From stonykillalmanac at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Jun 30 16:52:49 2010 From: stonykillalmanac at lists.dec.state.ny.us (stonykillalmanac at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:52:49 -0400 Subject: [Stonykillalmanac] July NATURE PROGRAMS at Stony Kill Farm Message-ID: <4C2B7662.94A8.005A.1@gw.dec.state.ny.us> DEAR FRIENDS: Stony Kill Farm Warms Up for July Nature Programs School is out and summer fun is calling! Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center has an assortment of nature programs that will keep you and your family entertained, educated and interested about our natural world. Join us for easy walks to learn about native plants and animals or hiking safely through the woods. Consider us as an extension of your backyard and come on over! Meet at the Manor House Visitor Center unless otherwise noted. Dress for the weather; programs include indoor activities and outdoor exploring. All programs are approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes long, unless otherwise stated. We recommend bringing water and applying sunscreen and/or bug repellant at home. Family Program: Open Barn Saturdays, July through October from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM We?ll meet the livestock that live at Stony Kill Farm and learn interesting facts about them. Learn where your food comes from and the importance of open space. Saturday Afternoon Guided Nature Walks Saturday throughout July at 2:00 PM Summertime is here! Stony Kill Farm staff will lead a nature walk every Saturday at 2:00 PM through August. Venturing outside brings personal rewards as we discover the sights, sounds and smells of summer. Chirping birds, scenic landscapes and the comings and goings of animals that leave their tracks and traces behind all contribute to an exciting walk in the woods. Bring a container of water and meet at the Manor House Visitor Center. Bring along a camera or binoculars if you wish. (If you choose to use insect repellant, please apply it at home.) Basic Compass Use/Orienteering Saturday, July 3 at 10:00 AM Learn a simple skill that can keep you safe in the woods: the basic use of a compass. Navigate through our orienteering course, geared for novices and those who want to practice their outdoor skills. Attendees should wear long pants and sneakers, no flip flops or sandals please. Nature Games for Kids and Their Caregivers Saturday, July 10 at 10:00 AM Through games and activities, learn more about some of the creatures that call New York State home-their habits, their habitats and some of their challenges to survive (most suitable for children ages 7 and up). Summer Fruits Saturday, July 17 at 10:00 AM What do mulberry, poison ivy and partridge berry have in common? They are three kinds of plants that produce berries that are great wildlife food. On this walk, we will look for fruit-producing plants and talk about the animals that enjoy them. Plants that Animals Eat and Use Saturday, July 24 at 10:00 AM What are some of the plants that our local animals depend on for food and shelter? Join us as we search for evidence showing where animals have found a meal or created a home. Discovery Table Saturday July 31 from 10:00 AM to Noon Pelts, bones, fossils, skin and antlers are just some of the things we will have on display for visitors to touch. Come explore these artifacts of native New York animals. In the event of rain, meet at the Learning Center instead of the Manor House. For more information about Stony Kill Farm please call 845-831-8780, ext. 300. Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center is operated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and is located on Route 9D in Wappingers Falls, about 2 miles north of the Beacon-Newburgh bridge (I-84). Visit Stony Kill?s website at www.dec.ny.gov/education/1833.html for a listing of more programs and activities you and your family can take part in. Stony Kill Farm 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.