From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Mar 10 10:24:01 2010 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:24:01 -0500 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] March 10 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <4B977341.D567.00BD.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery March 10, 2010 Signs of Spring Family Fun Upcoming DEC Events Long Island Hudson Valley - Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center Capital Region - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and Albany Pine Bush Discovery 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) Signs of Spring Earthworms In the fall, earthworms dig deeper into the earth to spend the winter below the frostline. When spring arrives and the ground is no longer frozen, earthworms head to the surface again, generally when the average ground temperature reaches 36 degrees. The earthworms' journey to the outside world coincides with the robins return in the spring. Robins love to eat worms after their long migration. Spring Peepers Spring peepers are small frogs that are less than 1 ? inches long, but with big voices. When spring arrives in the Northeast, generally around March, spring peepers are one of the first frog species to start calling. One peeper alone sounds like a high-pitched whistle. When many peepers are calling together, the sound can resemble jingle bells. Maple Sugar In late winter, before the leaves start to grow on the trees, maple tree sap starts to flow. The sweet sap flows up and down the tree when daytime temperatures are above freezing and nights are still below freezing. You can make maple syrup by boiling away most of the water in the sap. American Robins When we think of the arrival of spring, American robins frequently come to mind. Their early morning song is heard throughout residential neighborhoods. Robins prefer fruit, but feed on worms and insects as well. Every spring, robins collect grasses and twigs to build their nests, usually in a conifer tree or deciduous tree. Ice Out Ice melting from lakes, rivers and ponds is another way to measure spring's arrival. The "ice out" is official after 90 percent of the ice has melted from those bodies of water. Check out the signs of spring for yourself during National Wildlife Week, March 15-21. The National Wildlife Federation offers fun hands-on activities for kids and adults alike to help you gear up for spring. Looking for an adventure this summer for your teenager? Check out DEC's Environmental Education Camps. 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 Sensing Stormy Days Spring means more than baby animals and new flowers?it also means rain. Animals often eat more before a rain, and sometimes pets act differently before a storm. How do they know what the weather is going to be? Head outside before a rain storm is predicted and look for clues. Flowers such as tulips and dandelions close up. Spiders take down their webs before a heavy rain. You may notice the family dog smelling the air before rain hits. Record your observations in a notebook. What Time is It? How do plants and animals know that it is spring? Plants and animals sense changes in temperature, daylight and smells which tell them when to wake up, sleep, eat, hibernate and migrate. Even people have similar internal or biological clocks. Take ten pieces of paper and number them 1-10 to represent various times of the day. At different times during the day, have one person ask the others what time it is. The other players guess the time (no peeking at clocks or watches) based on how they are feeling (tired, hungry, restless, etc.) or based on things happening outside or around the house. Each time the players should write their time estimates on the piece of paper. At the end of the day, see whose "biological clock" was the most accurate. Read Conservationist for Kids (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/40248.html) for more information and activities! Back to top Upcoming DEC Events Long Island Bow Hunter Education Youth Conservation Program Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15 Peconic River Sportsman's Club in Manorville A two-day program for the purpose of introducing 12-16 year olds to the basic principles of conservation, sportsman education and general outdoorsmanship. Call 631-444-0255 for more information. Hudson Valley Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1833.html) Nature Discovery After-School Program?Superb Sugars Thursday, March 11 and 18 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Engage in the entire maple sugaring process from sap to syrup, and taste the sweet result. Participants will use all five senses during this class as they watch the crystal-clear sap drip from the tapped trees, smell the sap boiling in the evaporator, touch the rough bark while they twirl a drill and pound a spile and, of course, taste the final product?maple syrup! For school-aged children and their caregivers. Guided Nature Walk Saturday, March 13 and 20 at 10:00 AM Nature slowly starts to wake up this month. Join us as we search for some early signs of spring. Backyard Maple Sugaring Saturday, March 13 at 2:00 PM Discover how to participate in one of New York State's oldest farm and forest traditions. Learn how to recognize and tap sugar maple trees and how to boil their sap down to delicious syrup. Green Thumb Blues Saturday, March 20 at 2:00 PM Defrost those green thumbs with a visit to Stony Kill's greenhouse. Learn about maintaining a greenhouse and how to prepare for spring planting. More events at Stony Kill (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2001.html#March) Capital