December 31 - Winter Tracks
Go outside to look for some animal tracks, or strap on snowshoes and make tracks of your own. Spend New Year's morning counting the birds at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center or Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center.
December 17 - Winter Survival
Bundle up for an invigorating hike or snowshoe adventure. Learn how animals adapt to our cold and snowy winters. Help the birds fatten up this season by building a suet feeder.
December 3 - Green Holidays
Go green for the holidays! Decorate with things you collect from nature. Create environmentally friendly gifts and visit an education center to make a craft for the birds or for your home.
November 19 - Wild Turkey
Read about one of our greatest success stories - the wild turkey! Try tying a knot with some turkey bones from Thanksgiving dinner. Learn about reptiles in the winter or build a blue bird box at one of our education centers.
November 5 - White-Tailed Deer
How do deer survive the long winter? Become an animal detective and learn to spot what types of animals are around. Make an animal track cast or a bird house out of a gourd.
October 22 - The Moon
What is a hunter's moon? Create your own phases of the moon with a softball and a flashlight. Turn back time and make your own sundial. Enjoy a Halloween event at an environmental education center.
October 8 - Owls
Go on an "owling" adventure on a crisp autumn night. Learn about owl pellets and make a "scare" owl to protect your garden. Cook over a campfire or enjoy a walk under the Hunter's Moon at an Environmental Education Center.
September 24 - Fall Foliage
Why do leaves change color? Why do some leaves turn purple in the fall, while others change to bright orange? Make a variety of leaf print art for your home, or spend an afternoon enjoying the fall foliage at one of our education centers. Pretend you are going on a treasure hunt using a map and compass.
September 10 - Squirrels
Did you know that the squirrel family includes prairie dogs and woodchucks? Learn how to make a squirrel feeder or start a seed bank. Enjoy lots of family-friendly activities at one of the Fall Festivals.
August 27 - Ladybugs
New York State's official insect, the nine-spotted ladybug, has been disappearing and scientists need your help to find out why. Become a citizen scientist and head outside to catch a few ladybugs and take their picture. Learn how to protect your garden from aphids by building a ladybug house. Head out to Rogers Environmental Education Center and explore a gorge.
August 13 - Pond Life
Ponds are brimming with life in the water and the surrounding area. Learn why ponds are an excellent habitat for animals and birds. Create your own water scope to get an up-close look at pond life. Join a field survey of a birds that live near a pond at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, or learn all about bugs at Rogers Environmental Education Center's Bug Bonanza.
July 30 - Bats
Bats are a misunderstood creature. Learn more about several species of New York's bats, and even build them their own bat house. Attend a Butterfly Festival at Stony Kill or enjoy the serenity of the Vlomankill Trail at Five Rivers.
July 16 - Solar Energy
We use the energy of the sun in a variety of ways: heat, light, wind power and solar power. But did you know that you can use the sun's energy to cook? Make artwork using the sun, and learn about how solar heaters work.
July 2 - Summer Sights and Sounds
Do you have fond memories of catching fireflies as a child? Learn how you can help figure out why fireflies aren't commonly seen anymore. Invite your backyardbugs and moths over for a movie and a snack.
June 18 - Fish You Can Catch
Learn the lifelong sport of fishing, or pass along your experience to the next generation. Step back in time and learn how to make your own fishing rod. Enjoy the summer solstice at one of DEC's Education Centers, or create a campground in your own backyard.
June 4 - Young Wildlife
Do you know what to do if you find a baby animal in your backyard? Find out the best approach to help young wildlife survive. Create a wildlife sanctuary in your own backyard, and keep a journal of the plants and animals you see there.
May 21 - Is it a Frog or Toad or Something Else?
Do you know how to tell the difference between a frog and a toad? Learn about some of New York's more common types, and what you can do to help save them.
May 7 - New York's Official Flora
There's more to New York's official tree than just maple syrup. Learn how important the Sugar Maple is to our forests.
April 23 - Birds in Your Yard
Learn about birds in your yard, build a bird bath or create a birding journal.