From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Thu Jul 8 11:22:22 2010 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:22:22 -0400 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Five Rivers Programs for July References: <4C359EF0.6D2D.005D.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> Message-ID: <4C35B4EE.94A8.005A.1@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 ( http://www.dec.ny.gov/ ) Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, at 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, is hopping with activity this summer. Public programs for July are described below. These programs are open to the public free of charge. Participants are urged to dress for outdoor activity. In the event of severe weather, programs may be canceled. For more information, call the Center at 518-475-0291. General information about Five Rivers is available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html. GUIDED TRAIL WALK A naturalist?s tour of the Beaver Tree Trail will be conducted on Thursday, July 15 at 10:00 AM. On this outdoor foray, Center naturalists will explore a fascinating section of Five Rivers featuring Beaver Pond, a charming wetland known to hold turtles, beaver, ducks and other aquatic specialties. The picturesque trail also visits dense woodlands and offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. PROGRAM ON MEADOW ECOLOGY An outdoor study of the ecology of old fields will be conducted on Saturday, July 17 at 10:00 AM. This naturalist?s tour will visit the broad meadowlands of the Center?s Old Field Trail, home to bluebirds, rabbit, fox, and deer. Areas managed as ?forever field? will be compared to areas left wild to transition into brushland. The conservation values of both habitats will be considered. The tour will traverse approximately one mile over a gentle terrain of grass and wood chips. INSECT SEARCH An outdoor study of insects of the meadow will be conducted on Saturday, July 17 at 2:00 PM. During this family-oriented program, naturalists from Five Rivers will lead a search along Center trails for insects. Families are encouraged to actively participate by sweep-netting for all things six-legged along the way. Staff will identify the insects and discuss their fascinating natural history, ecology and importance before returning them to the wild unharmed. GUIDED TRAIL WALK A naturalist?s tour of the Wild Turkey Trail will be conducted on Sunday, July 18 at 2:00 PM. On this outdoor foray, Center naturalists will explore a charming, yet seldom-visited section of Five Rivers featuring, among other things, a 55-acre grassland full of bluebirds, deer and bobolinks, as well as a picturesque woodland along the Phillipinkill known to hold owls, turkey and other forest wildlife. The tour will cover approximately two miles over grass surfaces, with a few moderate ups and downs. FIREFLY WATCH An evening ?firefly watch? will be conducted on Tuesday, July 20 at 7:30 PM. On this outdoor study, participants will help Center naturalists track firefly populations at Five Rivers, assessing the number of individuals and number of species seen flashing. Fireflies are easy to spot and studying their behavior is fun and educational. Most importantly, firefly watching advances the scientific understanding of this fascinating beetle. Five Rivers? firefly watch initiative, now in its third year, is part of a nationwide citizen science program sponsored by Tufts University and the Boston Museum of Science to monitor firefly populations. FAMILY PROGRAM ON BOTANY An elementary introduction to botany for parent and child will be conducted on Saturday, July 24 at 10:00 AM. During this indoor/outdoor primer, Center naturalists will provide a hands-on study of native plants that grow in our own backyards. Participants will learn how plants make food, breathe, compete for space, distribute seeds and outsmart their competitors. Basic plant identification skills will also be covered. Parent and child must accompany each other. THE CULTURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS A field study of the cultural history of plants will be conducted on Saturday, July 24 at 2:00 PM. During this outdoor foray, Center naturalists will discuss how to identify plants and how Native Americans and others have used plants through history for building materials, food, and medicinal purposes. The impact of alien and invasive species on native plant populations will also be discussed. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center is a designated New York State Watchable Wildlife site, where wildlife viewing opportunities abound. Learn more by visiting ?Watchable Wildlife? at www.dec.ny.gov ( http://www.dec.ny.gov/ ). From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Jul 21 14:31:11 2010 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:31:11 -0400 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Programs at Five Rivers July 25, 27 and 31 References: <4C46D2FB.6D2D.005D.