From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Jul 2 15:06:08 2008 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:06:08 -0400 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] July 2 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <486B99600200005A0001C286@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery July 2, 2008 Summer Evening Sights and Sounds Family Fun Upcoming DEC Events Hudson Valley - Tivoli Bay Visitors Center and 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 Summer Evening Sights and Sounds Fireflies - Fireflies, commonly known as lightening bugs, are actually beetles, not flies. There are more than 170 species of fireflies in the United States. Some are found in forests or fields, while others can be found in the grass of backyards or around shrubs or bushes. Firefly adults use bioluminescence to find mates, and each species has its own distinct flashing pattern. They also use the light to protect themselves from birds and other insects because the chemical (luciferin) that creates the bioluminescence doesn't taste very good! The signals of different species of fireflies vary in several ways: the time between signals, the color of the flashes, the duration of the flashes and the number of flashes in a signal. Crickets - Crickets are known for their serenading on a summer's night and are more often heard than seen. They produce their chirping song by rubbing the edges of their wings together. Each species has its own song. Look for crickets in the grass, under stones or in piles of weeds, but you have to be pretty fast if you want to catch one. Moths - Many moths are nocturnal and can often be found flying around a porch light or on the screen of a door on a summer night. There are nearly 12,000 named species of moths and butterflies in North America, but all undergo the same stages of metamorphosis: egg; larva (caterpillar); pupa (in a cocoon or a naked chrysalis) and adult. Many moths are dull in color, such as the sphinx moth and the gypsy moth. They stretch their wings out flat or fold them back over their bodies. Moth antennae are feathery or tapered. Let your friends know about Outdoor Discovery - forward this e-mail! Back to top Family Fun Now You See Them, Now You Don't Many adults have fond memories of catching fireflies on a summer night. However, fireflies are not as common anymore, and the scientists at Boston's Museum of Science want your help to figure out why. All you have to do to become a citizen scientist is go to the museum's website and register for "Firefly Watch." Set aside at least ten minutes one evening a week to sit back, watch the fireflies and record your results on the website. Scientists will use the data to determine whether changing habitat, use of pesticides and weed killers or lawn maintenance are contributing to the "disappearance" of fireflies. Some firefly watching tips: just after sunset/before dusk is a good time to start watching for fireflies. In the U.S., most flashing occurs on moonless nights when the temperature is warm (above 80 degrees). Generally, fireflies stop flashing around 9:00 PM. Moth Movie Moths are attracted by bright lights. Hang a white bedsheet between two trees, or fasten it to an outside wall of your house. Aim several flashlights at the sheet and wait for the moths to congregate on the sheet. How many different kinds did you see? Bugged Out Mix an overipe banana with some brown sugar and let the "goo" sit for several hours. Before dusk, spread the goo on the bark of a tree, and return with a flashlight after dark. How many different types of nighttime insects did you find? Draw a picture of a few of them while they are busy concentrating on their treat. 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 Tivoli Bay Visitors Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/33037.html#Tivoli) Macroinvertebrate Day Saturday, July 12 from Noon to 2:00 PM A close look at life in a Hudson River tributary. For more information: 845-889-4745 x108 Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1833.html) Parent and Child Nature Discovery Program Saturday, July 5 at 10:00 AM Kids, bring your parents for a fun morning exploring our forests and fields through games, crafts and scavenger hunts. Amazing Insects Saturday, July 12 at 10:00 AM Sweep-net the grass, roll a log over or use a magnifying glass to get a close-up look at some of the insects that inhabit our woods and meadows. Make your own "insect," and find out some fascinating facts about the most numerous and diverse creatures on the planet. More events at Stony Kill (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2001.html#july) Capital Region Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html) Bug Eaters Tuesday, July 8 at 7:00 PM Come on an evening walk to learn about the amazing creatures that help keep our insects under control. We will listen to and look for signs of birds, frogs, bats and their prey. Frogwatch Friday, July 11 at 7:00 PM Come listen for the deep-throated calls of the granddaddy of all frogs, the bullfrog, as well as green frogs and other wetlands wildlife, as we monitor amphibian populations as part of the National Wildlife Federation's Frogwatch Program. Bats in Flight Tuesday, July 15 at 7:00 PM Join us for a talk on