From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue Mar 8 09:48:15 2011 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (Newsletter and Program Schedule Update Email Notification) Date: Tue, 08 Mar 2011 09:48:15 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Outdoors After School at Five Rivers begins March 24 Message-ID: <4D75FB5F0200005A0004D50A@gwsmtp.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 "Outdoors After School" at Five Rivers A series of weekly after-school outings for grade-school children and their parents/care-givers entitled Outdoors After School will be offered at NYSDEC's Five Rivers Environmental Education Center every Thursday from 4:00 to 5:00 PM, from March 24 through June 16. At these programs, Center naturalists will conduct a brief indoor introduction to the season then lead 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 a different nature theme and visit a variety of habitats among the Centers towering forests, broad meadows and tranquil wetlands. Early spring, for example, is a great time to look for deer in the fields, check for squirrels 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 parents/care-givers alike. These programs, geared for middle school students, are free of charge. Participants of any age may attend any or all of the programs as often as they like. Space is limited and registration for any date is required by the preceding Tuesday. Parents/care-givers 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 Center at 518-475-0291. 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. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Mar 9 13:32:31 2011 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (Newsletter and Program Schedule Update Email Notification) Date: Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:32:31 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Upcoming Programs at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center Message-ID: <4D77816F0200005A0004D777@gwsmtp.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 LANDSCAPING FOR WILDLIFE A program on improving the wildlife value of your property will be conducted at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center on Saturday, April 9 at 10:00 AM. April is a great time of year to learn the cardinal rules of enhancing the wildlife value of your yard. This how-to presentation, led by Center naturalists, begins with an indoor discussion of the basic elements of wildscaping, such as assessing your site, materials selection and placement, and maintenance. Center staff will then lead an outdoor study of the Centers backyard wildlife habitat, a living showcase of winning wildlife enhancement ideas developed in collaboration with the Friends of Five Rivers. This program is open to the public free of charge. In the event of inclement weather, the outdoor portion of the program may be cancelled. Please call 518-475-0291 for more information. BLUEBIRD CONSERVATION An indoor/outdoor clinic on the conservation of the eastern bluebird will be conducted at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center on Saturday, April 9 at 2:00 PM. Listed as a species of special concern in New York State until 1999, our official state bird has made a strong comeback due in large part to nest box conservation projects. At this program, Center naturalists will present an indoor overview of current and historical bluebird conservation challenges then lead a field study of the Centers' nest-box network along gentle trails. Critical specifications of nest box design, construction, placement and maintenance will be provided. This program commemorates the birth date of the great Catskill naturalist John Burroughs (1837), whose charming essay The Bluebird is often credited with establishing the nature essay as an important literary genre. The program is open to the public free of charge. In the event of inclement weather, the outdoor portion of the program may be cancelled. Please call 518-475-0291 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. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Mon Mar 14 16:39:53 2011 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (Newsletter and Program Schedule Update Email Notification) Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:39:53 -0400 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] DEC Accepting Registrations for Annual 'Becoming An Outdoors-Woman' Message-ID: <4D7E44D90200005A0004DBE9@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> DEC ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR ANNUAL 'BECOMING AN OUTDOORS-WOMAN' WORKSHOP Popular Workshops Give Women the Chance to Learn Outdoor Skills Such As Shooting, Archery, Fishing, Hunting, Canoeing, Kayaking, and Survival The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is now offering one of its very popular ?Becoming an Outdoors-Woman? workshops June 24 through 26, 2011, at the Silver Bay YMCA on Lake George, Warren County. Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is a program that offers weekend-long, outdoor skills workshops for women ages 18 or older, and is designed primarily for women with little or no experience with outdoor activities. Nearly 40 different classes will be offered at the Silver Bay workshop. These include canoeing, fishing, fly fishing, kayaking, shotgun shooting, GPS, map and compass, backpack camping, turkey hunting, day hiking, wilderness first aid, survival skills, archery, bowhunting, camp stove cooking, reading wildlife sign, muzzleloading, and fish and game cooking. Women can even earn a Hunter or Trapper Safety Education certificate. The early registration fee ranges from $270 to $290, which includes seven meals, two nights lodging, instruction in four classes, program materials and use of equipment. Workshop information and registration materials are available on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/68.html. Information is also available by calling DEC at 518-402-8862 or writing to ?Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 03-14-11 DEC Accepting Applications for Annual - Becoming An Outdoors-Woman- Workshop 11-14.