Region Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html) Is It Spring? Friday, March 19 at 7:00 PM The voices of the season seem to come alive at dusk to proclaim the end of winter. Join us on an outdoor search for geese, peepers, woodcock and other sounds of a spring evening to see whether spring has sprung. Maple Sugar Open Houses Saturday and Sunday March 20 and 21 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM At our Maple Sugar Open Houses, watch sap drip from the tapped trees and smell the syrup boiling in the evaporator. You'll learn to twirl a drill and pound a spile, and you'll use your taste buds to sample maple syrup. More events at Five Rivers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1980.html#March) Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.org/discovery_center/directions_hours_admission.htm) Cunning Coyotes Friday, March 19 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM We will start inside with a short talk about the history and biology of the eastern coyote then continue outside for a walk in the Preserve as we listen for and try to elicit the howls of one of the smartest, most elusive animals in the Pine Bush. Call 518-456-0655 to register. Cost: $2.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free. More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.intelliclients.com/events/events.cfm?da=1&mo=3&ye=2010&eventTypeID=2) Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Animal Babies Saturday, March 13 at 11:00 AM Find out how local wildlife species give birth and raise their young. Learn the differences between animals that start out as eggs and those that are live-born and the amount of care different animal babies need. Search for the Pot-O-Gold Saturday, March 20 at 10:00 AM Choose between using a GPS, map and compass, or a rebus (a puzzle with a picture suggesting a phrase) to find the prize. We'll have several trails set up for this family fun! Please call 607-674-4017 to register and for details. More events at Rogers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2006.html#March) Western New York Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1837.html) Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959. After School Escape Thursday, March 11 and March 18 at 4:30 PM Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. Registration is not required. Snowy with a Chance of Salamanders Saturday, March 20 at 10:30 AM On this first day of spring, we will explore the spring pools and search under logs for spotted salamanders. This is the time of year for them to lay their eggs and a chance to get a rare glimpse of this secretive creature. More events at Reinstein (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html#March) 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? 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Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 5250 bytes Desc: not available URL: From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Mar 24 09:27:48 2010 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:27:48 -0400 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] March 24 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <4BA9DB14.D567.00BD.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery March 24, 2010 Renewable Energy Family Fun Upcoming DEC Events Long Island Hudson Valley - Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center Capital Region - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and Albany Pine Bush Discovery 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) Renewable Energy We use energy to run our cars, heat our homes and power our electrical appliances. There are two types of energy: nonrenewable and renewable. Sources of energy are considered nonrenewable if they cannot be made again in a lifetime. Renewable energy sources can be replenished naturally in a short period. These include solar, wind, water, wood and geothermal energy. Solar: Solar energy is from the sun's rays that reach the Earth. Solar energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat and electricity and is used to heat water, swimming pools and even homes. Wind: Wind flow can be used to run turbines (modern day windmills) that generate electricity. Areas on top of mountains or out in the ocean are the best location for wind turbines, because the winds are stronger and more constant. Water: Water wheels are used to produce electricity by using the energy generated by the falling water. Hydropower isn't a new concept. Hundreds of years ago, people used water wheels to provide power to grain mills. Wood: Many people use wood stoves to heat their homes. Wood is another renewable energy source and an alternative to heating with fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal, whose consumption leads to global warming. Geothermal: Geothermal energy is formed from the heat inside the Earth. Steam produced from heat from hot springs or geysers can be used to heat buildings. Looking for an adventure this summer for your teenager? Check out DEC's Environmental Education Camps. 