bats, followed by a walk to watch bats emerge from the "bat barn" and begin their evening mosquito hunts. More events at Five Rivers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1980.html#July) Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Flickering Fireflies Saturday, July 5 at 8:30 PM There is nothing like the magic of the twinkling of fireflies on a warm summer's evening. Join us to learn about how and why these little beetles blink in the night. We will go out to catch some too! Campfire with George Steele Saturday, July 12 at 7:00 PM George Steele will entertain, delight and inform you on an evening of firelight, s'mores and songs. Bring the whole family for a true treat with this seasoned educator doing what he does best. "Campfire" made possible with funding from Chenango County Council of the Arts. More events at Rogers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2006.html#July) Western New York Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1837.html) Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959 Pond Life Friday, July 11 at 10:00 AM Dive into the world of aquatic organisms, and see what is living in our ponds! For children ages 6 to 12; parent or guardian must attend. Bug-nanza! Tuesday, July 15 at 7:00 PM Come out for an evening of activities devoted to our creepy, crawly residents! Hunt for bugs in the forests and ponds, participate in a bug beauty contest and create an insect craft. Materials fee: $1 per child. For children ages 6 to 12; parent or guardian must attend. More events at Reinstein (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html#july) 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). Subscribe to Outdoor Discovery or change your subscription options (http://lists.dec.state.ny.us/mailman/listinfo/decoutdoordiscovery). Having problems viewing this newsletter? View it on the DEC website (http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/43355.html). From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Jul 16 11:39:30 2008 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:39:30 -0400 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] July 16 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <20080716T113930Z_D56700090000@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery July 16, 2008 Solar Energy 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). Solar Energy Without the sun, life could not exist on earth. The energy contained in the rays of the sun, called solar energy, provides heat, as well as light for us to see what we are doing and where we are going. Plants rely on the sun to grow. Energy that originated from the sun is still stored in the remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago; from these remains we derive the natural gas, oil and coal that we use today to cook our food, warm our houses, run our cars and make our electricity. Solar energy is renewable ? there is enough for everyone and it will last for billions of years. There are many ways that we can use the sun's energy to reduce our reliance on oil and gas. For more than 100 years, people have used solar collectors to capture sunlight and turn it into heat to warm their houses and water. Solar cells, like those used in calculators, turn light into electricity. Big solar cells can generate enough electricity to run a household. Cars equipped with solar cells operate on solar energy rather than on gasoline. The energy from the sun causes the wind and drives the water cycle, and windmills and dams capture this energy and turn it into electricity. There are free and simple ways for us to use the sun's energy in our own homes. Hang your laundry out to dry instead of using a dryer. In winter, open the blinds in your windows to collect the sun's heat; in summer, close them to keep the house cool. Think twice before you turn on the lights on a sunny summer day. New solar technologies are being developed to help us take full advantage of, or more efficiently use, our biggest source of energy ? the sun! Let your friends know about Outdoor Discovery - forward this e-mail! Back to top Family Fun Build a Solar Oven Ever hear the saying, "It's hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk"? Well, the sun is hot enough to cook some types of food. Get a pizza box. Place a piece of notebook paper in the center of the lid and trace around it. Cut along the two long edges and one short edge of the traced area, so that you have a lid on the top of the box. Fold back the lid until you create a crease on the attached edge. Line the inside of the box and the lid with aluminum foil, taping it to the outside of the box to keep it in place. Tape some plastic wrap tightly to make a "window" in the opening that you cut. You will open your oven the same way that you would open the pizza box. On a sunny day, take your solar oven outside and put in ready- to-bake cookie squares or s'mores (put a marshmallow and a piece of chocolate bar between two graham crackers). Prop the lid open using a stick so that the sun's rays can reflect off the bottom of the lid, and enter the box through the window. Check your treat after about 15 minutes to see if it is ready to eat. Be sure to use potholders to remove the food ? a solar cooker can reach temperatures of 325 degrees! Solar