Families with young children (ages 2–5) are invited to gather for the reading of a nature-themed story, then take part in theme-related activities. Take-home projects will be included. Each session includes three program days, with the activity running 9:30–11:00 AM. 

Session 1: 

November 1, 8, and 15 (rain date November 22) 

or 

November 2, 9, and 16 (rain date November 23)

Session 2: 

November 29, December 6 and 13 (rain date December 20)

or 

November 30, December 7 and 14 (rain date December 21)

Fee per session: 

$8 for Friends members, $10 for non-members; $5 material fee per child

Registration:

Visit www.FriendsofFiveRivers.org and look under the “Education Programs” tab for further information or to register. 

Details to listen to the livestream of the meeting are available below. Attendees joining the livestream online or by phone are limited to listening only.

Link to join online: https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/j.php?MTID=m24e30061c16131ef3e470b17c878cb39

Join by phone: Dial 518-549-0500 and enter Access Code 161 746 9818.
Webinar password: MRAC11 (672211 from phones)

Families with young children (ages 2–5) are invited to gather for the reading of a nature-themed story, then take part in theme-related activities. Take-home projects will be included. Each session includes three program days, with the activity running 9:30–11:00 AM. 

Session 1: 

November 1, 8, and 15 (rain date November 22) 

or 

November 2, 9, and 16 (rain date November 23)

Session 2: 

November 29, December 6 and 13 (rain date December 20)

or 

November 30, December 7 and 14 (rain date December 21)

Fee per session: 

$8 for Friends members, $10 for non-members; $5 material fee per child

Registration:

Visit www.FriendsofFiveRivers.org and look under the “Education Programs” tab for further information or to register. 

DEC Climate Justice Working Group to Meet

What: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) 13-member Climate Justice Working Group, established under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), will hold a meeting on Wednesday, Nov.16. The Climate Justice Working Group is tasked with establishing criteria for identifying disadvantaged communities for the purposes of co-pollutant reductions, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, regulatory impact statements, and the allocation of investments pursuant to the CLCPA. This will be an informational meeting with limited official action. Discussion will include an analysis of public comments received on the draft disadvantaged communities criteria. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or listen to the meeting via webcast. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged and can be done by clicking the WebEx link below.

When: Wednesday, Nov.16, 3 p.m. ET

Where: Via WebEx - https://meetny-broadcast-pilot.webex.com/meetny-broadcast-pilot/j.php?RGID=rd55fcf7001ef19c5a43f1db883b2a85d 

Webinar password: welcome123 (93526631 from phones)

Audio: Dial 1-518-549-0500; Access code: 2336 686 4120

In-Person - Event locations, times, and partners include: 

• Hydroelectric Boardroom, 1333 Broadway, Suite 300, New York, NY 10018 (*in the NY Green Bank space)
  
• New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) 17 Columbia Circle, Board Room, Albany, NY 12203 
  
• DEC Region 5 Office, 1115 New York State Route 86, Ray Brook, NY 12977-0296 
  
• DEC Region 8 Office, 6274 East Avon-Lima Rd., Avon, NY 14414

Additional Information: This meeting will also be recorded and posted on the Climate Act website within three days, or as soon as practicable. 

The plan guides the future uses and management of nearly 6,700 acres of DEC-managed public lands within the East of Hudson Unit in the towns of Amenia, Beekman, Carmel, Cortlandt, Dover, Kent, LaGrange, Milan, Pawling, Philipstown, Pine Plains, Pleasant Valley, Putnam Valley, Stanford, and Union Vale.

DEC is holding an availability session and public meeting on Nov. 16 at the Dutchess County Farm and Home Center, 2715 US-44, Millbrook NY 12545.

DEC staff will be available from 5 to 6 P.M. to talk one-on-one and answer questions. Starting at 6 P.M., a public presentation on the draft plan will be given, followed by time for public comments.

Public comments on the proposed management plan will be accepted until December 22, 2022 by mail to DEC Division of Lands and Forests, 21 South Putt Corners Rd. New Paltz, NY 12561, and by email to R3.UMP@dec.ny.gov.

Winter Preparation: Methods employed by insects, mammals, birds, and reptiles 

Dwindling daylight and cooling temperatures trigger humans to dig out hats, gloves, and heavy coats. Other animals, including insects, mammals, birds, and reptiles, take these environmental cues and prepare in remarkable ways to survive winter. Join an inquisitive group of adults as we wander Five Rivers and wonder about its inhabitants’ preparations. Photographs, guidebooks, skulls, pelts, and other materials will help enlighten us as we discuss the focused, quiet activity all around us. Who knows? It might just trigger us to be more proactive in our own preparations for winter! 

Space is limited; registration required.

Dates: Thursdays, November 3, 10, and 17 (rain date: December 1); Time: 10:00–11:30 AM

Fee: $20 for members; $25 for non-members

Registration: online at www.FriendsofFiveRivers.org, under the “Education Programs” tab

Registration Deadline: Thursday, October 27 

Dutchess County - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), as lead agency, has accepted a Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Red Wing Rhinebeck - White Schoolhouse Road Mine. Two public hearings on the Draft EIS will be held on November 17, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Written comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted until January 11, 2023. The Draft EIS is available from the Starr Library Rhinebeck, 68 West Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY 12572; the Rhinebeck Town Hall, 80 East Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY 12572; and online.

