January 28, 2009
- Map Making
- Family Fun
- Upcoming DEC Events
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- Hudson Valley - Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
- Capital District - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
- Adirondacks - Adirondack Park Agency Visitors Interpretive Centers at Newcomb and Paul Smiths
- Western New York - Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Map Making
There are many different kinds of maps that are used to show information: road maps show where roads go; weather maps show weather patterns across a specific area; political maps that show the borders of countries, towns, counties and state; geological maps that show the types and ages of rocks in an area; and topographic maps that show the count our lines or elevation of the landscape.
Natural parts of the environment include mountains, lakes and forests. Human-built parts of environment include buildings, utilities and roads. Maps take both types of information and show it in a two-dimensional and even a three-dimensional way, as if you were looking down onto the earth.
In order for a map to be useful to others, it needs several key things:
North Arrow - which orients the map for us to compass directions north, south, east and west.
Scale - How does the map translate from inches into feet, meters or miles so that people know how big or far something really is (1 inch = 1 mile)?
Legend - How will people understand the symbols that the map uses to represent various things?
Labels - How will people know what a map shows (title of the map)?
Metadata - A relatively new term that explains where the portrayed map data came from or how it was gathered.
DEC's website features maps and interactive mapping applications currently available online.
Send us an e-mail and tell us what you think about Outdoor Discovery.
Family Fun
Mapmaker, Mapmaker, Make me a Map
Creating a map of your backyard or neighborhood is a great way to learn about how the natural and human-built parts of the environment are connected. You can include houses, supermarkets, the school and library, streets, bridges, traffic lights and fire hydrants. The natural parts could include trees, parks, water, people and animals. An easy way to try mapmaking is to create a simple map of your backyard.
-If you have a compass, find north (or have an adult help you) and mark an "N" with an arrow pointing upward on a large piece of paper.
-Select a point near the middle of your yard as your starting point. If you live in an urban area, you can do the same thing in your neighborhood. If there is too much snow to get around your yard, try making a map from your home to your school instead.
-Select the features that you want to include: your house, a tree, the garden, your swing set, etc.
-Measure in steps how far each feature is from the starting point. Depending on how big your paper is, choose a measurement to equal one step (for example, 1/4 inch = one step). This is your scale measurement. If you are making a map of your neighborhood or to your school, the scale would be in blocks or miles instead of steps.
-Using your scale measurement, draw the feature in the correct location on the map. If the treehouse is 26 steps from the center, and your scale is 1/4 inch, draw the treehouse 6 inches from the center.
-Continue with all the features on your map.
-Create a legend identifying all the features and give your map a title.
Show Me the Way
You can mark a trail for others to follow using any natural material - sticks, bunches of pine cones, rocks or colored water in a spray bottle to mark an "X" on the snow. Gather a few friends or family members on a sunny winter day to play this trail marker game. Have one person lay out the trail (it can even be in your backyard) for the others to follow. Don't make it too difficult, and make sure that markers can be seen easily. The group walks along the trail using the markers instead of a map. Make sure that you stay in an area that you are familiar with, and bring an adult along.
DEC Summer Education Camp
Are you looking for a summer camp where your child can have a fun-packed, educational experience in the great outdoors? Then check out DEC's Environmental Education Camps! Applications for campers sponsored by organizations must be postmarked no earlier than February 7, 2009. Parent-sponsored campers must be postmarked no earlier than February 28, 2009. All four camps (Colby, Pack Forest, DeBruce and Rushford) educate youth who are 12 to 14 years old. Pack Forest in the southern Adirondacks is also open to campers 15 to 17 years old during the first five sessions of camp. These older campers will participate in the DEC Teen Ecology Workshop. The cost of attending the one-week session is $325. If you would like to download an application for camp or would like more information, visit the DEC website.
Check out Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Hudson Valley
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
The Truth About Groundhogs
Saturday, January 31 at 2:00 PM
What are groundhogs really doing on February 2? Can bears survive all winter without food? Who are the true hibernators? Join us for family-friendly fun as we learn about the myths and realities of hibernation.