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 Getting Steamed This experiment will show you how steam has the power to move something. Make sure that you do this experiment with adult supervision. You will need a pinwheel and a whistling tea kettle. Boil some water in the tea kettle. When the kettle starts to whistle, the water is hot enough to produce steam. Wearing an oven mitt on your hand to protect it from the steam, hold the pinwheel in the flow of steam. The steam should make the pinwheel spin. Any Way the Wind Blows Meteorologists and other scientists use an instrument called on anemometer to measure wind speed. You can build your own anemometer that will spin in the wind. You need 4 small paper cups, 2 long plastic drinking straws, a pencil with a new eraser and a straight pin. Arrange the plastic straws to make a cross shape. Push the straight pin through the center point of the straws and into the pencil eraser. Staple the top of one paper cup to each end of the straws, making sure that the open ends of the cups all face the same direction. Put a mark on one of the cups. It will help you count how many times the anemometer spins. Ten spins per minute equals wind speed of approximately one mile per hour. Take your anemometer outside, and measure the approximate speed of the wind. Read Conservationist for Kids (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/40248.html) for more information and activities! Back to top Upcoming DEC Events Long Island Day of Fishing Fun Saturday, March 27 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by open fishing Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery I FISH NY staff will present a hands-on look at fish biology and local species identification in this class intended for children and families. Cost: $5 adults, $3 children (ages 3-12), $3 seniors (age 65 and older). Call 631-444-0280 for directions. Hudson Valley Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1833.html) Nature Discovery After-School Program?Superb Sugars Thursday, March 25 from 4:00 to 5:00 PM Engage in the entire maple sugaring process from sap to syrup, and taste the sweet result. Participants will use all five senses during this class as they watch the crystal-clear sap drip from the tapped trees, smell the sap boiling in the evaporator, touch the rough bark while they twirl a drill and pound a spile and, of course, taste the final product?maple syrup! For school-aged children and their caregivers. Walking with Cold Blood Saturday, March 27 at 2:00 PM Come join the Stony Kill staff as we walk on the cold-blooded side of life along Stony Kill's trails, searching for and learning about the emerging reptiles and amphibians. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Guided Nature Walk Saturday, March 27 and April 3 at 10:00 AM Nature slowly starts to wake up this month. Join us as we search for some early signs of spring. Signs of Spring Saturday, April 3 at 2:00 PM The cold of winter has loosened its grip on the land. Though some snow and ice may remain, there are signs that spring is not far off. Join us as we search for those early harbingers of warmer days to come. Meet at the Manor House. Nature Discovery After-School Program?Tadpole One Day and Frog the Next Thursday, April 1 at 2:00 PM Join us at Stony Kill on April Fools' Day to learn about the trick many amphibious species play on us. More events at Stony Kill (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2001.html#March) Capital Region Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html) Maple Sugar Open Houses Saturday and Sunday March 27 and 28, April 3 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM At our Maple Sugar Open Houses, watch sap drip from the tapped trees, and smell the syrup boiling in the evaporator. You'll learn to twirl a drill and pound a spile, and you'll use your taste buds to sample maple syrup. More events at Five Rivers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1980.html#March) Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.org/discovery_center/directions_hours_admission.htm) Almost Full Moon Hike Saturday, March 27 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM Enjoy the Pine Bush at night with a hike under the almost full moon. We will walk approximately 1.5 miles stopping for night vision and sound observations. Please remember to dress appropriately for the weather. Snowshoes will be available as weather dictates. Call 518-456-0655 to register. Cost: $2.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free. More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.intelliclients.com/events/events.cfm?da=1&mo=3&ye=2010&eventTypeID=2) Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Bluebird Nest Box Building Saturday, March 27 at 11:00 AM Build a nest box to encourage bluebirds to live nearby so we can all enjoy seeing and hearing them. $10.00 for each box you build and take home. Bring a hammer. Please call 607-674-4017 to register. Egg Coloring Saturday, April 3 at 11:00 AM Bring your children ages 4 to 12 to learn about bird eggs encountered in the wild. Your little ones will discover the different shapes, sizes, and colors of wild bird eggs while decorating an egg to take home. Please call 607-674-4017 to register; supplies limited. More events at Rogers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2006.html#March) Western New York Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1837.html) Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959. FrogWatch USA Volunteer Training Tuesday, March 23 at 6:30 PM Become a citizen scientist! Participate in this training program and volunteer to help monitor the frogs and toads here at Reinstein Woods. After School Escape Thursday, March 25 at 4:30 PM Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. Registration is not required. Birds, Birds, Birds! Saturday, March 27 at 10:00 AM Did you know that there is a bird that does the moonwalk? How about a bird that can mimic a camera shutter? Come learn about these and many other oddities of the bird world. Full Sap Moon Walk Tuesday, March 30 at 8:30 PM Join us for a walk and learn about the benefits of the maple tree while viewing the full moon. Bring binoculars and flashlights if you have them. Bunny Basics Saturday, April 3 at 10:30 AM Hop along with us as we share Eastern Cottontail rabbit facts, make a craft and search for rabbits on the trail! For children age 9 and under. More events at Reinstein (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html#March) 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: 5056 bytes Desc: not available URL: From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue Mar 30 11:37:30 2010 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:37:30 -0400 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] April 7 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <4BB1E27A.D567.00BD.