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> Message-ID: <4C4704AF.94A8.005A.1@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 ( http://www.dec.ny.gov/ ) Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, at 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, invites you to come and explore outdoors with us. Programs for late July are described below. These programs are open to the public free of charge. Participants are urged to dress for outdoor activity. In the event of severe weather, programs may be canceled. For more information, call the Center at 518-475-0291. General information about Five Rivers is available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html SUMMER WILDFLOWERS A naturalist?s tour of the summer meadow will be conducted on Sunday, July 25 at 2:00 PM. During this outdoor study along gentle trails, Center naturalists will discuss the natural history and folklore of goldenrod, daisy, wild mint, bedstraw and other seasonal flora. Field identification tips and the use of field guides and hand lenses to identify common and not-so-common wildflowers will also be covered. The impact of alien and invasive species on native flora will also be discussed. EVENING WILDLIFE AT FIVE RIVERS A search for wildlife of the evening will be conducted on Tuesday, July 27 at 7:00 PM. On this ecological tour of twilight, Center naturalists will lead a study of field and fen along gentle trails, looking for retiring ?day-shift? species such as the red tailed hawk, and awakening ?night shift? species such as the great horned owl. The potential effects of climate change on native species will be discussed. PINE NEEDLE BASKET WORKSHOP A see-and-do workshop on making a pine needle basket will be conducted on Saturday, July 31 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. At this indoor clinic, local artist Anita Whalen will demonstrate the coiled technique of Native American basket makers and assist participants in making their own beautiful and unique pine needle basket. This program is open to the public, but recommended for ages 14 and up. There will be a materials fee of $30. Bring a bag lunch. Registration is limited. Please call 518-475-0291 by Sunday, July 25 to register or for more information. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center is a designated New York State Watchable Wildlife site, where wildlife viewing opportunities abound. Learn more by visiting ?Watchable Wildlife? at www.dec.ny.gov ( http://www.dec.ny.gov ). From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue Jul 27 10:08:48 2010 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:08:48 -0400 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Programs at Five Rivers, July 31 - August 14, 2010 References: <4C4E9A9E.6D2D.005D.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> Message-ID: <4C4EB02F.94A8.005A.1@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(DEC home page) http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html(Five Rivers' information) Join us at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road in Delmar, for programs for all ages and interests. Families will enjoy learning about ladybugs and celebrating Smokey Bear's birthday. Sustainable lawn care, bats, fireflies and oaks round out the offerings. Full program descriptions are provided below. These programs are open to the public free of charge. In the event of inclement weather, programs may be canceled. Please call 518-475-0291 for more information. Teachers and youth leaders, please take note of the two workshops for educators we are offering: Project WET on August 8 and Project WILD Aquatic on August 14. Registration is required for the teacher workshops. GREEN LAWNS Saturday, July 31 at 2:00 PM A how-to program on making lawns more sustainable will be conducted on Saturday, July 31 at 2:00 PM. At this indoor/outdoor clinic, Center naturalists will discuss green management strategies for lawn areas. Alternative ground covers which require less intensive maintenance will also be discussed. COUNT BATS AT FIVE RIVERS Tuesday, August 3 at 7:30 PM A program on bats will be conducted on Tuesday, August 3 at 7:30 PM. At this indoor/outdoor presentation, Center naturalists will conduct a brief overview of bats from around the world and in our own backyard. The impacts of white-nose syndrome on local bat populations will be discussed. Thereafter, participants will walk out to the Centers Jones Barn to count bats in flight as part of the Centers on-going bat monitoring initiative. CELEBRATE SMOKEY BEARS BIRTHDAY AT FIVE RIVERS Saturday, August 7 at 10:00 AM An interactive family-oriented program celebrating Smokey Bears 66th birthday will be conducted on Saturday, August 7 at 10:00 AM. At this indoor/outdoor program, Center naturalists will recount the compelling story of Smokey Bear and go over the cardinal rules of fire safety. The difference between good fires and bad fires will be discussed. Participants will practice proper woodscraft by making a safe campfire and then safely extinguishing it. There will also be a Smokey craft activity and a special treat. Parent(s) and child(ren) must accompany each other. FAMILY PROGRAM ON LADYBUGS Saturday, August 7 at 2:00 PM A family-oriented program on ladybugs will be conducted on Saturday, August 7 at 2:00 PM. At this