Pictures Go on a nature hike and collect interesting items that you find: differently-shaped of leaves and branches, nuts, pine cones, stones, etc. Using several sheets of dark-colored construction paper, find a sunny spot and lay your items flat in a pattern on the paper. Leave the paper in the sunlight all day. The sun will lighten the paper where it wasn't covered, making a one-of-a-kind solar picture. In Hot Water In solar heaters, heat energy from the sun is absorbed in large water drums, which are painted to retain the heat. Try this experiment to figure out which color is best for absorbing and retaining the warmth of the sun's rays. Take four soup cans and wrap each with a different color of construction paper: red, blue, black and yellow. Fill each can with equal amounts of water, using a thermometer to make sure the temperature is the same in each. Place the cans in the sun, and record the temperature in each can every fifteen minutes for two hours. How hot did the water get? What was the temperature range between the cans? Which can heated up fastest? 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 Lake Ronkonkoma County Park - Town of Brookhaven Beach Lakeside Freshwater Clinic Wednesday, July 30 at 6:30 PM until dark *Pre-registration. Take a break from the blistering summer sun and try some cool, evening fishing. Geared to families, basic instruction focuses on fish identification, techniques, regulations and stewardship practices. Open fishing to follow. Loaner rods and free bait are available at every event! Age: All. Cost: Free. Event Limit: 80. participants. Directions: Take 495 to exit 58. Go straight through the light. Make a right at the next light onto Lakeshore Road/Pond Avenue. The beach will be on your left in about 2 miles. For more information, please visit I Fish NY. To pre-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) Birds of the Grasslands Saturday, July 19 at 10:00 AM Bluebirds, bobolinks, meadow larks, and savannah sparrows are a few of the birds we hope to spot as we walk the edges of our fields at Stony Kill. Bring binoculars, if you have them. Family Fun with the Wind and the Sun Saturday, July 26 at 10:00 AM Cook food in a solar oven, make a wind-craft and discover the power of alternative energy sources for yourself. Adults and children 5 and older. More events at Stony Kill (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2001.html#july) Capital Region Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html) Stream Walk Thursday, July 17 at 2:00 PM Come get wet and explore! We'll search for small stream wildlife, catch them, learn about them and release them back into their home. Wear footgear that can get wet ? no flip-flops or bare feet please. Beginning Birding Saturday, July 19 at 10:00 AM With a pair of binoculars and a bird book, anyone can get started on this interesting and fun hobby. Learn the basics of bird watching using your own binoculars, or borrow a pair of ours. Beaver Tuesday, July 22 at 7:00 PM In summer, there's no such thing as an eager beaver. There are no seasonal floods that require dam-repair, the kits are being weaned, and there's plenty of succulent new growth to enjoy. Join us on an outdoor foray to monitor summer "activity" of beaver and other pond inhabitants. Meadow Flowers Tuesday, July 29 at 7:00 PM Summer is the time for colorful flowers! On this walk we'll identify some common wildflowers and discuss their natural history, as well as their ancient myths and folklore. More events at Five Rivers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1980.html#July) Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Long Pond Paddle Saturday, July 19 from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM Long Pond is a 117 acre pond in the 3,254 acre Long Pond State Forest in the town of Smithville. The land also includes a Bird Conservation Area with habitats for Henslow's sparrows, grasshoppers, savannah sparrows, eastern meadowlarks and bobolinks. Join us for a leisurely paddle to explore the calm waters and shoreline. Registration is required. $5.00 non-refundable fee per paddler using our equipment. Meet in the Rogers Center main parking lot. Herons and Kingfishers Saturday, July 26 at 10:00 AM Herons and kingfishers are masters of fish spearing in our area. The heron stands and waits, while the kingfisher perches and dives. Both kingfishers and great blue and green herons are readily seen at Rogers Center. Learn about their adaptations and strategies for survival, and join us for a walk to see some in action. More events at Rogers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2006.html#July) Western New York Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1837.html) Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959. Buck Full Moon Walk Friday, July 18 at 8:00 PM Bucks begin to grow new antlers at this time, so come out and join us as we search for bucks in velvet under the moon light. Cold-blooded Creatures Saturday, July 19 at 10:30 AM Join us on a summer search for snakes, salamanders, frogs and turtles. Solar Power Play Saturday, July 26 at 11:00 AM Join us as we explore the power of the sun by making solar prints, baking cookies in a solar oven and putting solar power to the test. More events at Reinstein (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html#july) 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... 