November 4, 2009
- Recycling
- Family Fun
- Upcoming DEC Events
- 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
- Central New York - Rogers Environmental Education Center
- Western New York - Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Recycling
November 15 is America Recycles Day, the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products. Kids have probably heard about recycling in school or at home. Simply put, recycling means turning used materials into new products. Recycling reduces pollution and saves energy, natural resources, money, time, and landfill space.
Here are some recycling facts that a lot of people might not know:
• For every bottle you recycle, you save enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb in your bedroom for 4 hours, or save the equivalent of 10 gallons of oil-enough for a round trip to school or the market.
• It takes 5 plastic soda bottles to make the fiberfill for your ski jacket or winter jacket. Left in the landfill, those same soda bottles would take more than 1,000 years to decompose.
• Recycling one aluminum soda can will save enough energy to run your television for 3 hours.
• For every ton of paper recycled, 17 trees are saved.
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Family Fun
Take the Pledge
As part of America Recycles Day, have all the members of your family take the recycling pledge. You can even win a prize (recycled, of course!).
You can do even more by encouraging your family to buy more recycled products, like paper towels, napkins, tissues and toilet paper. Ask them to carry groceries in reusable bags and check to see if other grocery items are packaged with recycled materials.
And the Winner Is...
Each year, DEC holds a New York Recycles! Poster Contest to give kids in schools and youth organizations the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents and commitment to the environment. This year's New York Recycles! Poster Contest will have the following themes:
-My School Recycles.....
-Compost, It's a Rot of Fun!
-Let's Pick It Up New York!
-Deputy Deposit Says "Yeeha, Return those Deposit Cans & Bottles!"
-New York Recycles!
-Open Burning Stinks... Recycle for a Greener New York!
Visit DEC's website for contest rules and then get drawing!
Read Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Hudson Valley
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
Nature Discovery After-School Programs
4:00 to 5:00 PM, each Thursday from September 3 through November 19
Attention kids of all ages! Bring a parent or other adult and discover the outdoors at Stony Kill together.
Green Birdfeeders
Saturday, November 14 at 2:00 PM
Attract winter residents like chickadees and nuthatches with feeders you can make from natural and recycled materials. Each individual or family will make at least one simple birdfeeder to use this winter.
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Predators of the Night
Friday, November 6 at 7:00 PM
Join us for this walk to learn about the realm of night and its creatures. Discover how these animals use their keen senses to overcome darkness and find their prey.
Bears at Five Rivers
Saturday, November 7 at 10:00 AM
Summer 2009 marked many bear sightings in the Capital District, including one at Five Rivers! We will learn about living with bears and discuss the habits and lifestyles of these magnificent mammals.
Why are the Trees Bare?
Saturday, November 7 at 2:00 PM
Why does a leaf fall in the forest? We will talk about the science of the leaves' color change and life cycle and take a walk to discover this exciting change.
Predators of the Night
Friday, November 13 at 7:00 PM
This walk is for Girl Scouts of all ages. We will learn about nocturnal animals and their unique senses. After our walk, we will come inside for hot cocoa and an indoor presentation. Cost: $1/child. Call 518-475-0291 to register.
White-tailed Deer
Saturday, November 14 at 2:00 PM
Mid-November is an excellent time to "scout" deer. Deer are very active in the fall, and their tracks, trails, pellets, rubs, scrapes and beds are all very good indicators of the season's prospects.
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center
Search and Rescue Hug a Tree Program
Saturday, November 7 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Calling all kids!! Would you know what to do if you were outside playing or hiking and became lost? Well, this program is for you. Cost: $2 per person, $5 per family. Call 518-456-0655 to register.
More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
Adirondacks
Adirondack Park Agency Newcomb Visitors Center
Barking Up the Right Tree
Saturday, November 14 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM
Learning to identify trees without their leaves is the only way to go. Come learn some easy tricks to remember our most common Adirondack trees. Call 518-582-2000 to register.
Adirondack Park Agency Paul Smiths Visitors Center
Winter Preparation Walk
Saturday, November 7 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
What does a toad do in winter? How does a tree get ready? Join us for a walk to find out how plants and animals get ready for winter. Call 518-327-3000 to register.
Central New York
Rogers Environmental Education Center
Wolves
Saturday, November 7 at 10:00 AM
They may not live in New York State currently, but they are still fascinating and awe-inspiring for many of us. Come listen to a local wolf expert talk about wolves and answer your questions.
Gourd Art with Jane Hough
Saturday, November 14 at 11:00 AM
Think gourds are just for eating? Think again. Become an artist by painting on gourds with a local artisan. Cost: $5 per gourd, supplies limited. Call 607-674-4017 to register.
Western New York
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959.
Getting Squirrely
Saturday, November 7 at 2:00 PM
The squirrels are preparing for the upcoming winter season. Discover through fun activities and crafts how they get ready. For children ages 4 to 8.
Composting with Worms
Saturday, November 14 at 10:30 AM
Learn how to set up a vermicomposting bin, and take home a starter kit. For adults and children age 12 and older. Cost: $4/starter kit, Friends of Reinstein Nature Preserve members $3/starter.
Walking the Woods
Tuesday, November 17 at 10:30 AM
Celebrate National Hiking Day by taking a guided walk through the trails of Reinstein Woods. For adults and children age 12 and older.