From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Oct 7 09:13:19 2009 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2009 09:13:19 -0400 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] October 7 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <4ACC5BAF.D567.00BD.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery October 7, 2009 Canada Geese 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) Canada Geese The distinct honking of Canada geese is a familiar sound throughout New York State (some people mistakenly call them Canadian geese). In the fall, the sight of high-flying flocks of geese heading south in a v-shaped formation (it reduces wind resistance) lets us know that autumn is here. Canada geese are large birds, with a wing span over 5 feet and often weighing over 10 pounds. They are brownish-gray, with a black head and neck and white cheek patches that extend under their throat. Canada geese are waterfowl, with broad, flattened bills that allow them to feed on plants in the water or graze on grasses or grains on land. Their wide-set legs and webbed feet make them excellent swimmers, and their waterproof plumage and thick layers of down feathers keep them warm in cold weather. There are more than 200,000 year-round "resident" Canada geese in the state. They are joined every fall by the geese that migrate from northern Canada. DEC's website has more information about geese and other waterfowl (pdf - 1.0Mb). With so many geese around, they can cause a lot of damage to lawns and parks. One method of managing the geese population is through hunting. Canada goose hunting season dates can be found on DEC's website. Subscribe to Conservationist magazine?New York's award-winning publication with astonishingly beautiful photography and captivating articles. 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 Moon Bird Count Scientist used to study the migration of birds by counting how many birds passed in front of the Moon. You can perform your own migration count with a clear night, binoculars and a pencil and paper. Find a good place where you have a clear view of the Moon. Watch carefully for the dark silhouette of birds passing across the Moon in the night sky. Count the number of birds you see in a 15-minute period and write the number in your notebook. Do this three more times until you have watched for an hour. Add those numbers together, and multiply by 347 (the moon takes up 1/347th of the visible sky). Now you know how many birds flew across the night sky in the last hour. On Your Mark, Get Set, Go Have you ever watched Canada geese taking off or landing? How long does it take for one to take off? If you are near an area where Canada geese like to hang around, take a stopwatch or wristwatch with a second hand (or you can use the old-fashioned method of counting off the seconds). As soon as a Canada goose (or any other bird that is around) takes off, start timing. Stop timing when the bird reaches the clear sky, above the tree line. Make a note of the type of bird and how long it took to take off. 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. 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. A Wild Harvest Saturday, October 10 at 2:00 PM Join a Stony Kill naturalist for a trail walk as together we discover the wild berries, seeds and nuts that sustain wildlife such as chipmunks, deer and wild turkey in the autumn as they prepare for winter. Fall Foliage Appreciation Walk Saturday, October 17 at 2:00 PM Take a relaxing trail walk with a naturalist and discover the chemistry behind the magic of the annual fall foliage display at its peak. More events at Stony Kill (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2001.html#October) Capital Region Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html) Wild About Apples Saturday, October 10 at 10:00 AM As many as 50 species of birds and mammals go bananas over applies. Join us in celebration of Apple Month for a field study of the natural and cultural history of wild apples. Nuts About Wildlife Saturday, October 10 at 2:00 PM Nut trees have always been important food sources for wildlife and people. Join us on an outdoor foray to monitor the harvest and study the creatures who are nuts about nuts. Early Fall Among the Stars Friday, October 16 at 7:00 PM Enjoy the stars of autumn along with the sights, sounds and unique aromas of the season. Our themes will be the changing patterns of stars overhead and of animals on the ground. Dress for the weather. Autumn Exploration Saturday, October 17 at 2:00 PM Join us for a leisurely stroll along the trails to enjoy the beauty of the season, watch for birds and other wildlife and admire the fall foliage. More events at Five Rivers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1980.html#October) Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.org/discovery_center/directions_hours_admission.htm) Nature Journaling Saturday, October 10 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Spend the first part of your Columbus Day weekend with us as we pause to observe life in the Pine Bush and reflect in nature journals. This program is suitable for ages 8 and up. Cost: $6.00/person includes hand crafted nature journal by local artist. Call 518-456-0655 to register. More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.intelliclients.com/events/events.cfm?da=1&mo=10&ye=2009&eventTypeID=2) Adirondacks Adirondack Park Agency Newcomb Visitors Center (http://www.adkvic.org/calendar_ncal.html) From Summer to Autumn Trail Walk Saturday, October 10 at 1:30 PM Guest naturalist Peter O'Shea will lead this walk and share the transition of plants and animals from summer to the fall season. Call 518-582-2000 to register. Adirondack Park Agency Paul Smiths Visitors Center (http://www.adkvic.org/calendar_pscal.html) Exploring Nature with Little People Thursday, October 8 and 22 from 10:00 AM to Noon A unique program with a hands-on approach that introduces young children to the natural environment. For preschoolers ages 3-5 years. Call 518-327-3000 to register. Cost: $4/ child, $2/child for Adirondack Park Institute members. Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Fall Colors Hike at Berry Hill Saturday, October 10 from 9:00 AM to Noon Hike up to the Berry Hill fire tower on the Finger Lakes Trail for dramatic fall color views of the valley. Meet at the Rogers Center main parking lot. Call 607-674-4017 to register. Bird Feeding Saturday, October 17 at 11:00 AM Winter is coming soon! Learn about winter birds and how to prepare your feeder for winter. Meet at the Visitor Center. Call 607-674-4017 to register. More events at Rogers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2006.html#October) Western New York Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1837.html) Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959. Owl Prowl Friday, October 16 at 7:00 PM Learn about our local owls and list for them on a walk in the woods. For adults and children age 8 and older. Secret Lives of Fungus, Moss and Lichen Saturday, October 17 at 10:30 AM Discover the fascinating but frequently overlooked forest life forms. For adults and children age 10 and older. More events at Reinstein (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html#october) 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... 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Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 82644 bytes Desc: not available URL: From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Oct 7 10:26:14 2009 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:26:14 -0400 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] Preview DEC's New Green Living Listserve Message-ID: <4ACC6CC6.D567.00BD.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> Dear DEC Outdoor Discovery Subscriber, As someone concerned with nature and environment in New York State's, you are receiving this one-time email as an invitation to subscribe to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Green Living listserve. If you choose to subscribe, you'll receive an email seasonally when we update the Green Living web pages. You can see the latest Green Living tips for Fall 2009 at http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/337.html and, if you choose, subscribe from the same page. Here's a preview: Ten Things You Can Do to Help the Environment Right Now - Plant a cover crops to protect and enrich your soil over the winter - What NOT do with fall leaves. We give you better options - Learn how buying firewood locally protects New York forests - The best places to see migrating hawks and shorebirds - Regular anti-freeze is highly toxic. Choose a safer anti-freeze alternative - Have a green Halloween! Ideas for costumes with an environmental theme - Add insulation to your home to get tax credits and keep comfortable all winter - Fertilize lawns in the fall - Fall and winter are critical times to check your tires' air pressure - Find out how to create a root cellar and eat local all winter Myth Buster: Supermarkets accept only plastic grocery bags for recycling. True or False? Get the details at http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/337.html#mythbuster Feel free to pass this email on to your friends and family, and encourage them to subscribe to be notified seasonally, when we add more tips on living greener today! Remember to browse the Green Living site for more information on how you can protect the planet. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Oct 21 10:11:46 2009 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:11:46 -0400 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] October 21 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <4ADEDE62.D567.00BD.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery October 21, 2009 Bears 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) Bears New York State is home to about 7,000 black bears, one of the largest populations in the eastern United States. Black bears are typically found in large forests, but they are very adaptable and can use small woodlots and developed areas. They are very smart and curious and spend a great deal of their time exploring for food. Adult bears are good travelers-males may travel up to 100 miles in search of food or a mate. The state's second largest land mammal (moose are first), males weigh an average of 300 pounds and females average 160 pounds. Most people think black bears are all black, but they can be brown or cinnamon colored. Black bears are mostly vegetarians, eating a large amount of small items such as skunk cabbage, grasses, berries, fruits and insects. They are known to eat whatever is available. But when bears learn to get food from people, like garbage and bird seed, they form habits that are bad for the bear and bad for people. The number of black bears has increased and they are found in more areas of New York State than in the past. Hunting is the primary management tool to control the bear population, and bear hunting is permitted in the fall throughout portions of northern, southeastern and central-western New York. During the winter, black bears find a den and sleep away the cold months when food is scarce. A den can be a crevice between or under boulders, a hollow tree or log or under roots or a brush pile. Unlike a true hibernator that lowers its body temperature, black bears keep their normal body temperature so that they can quickly react to being disturbed. Except for newborn cubs, bears do not eat, drink, urinate or defecate during the denning period. DEC's website has more information about black bears (pdf - 245Kb). 