From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Nov 4 10:00:58 2009 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 10:00:58 -0500 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] November 4 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <4AF150DA.D567.00BD.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery November 4, 2009 Recycling 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) Recycling November 15 is America Recycles Day, the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products. Kids have probably heard about recycling in school or at home. Simply put, recycling means turning used materials into new products. Recycling reduces pollution and saves energy, natural resources, money, time, and landfill space. Here are some recycling facts that a lot of people might not know: ?For every bottle you recycle, you save enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb in your bedroom for 4 hours, or save the equivalent of 10 gallons of oil?enough for a round trip to school or the market. ?It takes 5 plastic soda bottles to make the fiberfill for your ski jacket or winter jacket. Left in the landfill, those same soda bottles would take more than 1,000 years to decompose. ?Recycling one aluminum soda can will save enough energy to run your television for 3 hours. ?For every ton of paper recycled, 17 trees are saved. 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! Subscribe to Conservationist magazine?New York's award-winning publication with astonishingly beautiful photography and captivating articles. Back to top Family Fun Take the Pledge As part of America Recycles Day, have all the members of your family take the recycling pledge. You can even win a prize (recycled, of course!). You can do even more by encouraging your family to buy more recycled products, like paper towels, napkins, tissues and toilet paper. Ask them to carry groceries in reusable bags and check to see if other grocery items are packaged with recycled materials. And the Winner Is? Each year, DEC holds a New York Recycles! Poster Contest to give kids in schools and youth organizations the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents and commitment to the environment. This year's New York Recycles! Poster Contest will have the following themes: ?My School Recycles..... ?Compost, It's a Rot of Fun! ?Let's Pick It Up New York! ?Deputy Deposit Says "Yeeha, Return those Deposit Cans & Bottles!" ?New York Recycles! ?Open Burning Stinks... Recycle for a Greener New York! Visit DEC's website for contest rules and then get drawing! 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. Green Birdfeeders Saturday, November 14 at 2:00 PM Attract winter residents like chickadees and nuthatches with feeders you can make from natural and recycled materials. Each individual or family will make at least one simple birdfeeder to use this winter. More events at Stony Kill (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2001.html#November) Capital Region Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html) Predators of the Night Friday, November 6 at 7:00 PM Join us for this walk to learn about the realm of night and its creatures. Discover how these animals use their keen senses to overcome darkness and find their prey. Bears at Five Rivers Saturday, November 7 at 10:00 AM Summer 2009 marked many bear sightings in the Capital District, including one at Five Rivers! We will learn about living with bears and discuss the habits and lifestyles of these magnificent mammals. Why are the Trees Bare? Saturday, November 7 at 2:00 PM Why does a leaf fall in the forest? We will talk about the science of the leaves' color change and life cycle and take a walk to discover this exciting change. Predators of the Night Friday, November 13 at 7:00 PM This walk is for Girl Scouts of all ages. We will learn about nocturnal animals and their unique senses. After our walk, we will come inside for hot cocoa and an indoor presentation. Cost: $1/child. Call 518-475-0291 to register. White-tailed Deer Saturday, November 14 at 2:00 PM Mid-November is an excellent time to "scout" deer. Deer are very active in the fall, and their tracks, trails, pellets, rubs, scrapes and beds are all very good indicators of the season's prospects. More events at Five Rivers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1980.html#November) Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.org/discovery_center/directions_hours_admission.htm) Search and Rescue Hug a Tree Program Saturday, November 7 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Calling all kids!! Would you know what to do if you were outside playing or hiking and became lost? Well, this program is for you. Cost: $2 per person, $5 per family. Call 518-456-0655 to register. More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.intelliclients.com/events/events.cfm?da=1&mo=11&ye=2009&eventTypeID=2) Adirondacks Adirondack Park Agency Newcomb Visitors Center (http://www.adkvic.org/calendar_ncal.html) Barking Up the Right Tree Saturday, November 14 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM Learning to identify trees without their leaves is the only way to go. Come learn some easy tricks to remember our most common Adirondack trees. Call 518-582-2000 to register. Adirondack Park Agency Paul Smiths Visitors Center (http://www.adkvic.org/calendar_pscal.html) Winter Preparation Walk Saturday, November 7 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM What does a toad do in winter? How does a tree get ready? Join us for a walk to find out how plants and animals get ready for winter. Call 518-327-3000 to register. Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Wolves Saturday, November 7 at 10:00 AM They may not live in New York State currently, but they are still fascinating and awe-inspiring for many of us. Come listen to a local wolf expert talk about wolves and answer your questions. Gourd Art with Jane Hough Saturday, November 14 at 11:00 AM Think gourds are just for eating? Think again. Become an artist by painting on gourds with a local artisan. Cost: $5 per gourd, supplies limited. Call 607-674-4017 to register. More events at Rogers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2006.html#November) Western New York Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1837.html) Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959. Getting Squirrely Saturday, November 7 at 2:00 PM The squirrels are preparing for the upcoming winter season. Discover through fun activities and crafts how they get ready. For children ages 4 to 8. Composting with Worms Saturday, November 14 at 10:30 AM Learn how to set up a vermicomposting bin, and take home a starter kit. For adults and children age 12 and older. Cost: $4/starter kit, Friends of Reinstein Nature Preserve members $3/starter. Walking the Woods Tuesday, November 17 at 10:30 AM Celebrate National Hiking Day by taking a guided walk through the trails of Reinstein Woods. For adults and children age 12 and older. More events at Reinstein (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html#November) Events at other Nature Centers throughout the State Visit DEC's website for more information and programs 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: 52129 bytes Desc: not available URL: From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Nov 18 10:05:03 2009 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:05:03 -0500 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] November 18 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <4B03C6CF.D567.00BD.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery November 18, 2009 Climate Change 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) Climate Change Have you heard people talking about climate change a lot more, recently? They are talking about long-term changes in things like temperature and rainfall. Burning fossil fuels for energy to heat our homes, provide electricity and run our cars is an important reason why the earth's climate is changing. Fossil fuels are the remains of animals and plants from millions of years ago that turned into coal, oil and natural gas. Burning these long-buried materials adds to the heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the air. Extra trapped heat raises the earth's average temperature and changes our climate. Right now, changes in climate are affecting people, animals and plants around the world. We can fight climate change by using less energy and getting our energy from sources that do not use fossil fuels. The National Wildlife Federation's Climate Classroom has more information and activities related to climate change. Read Conservationist for Kids (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/53998.html) for a whole issue about climate change. 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! Subscribe to Conservationist magazine?New York's award-winning publication with astonishingly beautiful photography and captivating articles. Back to top Family Fun Can You Spare Some Time? If we take some simple steps to change how we do things, we can conserve energy and use less fossil fuel every day. This will help to limit the changes to our climate. Remember, using electricity burns fossil fuels and adds greenhouse gas to the air. You can help change that. Every day, spend one hour playing outside, and remember to leave your electronic games and battery-operated toys inside. Gather some friends together and play a game of tag, or bring a family member on a nature safari. Come up with a game of your own, or just sit and listen to the sounds around you. It's fun to keep a journal of your favorite activities. By not using electricity for an hour, you can help save the planet?and learn to appreciate the great outdoors! Become a Climate Change Detective You send greenhouse gases into the air every time that you: ?Play a video game ?Watch TV ?Listen to the stereo ?Turn on a light ?Use a hair dryer ?Wash or dry your clothes ?Use a dishwasher ?Ride in a car ?Cook a meal Get a notebook and keep track of how many times during the week you do each activity. Then sit down with family or friends and try to come up with ways to cut back on some of these activities or substitute clean-energy or low-energy alternatives. 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) Surviving in the Wild Saturday, November 21 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM During this special half-day course, a wilderness expert will teach fire making without matches, animal tracking, shelter building and more. Bring your own lunch and beverage. Cost: $20. Call 845-831-8780 to register. Campfire Cuisine Saturday, November 28 at 2:00 PM Learn how to build a campfire, and then enjoy some simple foods that can be cooked over its flames. More events at Stony Kill (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2001.html#December) Capital Region Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html) Plants of the Pilgrims Saturday, November 28 at 10:00 AM What did the Pilgrims really eat at the first Thanksgiving? It wasn't just turkey. Many native plants were also consumed at the first Thanksgiving feast. Wild Turkey Saturday, November 28 at 2:00 PM Wild turkeys have staged an amazing comeback! We'll discuss the lifestyle and success of this beautiful bird, then walk the trails to explore turkey habitat. More events at Five Rivers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1980.html#December) Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.org/discovery_center/directions_hours_admission.htm) Discover the Pine Bush for Families Sunday, November 29 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Come join us on a fun journey to discover the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, the best example of an inland pine barrens. Cost: $2/person, $5/family. Call 518-456-0655 to register. More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.intelliclients.com/events/events.cfm?da=1&mo=11&ye=2009&eventTypeID=2) Adirondacks Adirondack Park Agency Newcomb Visitors Center (http://www.adkvic.org/calendar_ncal.html) Nature Craft Hour Saturday, November 28 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Create a nature craft of your very own to take home. Cost: $2/family. Call 518-582-2000 to register. Adirondack Park Agency Paul Smiths Visitors Center (http://www.adkvic.org/calendar_pscal.html) Horse Logging Saturday, November 21 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Come watch old-time logging and crosscut demonstrations. Call 518-327-3000 for directions to the event. Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Preparing for Winter Saturday, November 21 at 11:00 AM Come take a walk on our trails and learn how plants and animals prepare for winter survival. Whether it's putting on the pounds, storing food or losing leaves, we'll tell you how it's done. Bluebird Nest Box Building Saturday, November 28 at 11:00 AM Build a bluebird nest box, and you'll be surprised by the possibilities it can hold. Your neighbors could be bluebirds, house wrens, chickadees or tree swallows depending on when and where you place it. Please bring a hammer. Cost: $10 per box. More events at Rogers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2006.html#December) Western New York Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1837.html) Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959. Outdoor Skills Saturday, November 28 at 10:30 AM In this program, you will create rope from plants and learn how to build a survival shelter from natural materials. For adults and children age 8 and older. Full Cold Moon Walk Wednesday, December 2 at 6:00 PM Come out to the Woods and take a walk on this first full moon of December. Bring binoculars if you have them. More events at Reinstein (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html#December) Events at other Nature Centers throughout the State Visit DEC's website for more information and programs 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... 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