December 16, 2009
- All About Snow
- 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
All About Snow
It's that time of year when many people hope for that first heavy blanketing of snow. But what is snow exactly? All precipitation (rain and snow) comes from moisture in the air. Snow crystals form as super-cooled droplets that attach themselves to fine particles in a cloud. Then, each crystal grows as it collides with other snowflakes and becomes heavy enough to begin to fall towards the ground. As each ice crystal moves down through the atmosphere, it changes form, sprouting additional branches from each of its six sides. If the layers of the atmosphere below this process are cold enough (freezing or below), the snowflakes do not melt and reach the ground as snow.
A snowflake is made of several ice crystals stuck together. While many people believe that no two ice crystals are the same, they all have six sides, often with complicated designs and branches.
The type of snowflake depends on the temperature of the environment in which the snowflake forms. Some snow is great for skiing and sledding, while other snow makes perfect snowballs. Powder snow-snow that is good for most snow sports-is usually dry or only slightly moist. Snowball snow is very moist and more compact.
Why the difference? The wetness/heaviness of snow depends on the atmospheric layers that the snowflakes fall through. If a layer close to the ground is around freezing, the snow will tend to be wet. If layers are well below freezing, the snow will tend to be dry.
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Family Fun
Snow Mobiles
Have you ever been outside and noticed a leaf stuck in a piece of ice? Try making "snow mobiles" by collecting leaves, berries, seeds and pine needles. You will need a few saucers, a large tray and cookie cutters of different shapes. Line up the saucers in a row on the tray.
Place each of your items inside a cookie cutter on top of a saucer. Lay a piece of string across each of the saucers. Now pour water into each container, making sure that your items and the string are covered. If it is cold enough outside, have an adult carry the tray outside to let your mobile freeze. (If it isn't cold enough, you can use the freezer.) When the mobiles are frozen, remove them from their containers and hang them outside a window where you can enjoy them.
Avalanche!
Avalanches happen when snow quickly slides down a slope. They are very dangerous and can be caused by nature or human activity. Sometimes, DEC forest rangers have to rescue people who wander off a marked trail and cause an avalanche in the mountains.
Try this experiment to understand how avalanches happen. Cut a large, square, cardboard box in half diagonally so that you can set it on the ground, and it has a peak on top. Wet the box and let it freeze overnight. Wet it again to create a second layer of ice. After the second layer freezes, pile some snow (but don't pack it) to create a large mound and imitate how snow would pile up in a snowstorm. Now give the "mountain" a soft bump, and watch what would happen in a real disaster.
Read Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Hudson Valley
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
Winter Wildlife Search
Saturday, December 19 at 2:00 PM
Nuts with holes, scrapings on trees and scratched up leaves are a sample of the animal signs we will find on a winter trail walk.
Snowshoe Hike or Winter Walk
Saturday, December 26 at 2:00 PM
Get outdoors to stretch your legs and burn off some holiday calories while you enjoy the wonders of the winter woods. If there is enough snow, snowshoes will be provided. Otherwise, we will hike the trails by foot. Call 845-831-8780, ext. 300 for directions to the meeting site.
Holiday Open House
Tuesday, December 29 from Noon to 4:00 PM
Bring the whole family for a festive day at Stony Kill. Search for animal signs during an outdoor walk or make a holiday craft from recycled materials.
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Astronomy
Friday, December 18 at 7:00 PM
Join us and the Albany Area Astronomers for a night of star gazing with their telescopes. Dress to be outdoors.
Plants Preparing for Winter
Saturday, December 19 at 10:00 AM
Animals store food, hibernate, or migrate-and so do plants. We'll walk afield to learn some green strategies for getting through the winter.
Big Pine Exploration
Saturday, December 19 at 2:00 PM
Have you ever been on the Big Pine Trail? We'll explore this seldom-visited corner of Five Rivers, and view the trees which give the tree its name.
Not a Creature Was Stirring
Saturday, December 26 at 2:00 PM
Animals have one problem going into winter-how to come out the other side. Happily, critters have learned to cope with the season in many different ways. Join us on an outdoor study of winter survival strategies, and see how various animals get by.
Squirrels for Kids
Tuesday, December 29 at 2:00 PM
We'll take a walk to learn about the squirrels in our area, then warm up inside with a craft project, story and more information about these cool critters. Parents and children must accompany each other.
Birding for Kids
Wednesday, December 30 at 10:00 AM or Thursday, December 31 at 10:00 AM
Join us as we study birds at the feeder and beyond. Parents and children must accompany each other. Call 518-475-0291 by December 28 to register.
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center
Discover the Pine Bush for Families
Sunday, December 27 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. We'll talk about how the pine bush was formed by glaciers and wind and look for the seasonal plants and animals that call this place home. Cost: $2/person, $5/family, children under 5 free. Call 518-456-0655 to register.
More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
Adirondacks
Adirondack Park Agency Newcomb Visitors Center
The Winter Season
Saturday, December 19 at 1:30 PM
Join a naturalist for a snowshoe walk on the trails, and learn how the natural world survives the winter season. Call 518-582-2000 to register.
Adirondack Park Agency Paul Smiths Visitors Center
Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides
Saturday, December 19 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Take a sleigh ride, and sing a few holiday songs along the way. Cost: $5/adult, $3/child; $3 for Adirondack Park Institute members. Money collected will go to the Draft Horse Program. Call 518-327-3000 to register.
Central New York
Rogers Environmental Education Center
110th Annual Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, December 19 All Day
Join us for our annual census of area winter birds. Bring a willingness to learn, binoculars and enthusiasm. Call 607-674-4017 for details and to register.
Snowshoe Adams Farm
Saturday, December 26 from 10:00 AM to Noon
Dress in layers, and head out on the trails for a snowshoe walk and the chance to see wildlife and the tracks they leave behind in the snow. If there is no snow, we will hike. Snowshoes provided. Call 607-674-4017 to register.
Western New York
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959.
Movie Matinee - Stranger in the Woods
Saturday, December 19 at 2:00 PM
Journey deep into the winter woods, and meet two snowdrifts, Pierre and Janine, who reminisce about the time when a mysterious stranger came to visit. For children ages 10 and under.
Winter Solstice Walk
Monday, December 21 at 6:30 PM
Enjoy a night walk on the shortest day of the year.
Snowshoe Walk
Tuesday, December 29 at 10:30 AM
Had your fill of holiday celebrations? Get outside and try our snowshoes. Cost to rent: $2/pair, free for members of Friends of Reinstein Nature Preserve.