Five Rivers Public Program and Events Schedule
Programs are free of charge unless otherwise noted. Dress for the weather! Organized groups wishing to participate in any of these programs need to call to make special arrangements.
We welcome people with disabilities to all of our programs. If you call ahead to let us know your specific needs, we will be happy to learn how we can best serve you.
For further information or for registration, call Five Rivers at 518-475-0291. In the event of inclement weather, programs may be canceled. Please call the Center to confirm.
Special Programs: Aging Deer // Friends of Five Rivers Annual Meeting // Owl Prowl //New Year's Bird Count
October
Halloween Open House
Saturday, October 31
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Bats and spiders and bugs! A family-oriented exploration of the nature of Halloween. Come see and touch (if you dare) animal skeletons and skulls; meet live reptiles and amphibians. This program in ongoing between 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
November
Predators of the Night
Friday, November 6
7:00 PM
Join us for this walk to learn about the realm of night and its creatures. Discover how these animals use their keen senses to overcome darkness and find their prey.
Bears at Five Rivers
Saturday, November 7
10:00 AM
Summer 2009 marked many black bear sightings in the Capital District, including one at Five Rivers! We will learn about the habits and lifestyle of bears and how to cope with these magnificent mammals.
Why Are the Trees Bare?
Saturday, November 7
2:00 PM
Why does a leaf fall in the forest? We will talk about the science of the leaves' color change and life cycle and take a walk to discover this exciting change.
How To Do It: Aging Deer
Saturday, November 14
10:00 AM
The technique of aging deer by dentition revolutionized the profession of wildlife management, and was invented right here in Delmar. Age data gathered at deer check stations in the fall give biologists a reliable "snapshot" of local populations and are used to adjust the following year's harvest goals. At this indoor workshop, Center staff will demonstrate how to age deer based on tooth growth and wear. Then participants will practice their skill using jaw bones from the Center's collection. Please call the Center by Thursday, November 12 to register.
Watchable Wildlife: White-tailed Deer
Saturday, November 14
2:00 PM
Mid-November is an excellent time to go "scouting" deer. Deer are very active at this season, and their tracks, trails, pellets, rubs, scrapes and beds are all good indicators of the season's prospects. Join us for a field study of the natural history of deer and learn what's what.
Friends of Five Rivers Annual Meeting
Wednesday, November 18
7:00 PM
Join us for the Friends of Five Rivers annual meeting, featuring a presentation by George Shuler, Director of Conservation Science and Practice for the Nature Conservancy, on the history of efforts to preserve the environmental quality of the Hudson River. A short business meeting reviewing The Friends' many accomplishments of the past year will precede the program.
December
Night Owls and Hot Dogs
Saturday, December 12
6:00 PM
Join local bird experts from the Hudson Mohawk Bird Club and the Audubon Society of the Capital Region for an informal foray in search of owls. Field parties will visit likely owl roosts along Five Rivers trails, then gather at a roaring campfire to compare findings. Complimentary hot dogs and hot drinks will answer the question, "who cooks for you?" Call (518) 475-0291 to register by Wednesday, December 9.
Not a Creature Was Stirring
Saturday, December 26
2:00 PM
Animals have but one problem going into winter: how to come out the other side! Happily, critters have come to cope with the season in many different ways. Join us on an outdoor study of winter survival strategies and see how various animals get by.
Family Fun: Birding for Kids
Wednesday, December 30 and
Thursday, December 31
10:00 AM
Join us for an elementary approach to bird life as we study birds at the feeder and beyond. These programs will cover concepts in bird anatomy, behavior, identification and conservation which parent and child can build upon in their own yard or park. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call the Center to register by Monday, December 28.
January
30th Annual New Year's Day Bird Count
Friday, January 1
9:00 AM
Come celebrate Albany's First Morning as we search high and low for our fine feathered friends. In the 29 years of this annual foray, 70 different species have been found at Five Rivers on New Year's Day. Bring binoculars and dress warmly. If severe weather is forecast, call the Center on Thursday, December 31 to confirm.
Winter Greenery
Saturday, January 2
10:00 AM
We'll look for signs of green under the frost and snow; moss, evergreen ferns, lichens, spruces and pines.
Tree Identification
Saturday, January 2
2:00 PM
Learn the basics of tree identification with easy-to-use field guides. We'll focus on the many species of conifers found on the Five Rivers property.
Birding By Snowshoe
Saturday, January 9
9:00 AM
Join bird experts from Five Rivers, the Capital Region Audubon Society and the Hudson Mohawk Bird Club as we search for resident species and winter specialities. A briefing on how to snowshoe will precede the outing. This program, geared for the birding/snowshoeing novice, is open to the public free of charge. Please call the Center at 518-475-0291 by January 6 to register. If insufficient snow, we will go afoot.
The Natural History of Empty Nests
Saturday, January 9
2:00 PM
The leafless landscape of winter reveals a host of summer's secrets. Join Center staff as we scour the brush for abandoned bird nests to study who might have made them to begin with and who might have moved in since. An inspection of some of the Center's bluebird boxes may also prove revealing. Plans and tips for making bird houses will be provided.
Canids of New York
Saturday, January 16
10:00 AM
Learn about coyotes and foxes, the wild dogs of New York State, during this indoor/outdoor program on the habitat, predators and prey of these carnivores.
Snowshoeing For Girl Scouts
Saturday, January 16
2:00 PM
Enjoy this beautiful season by discovering animal tracks and - if weather permits - learning to snowshoe. We will discuss basic snowshoeing techniques then head out on the trail to look for signs of winter animal activity. There is a materials fee of $1 per person. Please call Five Rivers at 475-0291 by January 12 to register your troop.
Snowshoe Training for Volunteers
Saturday, January 23
10:00 AM
The public is invited to join our volunteers as they prepare for the coming snowshoe season. Participants will learn about the history of snowshoes, snowshoeing techniques and how to be of assistance to winter guests at Five Rivers.
Snowshoe Walk
Saturday, January 23
2:00 PM
Join us for a walk to explore the world of winter and look for animal signs. Snowshoes will be provided. Beginners welcome.
Water Animals In Winter
Saturday, January 30
10:00 AM
Did you ever wonder what happens to all those turtles, frogs, salamanders and insects you see in the water all summer? Come and learn where they go and what they're doing now that ice covers the ponds.
Winter Tracking
Saturday, January 30
2:00 PM
Find out who left that track in the snow. How long ago did the animal pass by? Where was it going, and what was it looking for? We may not see the animals, but we can learn a lot about them by studying their tracks.
February
Pine Needle Basket-Making
Saturday, February 6
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
With guest artist Anita Wahlen, participants will make a basket using the coiled technique of the Native American basket makers. A brief history will also be presented. The technique requires concentration and patience, but participants will be rewarded with a beautiful and unique basket. Call 475-0291 to register by February 1. For ages 14 and up. Materials fee is $30. Limited registration; first come, first served. Bring a bag lunch.
Great Backyard Bird Count
Saturday, February 13
9:00 AM
This weekend, birders all across North America will count birds in their yards or local parks as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count. Join bird experts from Five Rivers and the Capital Region Audubon Society as we count birds at our feeders from the comfort of the viewing window and show how you, too, can help the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society track the distribution and abundance of winter birds.
The Ecology of Snow
Saturday, February 13
2:00 PM
For winter wildlife, a rich blanket of snow can be either a blessing or a curse. While winter's "false bottom" may impede mobility and hide food sources, it can also provide protection for many species of flora and fauna. Join Center naturalists on an outdoor study of winter's ecological impact.
Nature: Reading and Doing - A Family Program
Thursday, February 18
10:00 AM
Join us for a winter adventure! After sharing a book with a winter theme, the weather will determine whether our outdoor walk is by foot or on snowshoes, with popcorn and hot chocolate afterwards. Call by February 16 to register.
Nightwalk: Coyotes
Friday, February 19
7:00 PM
Nocturnal animals are uniquely adapted to the realm of night. Join us for an indoor presentation and outdoor walk to look and listen for these fascinating animals and to explore their habitat.
Climate Change
Saturday, February 20
10:00 AM
How will global warming affect plants and animals and the landscape at Five Rivers? We'll walk the trails and discuss possible impacts as the climate changes dramatically in the years to come.
Feed the Birds
Saturday, February 20
2:00 PM
We'll make some feeders for our winged friends and then take a walk to look for birds and bird habitat. There is a $1 materials fee per person.
Who's Under the Snow?
Saturday, February 27
10:00 AM
Even in winter, life in the natural world surrounds us. Join us for a walk to learn about the hidden life under the snow.
Tracking for Kids
Saturday, February 27
2:00 PM
Winter is a great season to learn about animal tracks and trails. Join us for an indoor talk and outdoor presentation. Kids will learn to read the signs and identify who has been in their own backyards and what they were doing.
March
Bluebirds Are Us
Saturday, March 6
9:00 AM
March is a great time to get ready for bluebirds, and Five Rivers is a great place to learn how. Join us for an indoor/outdoor clinic on bluebird conservation. A show-and-tell briefing on cavity-nesting species will be followed by a walking tour of the Center's "bluebird trail" to study winning conservation strategies. Free bluebird box plans.
Dr. Seuss' Birthday Read-A-Thon
Saturday, March 6
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Join our "Read Across America Day" mirth to mark the date of Dr. Seuss' birth. We'll read the Seuss books that have classical stature, with those animal names of unnatural nature. Whether sister or brother, or father or mother, parent and child must accompany each other. On top of all that, meet the Cat In The Hat and win nifty prizes for the Seuss-iest noses, shoeses and eyeses.
Project WILD Workshop
Saturday, March 13
9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Join us for a participatory workshop for educators featuring Wildlife In Learning Design (WILD). Participants receive a free Project WILD workbook full of activities for students in grades K-12. In-service credit may be available through the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center. Please call by March 10 to register.
Project WET Workshop
Saturday, March 13
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Project WET is Water Education for Teachers. Participants receive a manual of activities about water science, aquatic wildlife and environmental issues. In-service credit may be available through the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center. Please call by March 10 to register.
Is it Spring?
Friday, March 19
7:00 PM
The voices of the season seem to come alive at dusk to proclaim the end of winter. Join us on an outdoor search for geese, peepers, woodcock and other sounds of a spring evening, to see whether spring has sprung.
Maple Sugar Open Houses
Saturdays and Sundays, March 20, 21, 27, 28, April 3
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
At our Maple Sugar Open Houses, watch sap drip from the tapped trees, and smell the syrup boiling in the evaporator. You'll learn to twirl a drill and pound a spile, and you'll use your taste buds to sample maple syrup. The Maple Sugar Open Houses are open to the public. Scout and other youth groups are welcome; call the Center to register a group.