Register for the 1:00 p.m. virtual public hearing. 

Webinar number: 2349 085 0440

Webinar password: welcome1 (93526631 from phones)

Join by phone

+1-518-549-0500 US (English Menu)

Access code: 2349 085 0440

Dutchess County - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), as lead agency, has accepted a Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Red Wing Rhinebeck - White Schoolhouse Road Mine. Two public hearings on the Draft EIS will be held on November 17, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Written comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted until January 11, 2023. The Draft EIS is available from the Starr Library Rhinebeck, 68 West Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY 12572; the Rhinebeck Town Hall, 80 East Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY 12572; and online.

Register for the 6:00 p.m. virtual public hearing. 

Join by the webinar number:

Webinar number: 2336 942 6948

Webinar password: welcome1 (93526631 from phones)

Join by phone

+1-518-549-0500 US (English Menu)

Access code: 2336 942 6948

DEC has received a Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) application for a site known as 40-40 Northern Boulevard, site ID #C241268. This site is located in Long Island City, in the City of New York, within the County of Queens, and is located at 40-30 - 40-40 Northern Boulevard. Public comments about the application must be submitted by November 18, 2022.

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/C241268/

And at:

Queens Public Library - Long Island City Branch
37-44 21 Street
Long Island City, NY 11101

Queens Community Board 2
43-22 50th Street
2nd Floor
Woodside, NY 11377

Superstorm Sandy was the sixth-costliest hurricane in the history of the U.S. In NYC, 48 people died, thousands were evacuated, and there was an estimated loss of $19 billion in economic impacts. The storm eroded miles of coastline; flooded 17% of the city, including subway tunnels; overwhelmed water treatment plants; and downed trees across the five boroughs. Between Sandy and the nor’easter that followed it, NYC lost more than 10,000 trees to storm winds and saltwater.

Join us to revisit the City’s response to Sandy and the long-lasting impacts to the city’s trees and green infrastructure. We’ll hear from NYC Parks staff about the immediate storm response, how the City handled the immense amounts of woody debris, and how the lessons learned from Sandy have changed the City’s storm response.

Location:
Brooklyn Borough Hall
209 Joralemon Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Parking is NOT available on site

Speakers include:

James Kaechele – Manager, NYC Tree Time

Fiona Watt – Senior Advisor, NYC Parks

Bill Logan – Founder, Urban Arborists

Jessica Einhorn – Director of Tree Preservation, NYC Parks

Jeremy Barrick – Assistant Superintendent of Environmental Stewardship, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, formerly Deputy Chief of Forestry at NYC Parks during Sandy

ISA Credits pending.

Registration: $20 for nonmembers, $15 for members

Register online at the NYS urban Forestry Council's website.

Explore the world of the white-tailed deer at Reinstein Woods. We will search for their signs and learn how they impact our forest ecosystems.

We welcome those who have any type of physical challenge to all our programs. If you call ahead to let us know your needs, we will be happy to learn how we can serve you.

PLEASE NOTE

• Registration is required for ALL programs unless otherwise indicated; call 716-683-5959 to register. 
• If you call outside of normal business hours, 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 is limited to two programs/month. If you want to sign up for additional programs, you will be added to the waitlist. No limit for virtual programs.
• Social distancing and mask protocols are subject to change with current COVID guidelines.
• If you or a family member feels ill, is waiting for COVID test results or have COVID symptoms, please stay at home.
• 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.

Ever wonder how people predicted weather before Doppler radar?  Learn a bit about the clouds and what they say.  We’ll also explore the wonders that are always in the woods along the way. No registration required.

We welcome those who have any type of physical challenge to all our programs. If you call ahead to let us know your needs, we will be happy to learn how we can serve you.

PLEASE NOTE

• Registration is required for ALL programs unless otherwise indicated; call 716-683-5959 to register. 
• If you call outside of normal business hours, 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 is limited to two programs/month. If you want to sign up for additional programs, you will be added to the waitlist. No limit for virtual programs.
• Social distancing and mask protocols are subject to change with current COVID guidelines.
• If you or a family member feels ill, is waiting for COVID test results or have COVID symptoms, please stay at home.
• 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.

With Scott Stoner and Denise Hackert-Stoner

Five Rivers has drawn generations to learn about nature and conservation, to teach their children and grandchildren, to walk and revel and become inspired by the great outdoors. Join photographers Scott Stoner and Denise Hackert-Stoner as they share their views of Five Rivers through the camera lens. From field to forest, ponds, and flowing waters, the variety of habitats support an unusually wide range of life. Within its 450 acres at the edge of suburbia, Five Rivers represents a microcosm of the natural riches of the Capital Region.

Birds, mammals, amphibians, insects, and more await discovery here! More than 225 species of birds occur, with over 60 known to nest here. Otters, beavers, and muskrats frequent the ponds and streams, and deer are a constant presence in the fields. Butterflies sip nectar at the extensive pollinator garden and throughout the grounds. Beautiful dragonflies and damselflies frequent the ponds along with highly vocal frogs and toads. Join us for this up-close look at a year's worth of the beauty and diversity of this beloved place that is such an integral part of the Capital Region.