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery April 7, 2010 Trees Family Fun Upcoming DEC Events Long Island 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) Trees If you ask someone what they can do to help the environment, chances are they will say "plant a tree." Tree planting is a common activity at Earth Day events and environmental fairs-and for good reason. In addition to being pretty, trees are extremely valuable to people and the Earth. Trees produce oxygen?Trees turn carbon dioxide into the oxygen that we breathe. Trees clean the soil?Trees absorb and trap chemicals and other pollutants in the soil. Trees control noise pollution?Trees muffle city and highway noise. Trees provide homes for a variety of species?Both standing and dead trees serve as habitat for mammals, birds, reptiles, rodents and insects. Trees clean the air?Trees absorb pollutants in the air. Trees shade and cool?Trees planted in the right spot can mean that you don't have use your air conditioner as often in the summer. Trees give shelter from wind and rain?Trees can act as wind breaks, particularly with winter winds, lowering the cost of heating your home. Trees prevent soil loss?Tree roots bind the soil so that it can't erode away in heavy rains or flooding. Leaves lessen the impact of wind and rain on the soil. Most trees can outlive us?some were even around when the Declaration of Independence was signed! However, we have to work to protect trees from disease and insects like the Asian long-horned beetle and the emerald ash borer. These insects kill specific types of trees, such as ash and maple, and can be easily spread by people moving firewood from one location to another. So when you are planning your next camping trip, remember to buy your firewood when you get there! Please call 1-866-640-0652 for more information. Looking for an adventure this summer for your teenager? Check out DEC's Environmental Education Camps. 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 Make Your Own Paper It takes about 20,000 trees to make one edition of a big-city newspaper. You can recycle some newspaper and create beautiful one-of-a-kind paper for your next letter or project. You will need newspaper, a blender, water, a bucket, a deep square pan, a piece of window screen cut to fit into the pan, a rolling pin, a measuring cup, kitchen towels and some vegetable scraps. Tear the newspaper into tiny pieces and soak them in hot water for about 30 minutes. Take a handful and work with an adult to mix it in the blender until it is mushy. Add a few vegetable scraps to bring some color to your paper (carrot peel for orange, cucumber for green, etc). You can add texture to your paper by adding some leaves. Mix again, and pour the pulp into a measuring cup. Put the screen into the pan, and pour about an inch of water over it, adding one cup of paper pulp on top. Spread out the mixture with your fingers. Lift the screen and let the water drain off of it. Lay the screen with the pulp side down on a towel. Lift away the screen and use another towel to cover the paper. Use a rolling pin to flatten it and get rid of any extra moisture. Let the paper dry for a day, and your creation will be ready to use. A Tree Story New York is home to hundreds of species of trees, and each one tells a different story. Their leaves and bark are different from other trees. They grow to different heights and sizes. Different animals and birds prefer different types of trees. You can use the online tree identification Arbor Day Foundation website. Learn about the trees in your yard or a nearby park by creating your own tree story. For each book, you will need two pieces of white paper and a piece of colored construction paper. Fold each piece of paper in half, and place the white sheets inside the construction paper like a book. Staple your book along the spine. Find a tree that you like, and draw or take a picture of it. Ask an adult to help you research the name of the tree. Hold the first page of the book against the bark, and rub a crayon over the page to make a pattern. Pick a leaf or flower from the tree, and glue it to one of the pages. In the fall, you can come back to your tree and add a colorful leaf to your book. Try to find a small twig that fell to the ground, and add that to another page in the book. Write a description of animals, birds or insects you observe near or in the tree. Tell a little story about what you like about the tree. Read Conservationist for Kids (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/40248.html) for more information and activities! Back to top Upcoming DEC Events Long Island Spring Fishing Festival Saturday, April 10 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Belmont Lake State Park Kick-off the spring season with a day of fishing for the whole family! NYS DEC also stocks Belmont Lake with over 1,000 trout for the event. Loaner rods and free bait are available at this event! Cost: $6 parking fee; free with Empire Passport. Call 631-444-0280 for