Environment DEC
From the April 2003 issue
DEC Hosts Springtime Environmental Celebrations
Stir your environmental consciousness. Come out of hibernation. Join DEC as the Earth begins its annual renewal.
Two environmental celebrations take place in the month of April---Earth Day is April 22 and Arbor Day is April 25. These aren't just your run-of-the-mill celebrations; Earth Day and Arbor Day are calls to action and hallmarks of springtime.
Earth Day and Arbor Day Beginnings
Earth Day and Arbor Day have made real, positive impacts on our country. The first Earth Day, held in 1970, helped to influence the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species acts.
On the first Arbor Day, in 1872, more than one million trees were planted---and that was only in Nebraska, where Arbor Day was founded. Since then, the idea of Arbor Day has spread to all of the United States and many other nations. The number of trees that have been planted as a result of Arbor Day is unknown, but certainly quite substantial.
Celebration Schedule
Each of DEC's Environmental Education Centers will host festivities in honor of these Earth holidays.
- Quogue Wildlife Refuge (Suffolk Co.) - Join Quogue Wildlife Refuge staff and members of Moriches Bay Audubon Society for a tour of the refuge to celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Take part in woodland hikes, games and crafts, storytelling, animal exhibits and canoeing throughout both days. If you would like to volunteer to help for this event, please call in advance at 631-653-4771.
- Stony Kill Farm (Dutchess Co.) - On April 26, 2003 from noon to 5:00 PM Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center will be celebrating Earth Day. Visit various exhibitors from local organizations that support the environment and vendors selling environmentally friendly merchandise. You can purchase homemade lip balms, natural and safe cleaning supplies and Eco T-shirts. A special Children's Tent will be buzzing with activities including face painting and crafting with recycled materials. Help with decorations by designing an Earth Day poster to be displayed during the festival. For more information on the Earth Day festivities, or to find out about our Earth Day Poster Contest, call 845-831-8780.
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Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (Albany Co.) - Students and teachers are invited to the Five Rivers Environmental Education Center for the 2003 Earth Day Environmental Fair which will be held May 13 to 15 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Students will learn about: Forest Management; Radiation in our Environment; Fish and Wildlife Management; Natural History; Hazardous Waste Site Investigations; Nature Walk; Spills Clean-Up; Minerals in Our Life; Watershed Management; Environmental Protection; Hudson River Ecology; Reducing Pollution; Forest Fire Prevention; Air Pollution; and ways to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost. For more information, contact Debbie Jackson at 518-402-8705.
Kids at last year's Five Rivers Earth Day
Environmental Fair were fascinated by
information about DEC's K9 unit
- Rogers Environmental Education Center (Chenango Co.) - The Rogers Environmental Education Center is hosting an Earth Fest on May 3, 2003 between noon and 4:00 PM. The day celebrates Earth Day, Arbor Day and May Day. Featured events include exhibitors with information and environmentally friendly wares, tree seedling giveaways, Environmental Stewardship Awards given by the Chenango County Environmental Management Council, a concert by singer/song writer Peggy Lynn (formerly Eyres) and Project WET and Project WILD activities throughout the day.
- Reinstein Woods (Erie Co.) - Dr. Victor Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve will host Terrific Trees, a program to celebrate Arbor Day, on Friday, April 25 at 6:30 PM. Enjoy a tour of Reinstein's trees and receive a free tree seedling to take home and plant.
