From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue Feb 3 11:14:23 2009 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:14:23 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Upcoming Programs at Five Rivers Message-ID: <4988270F.94A8.005A.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Five Rivers Environmental Education Center 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, New York 12054 Phone: (518) 475-0291 ? FAX: (518) 439-8044 Website: www.dec.ny.gov SCIENCE ON VACATION AT FIVE RIVERS A winter vacation program for parents and their children will be conducted on Tuesday, February 17, 10 AM, and repeated on Thursday, February 19, 10 AM, at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. During this program, we will be doing experiments to observe the chemistry of water and bubbles. Everyone knows that bubbles are fun, but there?s a lot of science involved. We will experiment indoors to study the interaction of soap and water. We will directly see and feel concepts such as surface tension, the refraction of light, elasticity, and observe air pressure - and have fun! The group will then go outdoors to experience first hand, blowing and chasing bubbles and their relationship to weather. Registration by Sunday, February 15, is required. This program is open to the public free of charge. Parents must accompany children. Participants should dress for the outdoors and wear clothing you don't mind getting soapy. In case of inclement weather this program may be canceled. For more information or to register, call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Five Rivers Environmental Education Center at (518) 475-0291. BEGINNER'S BIRD WALK AT FIVE RIVERS CENTER A beginner's bird walk will be held on Saturday, February 21, 10 AM, at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. With just a bird book and some binoculars, anyone can embark on this fascinating hobby. Center naturalists will start the program indoors with a brief presentation on basic equipment and birding technique, followed by an outdoor walk to identify some common birds found at Five Rivers. This program is free of charge. Participants should dress for the weather. Bring binoculars and bird identification books if you have them or we have some you may borrow. In case of inclement weather this program may be canceled. For more information, call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Five Rivers Environmental Education Center at (518) 475-0291. LEARN TO SNOWSHOE AT FIVE RIVERS CENTER A snowshoe outing geared for beginners will be conducted on Saturday, February 21, 2 PM, at Five Rivers Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. Snowshoeing is nothing more than exaggerated walking, and is excellent aerobic activity to boot. On this beginner's outing, Center naturalists will discuss different snowshoe designs and demonstrate proper technique. Participants will then don snowshoes to see how easy it is to stamp out cabin fever. Please call the Center by Wednesday, February 18 to reserve snowshoes. There are some children's snowshoes, too. If there is insufficient snow, we will walk on foot. This program is open to the public free of charge. Participants should dress for the outdoors. In case of inclement weather this program may be canceled. For more information, call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Five Rivers Environmental Education Center at (518) 475-0291. From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue Feb 3 12:09:36 2009 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:09:36 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] NYS DEC's Five Rivers Center Press Release: Black Bears Message-ID: <498833FF.35FA.0046.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Five Rivers Environmental Education Center 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, New York 12054 Phone: (518) 475-0291 ? FAX: (518) 439-8044 Website: www.dec.ny.gov For Release: Immediate Tuesday, February 3, 2009 Contact: Lorraine Whiting FIVE RIVERS TO HOST PROGRAM ON BLACK BEARS A lecture on black bears in New York State will be conducted on Thursday, February 12, 7 PM, at Five Rivers Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. Larry Bifaro, Biologist with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation?s Division of Fish and Wildlife, will present an illustrated overview of bear populations in the Catskills, Adirondacks and Western New York, all of which have been expanding in recent years. Several converging trends in New York are bringing bears and people ever closer together. New York?s forest cover has increased in recent years. Development in and near forested land is expanding. Every house has a bird feeding station, and more people are recreating in more remote forest areas. Come and learn how to grin and bear it. The meeting, co-sponsored by the Audubon Society of the Capital Region, is open to the public free of charge. For more information, call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation?s Five Rivers Environmental Education Center at (518) 475-0291. From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue Feb 3 12:37:44 2009 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:37:44 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] NYS DEC's Five Rivers Center Press Releases: After Dark Workshop Message-ID: <49883A98.35FA.0046.