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Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 8465 bytes Desc: not available URL: From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Jul 30 12:11:50 2008 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:11:50 -0400 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] July 30 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <20080730T121150Z_D56700090000@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery July 30, 2008 Bats 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). Bats Bats don't deserve the bad reputation that they have developed over the centuries. For starters, they eat 20 to 50 percent of their weight in insects like mosquitos every night -- about ten per minute. Imagine how many bug bites you would have if bats weren't cleaning up the sky for us. And that old wives' tale about bats flying into your hair ? don't believe it! Bats are nocturnal mammals that hibernate or migrate during the winter. They roost in caves or trees in groups ranging from only a few to millions. Bats hang upside down when they sleep and can tilt their heads so far back they can look behind themselves. There are nine species of bats in New York State. Cave Bats vs. Tree Bats All six species of New York's cave bats spend the winter hibernating in caves and mines where they live off stored fat reserves. During the summer, they move to a variety of places, including bridges, buildings, rock crevices or the cracks or loose bark of trees. Cave bats can be identified by the lack of fur on their tail membranes and plain brownish coloring. The three species of New York's tree bats live year round in trees. They tend to be more colorful than cave bats and have full-furred tail membranes which they curl around themselves like a blanket. Tree bats don't form large colonies like cave bats, preferring instead to hide among leaves or branches, or to roost in crevices of trees. All fly south for the winter. Two species of New York bats deserve special note: the most common and the largest. Little Brown Bat - The most common bat in New York State, the little brown is probably the bat you see flying low over the water on a summer evening. A cave bat, it frequently occupies buildings during the summer, but also lives in tree crevices. Unfortunately, white nose fungus is killing little brown bats at an alarming rate, and scientists have not yet pinpointed the source of the fungus. Hoary Bat - The largest of New York's bats, hoarys have a wingspan of nearly 1 ? feet and weigh up to seven times more than the smallest species of bats. A tree bat, the hoary is most abundant in the Adirondacks, and roosts high in trees and feeds above the tree tops. Let your friends know about Outdoor Discovery - forward this e-mail! Back to top Family Fun Build a Bat House Want your own bug zapper? Build a bat house to provide bats a safe place to stay and help control the mosquito population in your yard. You will need an untreated plank of wood about 3/4 of an inch thick, 6 inches wide and 16 inches long, as well as four 6- inch strips of wood about 3/4 of an inch wide. First, cut a piece of plank about 10 inches long. This will be the back of the bat house. Staple some screening to the plank to help the bats cling to the inside. The remaining 6-inch board will be the front of the bat house. Lay the front board on top of the back board one inch from the top and draw a line around it with a pencil. After removing the front board, lay the four small strips of wood on their edges along the pencil lines that you drew. Make sure that they fit snugly. Trim about 1 ? inches from the strip that will be at the bottom of the house and angle it toward the other strips to make an entrance. Using carpenter's glue, glue the side and top strips to the back board and then nail them in place to make the box secure. The bottom strip should be nailed lightly, so that the box can be easily cleaned out annually. Now put glue on the top edges of the strips and lay the front board on top and nail it down. Painting it a dark color will help absorb the heat. Hang the bat box in a tree, sheltered from the wind and away from branches, about 12 to 16 feet above the ground. It is best if it faces the southeast or southwest, since bats like warmth. Leave the box up over the winter ? a bat may move in right away or wait until the following spring to try out the house. When you clean out the house, handle the bat feces (guano) with care ? although it can be used as a beneficial manure, it can also cause respiratory problems. You can protect yourself by wearing latex gloves and a face mask. Night Prowl On a clear night, put on some dark clothes, grab a flashlight and head outside with a friend. Tie a red bandanna or other piece of material over the flashlight so the beam glows red and allows your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Take a moment for your eyes to adjust to the darkness and when you can see, sweep the dark with the flashlight. As soon as you hear a sound or see something in the sky, shine your flashlight in that direction. Black zigzagging shadows in the air are bats flying around and catching