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 55660 bytes Desc: not available URL: From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Fri Mar 18 15:08:09 2011 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (Newsletter and Program Schedule Update Email Notification) Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:08:09 -0400 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Programs April 16 at Five Rivers Message-ID: <4D8375590200005A0004E13A@gwsmtp.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 PROJECT WILD TEACHER WORKSHOP A teacher workshop on the award-winning curriculum-enhancement program Project WILD will be conducted on Saturday, April 16 at the NYSDEC Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon. At this hands-on workshop, Center staff will lead a participatory training in Project WILD (Wildlife in Learning Design), an initiative which integrates wildlife themes into the core reading, writing and arithmetic disciplines. Participants will receive a free Project WILD curriculum guide full of stimulating activities, correlated to the NYS learning standards, for students in grades K-12. The workshop is open to teachers and youth leaders free of charge. Please call Five Rivers at 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, April 13 to register for the workshop. FAMILY PROGRAM -- BUILD A BIRDHOUSE A parent-and-child craft workshop on birdhouse making will be conducted on Saturday, April 16 at 2:00 PM at the NYSDEC Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. Early April is a great time to set out a bird house, and this program, geared for parents and their children, is all you need to get started. At this indoor workshop, Center staff will provide a brief overview of cavity-nesting birds and then help participants measure, mark and hammer together their own bird house suitable for bluebirds, tree swallows or house wrens. All bird house kit materials will be provided. Parent(s) and child(ren) must accompany each other. Participants are urged to bring a hammer. Space is limited. Please call the Center at 518-475-0291 to register by Friday, March 30. 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. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Mar 23 14:37:22 2011 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (Newsletter and Program Schedule Update Email Notification) Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2011 14:37:22 -0400 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Fwd: FREE wall calendars for the home - Perfect for Earth Day Events Message-ID: <4D8A05A20200005A0004E572@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Free wall calendars from NYSERDA (see below) >>> Terri Tuers 3/23/2011 11:46 AM >>> NYSERDA is pleased to offer schools FREE copies of our 4-color calendar with useful energy tips for the home. If you would like to order one or more boxes to distribute at your school, 4-H Club, PTA meeting, or museum, please send your shipping information and the quantity to: Leslie Polsinello at LNP at nyserda.org. Distribution is first come, first served. Each box has 125 calendars. Thank you! PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DISTRIBUTE TO OTHER SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, MUSEUMS, 4-H CLUBS! Terri Tuers Energy Smart Students Program 17 Columbia Circle Albany, NY 12203 518-862-1090 Ext. 3303 1-866-NYSERDA Think twice before printing this email. ?We need to teach our kids that it?s not just the winner of the Super Bowl who deserves to be celebrated, but the winner of the science fair.? President Obama, State of the Union address (2011). -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue Mar 29 14:28:05 2011 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (Newsletter and Program Schedule Update Email Notification) Date: Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:28:05 -0400 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Great American Backyard Campout Message-ID: <4D91EC75.94A8.005A.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> Please see information below about National Wildlife Federation's annual Great American Backyard Campout. Camping-related programs, described immediately below, are planned at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center in June and July. Saturday, June 18, 1:00 PM How To Do It: HIKING/BACKPACKING SAFETY Join NYSDEC Forest Ranger Karen Glesmann for an in-depth presentation on hiking and backpacking safety. This indoor program will cover basic equipment, tips on map reading, how not to get lost?and what to do if you do, and other expert advice about safety on the trail. Come prepared to ask questions. Scout groups welcome. Please call the center at 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, June 15 to register. Saturday, July 2, 10:00 AM How To Do It: GO TENT CAMPING Join us for a hands-on primer on everything you need to know about tent camping. Participants will help select a site, pitch a tent, set up a dining fly, collect firewood, cook a hearty meal and more. This clinic will discuss basic equipment, safety, hygiene and wildlife pests, as well as best places to go tent camping. Please call the center at 518-475-0291 to register by Wednesday, June 29. >>> Great American Backyard Campout 3/28/2011 1:19 PM >>> Trouble reading this email? Click here. It's a terrible fact: Due to the inactive, indoor nature of their childhood, today?s kids may be the first generation in U.S. history to live shorter life-spans than their parents. What if you could help reverse this alarming trend by having a great time in the great outdoors? Register now for NWF's Great American Backyard Campout at www.backyardcampout.org and spend June 25th catching fireflies, taking nature walks and singing campfire songs?while making a significant difference in the health of our nation's children. Great American Backyard Campout raises much-needed funds for NWF's programs that connect kids and families with the benefits of nature, helping them lead active, happy, longer lives. As soon as you register at www.backyardcampout.org, you?ll receive a link to your personal online Participant Center so you can start planning your campout and have the opportunity to support our mission and fundraise. You?ll also gain access to recipes, activities and crafts to make your night under the stars one-of-a-kind. One night can make a big difference for our nation's kids. Camp out this June 25th to help American kids get outside and get healthy! Register today at www.backyardcampout.org. Sincerely, Karoline Hurd Senior Manager, Special Events campout at nwf.org (800) 882- 9919 P.S.: Children gain valuable social skills when they play outside, making them better friends and problem solvers. P.P.S.: There are thousands of great campfire songs, from classic ?O? Susanna? to new favorite Owl City?s ?Fireflies.? Find your musical inspiration at www.backyardcampout.org. ? 