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Five Rivers Environmental Education Center 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, New York 12054 Phone: (518) 475-0291 ? FAX: (518) 439-8044 Website: www.dec.ny.gov For Release: Immediate Tuesday, February 03, 2009 Contact: Lorraine Whiting OWL PROWL AT FIVE RIVERS A night walk in search of owls will be held on Friday, February 27, 7 PM, at Five Rivers Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. Join Center naturalists on a study of owl ecology as we investigate these feathered predators? habitats and lifestyles. After the walk, a presentation on New York State Owl species will be held in the Center Interpretive Building, followed by a visit from Aries, Five Rivers? resident barred owl. A question and answer period will follow. This program is free of charge. Participants should dress for the weather. In case of inclement weather the outdoor portion of this program may be canceled. For more information, call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation?s Five Rivers Environmental Education Center at (518) 475-0291. WORKSHOP ON ALL THINGS AFTER DARK AT FIVE RIVERS CENTER A workshop for teachers, youth leaders and families on all things after dark will be conducted on Saturday, February 28, 12:30 PM to 9:00 PM, at Five Rivers Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. Teachers and families are invited to spend the afternoon and evening at Five Rivers Center for a variety of workshops, hands-on learning, walks and explorations on the topic of Night. There will be something for all levels of interest and involvement. Workshop topics include: Creatures of the Night, Night Science, How to Lead a Night Walk, Constellations, and Storytelling. Crafts, telescope information and resources will be ongoing throughout the afternoon and evening. An optional pizza dinner will be followed by night walks and star gazing, which will start at 6:30 PM. The Albany Area Amateur Astronomers will be joining us with their telescopes so that participants may view deep sky objects. Registration by Wednesday, February 18, is required. There is a materials fee of $3.50 per person ($2.00 for Friends of Five Rivers members). Children under 12 are free. Pizza dinner is $3.50 per adult and/or child. All children must be accompanied by their parent(s). Participants should dress for indoor and outdoor activity. In case of inclement weather this program may be canceled. For more information or to register, call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation?s Five Rivers Environmental Education Center at (518) 475-0291. From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue Feb 3 14:23:44 2009 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:23:44 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] NYS DEC's Five Rivers Center Press Release: Outdoors After School Message-ID: <4988536E.35FA.0046.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Five Rivers Environmental Education Center 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, New York 12054 Phone: (518) 475-0291 ? FAX: (518) 439-8044 Website: www.dec.ny.gov For Release: Immediate Tuesday, February 03, 2009 Contact: Lorraine Whiting FIVE RIVERS ANNOUNCES OUTDOORS AFTER SCHOOL INITIATIVE A series of weekly after-school outings for grade school children and their caregivers entitled, ?Outdoors After School,? will be offered beginning Thursday, February 26, 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM, and continuing every Thursday thereafter, throughout the rest of the school year, at Five Rivers Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. At these programs, Center naturalists will conduct an outdoor exploration along one of Five Rivers? trails, literally, ?a walk in the park,? searching for signs of the season. Each week will feature different nature themes and visit different habitats among the Center?s towering forests, broad meadows, and tranquil wetlands. Late winter, for example, is a great time to look for animal tracks in the fields, check for sap dripping from trees in the forest or look for beaver activity in the ponds. A strong emphasis on hands-on, relaxed interaction with the outdoor environment will make this program an enjoyable way to create a lasting love of nature for children and caregivers alike. Research has shown that children who regularly spend unstructured time outside have lower stress levels, have more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, and experience fewer symptoms of ADD and ADHD. These programs, geared for third to fourth grade comprehension, are free of charge. No registration is required, and participants of any age can attend the weekly programs as often as they like. Caregivers and children must accompany each other at these outings. Children may not be dropped off unaccompanied. Participants should dress for the outdoors. Outings will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. For more information call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation?s Five Rivers Environmental Education Center at (518) 475-0291. From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Fri Feb 13 10:48:52 2009 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:48:52 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] NYS DEC's Five Rivers Center Press Releases: Wildlife Tracks; Dr. Seuss Read-A-Thon Message-ID: <49955013.35FA.0046.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Five Rivers Environmental Education Center 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, New York 12054 Phone: (518) 475-0291 ? FAX: (518) 439-8044 Website: www.dec.ny.gov For Release: Immediate Friday, February 13, 2009 Contact: Lorraine Whiting STUDY WILDLIFE TRACKS AT FIVE RIVERS CENTER A field study of wildlife tracks and traces will be conducted on Saturday, March 7, 10 AM, at Five Rivers Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. On this outdoor foray, Center naturalists will provide an ?in-depth? investigation of the winter ecology of common mammals, using their tracks as ?stepping off? points. Geared for the novice, the program is open to the public free of charge. Participants are urged to dress for outdoor activity. In the event of severe weather, this program may be canceled. However, a decent snow cover would give us paws to reflect. For more information, call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation?s Five Rivers Environmental Education Center at (518) 475-0291. DR. SEUSS READ-A-THON AT FIVE RIVERS CENTER A Dr. Seuss ?read-a-thon? will be conducted on Sunday, March 7, 2 PM to 4 PM, at Five Rivers Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. In celebration of the National Education Association?s 12th annual Read Across America Day initiative, Center staff and docents will commemorate the late Dr. Seuss? 