From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Aug 12 10:19:50 2009 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:19:50 -0400 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] August 12 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <4A829746.D567.00BD.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery August 12, 2009 Lizards Family Fun Upcoming DEC Events Hudson Valley - Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center Capital Region - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center Adirondacks - Adirondack Park Agency Visitors Interpretive Centers at Newcomb and Paul Smiths 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) Lizards Despite our cold climate, New York State is home to four species of lizards: northern fence lizard, five-lined skink, coal skink and the introduced Italian wall lizard. Lizards are reptiles and are closely related to snakes. They can be identified by their scaly reptilian skin and sharp claws. Their skin protects them from drying out in the hot climates that they usually inhabit, and their claws enable them to climb. Lizards feed on live prey, including insects, spiders, snails and millipedes. They are generally 5 to 8 inches long. Learn more about New York State lizards on DEC's website (pdf - 589 Kb). You can also check out DEC's website for additional photos. 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 Escape Artists Lizards have a unique way of escaping capture--in some species, their tails break off when grasped by potential predators such as snakes, birds, mammals or even other lizards. The tail will eventually grow back but not to its original length or color. Gather some friends together to play this game of tag. Everyone will need a bandanna or piece of cloth to tuck in their back pocket, making sure that most of it hangs out (this is the lizard's tail). One person is selected to be "it" and tries to grab the "tails" off all the lizards until everyone has been tagged. Hot Foot Have you ever walked barefoot on your driveway or sidewalk on a hot day? You probably learned pretty quickly that some materials capture the heat better than others. Lizards are cold-blooded--their body temperature remains the same as the environment around them, and they get their warmth from external sources. Different types of lizards seek different materials to help them get warm--a rock, a log, under leaves. On a warm, sunny day, take an outdoor thermometer, and check the air temperature. Now use the thermometer to check the temperature of other materials that are in the sun: asphalt, metal, water, soil. Which materials were hotter (and better at absorbing heat)? How many of them were warmer than the air? Where would you go to get warm if you were a lizard? Read 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) Butterfly Festival Saturday, August 15 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Live butterflies, monarch caterpillars and chrysalises, insect games and crafts will all be happening at the Stony Kill Butterfly Festival. Stroll through the butterfly garden, or let a butterfly land on your finger inside our screen tent. Wilderness Skills Seminar Saturday, August 22 at 10:00 AM Join us for a hands-on introduction to skills such as tracking wildlife, making cordage and starting a fire without matches, demonstrating methods used by Native Americans of this region. 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) Waterfowl Saturday, August 15 at 10:00 AM Join us on an outdoor survey of our ponds as we take a gander at common ducks and geese. Goldenrod Magic Tuesday, August 18 at 7:00 PM Learn to appreciate the golden beauty of the goldenrod, including magic and medicine. Family Campout Friday, August 21 at 6:00 PM to Saturday, August 22 at 10:00 AM Our annual campout is a gentle and safe way to introduce your family to tent camping. You provide Friday supper, we provide Saturday breakfast, a nature walk and campfire. Call 518-475-0291 to register by Monday, August 17. Cost: $15 per family; $10 per family for members of Friends of Five Rivers. Squirrels Saturday, August 22 at 10:00 AM This area is home to six species of squirrels. Join us for a walk to look for signs of these complicated critters. World of Weasels Saturday, August 22 at 2:00 PM Come and learn about some of the world's unique weasel species; then join us for a walk to discuss weasel habitats and prey. Insects Tuesday, August 25 at 7:00 PM At our traditional end-of-season insect safari, we spread out on the lawn to find, catch, learn about and then release the insects back to their habitat. More events at Five Rivers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1980.html#August) Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.org/discovery_center/directions_hours_admission.htm) Bats: Designed for Darkness Friday, August 15 from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM This night hike will offer a glimpse into the adaptations of bats to the nocturnal world. Cost: $2.