February 8, 2012
- Become a Citizen Scientist
- 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
Become a Citizen Scientist
Citizen scientists are people who volunteer to survey, measure, monitor or observe the natural world around them and record and share their findings. Scientists and biologists count on regular people like you and me to help them understand our environment and its wildlife. Here are a few ways that you can become a citizen scientist without ever leaving your backyard or neighborhood.
Project BudBurst
Project BudBurst (this link leaves DEC's website) is a citizen science program for which people make regular observations of plants in their area and report their findings. People might observe plants in their backyards, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces or while walking. Their findings help scientists understand changes in our natural environment.
BudBurst Buddies (this link leaves DEC's website) is a part of Project BudBurst but is designed specifically for children. To participate, kids pick a tree or shrub to watch. During the year, they make multiple observations about changes their subject is experiencing. Children who report at least four different observations will receive an official BudBurst Buddy certificate.
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
If you are a concerned citizen who spends time near the shore around the Great Lakes, join the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Thousands of birds have died from disease in recent years, and scientists want to keep an eye on the health of birds in these areas. All you have to do is share your observations about injured or dead birds or algal blooms by recording them in the Wildlife Health Event Reporter (this link leaves DEC's website).
To learn more about being a citizen scientist and about additional opportunities to get involved, read the December 2011 issue of Conservationist magazine. DEC's website also has a list of citizen science programs.
Send us an e-mail and tell us what you think about Outdoor Discovery.
Subscribe to Conservationist magazine-New York's award-winning publication with astonishingly beautiful photography and captivating articles.
Learn the best places to view wildlife at DEC's Watchable Wildlife pages.
Family Fun
Great Backyard Bird Count
Join people from throughout the country this February 17-20 for The Great Backyard Bird Count-an annual, four-day event to count birds seen in North America. (This link leaves DEC's website). Anyone can participate, whether you know a lot about birds or just like to watch them at feeders. All you need is a notebook and as little as 15 minutes a day to keep track of the number and species of birds that you count. Visit the Great Backyard Bird Count website (this link leaves DEC's website) for information.
Public programs with tips for anyone wishing to take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count will take place at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and at Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center on February 18 (see Upcoming DEC Events). For citizen scientists especially interested in birds, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (this link leaves DEC's website) has projects for all ages and abilities, and some that are specifically for urban observers.
While many citizen scientist projects center on birds, there's something for everyone. Information about numerous projects covering everything from mammals to climate change is at Citizen Science Central (this link leaves DEC's website).
Wildlife Survey
Wildlife comes in all shapes and sizes-from the tiniest of insects to fish and amphibians. Conduct a wildlife survey of your own-either in your yard or a nearby park. Grab a notebook, find a spot and sit quietly for 10 minutes, observing the area around you. Remember, the quieter you are, the more likely you are to see wildlife. Record the species and numbers of any wildlife that you see. If you don't see any wildlife, try to search around and find evidence that animals have been there. Record what you find in your notebook.
Read Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Hudson Valley
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
Programs at Stony Kill are now offered by the Stony Kill Foundation (this link leaves DEC's website); there are no DEC education staff at the site due to fiscal constraints.
Open Barn Tours
Saturdays and Sundays, February 11, 12, 18 and 19 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Learn to Snowshoe
Saturday, February 11 at 10:00 AM
In the event of insufficient snow, the program will be conducted on foot. Call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, February 8 to reserve snowshoes and/or to register.
Map and Compass Snowshoe Course
Saturday, February 11 at 1:00 PM
Children must be accompanied by an adult. If there is insufficient snow, we will go on foot. In the event of severe weather, this program may be cancelled. Call 518-475-0291 by Monday, February 6 to register.
Family Fun: Winter Astronomy
Friday, February 17 at 7:30 PM
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Hot chocolate and coffee will be provided to keep you warm. In the event of significant cloud cover, this program will be cancelled. Call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, February 15 to register.
Citizen Science: Great Backyard Bird Count
Saturday, February 18 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Family Fun: The Ecology of Snow
Saturday, February 18 at 2:00 PM
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Family Fun: Birding for Kids
Wednesday, February 22 at 10:00 AM
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 518-475-0291 by Friday, February 17 to register.
Event Descriptions at Five Rivers
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center (this link leaves DEC's website)
Snow Birds
Saturday, February 18 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 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 (this link leaves DEC's website)
Central New York
Rogers Environmental Education Center
Programs at Rogers are now offered by the Friends of Rogers (this link leaves DEC's website); there are no DEC education staff at the site due to fiscal constraints.
Cross-Country Ski at Stony Pond State Forest
Saturday, February 11 at 10:00 AM
You must have your own skis. If there is no snow, we will hike instead. Call 607-674-4733 to register.
Senior Series Cross-Country Ski at Adams Farm
Wednesday, February 15 at 10:00 AM
You must have your own skis. If there is no snow, we will hike instead. Call 607-674-4733 to register.
Kids Drop-in Program
Saturday, February 18 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Parents must stay with their children for the entire program. Dress for outdoor weather.
Western New York
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
After-School Escape
Thursdays, February 9 and 16 at 4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. No registration required.
Six-Legged Snowshoe Walk
Saturday, February 11 at 10:30 AM
Come and search for hidden insects on this guided snowshoe walk. Snowshoe rental = $4.00/person; Friends of Reinstein members = $2.00. Call 716-683-5959 to register.
Cross-Country Ski Tour
Sunday, February 12 at 1:00 PM
For adults and children ages 10 and older. Ski rental = $4.00/person; Friends of Reinstein members = $2.00. Call 716-683-5959 to register.
Valentine's Day Snowshoe Walk
Tuesday, February 14 at 6:00 PM
Snowshoe rental = $4.00/person; Friends of Reinstein members = $2.00. For adults only. Call 716-683-5959 to register.
Snowbirds
Saturday, February 18 at 10:30 AM
Learn tips for watching birds in winter, and take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count. For adults and children age 8 and older. Call 716-683-5959 to register.