Environment DEC
From the January 2008 issue
DEC Launches "Conservationist for Kids"
New York State has launched a new nature magazine for kids, filled with photos, articles and tips on activities designed to encourage children to reconnect with the outdoors and the natural world. Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis said, "In a world full of iPods, Xboxes and 500-channel digital cable, our youngsters are spending more and more time indoors on the couch, disconnected from the natural world. Conservationist for Kids gives children across the state a reason to venture outside, offering fun and informative activities that we hope will spark a connection and concern for nature that lasts a lifetime."
Articles in the new magazine will teach children about bird-watching and other nature activities
Conservationist for Kids, published three times annually, is written for students at or around fourth-grade level, an ideal time for children to develop an interest in the outdoors and experience it first hand. The magazine will be sent to fourth-grade classes in public schools statewide, and Conservationist subscribers also will receive copies of the first edition.
"Children who are connected to nature are more likely to preserve and protect it," said Governor Eliot Spitzer. "By educating New York's children about the wonders of the outdoors, Conservationist for Kids will help to create a new generation of committed environmental stewards."
Connecting to Nature
Conservationist for Kids is part of DEC's broad-based plan to connect more New Yorkers to nature. As part of that agenda, DEC is focusing on a number of fronts, including strengthening environmental education and outdoor experiences for all age groups; working to increase participation in hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing and hunting; improving access to green space, and improving visitor centers, education centers and camps across the state.
Children will learn about opportunities to enjoy the outdoors during any season
The new magazine will feature information and activities to encourage young readers to explore the outdoors at school and at home. It will include a teacher supplement for using the magazine to enhance classroom learning. Examples of activities--which have been correlated to the New York State math, science and technology learning standards for fourth-graders--include: feeding birds, identifying animal tracks, making binoculars and keeping a field journal. The magazine also may include stories of current environmental interest.
Only one other state, Idaho, has a children's outdoor magazine mailed to classrooms, and that is by subscription. For more information about Conservationist for Kids, go to http://www.cforkids.org/ or http://www.dec.ny.gov/.
Conservationist Magazine's Website
Conservationist magazine's website has been redesigned and enhanced as well. To the benefit of teachers, students and outdoor enthusiasts in particular, the entire magazine became available on the web as of December 2007. To subscribe, visit http://www.theconservationist.org/.