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free. Call 518-456-0655 to register. More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.intelliclients.com/events/events.cfm?da=1&mo=8&ye=2009&eventTypeID=2) Adirondacks Adirondack Park Agency Newcomb Visitors Center (http://www.adkvic.org/calendar_ncal.html) Salamanders Tuesday, August 18 from 10:00 AM to Noon Want to learn about some salamanders? Wear clothes that you can get dirty. (Adults must attend and participate in the program with their children.) Cost: $5/family, free/members of Adirondack Park Institute. Call 518-582-2000 to register. Adirondack Park Agency Paul Smiths Visitors Center (http://www.adkvic.org/calendar_pscal.html) Dragonflies of Heron Marsh Saturday, Aug. 15 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Come learn to properly capture (and release), handle and identify these amazing insects. Bring a butterfly net and magnifying glass if you have them (we will have a few on hand if you don't) and shoes that can get damp or wet. Call 518-327-3000 to register. Search for Snakes Saturday, August 22 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Join a naturalist as we search the VIC's trails for snakes. We will learn which snakes live here and why they like the trail system. Call 518-327-3000 to register. Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Paddle Beaver Creek Saturday, August 15 from 8:30 AM to Noon This slow-moving river has lush banks that provide shelter for toads, dragonflies, birds and beavers. Equipment provided, or bring your own. Call 607-674-4017 to register. Cost: $5 per person. Survival Skills Saturday, August 22 from 9:00 AM to Noon Have you ever wondered what you would need to survive if you got lost in the woods? Find out which things are important for survival and how to stay calm, be smart and obtain them. 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. Pond Life Saturday, August 15 at 10:30 AM Dive into the world of aquatic organisms, and see what is living in our ponds. For children ages 6-12 and a parent or guardian. Stories in the Woods Tuesday, August 18 at 10:00 AM Listen to a nature story, followed by a short walk in the woods. For children ages 4-5 and a caregiver. New Moon Walk Thursday, August 20 at 8:30 PM Come enjoy a walk on one of the darkest nights as Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune are visible in the night sky. Bring binoculars if you have them. Fairy Houses Saturday, August 22 at 10:00 AM Use natural materials to build a fairy house among the trees of Reinstein Woods. Once you learn how it is done, you can make one anywhere. Planet Protectors Saturday, August 22 at 1:30 PM Explore how you can use worms, watches, water and more to protect the earth and maybe even increase your allowance. For children ages 7-12 and a parent or guardian. 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 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). 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Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 9026 bytes Desc: not available URL: From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Aug 26 09:16:36 2009 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:16:36 -0400 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] August 26 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <4A94FD74.D567.00BD.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery August 26, 2009 Minerals Family Fun Upcoming DEC Events Hudson Valley - Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center Capital Region - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center Adirondacks - Adirondack Park Agency Visitors Interpretive Centers at Newcomb and Paul Smiths 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) Minerals Almost everything we make or use contains minerals--food, water, highways, cars, buildings, appliances and even medicine. New York State's minerals and some of the products that they are used to create include garnet (sandpaper), calcite (paint and paper), sphalerite/zinc ore (tires, nails, fireworks and sunscreen), halite/salt (food manufacturing), clay (bricks, ceramics), limestone (cement), quartz (glass, watches and televisions) and wollastonite (billiard balls, car parts and match heads). New York is known for a special type of quartz crystal called a Herkimer diamond that has points on both ends. They're fun to collect! New York ranks among the top states in production of a variety of minerals. Mining companies remove the minerals from the surface or underground. When mining operations are done, the company must restore or "reclaim" the land. Farmland is the most common reclamation goal, but former mines can also be turned into community recreation areas, nature trails or wildlife habitat. DEC's website has more information about New York's minerals (pdf - 3.2Mb). 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 Mine Your Own Business To better understand how mining works, get a bag of birdseed mix that contains sunflower seeds and other seeds. Buy some small, gold-colored, silver-colored and blue beads and medium-size white beads from a craft store. Give each person a pie tin or other shallow pan, and pour about one pound of the birdseed into each pan. Mix two gold beads, four silver beads, eight blue beads and three white beads into the birdseed pans. Search through the mixture and "mine" or separate the beads and sunflower seeds from the other types of seeds. Give each person about 5-10 minutes to complete their mining. Now calculate the earnings from your "mining business" according to the following: Gold beads (gold - $5.00 each); silver beads (silver - $4.00 each); blue beads (copper - $3.00 each); sunflower seeds (iron - $2.00 each). Other seeds are "waste" and are worth nothing. White beads represent the cost of reclamation or making the land useful again. Subtract $100 from your total for each white bead. How much money did your mine make? Fossil Art Fossils are traces of ancient plants or animals that have been preserved