2011 National Wildlife Federation | 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston VA 20190 | 800-822-9919 Privacy Policy | Contact us | Unsubscribe | www.nwf.org | All rights reserved. NWF's mission is to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/png Size: 79144 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 2550 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/ Size: 43 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: not available Type: image/png Size: 2696 bytes Desc: not available URL: From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Thu Mar 31 15:51:27 2011 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (Newsletter and Program Schedule Update Email Notification) Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:51:27 -0400 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Upcoming Programs at Five Rivers (April 19-30) Message-ID: <4D94A2FF0200005A0004EFFD@gwsmtp.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 Welcome spring and say a final goodbye to the snow by spending some time at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. There's something for all interests and ages. For more information about the programs described below, and other programs, contact Five Rivers at 518-475-0291. FAMILY PROGRAM ON SQUIRRELS -- Tuesday, April 19 at 10:00 AM A family-oriented introduction to squirrels will be conducted at NYSDEC's Five Rivers Environmental Education Center on Tuesday, April 19 at 10:00 AM. At this indoor/outdoor program, Center naturalists will present an elementary introduction to squirrel ecology and natural history, and lead participants in a craft project. Staff will then conduct a field study to look for and learn about squirrels first hand along gentle Center trails. Simple but effective wildlife enhancement ideas for the backyard will be discussed. This program, which is in celebration of the U.N.s International Year of Forests, is free of charge, but enrollment is limited. Parent(s) and child(ren) must accompany each other. Please call 518-475-0291 to register by Friday, April 15. In the event of unfavorable weather, the entire program will be conducted indoors. BIRDING FOR KIDS -- Thursday, April 21 at 10:00 AM A family-oriented introduction to birds and bird life will be conducted at NYSDEC's Five Rivers Environmental Education Center on Thursday, April 21 at 10:00 AM. At this indoor/outdoor primer, Center naturalists will discuss concepts in bird anatomy, behavior, identification and conservation which parent and child can build upon in their own yard or park. Participants will study birds at the Center's feeders from indoors then venture out along Center trails for a little field work. Simple but effective backyard bird conservation strategies will be discussed. This program is free of charge, but enrollment is limited. Parent(s) and child(ren) must accompany each other. In the event of unfavorable weather, the entire workshop will be conducted indoors. Please call 518-475-0291 to register by Monday, April 18. SEARCH FOR WOODCOCK -- Thursday, April 28 at 7:00 PM An outdoor search for the American woodcock will be conducted on Thursday, April 28 at 7:00 PM at NYSDEC's Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. For several decades, changing land use practices and other factors have had a significant negative effect on woodcock populations throughout the eastern seaboard. But theyre doing fine at Five Rivers! On this outdoor survey, Center naturalists will discuss the natural history of this squatty gamebird, then lead participants through prime habitat, hoping to witness the woodcocks remarkable courtship flight. The program, sponsored by the Hudson Mohawk Bird Club, is open to the public free of charge. Participants are urged to bring binoculars and dress for outdoor activity. In the event of inclement weather, this program will be cancelled. Please call the Center at 518-475-0291 for more information. FROGWATCH PROGRAM -- Friday, April 29 at 7:30 PM An outdoor search for spring peepers, wood frogs and their kin will be conducted on Friday, April 29 at 7:30 PM at NYSDEC's Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. During this twilight tour, Five Rivers naturalists will lead a search along prime wetland habitat, listening for the various spring songs of local frogs and toads, keeping track of each species found and the intensity of its song. The program will continue the Centers participation in Frogwatch, a nationwide citizen science initiative sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation to monitor the health of local frog populations. The program is open to the public free of charge. Participants are urged to wear waterproof footgear and dress for outdoor activity. In the event of severe weather, this program may be cancelled. Please call the Center at 518-475-0291 for more information. BIRDING BY EAR -- April 30 at 10:00 AM A study of spring bird songs will be conducted on Saturday, April 30 at 10:00 AM at NYSDEC's Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. On this informal survey of the annual spring migration, Center naturalists will lead an auditory tour along gentle Center trails, helping participants to identify as many bird species as possible by song alone. The program is open to the public free of charge. Participants are urged to dress for outdoor activity. Binoculars and bird guides helpful but not necessary. In the event of severe weather, this program may be cancelled. Please call the Center at 518-475-0291 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. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: