December 29 - New York's Biodiversity
New York is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Look for nature's biodiversity in your backyard or make a "Save Our Species" poster. Join in Five Rivers Annual New Year's Day Bird County or cross-country ski at Reinstein Woods.
December 15 - Winter Solstice
What is the winter solstice and why does it occur? Enjoy the peace and quiet of a winter afternoon in your backyard or park. Count birds at an environmental education center.
December 1 - Green Holidays
While you are wishing for a "blanket of white" for the holidays, how about thinking about some green too? Use our tips to have an environmentally-friendly holiday season, including making a gift. Look for winter birds at an environmental education center.
November 17 - Watersheds
Did you know that water from small neighborhood streams eventually ends up in the ocean? Conduct a fun experiment to follow the path water takes on its journey. Take an evening walk at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center or Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center.
November 3 - What Do We Get from the Forest?
What do crayons, maple syrup, a bulletin board and your comb have in common? They are all products that we get from trees. Go on a scavenger hunt around your home to find other products made from wood. Learn about alternative energy at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center or 'get squirrelly' at Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center.
October 20 - What is the Forest?
There is more to the forest than a bunch of trees. What lives in each layer of the forest? Can you figure out how old a tree is? Learn about natural dyes at Stony Kill, or attend a Halloween event at an environmental education center.
October 6 - Autumn Changes
Learn how plants and animals prepare for the upcoming winter. See what is hiding under fallen leaves. Visit an environmental education center to learn about fall fruits as winter food or enjoy a walk surrounded by autumn's blazing colors.
September 22 - Common Birds to Watch in Fall and Winter
There is a chill in the air and the leaves are falling off the trees. It's a perfect time to go bird-watching. Learn how to attract birds to your yard and what to look for. Enjoy September's Harvest Moon at Rogers Environmental Education Center or Reinstein Environmental Education Center.
September 8 - Coastal Cleanup
Put on some dirty clothes and gloves and get ready to hit the beach. Join this year's International Coastal Cleanup with your family and friends. Take a walk at Stony Kill Environmental Education Center or head out to Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center for the annual Fall Festival.
August 25 - Cool-Weather Camping
Just because the calendar says that summer is ending doesn't mean your outdoor activities have to slow down. Consider taking a family camping trip and enjoy autumn's splendor. Learn how to dress for the weather with a fun relay game. Visit an environmental education center to learn about autumn insects and bug eaters.
August 11 - Compass Basics
Learn the basics of using a compass and head out to test your new skill. Visit Five Rivers Environmental Education Center to learn about egrets or muskrats, or build a toad house at Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center.
July 28 - Hunting
Hunting is a popular activity in New York State. Learn how to become a safe and responsible hunter. Wish Smokey Bear a Happy Birthday at Five Rivers or Reinstein Environmental Education Centers.
July 14 - Outdoor Cooking
Start your own campfire and cook a meal for your family and friends. Go fishing on Long Island or take a hike at Rogers Environmental Education Center.
June 30 - Wildlife Gardens
Create your own wildlife garden and have it certified by the National Wildlife Federation. Take part in the annual butterfly census at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center.
June 16 - Hiking/Outdoor Skills
Learn how to keep safe when you are hiking, whether you are headed out for a short stroll and a backcountry trip. Take a walk in the woods at Reinstein Environmental Education Center or discover wetland mysteries at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center.
June 2 - Watchable Wildlife
New York is home to a variety of wildlife. Learn the best places to go to see your favorite species. Build a home for a bat, bird or toad at Rogers Environmental Education Center or learn how you can protect fireflies at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center.
May 19 - Composting
Turn yard waste and food scraps into beneficial compost. Learn how to compost, build your own compost bin or start a worm bin. Take a walk and look for bugs, bees and butterflies at an environmental education center.
May 5 - Fishing Basics
Take someone fishing and enjoy a sport that can last a lifetime. Organize your own tackle box and then find the best places to fish. Go birding at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center or on a Dusk Walk at Rogers Environmental Education Center.
April 21 - Bird Beaks
Did you know that birds' beaks come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on what they eat? Make a hummingbird feeder in time for the return of these quick little creatures. Celebrate the 40th anniversary of DEC and Earth Day at an environmental education center.
April 7 - Trees
Trees provide us with much more than the oxygen we breathe. Find out more benefits of trees to humans and animals. Make your own paper using recycled newspaper. Go fishing on Long Island or hike an ancient forest at Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center.
March 24 - Renewable Energy
There are several types of renewable energy: wind, solar, water and geothermal. Try an experiment to see how steam can generate energy. Go fishing on Long Island or learn about birds at Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center.
March 10 - Signs of Spring
How can you tell if Spring has arrived? Learn how animals' internal clocks work. Attend a demonstration on making maple syrup at Stony Kill Environmental Education Center or Five Rivers Environmental Education Center.
February 24 - Winter Tracks
Learn how to identify the animals that visit your area in the winter by looking at their tracks. Head outside to look for other sign of animals nearby, such as scat, scrapes and food caches. Build a bluebird box at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center.
February 10 - Life Under the Ice
Where do fish and turtles go during the winter? Under the ice, of course! Learn to ice fish and create your own tip-up. Cross-country ski or be part of the Great Backyard Bird Count at an Environmental Education Center.
January 27 - Snowshoeing
Learn how snowshoeing became popular in New York State and then hit the trails to try the sport. Know how to dress for winter recreation. Track some winter animals at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center or go on a Full Moon Snowshoe Walk at Rogers Environmental Education Center.
January 13 - Snow Loving Animals
What do animals do to survive our cold and snowy winters? Learn how simple environmental factors or man-made changes can affect animals' ability to survive. Attend a wilderness survival presentation at Stony Kill Environmental Education Center, or learn more about how animals adapt to winter at Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center.