in the earth. When a plant or animal dies, minerals fill the spaces that are left after it decomposes and crystallizes. The shape of the original plant or animal is preserved as rock. To make your own fossil, you will need an old sheet or towel, white polymer clay (to represent mud), plastic wrap, a rolling pin, aluminum foil and tweezers or a plastic knife. Go on a hike to collect treasures to use for your fossil art--pine cones, shells, leaves. Have an adult preheat an oven to 275 degrees while you lay out the sheet or towel on your work surface. Put the clay between two pieces of plastic wrap, and use the rolling pin to flatten it. Remove the plastic wrap, and press your "art" into the clay firmly. Cover with plastic wrap again, and gently flatten your art with the rolling pin. Remove your "art" from the clay using the tweezers, and trim the edges of the clay to any shape that you want using the plastic knife. Place the clay on a baking sheet lined with foil, and bake for 8-10 minutes. Let your artwork cool, and paint it if you like. Read 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) Nature Discovery After-School Programs 4:00 to 5:00 PM, each Thursday from September 3 through November 19 Attention kids of all ages! Bring a parent or other adult and discover the outdoors at Stony Kill together. Saturday Morning Guided Walks 10:00 AM each Saturday during September Join a Stony Kill naturalist as we take an easy, leisurely stroll along the Woodland Trail. Open Barn 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM each Saturday during September and October Come meet the livestock?cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens and turkeys?up close. Hudson River Ramble Hike: Verplank Ridge Saturday, September 5 at 2:00 PM This leisurely 1.5-mile hike goes through wetland, meadow, thicket and forest habitats. It's a great trail for birding. 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) Berried Treasure Saturday, August 29 at 2:00 PM Wild berries are important food sources for wildlife at this time of year, and the competition is keen. Join us on an outdoor survey of nature's bounty and see who's eating what. Autumn Trail Walk Saturday, September 5 at 10:00 AM Welcome fall by exploring Five Rivers' trails to enjoy the beauty of the first fall colors and look for signs of wildlife getting ready for winter. More events at Five Rivers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1980.html#September) Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.org/discovery_center/directions_hours_admission.htm) Albany Pine Bush Ramble Saturday, September 5 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM "Ramble" with us over the ancient sand dunes of the Albany Pine Bush. As we hike over dunes formed thousands of years ago we?ll explore the unique pine barrens habitat of the Albany Pine Bush and the diversity of species that call this landscape home. Call 518-456-0655 to register. More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.intelliclients.com/events/events.cfm?da=1&mo=9&ye=2009&eventTypeID=2) Adirondacks Adirondack Park Agency Newcomb Visitors Center (http://www.adkvic.org/calendar_ncal.html) Wetland Ramble Saturday, August 29 at 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Wetlands come in many styles. Rich Lake sports several wetland habitats, including flooded shorelines and marshes. Join a staff naturalist in a search for life in our pocket wetlands. Call 518-582-2000 to register. Adirondack Park Agency Paul Smiths Visitors Center (http://www.adkvic.org/calendar_pscal.html) Introduction to Ferns Saturday, August 29 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM Come for a naturalist-led walk around the two-mile Forest Ecology Trail as we focus on ferns. How many different ferns can we spot? Call 518-327-3000 to register. Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Rexford Falls Gorge Saturday, August 29 at 10:00 AM Hidden east of the village of Sherburne, this waterfall provides a fine example of gorge geology and ecology. Take a look at fossils, as well as ferns, mosses and other plant life that grow in this unique environment. Paddle Ninemile Swamp Saturday, September 5 from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM The Sangerfield River meanders gently through lush greenery of the swamp, providing a perfect place to paddle and explore. Call 607-674-4017 to register. Cost: $5 per paddler. 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. Pond Life Thursday, August 27 at 10:00 AM Dive into the world of aquatic organisms, and see what is living in our ponds. For children ages 6-12 and a parent or guardian. Family Ice Cream Social Fundraiser Saturday, August 29 at 1:00 PM Enjoy tasty frozen treats and entertainment as you help support Friends of Reinstein Nature Preserve. For ticket information, call 716-683-5959. Full Corn Moon Walk Friday, September 4 at 7:30 PM Come out and enjoy a walk on the trails as we view this month's full moon and the planet Jupiter. Bring binoculars if you have them. 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 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). To unsubscribe (http://lists.dec.state.ny.us/mailman/listinfo/decoutdoordiscovery) -------------- 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: 4222 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 3779 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 10163 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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