Environment DEC
From the June 2003 issue
DEC Inspires Conservationists of Tomorrow
The key to long-term environmental protection is environmental education for New York State's kids. Below is a sampling of recent events that have shown children that they too can help to protect the earth.
Monroe County
An Environmental Conservation Officer
discusses endangered species with a
class in Fairport
For the fifth consecutive year, several DEC staff participated in an Earth Day celebration for fourth- and fifth-graders at Brooks Hill School, where nearly one thousand students have had the opportunity to learn about environmental issues, ethics and stewardship from people who work in the field every day. Event organizer Lt. Baker observed, "I can't help but see myself in the faces of those students. They are the future of environmental stewardship, and there is no better way we could invest our time than in teaching those who will carry on the work we began." Lt. Baker added that his participation in environmental education classes on the first Earth Day in 1970 strongly influenced his decision to pursue a career in environmental law enforcement.
Jefferson County
Region 6 staff put together a recycling display,
spoke with kids about recycling and handed
out recycling brochures, tattoos and pencils
made from recycled currency
Region 6 staff participated in an Earth Day fair at Fort Drum, near Watertown. The fair featured interactive exhibits on various topics including fish and wildlife, forestry, wetlands, cultural resources, pollution prevention, hazardous waste, petroleum, recycling and solid waste. The children also had a great time making crafts and collecting educational materials to take home.
Albany County
Kids who helped improve Tivoli Preserve
in Albany stand proudly with a new
bluebird box
DEC staff and their family members, along with residents of the Arbor Hill Community, spent Earth Day cleaning up Albany's Tivoli Preserve. They volunteered their time and energy to restore and beautify the area and in doing so, they demonstrated what it means to be stewards of the land. It was a good day for planting trees and for planting seeds of friendship and understanding among the volunteers. And it was an even better day for New York State's environment.
This youngster was not shy about touching
this Eastern king snake at the Emma Treadwell
Thacher Nature Center in Voorheesville
DEC helped out with an Earth Day event at the Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center, part of the John Boyd Thacher State Park. Children had a great time making crafts from recycled materials, going on a tree identification hike and learning the concept of "Leave No Trace." The kids also enjoyed a hands-on herpetological exhibit and live music.
A DEC Ranger talks about forest
fires with kids at Delmar's Five Rivers
Environmental Education Center
More than 900 students and teachers participated in DEC's ninth annual Earth Day Environmental Fair at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. DEC had 15 stations set up with staff members providing instructions and demonstrations. Some of the favorites were "The Walk Through Time", the exploding volcano and a leisurely nature walk.
Nassau County
Children learn about seining on Long Island
While collecting fish from Deep Pond to stock Hempstead Lake, the Region 1 Fisheries Unit demonstrated seining techniques for more than a dozen youngsters during "Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day." The kids assisted in the process by helping to pull the net, catch the fish and put them in buckets to be carried to the stocking truck. The enthusiastic youngsters also learned about the general characteristics of fish and about the specific fish they were catching.
