December 14, 2011
- Winter Outings
- Family Fun
- Upcoming DEC Events
- Capital District - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
- Western New York - Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Winter Outings
Winter in New York offers a lot of opportunities to get outside and explore your area in a new way. Knowing where you are going and how to get there is an important part of heading out into an unknown area. But you also have to be prepared to deal with health issues that can occur when enjoying the outdoors, especially in winter. Sporting goods stores carry reference guides to first aid that will fit easily in your backpack.
Dehydration-Dehydration occurs when you don't replace the fluid that your body loses through participating in outdoor activities or exercise. Make sure to drink water before you start an activity and continue to drink it at intervals while active.
Hypothermia-Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Hypothermia isn't just a concern in the winter. A cool, breezy spring or summer day can be more dangerous than a calm, dry winter day because wind and moisture draw heat away from the body quickly. Dress in layers, and wear a hat to avoid this life-threatening condition.
Layered Clothing-In cool weather, your clothing provides insulation to keep you from losing body heat. Sweating can be dangerous when the temperature drops, so you must layer your clothing. The first layer of clothing should be able to "wick" away moisture. Cotton isn't a good choice because it traps the moisture close to your skin and makes you chilly. Polypropylene is a better choice for the first layer. The second layer can be a blend of cotton and synthetic fabric. Finally, a layer of wool provides warmth even when wet. Add a waterproof/windproof jacket if the weather calls for it. Wear two pairs of socks-poly liners covered by wool socks.
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Family Fun
Pack a Winter Survival Guide
You need more than just hiking boots and some energy bars when you head out into the woods on a hike, even if you are just planning a short trip. Start by choosing a backpack. There are two types of backpacks: internal frame and external frame.
Internal frame packs have flexible, reinforced supports and foam padding to conform to your body. These packs are best suited for activities such as rock climbing or cross-country skiing because you won't be thrown off balance if the weight shifts.
External packs have a frame with a nylon pack, padded shoulder straps and hip belt. The center of gravity is high and designed to support a heavy load, but the pack is easy to carry. Most people can carry up to 20 percent of their weight.
On a snowy afternoon, get together with your family, pack a backpack with some essentials, and keep it handy for your next hike. Talk about why you need the following items:
-Map and compass
-Signal device, such as a whistle or mirror
-Matches and lighter in a waterproof container
-Fire starters
-Water-purifying system
-High-energy, lightweight food like granola bars and nuts
-Flashlight with extra batteries and bulb
-Pocket knife
-Multi-tool (comes with different options, including a screwdriver, file, tweezers, scissors, etc.)
-Basic first-aid kit
-Emergency blanket
-Nylon parachute cord (about 50 feet)
-Extra, lightweight, windproof/waterproof jacket and pants
-Brightly colored bandanna
Go on a Winter Hike
In wooded habitats, animals and people are protected from strong winter winds and wind chill. It's sometimes easier to travel in wooded areas, as the snow doesn't drift, nor does it pile up as it does in open areas. Instead, a lot of snow sits on tree branches, especially in an evergreen forest.
You can expect to see a wider variety of wildlife and plants in the woods. Animals can find more places to get out of the cold and hide from predators. Snow-covered evergreen shrubs (like junipers) create sheltered places for small mammals like rabbits, mice and voles. The woods are a great place to look for tracks, signs of nibbling, and scat (animal poop). Kids can check for blue spots in the snow, which are really urine from rabbits that have eaten buckthorn.
Moose, deer, red squirrels and snowshoe hares are among the creatures that live in coniferous forests. (Conifers are trees that produce cones, such as pine cones.) Long-tailed weasels, deer mice and ruffed grouse prefer hardwoods such as birch. Gray foxes, gray squirrels and blue jays live in sugar maple forests, while wild turkey and Cooper's hawks prefer oak and hickory forests.
Read Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Family Fun: Not a Creature was Stirring
Saturday, December 24 at 10:00 AM
Parents and children must accompany each other. Call 518-475-0291 to register by Wednesday, December 21.
Family Fun: Birding for Kids
Tuesday, December 27 at 10:00 AM
Parents and children must accompany each other. Call 518-475-0291 to register by Friday, December 23.
Family Fun: River Otters
Wednesday, December 28 at 2:00 PM
Parents and children must accompany each other. Call 518-475-0291 to register by Friday, December 23.
Teacher Workshop: Project Wild
Thursday, December 29 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Call 518-475-0291 to register by Friday, December 23.
Event Descriptions at Five Rivers
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center
Winter Solstice
Wednesday, December 21 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Call 518-456-0655 or go the Albany Pine Bush website to register. Cost: $3.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free.
More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
Central New York
Rogers Environmental Education Center
Programs at Rogers are now offered by the Friends of Rogers; there are no DEC education staff at the site due to fiscal constraints.
Leave No Trace: Kids Drop In Program
Saturday, December 17 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Parents and children must accompany each other.
Western New York
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959.
After-School Escape
Thursday, December 15 at 4:30 PM
For children in grades K-5. No registration required.
Footprints in the Snow
Saturday, December 17 at 10:00 AM
Winter Solstice Walk
Wednesday, December 21 at 5:30 PM
Snowshoe rental: $4/person; FORNP members/$2.