December 15, 2010
- Winter Solstice
- 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
Winter Solstice
The winter solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. In the northern hemisphere, it occurs every year on a day between December 20 and 23 when the sun shines directly over the tropic of Capricorn. The summer solstice occurs either June 20 or 21, when the day is at its longest and the sun shines directly over the tropic of Cancer. While the earth rotates around the sun, it also spins on its axis on a tilt. The northern winter solstice happens when the "top" half of the earth is tilted away from the sun more than any other time during the year.
On the winter solstice, the sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, hugging the horizon. Several days before and after the solstice, the sun's noontime elevation appears to be the same. The term solstice comes from the Latin words for "sun stands still." Although the winter solstice is thought of as the darkest day of the year, it isn't necessarily the coldest day. The coldest days of winter actually happen in February.
On the "bright" side, the day after the winter solstice, the days begin to get longer, leading up to summer.
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Family Fun
Nature Sounds
Winter is a quiet time, without the sounds of kids splashing in a pool or someone cutting the grass. If you listen closely, you can hear a lot of nature sounds in the still of the winter air. Gather a group of friends or family members and head to the woods or a park. Give everyone a sheet of paper and a pencil and see who can make the longest list of things heard in the woods in five or ten minutes. It could be snow falling off branches, the call of a bird, a brook running under the ice, the swish of branches in the wind or a squirrel running across the snow.
Ice Mobiles
Have you ever been outside and noticed a leaf stuck in a piece of ice? Try making "ice 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 cookie cutter, 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.
Story Time
For younger children, the beautifully illustrated book, Dear Rebecca, Winter is Here by Jean Craighead George describes what happens as the solstice approaches. Read the book together, then bundle up and explore outdoors for some of the visual clues noted in the book: birds flying south, snowflakes flying, wildflowers gone to seed, and more.
Read Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Hudson Valley
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
Nature Discovery After-School Program
Thursday, December 16 from 4:00 to 5:00 PM
For school-aged children and their care givers.
Campfire Cooking
Saturday, December 18, 2:00 PM
Event Descriptions at Stony Kill
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Natural History of Christmas Trees
Saturday, December 18 at 10:00 AM
Not a Creature was Stirring
Saturday, December 18 at 2:00 PM
Family Fun: Birding for Kids
Sunday, December 26 at 2:00 PM
Parent(s) and child(ren) must accompany each other.
Please call 518-475-0291 to register by Wednesday, December 22.
Event Descriptions at Five Rivers
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center
Almost Winter Solstice Hike
Friday, December 17 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 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
111th Annual Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, December 18 all day
Western New York
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959.
After-School Escape
Thursday, December 16 and 23 at 4:30 PM
For children in grades K-5.
Avian Excavators
Saturday, December 18 at 10:30 AM
Bring binoculars if you have them.
Winter Solstice Full Moon Walk
Tuesday, December 21 at 6:00 PM
Bring binoculars if you have them.
Full Moon Cross-Country Ski Tour
Tuesday, December 21 at 6:30 PM
Bring your own skis, or rent a pair. Ski rental: $2.00/pair; free for FORNP members.
Snowshoe Walk
Tuesday, December 28 at 10:30 AM
Snowshoe rental: $2.00/pair; free for FORNP members.
Outdoor Adventure Club Series: Animal Tracking
Wednesday, December 29 at 10:00 AM
For youth ages 12 to 16.
Family Night Walk
Wednesday, December 29 at 6:00 PM
Snowshoe rental: $2.00/pair; free for FORNP members.