105th birthday with an indoor program of continuous readings of classic Dr. Seuss nature titles. There also will be a visit from The Cat In The Hat, with special prizes for anyone dressed up in character garb. Parents and children must accompany each other. According to the Family Literacy Foundation, reading aloud with children has been shown to be the single best predictor of a child?s future academic success. The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends that parents read to their children every day, starting when the children are just six months old. The National Education Association estimates that 40 million children and adults coast-to-coast celebrate the joys of reading during the annual Read Across America Day celebration, which is held each year on or about March 2, Dr. Seuss? birthday. For more information about NEA?s Read Across America program, visit their website at www.nea.org/readacross. This program is open to the public free of charge. For more information, call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation?s Five Rivers Environmental Education Center at (518) 475-0291. From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Feb 18 08:45:22 2009 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:45:22 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] NYS DEC's Five Rivers Center Press Release: Date Correction for Dr. Seuss Read-A-Thon Message-ID: <499BCAA1.35FA.0046.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Five Rivers Environmental Education Center 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, New York 12054 Phone: (518) 475-0291 ? FAX: (518) 439-8044 Website: www.dec.ny.gov For Release: Immediate Wednesday, February 18, 2009 Contact: Lorraine Whiting Correction: The correct date of the Dr. Seuss Read-A-Thon is Saturday, March 7, 2 PM to 4 PM, not Sunday, March 7. DR. SEUSS READ-A-THON AT FIVE RIVERS CENTER A Dr. Seuss ?read-a-thon? will be conducted on Saturday, March 7, 2 PM to 4 PM, at Five Rivers Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. In celebration of the National Education Association?s 12th annual Read Across America Day initiative, Center staff and docents will commemorate the late Dr. Seuss? 105th birthday with an indoor program of continuous readings of classic Dr. Seuss nature titles. There also will be a visit from The Cat In The Hat, with special prizes for anyone dressed up in character garb. Parents and children must accompany each other. According to the Family Literacy Foundation, reading aloud with children has been shown to be the single best predictor of a child?s future academic success. The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends that parents read to their children every day, starting when the children are just six months old. The National Education Association estimates that 40 million children and adults coast-to-coast celebrate the joys of reading during the annual Read Across America Day celebration, which is held each year on or about March 2, Dr. Seuss? birthday. For more information about NEA?s Read Across America program, visit their website at www.nea.org/readacross. This program is open to the public free of charge. For more information, call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation?s Five Rivers Environmental Education Center at (518) 475-0291. From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Feb 18 08:55:07 2009 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:55:07 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] NYS DEC's Five Rivers Center Press Release: Volunteer Naturalist Training Message-ID: <499BCCE9.35FA.0046.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Five Rivers Environmental Education Center 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, New York 12054 Phone: (518) 475-0291 ? FAX: (518) 439-8044 Website: www.dec.ny.gov For Release: Immediate Wednesday, February 18, 2009 Contact: Lorraine Whiting VOLUNTEER NATURALIST TRAINING AT FIVE RIVERS CENTER A volunteer naturalist training on how to teach about maple sugaring will be conducted on Saturday, March 14, 10 AM, at Five Rivers Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. Five Rivers Maple Sugar Open House programs depend heavily upon a corps of adult and student volunteers. Those wishing to take part in this training will be expected to serve as a volunteer on one of the Center?s popular Maple Open House weekend programs. It?s a sweet assignment. Expect to be outdoors part of the time. This program is open to the public free of charge. Participants should dress for indoor/outdoor activity. In case of inclement weather the outdoor portion of this program may be canceled. For more information, call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation?s Five Rivers Environmental Education Center at (518) 475-0291. From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Thu Feb 19 08:47:54 2009 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:47:54 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] NYS DEC's Five Rivers Center Press Release: Community Supported Agriculture Message-ID: <499D1CB9.35FA.0046.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Five Rivers Environmental Education Center 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, New York 12054 Phone: (518) 475-0291 ? FAX: (518) 439-8044 Website: www.dec.ny.gov For Release: Immediate Thursday, February 19, 2009 Contact: Lorraine Whiting TALK ON COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE AT FIVE RIVERS A slide-illustrated presentation on Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) will be conducted on Wednesday, March 11, 7 PM, at Five Rivers Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. Local CSA producers Raymond and Sarah Luhrman of Fox Creek Farm will present a comprehensive overview of what a CSA is, how the partnership works, and how you can get involved. Topics such as typical crops harvested, cost of ?shares,? delivery, organic options and sweat equity will be discussed. Community Supported Agriculture is a partnership between local farmers and consumers that provides consumers a better understanding of how their food is produced and where it is coming from, while giving farmers a modicum of financial stability. There are more than 2200 CSAs in the U.S. today, and over a dozen within the Capital Region from which to choose. Early March is a good time to become a ?shareholder?, as ?shares? in a CSA are limited and sold on a first-come, first served basis. The program is open to the public free of charge. In the event of severe winter weather, this program will be canceled. For more information, call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation?s Five Rivers Environmental Education Center at (518) 475-0291. From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Fri Feb 20 12:45:57 2009 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:45:57 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] NYS DEC's Five Rivers Center Press Release: Project Learning Tree Message-ID: <499EA604.35FA.0046.