November 3, 2010
- What Do We Get from the Forest?
- 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
- Central New York - Rogers Environmental Education Center
- Western New York - Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
What Do We Get from the Forest?
Besides being a home for animals of all kinds, forests offer areas for people to visit and play. One important thing forests do is provide many products that we use in our everyday lives. When you think of products we get from the forest, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Wood! We use wood to build houses, to make furniture for our homes and as fuel to heat our homes. What other items can you think of that come from the forest?
Trees have many parts. The heartwood or center of the tree is where wood comes from for construction. The bark of many trees is also useful. One bark product that was popular in parts of New York is tannin, which was used to prepare or "tan" leather. Bark from trees throughout the world is used to make cork and the inside of baseballs. Saps from many trees are used for different products: chewing gum, crayons, soaps, and paint thinner from spruce trees, and, of course, maple syrup from maple trees.
Cellulose is the major component in wood and other plant fiber. The most familiar use of cellulose is paper. When combined with other ingredients, cellulose is used to make carpeting, wigs, plastics, shampoos, cosmetics and fabrics, such as rayon. The forest provides food for humans as well as animals. Trees, bushes, shrubs and roots offer fruits, nuts, spices and berries. The forest also supports wildlife such as deer, rabbits and turkeys that many people hunt for food. The forest provides us with many products. It is important that we use these resources wisely to ensure they are available to us for generations to come.
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Learn the best places to view wildlife at DEC's Watchable Wildlife pages.
Family Fun
"It Comes from Trees" Scavenger Hunt
To see how much wood and how many wood products are in your home, go on a scavenger hunt with friends, family or just by yourself. Create six columns on a sheet of paper, and label the columns with the following:
-Wood Products
-Bark Products
-Cellulose Products
-Sap Products
-Fruits, Leaves & Seed Products
-No Wood Products
Look around your house and fill in the columns with the items that you find. See who can find the most products for each column. If you wonder which column an item goes in, use the link to check the Wood Product Fact Sheet .
Barking Up the Tree
Different species of trees are used for different purposes. The wood from pine trees is mostly used inside because it tends to decay more quickly when exposed to moisture. Maple wood is very dense and burns slowly, making it an ideal fuel for heating homes. Oak wood has a very attractive grain and is used for flooring, furniture and cabinetry. Go outside and see whether you can identify different types of trees based on their size, leaf shape and bark. The Arbor Day Foundation has a great interactive website to help you identify the trees in your park, yard or neighborhood.
Read Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Hudson Valley
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
Saturday Morning Guided Nature Walks
Saturdays, November 6 and 13 at 10:00 AM
Nature Discovery After-School Program
Thursday, November 4 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
For school-aged children and their caregivers.
Watchable Wildlife: White-Tailed Deer
Saturday, November 6 at 2:00 PM
Seed Search
Saturday, November 13 at 2:00 PM
Event Descriptions at Stony Kill
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Wildflower Walk
Saturday, November 6 at 10:00 AM
Composting and Recycling
Saturday, November 13 at 10:00 AM
Family Fun: Alternative Energy
Saturday, November 13 at 2:00 PM
Please call 518-475-0291 to register by Monday, November 8. A $3.00 materials fee is required for each child.
Event Descriptions at Five Rivers
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center
Oh Deer, Autumn's Here!
Saturday, November 6 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Call 518-456-0655 to register. Cost: $2.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free.
More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
Central New York
Rogers Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 607-674-4017.
Watchable Wildlife at Cush Hill
Saturday, November 6 at 10:00 AM
Watchable Wildlife at the Visitors Center
Saturday, November 6 at 1:30 PM
Gourd Art Creations
Saturday, November 13 at 10:00 AM
Ages 7 and older. Cost: $8.00 for each gourd.
In Search of Seeds
Saturday, November 13 at 1:30 PM
Western New York
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959.
After -School Escape
Thursdays, November 4 and 11 at 4:30 PM
For children in grades K-5.
Getting Squirrelly
Saturday, November 6 at 10:30 AM
For children ages 4 to 8. Cost for materials: $2.00 per child; FORNP members $1.00 per child.
The Scoop on Poop
Saturday, November 13 at 10:30 AM