directions. Hudson Valley Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1833.html) Nature Discovery After-School Program Thursday, April 8 and 15 from 4:00 to 5:00 PM As spring arrives in the northern hemisphere, the days grow longer, and each brings something new. Buds begin to open, and leaves unfurl, migratory birds return, and animal babies show their faces to the world. For school-aged children and their caregivers. Guided Nature Walk Saturday, April 10 and 17 at 10:00 AM The ice and snow has melted, the buds are beginning to swell, and hibernating animals are waking up and on the move. Can we find any of them? Egg-Stravaganza Saturday, April 10 at 2:00 PM Enjoy some delicious farm-fresh eggs as we learn about the importance of this egg-cellent natural wonder. Feel free to bring your favorite egg recipe to swap at the end. This program will meet in the Learning Center. Leave It to Beaver Saturday, April 17 at 2:00 PM Get a close-up look at how these wild engineers transform their environment. We will see an active beaver lodge and dam and look for cuttings and other beaver signs. Hiking shoes or boots are suggested. More events at Stony Kill (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2001.html#April) Capital Region Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html) Robins and Their Kin Saturday, April 3 at 10:00 AM Join us on a field study of robins, bluebirds and our other fine feathered friends. Maple Sugar Open House Saturday, April 3 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM Learn about maple sugaring, from sap to syrup. Come twirl a drill and pound a spile, inspect sap dripping into buckets in our sugarbush, smell syrup boiling at our evaporation station, and then take the maple taste-test. Bird Ready Thursday, April 8 at 10:00 AM Birds are staking out their territories, connecting with mates and beginning to build their nests. This program will help families identify the birds in their yards, share information on their habits and present a craft that will attract birds. Salamanders Saturday, April 10 at 10:00 AM We will explore habitats and habits of local salamanders. We'll start indoors discussing some of the salamanders of our area and then go for a walk to look for them. Wetlands Saturday, April 10 at 2:00 PM Five Rivers has many beautiful wetland areas. On our walk, we will explore some of these and learn who lives under the water and in the mud. Gardening for Wildlife Saturday, April 17 at 10:00 AM Want to attract songbirds, hummingbirds and butterflies? Use plants! Tour Five Rivers' wildlife garden, and learn how to attract native wildlife to a "green" garden. Pussy Willow Hunt Saturday, April 17 at 2:00 PM Join the hunt for the elusive pussy willow, as we search Five Rivers' trails for this soft and furry sign of spring. More events at Five Rivers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1980.html#April) Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.org/discovery_center/directions_hours_admission.htm) Wild, Wacky Woodcock Watch Friday, April 9 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM The woodcock is a chunky little bird with a short neck, long bill and big eyes set high in a large head. During the mating season in early spring, male woodcocks perform amazing flight displays at dusk. Remember to bring your binoculars for this field trip! Call 518-456-0655 to register. Cost: $2.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free. More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.intelliclients.com/events/events.cfm?da=1&mo=4&ye=2010&eventTypeID=2) Adirondacks Adirondack Park Agency Newcomb Visitors Center (http://www.adkvic.org/calendar_n.html) Family Hike Saturday, April 17 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM As we walk along one of our trails, families will discover the diversity of a forest habitat. Look birds, insects, nests, woodland wildflowers, forest floor plants and much more. Adirondack Park Agency Paul Smiths Visitors Center (http://www.adkvic.org/calendar_ps.html) Sugarhouse Program Saturday, April 10 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Tours of the sugarbush and sugarhouse will be given and the kids can make sugar on snow and many other traditional maple activities. Please dress for the weather. Call 518-327-3000 to register. Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Owl Prowl Saturday, April 10 at 7:30 PM Search along the trails at Rogers Center for nocturnal birds of prey. It will be a hoot! Dress warmly and bring a flashlight. Quest for Vernal Pools Saturday, April 17 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Discover a secret hideaway for some interesting water creatures. Without any predatory fish, these temporary small water areas are a safe haven for adult amphibians and invertebrates to reproduce and for their babies to grow. Please call to register. More events at Rogers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2006.html#April) Western New York Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1837.html) Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959. After School Escape Thursdays, April 8 and 15 at 4:30 PM Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. No registration is required. Owl Prowl Friday, April 9 at 7:30 PM Learn about our local owls, and listen for their calls on a walk in the woods. For adults and children age 8 and older. Ancient Forests Saturday, April 10 at 10:30 AM Explore the diversity and richness of mature forests on this guided walk. For adults and children age 8 and older. Earth Day Celebration Saturday, April 17 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM An eco-friendly event for