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> For Release: Immediate Friday, February 20, 2009 Contact: Lorraine Whiting New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Five Rivers Environmental Education Center 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, New York 12054 Phone: (518) 475-0291 ? FAX: (518) 439-8044 Website: www.dec.ny.gov For Release: Immediate Friday, February 20, 2009 Contact: Lorraine Whiting PROJECT LEARNING TREE TEACHER WORKSHOP AT FIVE RIVERS CENTER A Project Learning Tree teacher workshop will be held on Saturday, March 14, 10 AM to 3 PM, at Five Rivers Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. Project Learning Tree seeks to increase students? awareness and appreciation of trees by integrating forest concepts into subjects such as math, science, and social studies. This workshop will provide participants with dozens of ideas and activities to make forestry and ecology come alive in the classroom. Participants will receive a Project Learning Tree workbook filled with activities suitable for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. Teacher in-service credit is available for this workshop; documentation for credit will be coordinated with the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center. Registration by Wednesday, March 11, is necessary. This program is free of charge. Participants should dress for indoor/outdoor activity. In case of inclement weather the outdoor portion of this program may be canceled. For more information or to register, call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation?s Five Rivers Environmental Education Center at (518) 475-0291. From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Thu Feb 26 11:28:04 2009 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:28:04 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] NYS DEC's Five Rivers Center Press Releases: Signs of Spring; Maple Sugaring Message-ID: <49A67CC3.35FA.0046.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Five Rivers Environmental Education Center 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, New York 12054 Phone: (518) 475-0291 ? FAX: (518) 439-8044 Website: www.dec.ny.gov For Release: Immediate Thursday, February 26, 2009 Contact: Lorraine Whiting SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF SPRING AT FIVE RIVERS CENTER An outdoor search for signs of spring will be conducted on Friday, March 20, 7 PM, at Five Rivers Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. On this program, Five Rivers staff will lead field parties along Center trails in search of spring peepers, woodcock, geese and other signs of early spring. This program is open to the public free of charge. Participants should dress for outdoor activity. In case of inclement weather this program may be canceled. For more information, call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation?s Five Rivers Environmental Education Center at (518) 475-0291. MAPLE SUGARING PROGRAMS AT FIVE RIVERS CENTER Maple sugaring demonstrations will begin the weekend of Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, at Five Rivers Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. During this introduction to small-scale maple sugaring, visitors will identify sugar maples, observe tapped trees and see maple sap being boiled into syrup in an evaporator. Visitors can taste real maple syrup as well as raw (boiled) sap. Hands-on exhibits and activities will allow visitors to participate in the maple sugaring process. A local maple producer will be on hand with a variety of maple products for sale. The Visitor Center will feature the exhibit, ?Maple Sugaring through Time.? This fascinating exhibit of antique maple sugaring equipment will give visitors a glimpse into the history of maple sugaring, and will only be available during the month of March. Maple sugaring demonstrations at Five Rivers Center will also be held on Saturday, March 28, Sunday, March 29; Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5; from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM each day. Five Rivers Center maple sugaring demonstrations are free. Scout and youth groups are welcome, but must register at least three days before the day they wish to attend. For more information or to register your scout or youth group, call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation?s Five Rivers Environmental Education Center at (518) 475-0291. From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Thu Feb 26 11:56:02 2009 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:56:02 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Spring 2009 Tributary and Five Rivers program listing now available Message-ID: <49A68352.94A8.005A.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> The spring 2009 issue of the Five Rivers Tributary is now available on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1841.html Join us this weekend for an Owl Prowl on Friday evening, February 27, at 7:00 PM. On Saturday, February 28, join us for "Night Day" as we learn about all things after dark. The fun begins at 2:30 PM on Saturday and carries on into the evening. Program listings are available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1980.html for now through the end of June. We're looking forward to seeing you!