Events and Important Dates

Join us for a family friendly hike at Letchworth State Park. We’ll spot wildlife signs and observe summer plants while we explore the outdoors. Along the way, we will talk about how we can Leave No Trace and #LoveOurNYLands.

Please register only if you plan on attending. While spaces are limited at each event, there are many events to choose from throughout the summer!

This program is open to families. All children under 18 years old must be supervised by an adult. Children ages 12 and up may be dropped off with permission from a parent/guardian.

Permission can be given during registration or at the event.

Please register all members of you group that will be attending the event.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/163690716339

Each summer, the Friends of Five Rivers offer outdoor programs to help parents and children grow in their understanding and appreciation of the natural world through shared activities. Parents or caregivers and children must participate together. Registration is required.

Summer Family Fun is a four-morning program for children ages 2–8, which will be offered July 12–16, August 9–13, and August 16–20. Go to www.friendsoffiverivers.org/  for complete information, including fees and a registration form.

For the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers, and in compliance with guidance from New York State, the New York State Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social distancing practices must be followed. Masks must be worn throughout guided programs, while at a roving program, and on the trails whenever a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained between individuals or households.  

Join a naturalist at this afternoon program for children in grades K–5 and their caregivers. Take a guided walk with a naturalist to explore the outdoors and discover more about the local plants, animals, insects, and birds that can be found across the Five Rivers property. Meet at the visitor center.

 Space is limited. Please call 518-475-0291 by Friday, August 6 to register.

Each summer, the Friends of Five Rivers offer outdoor programs to help parents and children grow in their understanding and appreciation of the natural world through shared activities. Parents or caregivers and children must participate together. Registration is required.

Summer Family Fun is a four-morning program for children ages 2–8, which will be offered July 12–16, August 9–13, and August 16–20. Go to www.friendsoffiverivers.org/  for complete information, including fees and a registration form.

For the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers, and in compliance with guidance from New York State, the New York State Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social distancing practices must be followed. Masks must be worn throughout guided programs, while at a roving program, and on the trails whenever a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained between individuals or households.  

Join DEC Hudson River Estuarian, Chris Bowser, as he meets up with the next generation of Hudson River Educators from the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory. They will exploring the shallow waters along Haverstraw Bay, the widest part of the Hudson.

Each summer, the Friends of Five Rivers offer outdoor programs to help parents and children grow in their understanding and appreciation of the natural world through shared activities. Parents or caregivers and children must participate together. Registration is required.

Summer Family Fun is a four-morning program for children ages 2–8, which will be offered July 12–16, August 9–13, and August 16–20. Go to www.friendsoffiverivers.org/  for complete information, including fees and a registration form.

For the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers, and in compliance with guidance from New York State, the New York State Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social distancing practices must be followed. Masks must be worn throughout guided programs, while at a roving program, and on the trails whenever a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained between individuals or households.  

Each summer, the Friends of Five Rivers offer outdoor programs to help parents and children grow in their understanding and appreciation of the natural world through shared activities. Parents or caregivers and children must participate together. Registration is required.

Summer Family Fun is a four-morning program for children ages 2–8, which will be offered July 12–16, August 9–13, and August 16–20. Go to www.friendsoffiverivers.org/  for complete information, including fees and a registration form.

For the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers, and in compliance with guidance from New York State, the New York State Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social distancing practices must be followed. Masks must be worn throughout guided programs, while at a roving program, and on the trails whenever a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained between individuals or households.  

For more than 15 years, data collected at Five Rivers has been contributed to this continent-wide citizen science project conducted through the University of Minnesota. You can join volunteers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in conserving monarchs and advancing understanding of butterfly ecology and migration in general. Wear long pants and bring a sun hat and water. We will meet at the visitor center. Go to www.mlmp.org to learn about the project.

Space is limited and registration is required. Call 518-475-0291 by the Saturday prior to register. 

For the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers, and in compliance with guidance from New York State, the New York State Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social distancing practices must be followed. Masks must be worn throughout guided programs, while at a roving program, and on the trails whenever a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained between individuals or households.  

DEC has received a Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) application for a site known as Former Nathan’s Waste and Paper Stock, site ID #C429012. This site is located in the City of Amsterdam, within the County of Montgomery, and is located at 111 Erie Terrace. Public comments about the application must be submitted by August 13, 2021.

Click the web link above at "Additional Information" to learn about the site and how to comment.

Project documents can be reviewed online at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/data/DecDocs/C429012/

And at:

Amsterdam Free Library
28 Church Street
Amsterdam, NY 12010

DEC invites the public to comment about a draft plan to investigate contamination related to the Westwood Country Club, site ID #C915291 (Williamsville, Erie County) within New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program. Public comments about the draft plan will be accepted through August 13, 2021.

