points for the ladybugs. Now take some sandpaper and glue it to the walls of the inside of the container so that the ladybugs will have something to grab onto. (You can reach the inside of the container through the door you created.) Decorate your ladybug house with stickers, contact paper or paint. Close the door and tape it shut, making sure that the slits are parallel to the ground. Tape the house to a sturdy garden stake about one foot off the ground and wait for the ladybugs to fly away into their new home. Check out Conservationist for Kids (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/40248.html) for more information and activities! Back to top Upcoming DEC Events Long Island Fall North Shore Beach Fishing Clinic Tuesday, September 2 from 5:00 PM until dark Cedar Beach Pier, Mount Sinai *Registration is required. Fall is one of the best times to fish on Long Island. Come learn the basics about surfcasting, such as casting techniques, lure selection and safety. Open fishing to follow. Age: 14 and up. Event Limit: 30 participants. For more information, visit the I Fish NY website. To register, please call Malynda Nichol at 631-444-0283. Children's Saltwater Clinic Saturday, September 6 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Jones Beach State Park, Field 10 Fishing Piers *Registration is required. Beginning anglers will learn basic fishing techniques, fishing regulations, fish biology and marine ecology. Open fishing will follow. Loaner rods and free bait are available at every event! Age: Children under 14. Cost: $8 parking fee; free with Empire Passport. Event Limit: 100 children. For more information, visit the I Fish NY website. To register, please call Malynda Nichol at 631-444-0283. Hudson Valley Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1833.html) Bye, Bye Birdies! Saturday, August 30 at 10:00 AM Join a naturalist for a birdwalk to wish early migrants, like the hummingbird and barn swallow, a safe journey south. Back-to-School Nature Discovery Program Saturday, September 6 at 2:00 PM This is a great opportunity for parents and children to spend some "quality time" in the woods together. Enjoy a family scavenger hunt, nature games and more. More events at Stony Kill (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2001.html#september) Capital Region Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html) Monarchs and Migrants Saturday, September 6 at 2:00 PM A walk to look for signs of the beautiful monarch butterfly and other migrating wildlife. More events at Five Rivers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1980.html#September) Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Gorge Exploration Saturday, August 30 at 10:00 AM Explore Sherburne's Rexford Falls and learn about gorge geology and ecology by taking a look at plants, fossils, micro-climates and the power of water. Some steep trail sections. Sturdy footwear required. Please call 607-674-4017 to register. Canoe/Kayak Lake Moraine Saturday, September 6 from 8:30 AM to Noon Paddle around this sizable body of water that is rich in plant and animal life. Registration is required: 607-674-4017. Cost: $5 non-refundable fee due at registration. Meet in the main parking lot to car pool. More events at Rogers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2006.html#September) Western New York Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1837.html) Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959. Fall Fruits and Flowers Saturday, September 6 at 10:30 AM Discover the bounty of the woods, and see what's blooming in the fall. More events at Reinstein (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html#september) Events at other Nature Centers throughout the State Visit DEC's website for more information and programs Subscribe to the Conservationist magazine? New York's award-winning publication with astonishingly beautiful photography and captivating articles. Back to top This email was sent by: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233 We respect your right to privacy - view our policy (http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/27720.html). Having problems viewing this newsletter? View it on the DEC website (http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/43355.html). -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 61277 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 4939 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 4430 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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