November 18, 2009
- Climate Change
- 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
Climate Change
Have you heard people talking about climate change a lot more, recently? They are talking about long-term changes in things like temperature and rainfall. Burning fossil fuels for energy to heat our homes, provide electricity and run our cars is an important reason why the earth's climate is changing.
Fossil fuels are the remains of animals and plants from millions of years ago that turned into coal, oil and natural gas. Burning these long-buried materials adds to the heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the air. Extra trapped heat raises the earth's average temperature and changes our climate.
Right now, changes in climate are affecting people, animals and plants around the world. We can fight climate change by using less energy and getting our energy from sources that do not use fossil fuels. The National Wildlife Federation's Climate Classroom has more information and activities related to climate change. Read Conservationist for Kids for a whole issue about climate change.
Send us an e-mail and tell us what you think about Outdoor Discovery.
Subscribe to Conservationist magazine-New York's award-winning publication with astonishingly beautiful photography and captivating articles.
Family Fun
Can You Spare Some Time?
If we take some simple steps to change how we do things, we can conserve energy and use less fossil fuel every day. This will help to limit the changes to our climate. Remember, using electricity burns fossil fuels and adds greenhouse gas to the air. You can help change that.
Every day, spend one hour playing outside, and remember to leave your electronic games and battery-operated toys inside. Gather some friends together and play a game of tag, or bring a family member on a nature safari. Come up with a game of your own, or just sit and listen to the sounds around you. It's fun to keep a journal of your favorite activities. By not using electricity for an hour, you can help save the planet-and learn to appreciate the great outdoors!
Become a Climate Change Detective
You send greenhouse gases into the air every time that you:
-Play a video game
-Watch TV
-Listen to the stereo
-Turn on a light
-Use a hair dryer
-Wash or dry your clothes
-Use a dishwasher
-Ride in a car
-Cook a meal
Get a notebook and keep track of how many times during the week you do each activity. Then sit down with family or friends and try to come up with ways to cut back on some of these activities or substitute clean-energy or low--energy alternatives.
Read Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Hudson Valley
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
Surviving in the Wild
Saturday, November 21 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
During this special half-day course, a wilderness expert will teach fire making without matches, animal tracking, shelter building and more. Bring your own lunch and beverage. Cost: $20. Call 845-831-8780 to register.
Campfire Cuisine
Saturday, November 28 at 2:00 PM
Learn how to build a campfire, and then enjoy some simple foods that can be cooked over its flames.
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Plants of the Pilgrims
Saturday, November 28 at 10:00 AM
What did the Pilgrims really eat at the first Thanksgiving? It wasn't just turkey. Many native plants were also consumed at the first Thanksgiving feast.
Wild Turkey
Saturday, November 28 at 2:00 PM
Wild turkeys have staged an amazing comeback! We'll discuss the lifestyle and success of this beautiful bird, then walk the trails to explore turkey habitat.
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center
Discover the Pine Bush for Families
Sunday, November 29 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Come join us on a fun journey to discover the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, the best example of an inland pine barrens. Cost: $2/person, $5/family. Call 518-456-0655 to register.
More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
Adirondacks
Adirondack Park Agency Newcomb Visitors Center
Nature Craft Hour
Saturday, November 28 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Create a nature craft of your very own to take home. Cost: $2/family. Call 518-582-2000 to register.
Adirondack Park Agency Paul Smiths Visitors Center
Horse Logging
Saturday, November 21 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Come watch old-time logging and crosscut demonstrations. Call 518-327-3000 for directions to the event.
Central New York
Rogers Environmental Education Center
Preparing for Winter
Saturday, November 21 at 11:00 AM
Come take a walk on our trails and learn how plants and animals prepare for winter survival. Whether it's putting on the pounds, storing food or losing leaves, we'll tell you how it's done.
Bluebird Nest Box Building
Saturday, November 28 at 11:00 AM
Build a bluebird nest box, and you'll be surprised by the possibilities it can hold. Your neighbors could be bluebirds, house wrens, chickadees or tree swallows depending on when and where you place it. Please bring a hammer. Cost: $10 per box.
Western New York
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959.
Outdoor Skills
Saturday, November 28 at 10:30 AM
In this program, you will create rope from plants and learn how to build a survival shelter from natural materials. For adults and children age 8 and older.
Full Cold Moon Walk
Wednesday, December 2 at 6:00 PM
Come out to the Woods and take a walk on this first full moon of December. Bring binoculars if you have them.