Click the web link above at "Additional Information" to learn about the draft plan and how to comment.

Project documents can be reviewed online at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/data/DecDocs/C915291/

And at:

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
5571 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 632-6176

DEC invites the public to comment about a proposed remedy to address contamination related to the Quick and Clean Cleaners, site ID #130198 (Cedarhurst, Nassau County) within New York's State Superfund Program. Public comments about the proposal will be accepted through August 13, 2021.

Click the web link above at "Additional Information" to learn about the proposal and how to comment.

Project documents can be reviewed online at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/data/DecDocs/130198/

And at:

Peninsula Public Library
280 Central Avenue
Lawrence, NY 11559
(516) 239-3262

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Bill Fonda
50 Circle Road
Stony Brook, NY 11790-3409
(613) 444-0350

Each summer, the Friends of Five Rivers offer outdoor programs to help parents and children grow in their understanding and appreciation of the natural world through shared activities. Parents or caregivers and children must participate together. Registration is required.

Summer Family Fun is a four-morning program for children ages 2–8, which will be offered July 12–16, August 9–13, and August 16–20. Go to www.friendsoffiverivers.org/  for complete information, including fees and a registration form.

For the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers, and in compliance with guidance from New York State, the New York State Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social distancing practices must be followed. Masks must be worn throughout guided programs, while at a roving program, and on the trails whenever a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained between individuals or households.  

Come learn about archery and practice your skills with DEC Summer Youth Program Staff!

Practice your archery skills with NYS DEC certified instructors. We will teach the basics of target shooting and spend the day practicing our skills. All equipment will be supplied by DEC staff. We will finish the day with group games. Everyone is welcome to bring an optional packed lunch to enjoy with staff after the program ends.

We can't wait to see you!

This program is open to families. The recommended age for this program is 10+ years old. Children 8-9 years old may participate with support from a parent or guardian.

All children under 18 years old must be supervised by an adult. Children ages 12 and up may be dropped off with permission from a parent/guardian. Permission can be given during registration or at the event.

Please register all members of you group that will be attending the event.

To register for this event, visit our eventbrite site: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/163892038499

This event has been cancelled.

On this adventure, we will search for several different types of squirrels found in the area. Along the way, we will look high and low for squirrel nests, tunnels, food piles, and the furry rodents themselves. Learn about how some squirrels live underground while some live in the trees and others are even adapted for life in the air.

Space is limited. Please call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, August 11 to register.

Discover snakes, turtles, frogs and salamanders as we explore the ponds and forests at Reinstein Woods. 

PLEASE NOTE

• Pre-registration is required for ALL programs; call 716-683-5959 to register for an in-person program. For virtual programs, please register online at www.reinsteinwoods.org/events.
• You must pre-register by phone; you will receive a call confirming your registration or waitlist status. PLEASE SPEAK CLEARLY when leaving your name and phone number as our system does not have caller ID. Unless you receive a callback, you are not registered. *Registration for popular programs is limited to 3 people per party.
• All participants are required to wear a mask; social distancing of 6 feet or more will be practiced whenever possible. 
• In case of poor weather, programs may be cancelled.
• We cannot accommodate organized youth/civic groups at these programs. Please call to make other arrangements.

Join DEC Summer Staff to learn fishing basics. You will then have a chance to practice your skills in a scenic location!

The I FISH NY Program's primary goal is to increase fishing participation and awareness of the outstanding fishing opportunities that New York has to offer. Free Fishing Clinics are family fishing programs where participants can fish for free; no fishing license or enrollment in the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry is required. To learn more, visit the I Fish NY Website.

Please register only if you plan on attending. While spaces are limited at each event, there are many events to choose from throughout the summer!

This program is open to families. All children under 18 years old must be supervised by an adult. Children ages 12 and up may be dropped off with permission from a parent/guardian.

Permission can be given during registration or at the event.

Please register all members of your group that will be attending this event.

Visit our eventbrite site to register: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/163880979421

Audio Orienteering with Soundscape

Drop in and experience Soundscape, an audio orienteering smartphone app. Designed for use by blind and low vision walkers, Soundscape can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities. Let the bells and trumpet sounds guide you along trails near the visitor center, and further afield. Representatives from Capital Region Nordic Alliance will be on hand to demonstrate and give visitors an opportunity to try this unique way of navigating Five Rivers’ trails.

This program will be repeated on Saturday, August 21 from 1:30-3:30 PM.