interactive outing, Center staff will lead participants in a variety of stories, crafts, and games that teach about the official New York State insect. Center naturalists will discuss the impact of invasive species on native ladybug species, and discuss The Lost Lady Bug project, a citizen science project to monitor populations of native and invasive non-native ladybug species. Participants are urged to bring a picnic blanket. Parent(s) and child(ren) must accompany each other. TEACHER WORKSHOP AT FIVE RIVERS: Project WET Sunday, August 8 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM A teacher workshop on the award-winning curriculum-enhancement program Project WET will be conducted on Sunday, August 8 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Center staff will lead a participatory training in Project WET, an initiative which integrates water resource themes into the core reading, writing and arithmetic disciplines. Participants will receive a free Project WET curriculum guide full of stimulating activities for students in grades K-12. The workshop is open to teachers and youth leaders free of charge. In-service credit for the workshop may be available through the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center. Please call Five Rivers at 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, August 4 to register. FIREFLY WATCH PROGRAM Tuesday, August 10 at 7:00 PM An evening firefly watch will be conducted on Tuesday, August 10 at 7:00 PM. On this outdoor study, participants will help Center naturalists track firefly populations at Five Rivers, assessing the number of individuals and number of species seen flashing. Fireflies are easy to spot and studying their behavior is fun and educational. Most importantly, firefly watching advances the scientific understanding of this fascinating beetle, many species of which are in decline due to the use of pesticides and light pollution. Five Rivers firefly watch initiative, now in its third year, is part of a nationwide citizen science program sponsored by Tufts University and the Boston Museum of Science to monitor firefly populations. OAKS AT FIVE RIVERS Saturday, August 14 at 10:00 AM An interpretive program on the oaks of Five Rivers will be conducted on Saturday, August 14 at 10:00 AM. At this outdoor foray, Center naturalists will discuss the ecological and economic importance of common oak species. Identification tips will be provided. Threats to New Yorks forest resources such as oak wilt and the Asian Long Horned Beetle will also be discussed. TEACHER WORKSHOP AT FIVE RIVERS: Project WILD Aquatic Saturday, August 14 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM A teacher workshop on the award-winning curriculum-enhancement program Project WILD Aquatic will be conducted on Saturday, August 14 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. At this hands-on workshop, Center staff will lead a participatory training in Project WILD Aquatic, an initiative which integrates aquatic biology themes into the core reading, writing and arithmetic disciplines. Participants will receive a free Project WILD Aquatic Curriculum and Activity Guide full of stimulating activities for students in grades K-12. The workshop is open to teachers and youth leaders free of charge. In-service credit for this workshop may be arranged through the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center. Please call Five Rivers at 518-475-0291 by Saturday, August 7 to register for the workshop. ********** Five Rivers Environmental Education Center is a designated New York State Watchable Wildlife site, where wildlife viewing opportunities abound. Learn more by visiting Watchable Wildlife at www.dec.ny.gov. From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Fri Jul 30 10:08:51 2010 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:08:51 -0400 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Public Listening Session: America's Great Outdoors Message-ID: <4C52A4B3.94A8.005A.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> This past April at the White House Conference on America's Great Outdoors, President Obama signed a memorandum establishing the America's Great Outdoors Initiative to develop a conservation agenda worthy of the 21st century and to reconnect Americans with our great outdoors. Plans have recently been finalized for a public listening session to be held on Friday, August 6, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon at the Student Center at Marist College in Poughkeepsie. You are invited to join senior representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other federal agencies to share your thoughts on conservation, recreation and reconnecting people to the outdoors. Go to http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/Poughkeepsie-Information-Session-information.cfm# for complete information about the August 6 listening session, including how to register and how to provide input if you are unable to attend in person. Go to http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/ for general information about America's Great Outdoors and other scheduled listening sessions.