From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue Jan 3 09:22:17 2012 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (Newsletter and Program Schedule Update Email Notification) Date: Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:22:17 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Upcoming Programs at Five Rivers Message-ID: <4F02C8C90200005A0005EF35@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 MOVIE NIGHT--Friday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m. A screening of the environmental documentary Buyer Beware will be presented at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center on Friday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m. The film takes a vicarious journey around the world to demonstrate how conscientious consumers and businesses can use the marketplace to promote environmental sustainability and social justice through product labeling. The primary focus of the documentary is on wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and Fair Trade coffee. The film, which was part of the 2011 International Forest Film Festival, will be approximately one hour. Complimentary popcorn and cider will be provided. The program is free, but space is limited. Participants must register by calling Five Rivers at 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, January 18. FAMILY PROGRAM--Saturday, January 21 at 10:00 a.m. Take a lighthearted look at reptiles, amphibians and dragons at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center on Saturday, January 21 at 10:00 a.m. In celebration of the Asian Year of the Dragon, this indoor exploration will compare and contrast reptile, amphibian and dragon anatomy and lifestyles through stories, folklore, live specimens and a craft. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The program is free, but space is limited. Please call Five Rivers at 518-475-0291 to register by Wednesday, January 18. SNOWSHOE WALK IN SEARCH OF WILDLIFE--Saturday, January 21 at 2:00 p.m. A family-oriented introduction to winter wildlife ecology will be conducted at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center on Saturday, January 21 at 2:00 p.m. Many birds and mammals stay right here during the winter months, awake, active and fighting for survival. At this indoor/outdoor exploration, Center naturalists will provide a basic overview of where to look for wildlife, and will also demonstrate how to put on and use snowshoes. Afterwards, participants will snowshoe along gentle terrain to investigate how local wildlife is faring. The impact of climate change on wildlife ecology will be discussed. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The program is free, but space is limited. Please call Five Rivers at 518-475-0291 to register by Wednesday, January 18. Dress for outdoor fun. If there is insufficient snow, the search will be conducted on foot. In the event of severe weather, this program may be cancelled. AQUATIC WILD TEACHER WORKSHOP--Saturday, January 28 from 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. A teacher workshop on the award-winning curriculum-enhancement program Project WILD Aquatic will be conducted at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center on Saturday, January 28 from 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. At this hands-on workshop, Center staff will lead a participatory training in Project WILD Aquatic, an initiative which integrates aquatic wildlife themes into the core reading, writing and arithmetic disciplines. Participants will receive a free Project WILD Aquatic curriculum guide full of stimulating activities 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, January 25 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. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Mon Jan 9 11:54:34 2012 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (Newsletter and Program Schedule Update Email Notification) Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:54:34 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Programs at Five Rivers on February 4: Groundhogs in AM and Wild Cats in PM Message-ID: <4F0AD57A0200005A0005F71E@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 PROGRAM ON GROUNDHOGS -- Saturday, February 4 at 10:00 a.m. A family-oriented study of groundhogs and other common rodents will be conducted at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center on Saturday, February 4 at 10:00 a.m. At this indoor/outdoor investigation, Center staff will explore the natural history of the groundhog through slides, artifacts and a craft project, and then lead a search along gentle trails to look for signs of groundhogs and their abundant relatives. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The program is free of charge, but space is limited. Please call Five Rivers at 518-475-0291 to register by Wednesday, February 1. Dress for outdoor fun. In the event of severe weather, this program may be cancelled. PROGRAM ON WILD CATS -- on Saturday, February 4 at 2:00 p.m. A program on the natural history of bobcat, lynx and mountain lions in New York state will be conducted at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center on Saturday, February 4 at 2:00 p.m. At this presentation, Center naturalists will provide an indoor overview of the ecology and current status New York's three native species of wild cats, and afterwards lead an outdoor search along Center trails for tracks and traces of local wildlife. 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. 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 Jan 18 15:39:17 2012 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (Newsletter and Program Schedule Update Email Notification) Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:39:17 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Learn to Snowshoe at Five Rivers -- February 11 at 10:00 AM Message-ID: <4F16E7A50200005A000600B3@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 BEGINNERS SNOWSHOE OUTING AT FIVE RIVERS A snowshoe outing for beginners will be conducted at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center on Saturday, February 11 at 10:00 a.m. Snowshoeing is nothing more than exaggerated walking, and makes for excellent aerobic exercise at a time of year when people need it most. At this try-it-out introduction, Center naturalists will present a brief indoor overview about snowshoe form and function, and how to walk and turn. Afterwards, staff will assist participants in putting on snowshoes and then lead a snowshoe hike over gentle terrain to experience the sights and sounds of winter. This program is open to the public free of charge but space is limited. Please call Five Rivers at 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, February 8 to reserve snowshoes and/or to register. In the event of insufficient snow, the program will be cancelled. 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 Fri Jan 20 11:11:21 2012 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (Newsletter and Program Schedule Update Email Notification) Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:11:21 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Upcoming Programs at Five Rivers--February 17 & 18 Message-ID: <4F194BD90200005A00060314@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 STARWATCH -- Friday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. An outdoor study of the winter skies will be conducted on Friday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. At this study, center staff will provide a naked-eye (binoculars optional) overview of seasonal constellations and other heavenly bodies, while representatives from the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers will train telescopes on fascinating deep sky objects for all to see. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants are urged to dress warmly, as star-watching is normally not a physically active program. Hot chocolate and coffee will be provided to participants. The program is free, but space is limited. Please call the center at 518-475-0291 to register by Wednesday, February 15. In the event of significant cloud cover, this program will be cancelled. GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT -- Saturday, February 18 from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. A Great Backyard Bird Count will be conducted on Saturday, February 18 from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. At this how-to program, participants, led by Center naturalists, will survey birds at bird feeders from the comfort of the indoor bird viewing lounge at Five Rivers, and afterwards take a short walk along gentle terrain to survey birds outdoors. Participants will learn how fun and easy it is to conduct a Great Backyard Bird Count in their own backyard, neighborhood or park. The program, geared for the birding novice, is free of charge. The survey, co-sponsored by the Capital Region Audubon Society, is one of thousands of Great Backyard Bird Counts being conducted this weekend by volunteers of all birding levels in backyards and parks across North America. Now in its 15th year, the count is a joint citizen science initiative of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society and Bird Studies Canada to track the distribution and abundance of winter birds. During the 2011 count period, an estimated 60,000 volunteer bird watchers from across the United States and Canada recorded 11.4 million bird observations, the continent's largest instantaneous snapshot of bird populations ever. GBBC data become more and more valuable with each passing year, said Dick Cannings, program director for Bird Studies Canada. Over time well be better able to see significant changes that may occur in the numbers and distributions of birds which may be tied to climate change, habitat loss, disease or other factors. Last years count confirmed the continued expansion of the Eurasian collared-dove across the continent, with reports of the species from Alaska for the first time. For more information on the Great Backyard Bird Count, call the Center at 518-475-0291. STUDY OF SNOW -- Saturday, February 18 at 2:00 p.m. A field study of the ecological impacts of snow will be conducted on Saturday, February 18 at 2:00 p.m. at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. A rich blanket of snow can either be a blessing or a curse for plants and animals. While snow may impede mobility and hide food sources, it can also provide protection for many species of plants and animals. On this outdoor foray, Center naturalists will search for signs of wildlife activity and discuss the impact of snow cover on various wildlife species of field and fen. 