From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue Nov 2 09:27:20 2010 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (DEC Outdoor Discovery Bi-weekly Newsletter) Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2010 09:27:20 -0400 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] November 3 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <4CCFD978.DB71.00B0.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery November 3, 2010 What Do We Get from the Forest? 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 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) What Do We Get from the Forest? Besides being a home for animals of all kinds, forests offer areas for people to visit and play. One important thing forests do is provide many products that we use in our everyday lives. When you think of products we get from the forest, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Wood! We use wood to build houses, to make furniture for our homes and as fuel to heat our homes. What other items can you think of that come from the forest? Trees have many parts. The heartwood or center of the tree is where wood comes from for construction. The bark of many trees is also useful. One bark product that was popular in parts of New York is tannin, which was used to prepare or "tan" leather. Bark from trees throughout the world is used to make cork and the inside of baseballs. Saps from many trees are used for different products: chewing gum, crayons, soaps, and paint thinner from spruce trees, and, of course, maple syrup from maple trees. Cellulose is the major component in wood and other plant fiber. The most familiar use of cellulose is paper. When combined with other ingredients, cellulose is used to make carpeting, wigs, plastics, shampoos, cosmetics and fabrics, such as rayon. The forest provides food for humans as well as animals. Trees, bushes, shrubs and roots offer fruits, nuts, spices and berries. The forest also supports wildlife such as deer, rabbits and turkeys that many people hunt for food. The forest provides us with many products. It is important that we use these resources wisely to ensure they are available to us for generations to come. 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 (http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/65514.html)?New York's award-winning publication with astonishingly beautiful photography and captivating articles. Learn the best places to view wildlife at DEC's Watchable Wildlife (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/55423.html) pages. Back to top Family Fun "It Comes from Trees" Scavenger Hunt To see how much wood and how many wood products are in your home, go on a scavenger hunt with friends, family or just by yourself. Create six columns on a sheet of paper, and label the columns with the following: ?Wood Products ?Bark Products ?Cellulose Products ?Sap Products ?Fruits, Leaves & Seed Products ?No Wood Products Look around your house and fill in the columns with the items that you find. See who can find the most products for each column. If you wonder which column an item goes in, use the link to check the Wood Product Fact Sheet (http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/woodproducts.pdf). Barking Up the Tree Different species of trees are used for different purposes. The wood from pine trees is mostly used inside because it tends to decay more quickly when exposed to moisture. Maple wood is very dense and burns slowly, making it an ideal fuel for heating homes. Oak wood has a very attractive grain and is used for flooring, furniture and cabinetry. Go outside and see whether you can identify different types of trees based on their size, leaf shape and bark. The Arbor Day Foundation has a great interactive website (http://www.arborday.org/trees/whattree/WhatTree.cfm?ItemID=E6A) to help you identify the trees in your park, yard or neighborhood. 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) Saturday Morning Guided Nature Walks Saturdays, November 6 and 13 at 10:00 AM Nature Discovery After-School Program Thursday, November 4 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM For school-aged children and their caregivers. Watchable Wildlife: White-Tailed Deer Saturday, November 6 at 2:00 PM Seed Search Saturday, November 13 at 2:00 PM Event Descriptions 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) Wildflower Walk Saturday, November 6 at 10:00 AM Composting and Recycling Saturday, November 13 at 10:00 AM Family Fun: Alternative Energy Saturday, November 13 at 2:00 PM Please call 518-475-0291 to register by Monday, November 8. A $3.00 materials fee is required for each child. Event Descriptions 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) Oh Deer, Autumn's Here! Saturday, November 6 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM 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=11&ye=2010&eventTypeID=2) Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Advance registration is required. Call 607-674-4017. Watchable Wildlife at Cush Hill Saturday, November 6 at 10:00 AM Watchable Wildlife at the Visitors Center Saturday, November 6 at 1:30 PM Gourd Art Creations Saturday, November 13 at 10:00 AM Ages 7 and older. Cost: $8.00 for each gourd. In Search of Seeds Saturday, November 13 at 1:30 PM Event Descriptions 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. After-School Escape Thursdays, November 4 and 11 at 4:30 PM For children in grades K-5. Getting Squirrelly Saturday, November 6 at 10:30 AM For children ages 4 to 8. Cost for materials: $2.00 per child; FORNP members $1.00 per child. The Scoop on Poop Saturday, November 13 at 10:30 AM Event Descriptions at Reinstein (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html#November) Events at other Nature Centers throughout the State (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1826.html) Visit DEC's website for more information and programs (http://www.dec.ny.gov) 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) Ellen Bidell Citizen Participation Specialist Publications and Internet/DPAE 518-408-5517 -------------- 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: 4255 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: 11763 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 7729 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 6645 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 11777 bytes Desc: not available URL: From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue Nov 2 10:20:34 2010 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (DEC Outdoor Discovery Bi-weekly Newsletter) Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2010 10:20:34 -0400 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] November 3 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <4CCFE5F2.D567.00BD.