Guided Nature Walks
10:00 AM every Saturday
Join a Stony Kill naturalist and explore trails and habitats together. Meet at the Manor House for this family-friendly program. Walks generally take one to one-and-one-half hours. Hikes will be on snowshoes if there is enough snow cover.
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Birding by Snowshoe
Saturday, January 31 at 8:30 AM
Join reps from Capital Region Audubon and the Hudson Mohawk Bird Club for birding on snowshoes. Afterwards, compile sightings while enjoying hot chocolate. Call 518-475-0291 by January 24 to preregister.
Snowshoe Walk
Saturday, January 31 at 2:00 PM
Learn snowshoeing basics, then join us on a snowshoe walk. Adult and children's snowshoes are available. Call 518-475-0291 to preregister and reserve snowshoes.
Winter Camping
Saturday, February 7 at 10:00 AM
Learn more about winter camping skills and how to enjoy the outdoors in the off-season.
Useful Plants
Saturday, February 7 at 2:00 PM
Learn traditional uses of plants, from shoe repair to medicine to tea to making rope.
Snowshoe Walk
Sunday, February 8 at 2:00 PM
Learn snowshoeing basics, then join us on a snowshoe walk. Adult and children's snowshoes are available. Call 518-475-0291 to preregister and reserve snowshoes.
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center
Snowshoe Adventure
Sunday, February 8 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is a great place to try this sport out! Snowshoes are provided. Call 518-456-0655 to preregister. Cost: $2.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free.
Adirondacks
Adirondack Park Agency Newcomb Visitors Center
A Beginner's Snowshoe How-to
Saturday, January 31 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
We start off with an overview of the history of snowshoeing and a look at different styles of snowshoes. Then we head out on the trails with each person equipped with a pair of snowshoes learning how to walk, turn and run in the snow. Call (518) 582-2000 to register.
Out and About: Tracks Do Tell Tales
Saturday, February 7 at 1:30 PM
Guest naturalist Peter O'Shea will lead a snowshoe walk on one of our trails and share information about the world of animal tracks and the winter landscape. Snowshoes will be available. Call (518) 582-2000 to register.
Adirondack Park Agency Paul Smiths Visitors Center
Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides
Saturday, January 31 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Take a sleigh ride and view the winter woods along the way. Reservations are encouraged. Call (518) 327-3000 to register. Cost: $5/adult, $3/child ($3 for API members).
Animal Adaptations
Saturday, January 31 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
After discussing how animals adapt to the changing seasons, participants will then test various types on insulators in a science experiment. Call (518) 327-3000 to register.
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival
February 6-15
Enjoy the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, and annual celebration of winter that includes an Ice Palace on Lake Flower, a Gala Parade and tons of events.
Western New York
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959.
After School Escape
Thursday, February 5 at 4:00 PM
Enjoy a fun outdoor experience to encourage children to play and interact with the natural world. For kids in kindergarten through fifth grade and their caregivers. No registration required.
Snowshoes and Solutions
Thursday, February 5 at 6:30 PM
Enjoy a free evening snowshoe walk followed by dessert and information on how to fight climate change while saving money.
Cross-Country Ski Tour
Saturday, February 7 at 10:00 AM
Bring your own skis or rent a pair (limited sizes) and glide through The Woods on a guided tour. Ski rental of $2/pair; free for FORNP members.
Full Snow-Moon Snowshoe Walk
Monday, February 9 at 6:30 PM
Learn about our winter constellations on a moonlit walk. For adults and children age 8 and older only. Snowshoe rental of $2/pair; free for FORNP members.
Moonlight Cross-Country Ski Tour
Tuesday, February 10 at 6:30 PM
Ski by the light of the moon! Bring your own skis or rent a pair (limited sizes). Ski rental of $2/pair; free for FORNP members.