the whole family. Make crafts out of recycled materials, learn ways to save energy and register to win Earth-friendly door prizes! You also can enjoy a guided nature walk. Friends of Reinstein Nature Preserve will sell lunch items. Registration is not required for this event. CSI: Critter Sign Investigation Tuesday, April 20 at 10:00 AM Become a nature detective and look for "clues" left by wildlife along the trails. For children ages 6-10. More events at Reinstein (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html#April) 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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Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 8762 bytes Desc: not available URL: From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Mon Mar 29 11:35:15 2010 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:35:15 -0400 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] April 7 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <4BB09073.D567.00BD.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery April 7, 2010 Trees Family Fun Upcoming DEC Events Long Island Hudson Valley - Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center Capital Region - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and Albany Pine Bush Discovery 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) Trees If you ask someone what they can do to help the environment, chances are they will say "plant a tree." Tree planting is a common activity at Earth Day events and environmental fairs-and for good reason. In addition to being pretty, trees are extremely valuable to people and the Earth. Trees produce oxygen?Trees turn carbon dioxide into the oxygen that we breathe. Trees clean the soil?Trees absorb and trap chemicals and other pollutants in the soil. Trees control noise pollution?Trees muffle city and highway noise. Trees provide homes for a variety of species?Both standing and dead trees serve as habitat for mammals, birds, reptiles, rodents and insects. Trees clean the air?Trees absorb pollutants in the air. Trees shade and cool?Trees planted in the right spot can mean that you don't have use your air conditioner as often in the summer. Trees give shelter from wind and rain?Trees can act as wind breaks, particularly with winter winds, lowering the cost of heating your home. Trees prevent soil loss?Tree roots bind the soil so that it can't erode away in heavy rains or flooding. Leaves lessen the impact of wind and rain on the soil. Most trees can outlive us?some were even around when the Declaration of Independence was signed! However, we have to work to protect trees from disease and insects like the Asian long-horned beetle and the emerald ash borer. These insects kill specific types of trees, such as ash and maple, and can be easily spread by people moving firewood from one location to another. So when you are planning your next camping trip, remember to buy your firewood when you get there! Please call 1-866-640-0652 for more information. Looking for an adventure this summer for your teenager? Check out DEC's Environmental Education Camps. 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 Make Your Own Paper It takes about 20,000 trees to make one edition of a big-city newspaper. You can recycle some newspaper and create beautiful one-of-a-kind paper for your next letter or project. You will need newspaper, a blender, water, a bucket, a deep square pan, a piece of window screen cut to fit into the pan, a rolling pin, a measuring cup, kitchen towels and some vegetable scraps. Tear the newspaper into tiny pieces and soak them in hot water for about 30 minutes. Take a handful and work with an adult to mix it in the blender until it is mushy. Add a few vegetable scraps to bring some color to your paper (carrot peel for orange, cucumber for green, etc). You can add texture to your paper by adding some leaves. Mix again, and pour the pulp into a measuring cup. Put the screen into the pan, and pour about an inch of water over it, adding one cup of paper pulp on top. Spread out the mixture with your fingers. Lift the screen and let the water drain off of it. Lay the screen with the pulp side down on a towel. Lift away the screen and use another towel to cover the paper. Use a rolling pin to flatten it and get rid of any extra moisture. Let the paper dry for a day, and your creation will be ready to use. A Tree Story New York is home to hundreds of species of trees, and each one tells a different story. Their leaves and bark are different from other trees. They grow to different heights and sizes. Different animals and birds prefer different types of trees. You can use the online tree identification Arbor Day Foundation website. Learn about the trees in your yard or a nearby park by creating your own tree story. For each book, you will need two pieces of white paper and a piece of colored construction paper. Fold each piece of paper in half, and place the white sheets inside the construction paper like a book. Staple your book along the spine. Find a tree that you like, and draw or take a picture of it. Ask an adult to help you research the name of the tree. Hold the first page of the book against the bark, and rub a crayon over the page to make a pattern. Pick a leaf or flower from the tree, and glue it to one of the pages. In the fall, you can come back to your tree and add a colorful leaf to your book. Try to find a small twig that fell to the ground, and add that to another page in the book. Write a description of animals, birds or insects you observe near or in the tree. Tell a little story about what you like about the tree. Read Conservationist for Kids (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/40248.html) for more information and activities! Back to top Upcoming DEC Events Long Island Spring Fishing Festival Saturday, April 10 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Belmont Lake State Park Kick-off the spring season with a day of fishing for the whole family! NYS DEC also stocks Belmont Lake with over 1,000 trout for the event. Loaner rods and free bait are available at this event! Cost: $6 parking fee; free with Empire Passport. Call 631-444-0280 for directions. Hudson Valley Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1833.html) Nature Discovery After-School Program Thursday, April 8 and 15 from 4:00 to 5:00 PM As spring arrives in the northern hemisphere, the days grow longer, and each brings something new. Buds begin to open, and leaves unfurl, migratory birds return, and animal babies show their faces to the world. For school-aged children and their caregivers. Guided Nature Walk Saturday, April 10 and 17 at 10:00 AM The ice and snow has melted, the buds are beginning to swell, and hibernating animals are waking up and on the move. Can we find any of them? Egg-Stravaganza Saturday, April 10 at 2:00 PM Enjoy some delicious farm-fresh eggs as we learn about the importance of this egg-cellent natural wonder. Feel free to bring your favorite egg recipe to swap at the end. This program will meet in the Learning Center. Leave It to Beaver Saturday, April 17 at 2:00 PM Get a close-up look at how these wild engineers transform their environment. We will see an active beaver lodge and dam and look for cuttings and other beaver signs. Hiking shoes or boots are suggested. More events at Stony Kill (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2001.html#April) Capital Region Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html) Bird Ready Thursday, April 8 at 10:00 AM Birds are staking out their territories, connecting with mates and beginning to build their nests. This program will help families identify the birds in their yards, share information on their habits and present a craft that will attract birds. Salamanders Saturday, April 10 at 10:00 AM We will explore habitats and habits of local salamanders. We'll start indoors discussing some of the salamanders of our area and then go for a walk to look for them. Wetlands Saturday, April 10 at 2:00 PM Five Rivers has many beautiful wetland areas. On our walk, we will explore some of these and learn who lives under the water and in the mud. Gardening for Wildlife Saturday, April 17 at 10:00 AM Want to attract songbirds, hummingbirds and butterflies? Use plants! Tour Five Rivers' wildlife garden, and learn how to attract native wildlife to a "green" garden. Pussy Willow Hunt Saturday, April 17 at 2:00 PM Join the hunt for the elusive pussy willow, as we search Five Rivers' trails for this soft and furry sign of spring. More events at Five Rivers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1980.html#April) Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.org/discovery_center/directions_hours_admission.htm) Wild, Wacky Woodcock Watch Friday, April 9 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM The woodcock is a chunky little bird with a short neck, long bill and big eyes set high in a large head. During the mating season in early spring, male woodcocks perform amazing flight displays at dusk. Remember to bring your binoculars for this field trip! Call 518-456-0655 to register. Cost: $2.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free. More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (http://albanypinebush.intelliclients.com/events/events.cfm?da=1&mo=4&ye=2010&eventTypeID=2) Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Owl Prowl Saturday, April 10 at 7:30 PM Search along the trails at Rogers Center for nocturnal birds of prey. It will be a hoot! Dress warmly and bring a flashlight. Quest for Vernal Pools Saturday, April 17 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Discover a secret hideaway for some interesting water creatures. Without any predatory fish, these temporary small water areas are a safe haven for adult amphibians and invertebrates to reproduce and for their babies to grow. Please call to register. More events at Rogers (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/2006.html#April) Western New York Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1837.html) Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959. After School Escape Thursdays, April 8 and 15 at 4:30 PM Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. No registration is required. Owl Prowl Friday, April 9 at 7:30 PM Learn about our local owls, and listen for their calls on a walk in the woods. For adults and children age 8 and older. Ancient Forests Saturday, April 10 at 10:30 AM Explore the diversity and richness of mature forests on this guided walk. For adults and children age 8 and older. Earth Day Celebration Saturday, April 17 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM An eco-friendly event for the whole family. Make crafts out of recycled materials, learn ways to save energy and register to win Earth-friendly door prizes! You also can enjoy a guided nature walk. Friends of Reinstein Nature Preserve will sell lunch items. Registration is not required for this event. CSI: Critter Sign Investigation Tuesday, April 20 at 10:00 AM Become a nature detective and look for "clues" left by wildlife along the trails. For children ages 6-10. More events at Reinstein (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html#April) 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... 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