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery November 3, 2010 What Do We Get from the Forest? 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 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) What Do We Get from the Forest? Besides being a home for animals of all kinds, forests offer areas for people to visit and play. One important thing forests do is provide many products that we use in our everyday lives. When you think of products we get from the forest, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Wood! We use wood to build houses, to make furniture for our homes and as fuel to heat our homes. What other items can you think of that come from the forest? Trees have many parts. The heartwood or center of the tree is where wood comes from for construction. The bark of many trees is also useful. One bark product that was popular in parts of New York is tannin, which was used to prepare or "tan" leather. Bark from trees throughout the world is used to make cork and the inside of baseballs. Saps from many trees are used for different products: chewing gum, crayons, soaps, and paint thinner from spruce trees, and, of course, maple syrup from maple trees. Cellulose is the major component in wood and other plant fiber. The most familiar use of cellulose is paper. When combined with other ingredients, cellulose is used to make carpeting, wigs, plastics, shampoos, cosmetics and fabrics, such as rayon. The forest provides food for humans as well as animals. Trees, bushes, shrubs and roots offer fruits, nuts, spices and berries. The forest also supports wildlife such as deer, rabbits and turkeys that many people hunt for food. The forest provides us with many products. It is important that we use these resources wisely to ensure they are available to us for generations to come. 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 (http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/65514.html)?New York's award-winning publication with astonishingly beautiful photography and captivating articles. Learn the best places to view wildlife at DEC's Watchable Wildlife (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/55423.html) pages. Back to top Family Fun "It Comes from Trees" Scavenger Hunt To see how much wood and how many wood products are in your home, go on a scavenger hunt with friends, family or just by yourself. Create six columns on a sheet of paper, and label the columns with the following: ?Wood Products ?Bark Products ?Cellulose Products ?Sap Products ?Fruits, Leaves & Seed Products ?No Wood Products Look around your house and fill in the columns with the items that you find. See who can find the most products for each column. If you wonder which column an item goes in, use the link to check the Wood Product Fact Sheet (http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/woodproducts.pdf). Barking Up the Tree Different species of trees are used for different purposes. The wood from pine trees is mostly used inside because it tends to decay more quickly when exposed to moisture. Maple wood is very dense and burns slowly, making it an ideal fuel for heating homes. Oak wood has a very attractive grain and is used for flooring, furniture and cabinetry. Go outside and see whether you can identify different types of trees based on their size, leaf shape and bark. The Arbor Day Foundation has a great interactive website (http://www.arborday.org/trees/whattree/WhatTree.cfm?ItemID=E6A) to help you identify the trees in your park, yard or neighborhood. 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) Saturday Morning Guided Nature Walks Saturdays, November 6 and 13 at 10:00 AM Nature Discovery After-School Program Thursday, November 4 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM For school-aged children and their caregivers. Watchable Wildlife: White-Tailed Deer Saturday, November 6 at 2:00 PM Seed Search Saturday, November 13 at 2:00 PM Event Descriptions 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) Wildflower Walk Saturday, November 6 at 10:00 AM Composting and Recycling Saturday, November 13 at 10:00 AM Family Fun: Alternative Energy Saturday, November 13 at 2:00 PM Please call 518-475-0291 to register by Monday, November 8. A $3.00 materials fee is required for each child. Event Descriptions 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) Oh Deer, Autumn's Here! Saturday, November 6 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM 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=11&ye=2010&eventTypeID=2) Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Advance registration is required. Call 607-674-4017. Watchable Wildlife at Cush Hill Saturday, November 6 at 10:00 AM Watchable Wildlife at the Visitors Center Saturday, November 6 at 1:30 PM Gourd Art Creations Saturday, November 13 at 10:00 AM Ages 7 and older. Cost: $8.00 for each gourd. In Search of Seeds Saturday, November 13 at 1:30 PM Event Descriptions 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. After-School Escape Thursdays, November 4 and 11 at 4:30 PM For children in grades K-5. Getting Squirrelly Saturday, November 6 at 10:30 AM For children ages 4 to 8. Cost for materials: $2.00 per child; FORNP members $1.00 per child. The Scoop on Poop Saturday, November 13 at 10:30 AM Event Descriptions at Reinstein (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html#November) Events at other Nature Centers throughout the State (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1826.html) Visit DEC's website for more information and programs (http://www.dec.ny.gov) 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: 4255 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: 11763 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 7729 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 6645 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 11777 bytes Desc: not available URL: From decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Nov 17 09:27:53 2010 From: decoutdoordiscovery at lists.dec.state.ny.us (DEC Outdoor Discovery Bi-weekly Newsletter) Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2010 09:27:53 -0500 Subject: [Decoutdoordiscovery] November 17 Outdoor Discovery Message-ID: <4CE3A019.D567.00BD.