bugs to eat. Although the shapes may be dipping and swooping, don't worry, they have no interest in bothering humans. Radar Tag Contrary to popular belief, bats can see just fine. However, because they feed at night, they rely on their hearing to find food. Bats send out a series of rapid sound pulses, and when the sound bounces off an object, an echo returns to the bat, enabling the bat to pinpoint the location, size and shape of the object. This is also how they avoid objects in their paths. This process is called echolocation. Get some friends or family together, and select one person to be the bat. Tie a blindfold over his or her eyes and the other players will be the "mosquitos" and should make constant squeaking noises, but can't move from their spots. The bat may need a helper to make sure he or she doesn't bump into anything. The bat listens to the direction of the squeaking sounds and tries to tag the "mosquitos." Make sure you are playing in a large open area, so the bat doesn't run into anything. The last mosquito tagged becomes the bat for the next game. 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 Hempstead Lake State Park Family Freshwater Fishing Clinic for All Ages Saturday, August 9 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Pre-registration required. Spend the day with the family fishing and learning about the aquatic environment. This event starts with education stations and follows with open fishing. A children's casting contest is held throughout the day. Loaner rods and free bait are available at every event! Cost: $6 parking fee; free with Empire Passport. Event Limit: 150 participants. To pre-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) Butterfly Festival Saturday, August 2 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Do you know what it's like to be a caterpillar and change into a butterfly? During the festival, learn about the butterfly life cycle and local species. Listen to butterfly stories and create a butterfly craft. Visit an enclosure to view butterflies up close. Fun and educational for the whole family. Fruits of the Season Saturday, August 9 at 10:00 AM Discover the variety of berries and other wild edibles at Stony Kill. Some of the weeds you are pulling out of your garden could go into your salad or soup pot! 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) Make a Spy Scope Saturday, August 2 at 10:00 AM We will make our own working monocular (binoculars for one eye). Then we will hit the trail to see our feathered, furred and scaly residents up close. Cost: $3 registration fee. Stream Stroll Tuesday, August 5 at 7:00 PM Join us for an evening walk along the Vlomankill trail to enjoy the beauty of the forest evening and look for stream life. Bring old shoes that can get wet. Family Campout Friday and Saturday, August 8-9 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 AM Our annual campout at the center is a gentle and safe way to introduce your family to tent camping. You provide Friday supper, we provide Saturday breakfast and lots of experiences including a nature walk and campfire. We have a few tents and sleeping bags to loan. Pre-register by August 1. Cost: $15 registration fee per family. Free Fishing Day Saturday, August 9 at 10:00 AM This will be strictly catch-and-release fishing for beginners. Bring your own tackle if you like, but we will provide the barbless hooks. We have a limited number of poles and can make "soda can" poles if necessary. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by a parent. Wild Turkey Trail Walk Tuesday, August 12 at 7:00 PM An exploration of one of our wildest trails, the two-mile long Wild Turkey Trail. We'll look for evening wildlife and enjoy the forested areas in Five Rivers' remoter corners. 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) Paddle Ninemile Swamp Saturday, August 2 from 8:30 AM to Noon This slow-moving river is a gem. It has an assortment of summer flowers and birds to enjoy and a fascinating cultural history. Registration is required. Cost: $5.00 non-refundable fee per paddler using our equipment. Meet in the Rogers Center main parking lot. Night Sky Saturday, August 9 at 8:30 PM Have you looked up at the night sky and its abundance of stars and wondered how to find constellations and where to look for shooting stars? Join us for a tour of the night sky. David Terrazas of the Central New York Astronomy Club will have some large telescopes for exciting viewing. Bring binoculars if you have them. Rain or clear! 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. Going Batty! Wednesday, July 30 at 8:00 PM Bats are amazing animals, but are often misunderstood. Separate fact from fiction and learn about the only true flying mammals. Pond Life Friday, August 1 at 10:00 AM Dive into the world of aquatic organisms and see what is living in our ponds. For children ages 6 to 12; parent or guardian must attend. Fairy Houses Saturday, August 9 at 10:00 AM Make the fairies happy... build them a house! Use natural materials to build your house among the trees of Reinstein Woods without disturbing anything that is growing there. Once you learn how, you can make one anywhere. 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... 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