From stonykillalmanac at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue May 12 13:56:05 2009 From: stonykillalmanac at lists.dec.state.ny.us (stonykillalmanac at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 13:56:05 -0400 Subject: [Stonykillalmanac] American Eels - Special Program on Saturday, May 23 Message-ID: <4A097FF5020000B600042911@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Dear Friends: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) invites the public to the Learning Center at Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 2:00 PM to explore the life of the American eel. American eels have one of the most unusual life cycles of any fish. They are born in the Sargasso Sea, over 1,000 miles from the Hudson River, and arrive here as nearly transparent, two-inch long "glass eels.? This type of fish has existed for millions of years, yet eel numbers have declined at many East Coast sites without a clear reason. Tom Lake, a DEC Hudson River Estuary Program scientist, will talk about this mysterious and interesting fish. Live ?glass eels? and an educational PowerPoint presentation will help participants understand more about this fascinating species. The species is in decline over much of its range, and baseline studies of migrations are crucial for management. Teams of scientists, community volunteers and high school students from Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties are engaged in research on migrating juvenile American eels in several Hudson Valley tributaries. This research is conducted by DEC?s Hudson River Estuary Program and the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve. By collecting specimens of glass eels using net and trap devices on several Hudson River tributaries each spring, the juvenile fish are counted, weighed, and released alive, and other environmental data is recorded. Visit the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/53979.html for more information about this citizen science project. There is no need to preregister for this free program. The Learning Center is wheelchair accessible. For more information call 845-831-8780, ext. 300 or visit www.dec.ny.gov/education/1833.html for more information about Stony Kill programs and events. From stonykillalmanac at lists.dec.state.ny.us Thu May 14 10:21:15 2009 From: stonykillalmanac at lists.dec.state.ny.us (stonykillalmanac at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 10:21:15 -0400 Subject: [Stonykillalmanac] Summer Explorers Nature Program for Children Message-ID: <4A0BF09B020000B600042B49@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> HI FRIENDS: Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center is taking registrations for its popular Summer Explorers Nature Day Program for children five to ten years old. Summer Explorers sessions run Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 AM to noon, July 14 through August 28. Children ages five to seven years will have a new experience each day as they discover the wonders of nature. We?ll explore the woods, collect pond life, use sweep nets in the meadow to capture insects, and learn about how to farm and care for animals in ways that are healthy for us and the earth. Older children ages, eight to ten years, will expand their knowledge and enjoyment of the outdoors through challenging and fun activities. We?ll learn how Native Americans built shelters, started fires and made rope from materials found in the woods. At the pond and in the meadow, we?ll investigate fascinating plant and animal life. We?ll learn where our food comes from while planting and caring for a ?pizza garden?! Snacks are provided each day. Special campfire programs are held each month to bring campers and their parents from different sessions together. The cost per session is $65 per child, or $40 per child if registering three or more children. Call 845-831-8780, ext. 300 for a registration form and more information about Summer Explorers. Please visit our website at www.dec.ny.gov/education/1833.html for more information about the programs, services and events at Stony Kill Farm.