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEC Outdoor Discovery November 17, 2010 Watersheds 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 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) Watersheds Have you ever watched water flowing down your street during a heavy rainstorm and wondered where all that water is headed? When the ground can't absorb any more water due to heavy rain or snowmelt, or if the surface isn't permeable (such as pavement), water flows across the land into streams or other channels and is called runoff. Underground, out of sight, more water is moving. Groundwater slowly seeps through the tiny spaces between soil particles and in porous rocks. This water eventually reaches the surface in low-lying areas, joining streams and lakes. As smaller streams combine, the volume of water being moved steadily increases. Eventually, it reaches larger rivers that empty into a lake or ocean. The land area whose waters drain into a stream, lake or other body of water is called a watershed because the water is "shed" from the land after rain falls and snow melts. If you look at an aerial view of the path water from your street follows to the ocean, it looks like the branching pattern of a tree. Water that flows down your street may pick up pollutants and chemicals, which are then carried directly into streams, rivers and lakes. Everything downstream from the source will be affected by it. To keep our aquatic ecosystems healthy, we must protect our watersheds. You can do your part by reducing the use of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers on your lawn. In addition, make sure that oil isn't leaking from cars onto the pavement, where it can be picked up by runoff and carried into waterways. By keeping the land clean and free of pollutants, we can contribute to keeping our watersheds healthy. 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 (http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/65514.html)?New York's award-winning publication with astonishingly beautiful photography and captivating articles. Learn the best places to view wildlife at DEC's Watchable Wildlife (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/55423.html) pages. Back to top Family Fun Branching Out To see how water flows through a watershed, you will need some freezer paper (waxy side and paper side); black, light blue and orange markers; a spray bottle filled with water and an aluminum baking tray. Crumple the freezer paper into a tight ball and then gently un-crumple it without flattening it. Place the un-crumpled paper in the aluminum tray. You want to see peaks and valleys. With the black marker, trace lines along every ridge of the crumpled paper. These represent the mountain tops and other areas of higher elevation. With the blue marker, trace lines along every valley. These represent the areas with lower elevation where water would collect or streams would flow. With the orange marker, add features you might find in a community: houses, schools, shopping areas, etc. Using the spray bottle, gently spray the paper with water, simulating rain. Spray water only until small "lakes" begin to form. Can you see the route the water follows as it flows to down to the low-lying areas? This is the watershed. Did any of the community end up under water? Why is this bad? How could this have been prevented? What color are the lakes? Clear? Light? Dark? A mix of the three colors? What does this tell you? Hint: runoff carries what it finds to its final destination; if it picks up pollutants, the final gathering area of the water will become polluted. What is Your Watershed Address? No matter where you live, you live in a watershed-even if you are hundreds of miles from the ocean. Look at a topographic map and find your town. Then find a stream, river or lake near your home where runoff from your roof would travel to. Trace your finger along this route to the ocean. Write down the name of each water body through which the runoff travels, from smallest to largest. This is your watershed address. DEC's website (http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/60135.html) has a map of each of the 17 watersheds in the state. 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) Saturday Morning Guided Nature Walks Saturdays, November 20 and 27 at 10:00 AM Nature Discovery After-School Program Thursday, November 18 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM For school-aged children and their caregivers. Introduction to Fly Tying Saturday, November 20 at 2:00 PM Attendees are encouraged to bring fly-tying tools and materials if they have them. Campfire and Shelter Building Saturday, November 27 at 2:00 PM Event Descriptions 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) Night Senses Friday, November 19 at 7:00 PM Sleepy Time Saturday, November 20 at 10:00 AM Nature Legends Saturday, November 20 at 2:00 PM Watchable Wildlife: Woodpeckers Saturday, November 27 at 10:00 AM White-Tailed Deer Saturday, November 27 at 2:00 PM Event Descriptions 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) Coyote Howl Prowl Friday, November 19 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM 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=11&ye=2010&eventTypeID=2) Central New York Rogers Environmental Education Center (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1831.html) Advance registration is required. Call 607-674-4017. Winter Bird Feeding Saturday, November 20 at 11:00 AM Watchable Wildlife: Winter Animals Saturday, November 20 at 1:30 PM Bluebird Nest Box Building Saturday, November 27 at 11:00 AM There is a materials fee of $10.00 for every box that you take home. Registration required. Watchable Wildlife: Which Creatures are Stirring? Saturday, November 27 at 1:30 PM Event Descriptions 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. After-School Escape Thursdays, November 18 at 4:30 PM For children in grades K-5. Outdoor Skills Saturday, November 20 at 10:30 AM For adults and children age 8 and older. Full Beaver Moon Walk Monday, November 22 at 6:00 PM Turkey Stroll Friday, November 26 at 10:30 AM Event Descriptions at Reinstein (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html#November) Events at other Nature Centers throughout the State (http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1826.html) Visit DEC's website for more information and programs (http://www.dec.ny.gov) 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: 4255 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: 44938 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 7729 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 17161 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 6645 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 9465 bytes Desc: not available URL: