From the September 2006 issue

A Cornucopia of Family Fun Awaits at DEC Education Centers and Other Facilities

Double Celebration at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve

Saturday, September 16 - 10 AM to 4 PM

Dr. Victor Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve will celebrate its 20th anniversary as an environmental education center, concurrent with its 6th annual fall festival. The expanded, combination anniversary and fall festival will feature additional DEC exhibits, new activities and crafts for kids, new organizations like the Buffalo Zoo and live music.

ECOs participating in a
detector dog demonstration

Coincidentally, DEC also is completing construction of an "earth friendly" environmental education center that will enable Reinstein Woods to house educational exhibits and provide programs year-round. Festival visitors will be able to get a glimpse of the new facility and an idea of what it will offer when it opens to the public.

Come for a day of outdoor fun with the family. Enjoy nearly a dozen exhibits and activities, including making plaster casts of animal tracks or solar art prints and taking a guided nature walk. Live music and refreshments will be provided!

Five Rivers Environmental Education Center

Saturday, September 16 - Noon to 4 PM

Join us for our annual fall festival. We'll have a multitude of activities and hands-on crafts, games and nature explorations.

While you're here, walk the trails and enjoy migrating birds, fall wildflowers and brilliant foliage. Environmental exhibits and activities make this event fun for the whole family. Parking and admission are free!

A crowd checks out the Forest Ranger display at 5 Rivers and enjoys hosing down the targets

Salmon River Hatchery National Hunting and Fishing Day Open House

September 23, 2006 from 9 AM to 4 PM

This open house focuses on Salmon River corridor outdoor recreation opportunities. A full program of seminars and demonstrations will be geared toward hands-on activities for youth and families. Learn to cast a fishing rod, fly cast, tie a fly and fish. Observe the exhibit on rare and endangered fish, handle and identify fish at the fish "petting" zoo and participate in the "Backyard Bass" and "Hook and Ladders" fishing programs for kids. Participate in shooting-sports activities, and learn about the heritage of hunting.

Children will learn about the aquatic creatures of Beaverdam Brook. Observe the annual fall salmon run up Beaverdam Brook and the fish ladder via an underwater video camera, and learn about the Salmon River Hatchery. Attend seminars on fishing for Pacific salmon and try your newly acquired skills at the river. Learn about cross-country skiing, kayaking and canoeing opportunities. Take a guided nature walk at the Salmon River Falls, and enjoy the beautiful fall scenery of the Salmon River corridor.

Many conservation organizations and agencies will be on hand to provide information about their roles in the Salmon River corridor and the Lake Ontario ecosystem. This event will be held rain or shine, and there is no charge for admission. Join us in celebrating the original outdoor challenge "National Hunting and Fishing Day."

33rd Annual Hunting, Fishing and Outdoors Days

September 23-24 from 10 AM to 4 PM

In recognition of National Hunting and Fishing Day, DEC and the Livingston County Federation of Sportsman's Clubs, Inc. will co-sponsor the 33rd annual Hunting, Fishing and Outdoors Days at DEC's Region 8 office located at 6274 East Avon-Lima Rd. in Avon, Livingston County.

Free public parking is available off Oak Openings Road, one-half-mile north of the site. Free shuttle service will be provided to and from the site.

This year's events and displays will include wildlife art and taxidermy, bow and gun shooting ranges, canoe demonstrations and a flea market.

Stony Kill Environmental Education Center

Saturday, October 1 - Noon to 5 PM

Lots of hands-on activities for
the whole family

The 28th annual fall festival will feature Stony Kill's mascot, "Splash" the river otter. Splash will be promoting education about water quality, the Hudson River, fishing and outdoor enjoyment. Common Ground Farm, a community-supported agriculture project based at Stony Kill, will have food fresh from the farm and information and tips on organic gardening. The Waterman Bird Club will discuss various birds. A puppet show will entertain children of all ages and a bluegrass band will provide live music. Other activities will include face and pumpkin painting, candle dipping and fishing.

Visitors can take a hayride to the historic Manor House, visit the farm animals and view DEC exhibits. An Environmental Conservation Officer will be on hand to answer questions, and Stony Kill staff and AmeriCorps members will show how to spin wool and make scarecrows.

The Stony Kill Foundation will have a small gift shop, a membership table and food, along with a gardening exhibit by the Wacky Weeders-a committee of the foundation. The Verplanck Garden Club will have food, a raffle, work from local artists and lots of garden-related information.

Suggested donations are $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children 12 years and older. Children under 12 may attend for free!