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 What is That Smell? Black bears have okay vision, better hearing, and an incredibly keen sense of smell. They can even locate food from as far away as one mile, just by using their nose. Check out your sense of smell in this scent game. Have an adult find a variety of strong smelling objects such as ginger, chocolate, perfume on a cotton ball, orange peel, basil and dried leaves. The adult should place each object in an empty container (old film canisters work great). Now, with your eyes closed take a whiff of each object and try to guess what it is. Any number of people can play this game, as long as you have enough smelly stuff to keep them guessing. Keep It Down! Bears are secretive creatures that try to avoid people. They often know that you are coming long before you get there, not only because they smell you, but also because they can hear you. Our neighborhoods are filled with sound-some much that we often don't notice it. Take a walk around your neighborhood or sit in your yard and identify the sounds around you (make sure you have a notebook to write them all down). The sounds of birds and other animals are pleasant sounds, but are there any noises that are too loud? Leaf blowers and lawn mowers are perfect examples of excess noise, called noise pollution. After you conduct this noise experiment, try to think of ways that you and your neighbors can cut down on the noise level where you live. 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. 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. Leave it to Beavers Saturday, October 24 at 2:00 PM Explore our Sierra Pond and learn about the beaver's fascinating life cycle and survival adaptations and the web of life they help to create in ponds. Spiders, Snakes and Bats Saturday, October 31 at 2:00 PM This Halloween, join us before trick-or-treating for a closer look at these often misunderstood and under appreciated creatures. More events at Stony Kill (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2001.html#October) Capital Region Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html) Halloween Open House Saturday, October 31 from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM Bats and spiders and bugs! A family-oriented exploration of the nature of Halloween. Come see and touch (if you dare) skeletons and skulls; meet live reptiles and amphibians. More events at Five Rivers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1980.html#October) Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.org/discovery_center/directions_hours_admission.htm) Discover the Pine Bush for Families Sunday, October 25 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 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=10&ye=2009&eventTypeID=2) Adirondacks Adirondack Park Agency Newcomb Visitors Center (http://www.adkvic.org/calendar_ncal.html) Family Pumpkin Carving Saturday, October 24 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Bring your pumpkins, large or small, and deck them out for Halloween. We'll provide the patterns, the knives, the scoops and the laughs. Call 518-582-2000 to register. Adirondack Park Agency Paul Smiths Visitors Center (http://www.adkvic.org/calendar_pscal.html) Nature's Prognosticators Saturday, October 31 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Interested in knowing how severe the winter will be? Nature has many forecasters for the upcoming winter. Join a naturalist as we look at the predictions of both plants and animals. Call 518-327-3000 to register. Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Animals of Halloween Friday, October 23 at 6:30 PM Learn about nature and celebrate a fun holiday with the Rogers staff. Walk our trails and meet huge, friendly creatures that sing and dance for you. We will also have a campfire with storytelling and refreshments. Dress to be outside. Call 607-674-4017 to register. Creepy Crawlies Saturday, October 31 at 11:00 AM Spiders, bats, snakes?many people dislike or are scared of these animals. Before you head out for trick-or-treating, gain a better appreciation for these creatures by having fun and learning about them. Meet at the Visitors Center. Call 607-674-4017 to register. More events at Rogers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2006.html#October) Western New York Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1837.html) Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959. Creepy Critters Saturday, October 31 at 10:30 AM Come have fun learning about spiders, bats and owls through activities and crafts. For children ages 4 to 8. Full Beaver Moon Walk Monday, November 2 at 6:00 PM Enjoy a moonlit walk and learn about our resident beavers. Bring binoculars if you have them. More events at Reinstein (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html#october) 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... 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