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 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: From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Fri Jan 20 16:52:27 2012 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (Newsletter and Program Schedule Update Email Notification) Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:52:27 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] DEC SUMMER ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CAMPS PREPARE FOR 2012 SEASON Message-ID: <4F199BCB0200005A000603C0@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> DEC SUMMER ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CAMPS PREPARE FOR 2012 SEASON The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that registration for the 2012 summer camp program begins soon. Applications must be postmarked no earlier than January 28. New this year, 11-year-olds may attend the DEC camps. The summer camp program offers week?long adventures in conservation education to children ages 11-17. DEC operates four residential camps for children ages 11-13: Camp Colby in Saranac Lake, Franklin County; Camp DeBruce in Livingston Manor, Sullivan County; Camp Rushford in Caneadea, Allegany County; and Pack Forest in Warrensburg, Warren County. Pack Forest and Rushford also feature Teen Ecology Camp?week-long environmental studies programs for 14-17 year old campers. DEC is also encouraging sporting clubs, civic groups and environmental organizations to sponsor a child for a week at camp. Those groups who sponsor six paid campers will receive one free scholarship. (All seven applications must be submitted together by the sponsor.) Campers participate in a wide variety of outdoor activities including fishing, bird watching, fly-tying, archery, canoeing, hiking, camping, orienteering and hunter safety education. Campers also learn about fields, forests, streams and ponds through fun, hands-on activities and outdoor exploration. Important information for the 2012 camp season: ? Camp fee for one week is $350. ? All four camps will run for seven weeks, beginning July 1. Each camp week opens on Sunday afternoon and concludes the following Saturday morning. ? Campers may attend for more than one week during the summer. The fee for the total number of weeks must be included with the application. Campers will not be able to stay at camp on Saturday night, so parents should make alternate arrangements if two consecutive weeks are selected. ? Bow Education Classes will now be held during weeks 3 and 7 for the 11-13 year old campers. ? Teen Ecology Camp will be offered at both Pack Forest and Rushford during selected weeks. ? Applications may be postmarked no earlier than January 28, 2012. Fees must accompany applications. For information and applications visit DEC?s website at www.dec.ny.gov/education/29.html or call 518?402?8014. Find us on Facebook at NYS DEC Summer Camps. Interested parents may also sign up for DEC?s camps list serve at http://lists.dec.state.ny.us/mailman/listinfo/decenvironmentaledcamps or contact DEC in writing at DEC Camps, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233?4500. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us Thu Jan 26 13:54:39 2012 From: fiveriverstributary at lists.dec.state.ny.us (Newsletter and Program Schedule Update Email Notification) Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:54:39 -0500 Subject: [Fiveriverstributary] Upcoming Programs at Five Rivers -- February School Break Week Message-ID: <4F215B1F0200005A00060A43@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 BIRDING FOR KIDS PROGRAM -- Wednesday, February 22 at 10:00 a.m. A children's introduction to birds and bird life will be conducted at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center on Wednesday, February 22 at 10:00 a.m. At this indoor/outdoor program, 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. Parents and children must accompany each other. Participants are urged to dress for outdoor activity. In the event of unfavorable weather, the entire workshop will be conducted indoors. Please call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, February 15 to register or for more information. GIRL SCOUT SNOWSHOE OUTING -- Thursday, February 23 at 2:00 p.m. A snowshoe outing for Girl Scouts will be presented on Thursday, February 23 at 2:00 p.m. at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. During this program, Five Rivers naturalists will demonstrate basic snowshoeing techniques indoors then lead participants along Center trails in search of tracks, chewed cones, dens and other signs of winter wildlife. The program is open to Girl Scouts 8 years and older and is free of charge. Scouts must be accompanied by a parent and/or scout leader. Participants are urged to dress for outdoor winter activity. If there is insufficient snow, staff will conduct the field foray on foot. In the event of severe winter weather, this program may be cancelled. Space is limited. Please call the Center at 518-475-0291 by Thursday, February 16 to register or for more information. SNOWSHOE OUTING -- Friday, February 24 at 2:00 p.m. A how-to introduction to snowshoeing will be conducted on Friday, February 24 at 2:00 p.m. at the Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. During this indoor/outdoor program, Five Rivers naturalists will demonstrate basic snowshoeing techniques indoors then lead participants along Center trails for some wholesome aerobic exercise, looking for animal tracks, chewed cones, dens and other signs of winter wildlife along the way. The program is open to the public free of charge, but space is limited. Please call the Center at 518-475-0291 by Tuesday, February 21 to register or for more information. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants are urged to dress for outdoor winter activity. Snowshoes may be borrowed free of charge. If there is insufficient snow, staff will conduct a field foray on foot. In the event of severe winter weather, the program may be canceled. 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: