FIVE RIVERS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER
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FIVE RIVERS ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION CENTER
Fall 2021 Program Schedule
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center is your gateway to the outdoors. Our grounds are open every day
from sunrise to sunset. Our visitor center is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, except
state holidays.
For the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers:
For those who are unvaccinated, masks must be worn throughout all programs. For those who are
vaccinated, social distancing practices and mask wearing are strongly encouraged.
Masks must be worn by everyone when inside the visitor center and restrooms and on the trails
whenever a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained between individuals or households.
Programs listed below are free of charge unless otherwise noted. Please dress for the weather. At this time,
we cannot accommodate organized groups during our public programs. We are happy to make alternate
arrangements for your organization. For further information, call us at 518-475-0291.
We welcome those who have any type of physical challenge to our programs. If you call ahead to let us know
your needs, we will be happy to serve you.
Five Rivers Listserv: Sign up for email notifications about upcoming programs at Five Rivers at
www.dec.ny.gov. Look for the blue “DEC Delivers” box and follow the instructions.
Friends of Five Rivers: Friends of Five Rivers (FOFR) is the year-round community support group for Five
Rivers Environmental Education Center. Members receive a discount on select items at the FOFR store,
complimentary snowshoe loans, reduced fees for some programs, and a subscription to the newsletter River
Ramblings. Membership levels and volunteer information are available at FriendsofFiveRivers.org. Questions?
Email info@FriendsofFiveRivers.org or call 518-475-0295.
Dogs and other pets are not permitted at Five Rivers. If you are looking for a natural area to walk with your
pet, we are happy to recommend other nearby locations. Call us at 518-475-0291.
FRIENDS OF FIVE RIVERS FAMILY FIELDTRIPS
Enhance your family’s scientific learning this fall by scheduling a Family Fieldtrip to Five Rivers! Meet a
Naturalist and begin an engaging hour of learning out-of-doors. Choose to become an ichthyologist
studying fish or an entomologist collecting insects or an arborist identifying trees.
Late Fall Session: November and December
For complete information, including dates, fees, and how to register, go to FriendsofFiveRivers.org.
Who: Families or Friend Groups* Maximum Group Size: 8 participants* / Friends Naturalist
*Groups containing 4 or more children must be accompanied by 2 adults.
What: Nature Fieldtrip; Choice of 3 topics – see website for details
When: 1:00–2:00 PM or 3:00-4:00 PM, October 4, 11, 18, and 25
Where: In person at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Fee: $10 for members, $15 for non-members
Registration or Questions: Contact Nancy Conway at gsp5rivers@outlook.com or
FriendsofFiveRivers.org.
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY 12054 www.dec.ny.gov
P: 518-475-0291 | F: 518-439-8044 | 5Rivers@dec.ny.govFRIENDS OF FIVE RIVERS FALL FAMILY FUN PROGRAMS
Outdoor Programs for Preschoolers and Their Caregivers
Families with young children will gather for the reading of a nature related story then accompany
Naturalists on interactive, themed discovery walks. Activities will be sent home each week to further the
learning.
Who: Pre-school children with Parents or Adult Caregivers. Older siblings welcome!
Maximum Group Size: 3 families / Friends Naturalist per class period
When: 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM or 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM 2 Sessions - November and December.
First three weeks of each month with fourth week as rain date.
Choose either Tuesdays or Wednesdays and 9:30 AM or 10:30 AM
Where: In person at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Fee: $8 for Friends Members / $10 for Non-Members; $5 material fee / child
Registration or Questions: Contact Nancy Payne at nancy.payne@dec.ny.gov or
FriendsofFiveRivers.org
Saturday, October 2, 10:00–11:30 AM Thursday, October 7, 4:30–5:30 PM
Guided Walk: OLD FIELD TRAIL and BEYOND Outdoors After School: CLAY CRITTERS
Come explore one of Five Rivers’ busy trails as we Come create your favorite animal out of clay and
look for insects, rabbits, and deer that travel these their diorama habitat out of a shoebox. We will talk
paths frequently. We will take a walk through about ecosystems and make sure our critters have
multiple habitats as we search for the animals that the resources they need to survive in their mini
call Five Rivers home. All ages welcome. Space is habitat. This program is for children in grades K–5
limited. Please call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, and their caregivers. Space is limited. Please call
September 29 to register. 518-475-0291 by Monday, October 4 to register.
Saturday, October 2, 2:00–3:30 PM Saturday, October 9, 10:00–11:30 AM
WHAT CAN THE SUN DO FOR YOU? CARNIVORE PROGRAM
Come learn about the different ways solar energy Come join two naturalists for an introductory
can complement your current lifestyle. There will be slideshow on the carnivores that can be found here
different items on display to observe, touch, and at Five Rivers. We’ll get a chance to handle pelts,
ask questions about. Perhaps this will be the skulls, and (fake) scat, as well as learn how to use
inspiration you need to try a new technology that iNaturalist to record carnivore signs and sightings
helps combat climate change. Space is limited. so you can help us keep track of the wild carnivores
Please call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, that call Five Rivers home. Recommended for ages
September 29 to register. 10+. Space is limited. Please call 518-475-0291 by
Wednesday, October 6 to register.
Wednesday, October 6, 7:00–8:30 PM
Guided Walk: NOCTURNAL WILDLIFE WALK Saturday, October 9, 2:00–3:30 PM
Come explore Five Rivers after dark as we discuss Guided Walk: FALL FOLIAGE WALK
some nocturnal critters that call our site home. We Crisp air, crunchy leaves, vivid colors…let’s enjoy
will take a walk through the field and forest and Autumn together! This guided walk will look for
perhaps we might hear the hoot of an owl or the where color is popping most brightly at Five Rivers
howl of a coyote. All ages welcome. Space is on this October weekend. Space is limited. Please
limited. Please call 518-475-0291 by Saturday, call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, October 6 to
October 2 to register. register.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 2Thursday, October 14, 4:30–5:30 PM
Outdoors After School: CHANGING LEAVES FRIDAY FULL MOON RAMBLES
and OAK TREES Fridays, October 22, November 19,
Come along for a fantastic day of creating fall- and December 17
inspired crafts. From leaf rubbings to creating
7:00–8:30 PM
spinning tops from acorns, there’s so much to
discover as the seasons change! This program is The full moon falls on or near a Friday each
for children in grades K–5 and their caregivers. month this fall. During these guided programs,
Space is limited. Please call 518-475-0291 by we’ll explore Five Rivers by moonlight. We’ll
Tuesday, October 12 to register. follow a different trail each evening, watching
and listening for creatures of the night. Distance
Saturday, October 16, 9:30 AM–4:00 PM covered will be one to two miles. Space is
I Bird NY: BACKYARD BIRDING BASICS limited. Call 518-475-0291 by the Tuesday
Drop in at the visitor center and check out the before each Ramble to register. In the event of
display highlighting our most common feeder birds severe weather, these programs will be
and their favorite foods. Pick up a few tricks for canceled.
attracting birds to your backyard.
Saturday, October 23, 10:00–11:30 AM
BIRDSEED PICKUP Guided Walk: CARNIVORE CRAWL
Come join two naturalists for a guided walk with the
Saturday, October 16, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM aim of finding carnivore tracks and scat, and
Feathered Friends: BIRDSEED ORDER practice using the app iNaturalist. This is aimed to
PICKUP be a follow-up program to our October 9
presentation on local carnivores, however,
If you ordered birdseed from the Friends of Five attending that program is not required.
Rivers, your order will be ready on this date. Recommended for ages 10+. Space is limited.
Please plan to pick it up then. If you have any Please call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, October
questions, please call Friends of Five Rivers at 20 to register.
518-475-0295.
Thursday, October 28, 4:30–5:30 PM
Tuesday, October 19, 7:00–8:30 PM Outdoors After School: YOU OTTER SEE IT
Guided Walk: NOCTURNAL WILDLIFE From teeth to tail, there’s plenty to talk about when
Come explore Five Rivers after dark as we discuss it comes to the playful river otter. Learn all about
some nocturnal critters that call our site home. We what makes this animal so amazing by
will take a walk through the field and forest and investigating where they live, interacting with pelts
perhaps we might hear the hoot of an owl or the and skulls, and making a puppet to take home. This
howl of a coyote. All ages welcome. Space is program is for children in grades K–5 and their
limited. Please call 518-475-0291 by Saturday, caregivers. Space is limited. Please call 518-475-
October 16 to register. 0291 by Monday, October 25 to register.
Thursday, October 21, 4:30–5:30 PM Saturday, October 30, 10:00–11:30 AM
Outdoors After School: CLEVER COYOTES I Bird NY: LOADS OF DUCKS!
Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Coyote? Come learn It’s the very height of waterfowl migration in Albany
about these fascinating animals with hands-on County, and Five Rivers is one of the best places to
exploration of a coyote skull and pelt accompanied see these birds. A Five Rivers naturalist will lead a
by fun interactive activities. This program is for tour through some of our best wetland habitats in
children in grades K–5 and their caregivers. Space search of beautiful Northern Shovelers, Wood
is limited. Please call 518-475-0291 by Monday, Ducks, and Mallards among others. Space is
October 18 to register. limited. Please call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday,
October 27 to register.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 3Saturday, October 30, 2:00–3:30 PM
Family Fun: ACORNS, OAKS & LOTS OF OAK Saturday, December 4, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
JOKES! THE BOBCATS OF FIVE RIVERS
Learn about these mighty giants and how they Learn about these beautiful residents and how they
provide food and shelter for many of the forest’s find food and shelter and even raise their families
inhabitants while enjoying some “Dad” jokes. Then here. As bobcat populations have grown in New
we’ll head outside to meet some of these great York, some have made a return to Five Rivers.
trees. Space is limited. Please call 518-475-0291 Enjoy learning about what they are doing here
by Wednesday, October 27 to register. while seeing photographic evidence of their
presence. Space is limited. Please call 518-475-
Saturday, November 13, 10:00-11:30 AM 0291 by Wednesday, December 1 to register.
MICROPLASTICS and ME
Discover the mystery and mayhem of microplastics Saturday, December 4, 2:00–3:30 PM
and their effect on our planet’s ecosystems. Learn Guided Hike: TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD
what they are and ways you can make a difference SIDE
at home while you gain a new perspective. Get outside on beautiful Larch Lane, adjacent to
Recommended for Ages 10+. Space is limited. the North Loop Trail, and visit the lesser-known
Please call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, Jay’s Home Run trail with a naturalist. This is a 1.5-
November 10 to register. mile hike over some of the more secretive trails at
Five Rivers. Friends of Five Rivers rent snowshoes
Saturday, November 20, 2:00 PM for $5 a pair in the exciting event of deep snow.
Guided Walk: THANKFUL FOR NATURE Space is limited. Please call 518-475-0291 by
Join a Five Rivers naturalist on a walk where we Wednesday, December 1 to register.
discover and share what we are grateful for in
nature during this Thanksgiving season. Nature Saturday, December 4, 4:00 PM
gives to us every day. Let’s take some time to Citizen Science: OWL PROWL
notice how and ponder ways that we can give Join center staff and bird experts from the Hudson-
thanks in return. Space is limited. Please call 518- Mohawk Bird Club as we survey owls at Five
475-0291 by Wednesday, November 17 to register. Rivers. Field parties will visit likely owl roosts to
listen for their calls. Space is limited. Please call
Saturday, November 27, 11:00 AM–12:30 PM 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, December 1 to
Family Fun: FUR, FLUFF, AND FUN register.
How do animals keep warm in the cold winter?
Where is the bear? How about the hare? And the Saturday, December 11, 10:00–11:30 AM
Blue Jay, does she go away? Beaver, coyote, Guided Walk: ALMOST WINTER WEED WALK
rabbit, and deer, what is the warmest pelt you’ve Whether you are a solitary bee, a goldfinch, or a
ever felt? Come check out some of the furs we human, the dried stems of weeds and wildflowers
have at Five Rivers and check out who’s hanging have much to offer. Let’s take a stroll through our
out at the bird feeders too. Space is limited. Please native plant garden and along trails to enjoy the
call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, November 24 to complex architecture of a plant gone to seed.
register. Space is limited. Please call 518-475-0291 by
Wednesday, December 8 to register.
Saturday, November 27, 2:00–3:30 PM
Guided Walk: GET TO KNOW FIVE RIVERS
Take a walk with a Five Rivers staff member
around the grounds close to the visitor center.
Learn everything you need to know to have an
enjoyable outing here. Bring questions. Space is
limited. Please call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday,
November 24 to register.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 4Saturday, January 1, 2022, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Saturday, January 1, 2022, 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM
Citizen Science: NEW YEAR’S BIRD COUNT Adventure NY: FIRST DAY HIKES
Join local bird experts from the Hudson Mohawk Happy New Year! Start the year on the right foot
Bird Club for our 41st annual New Year’s Day with some outdoor fun. We’ll stretch our legs and
survey. Seventy-one different species have been clear our heads on two easy-paced guided walks
found at Five Rivers on Albany’s “First Morning,” for all ages. The morning walk will cover about
and the birds found over the decades of this long- three-quarters of a mile, while the afternoon walk
term study show interesting range changes for will cover about one and a half miles. Dress for the
many species. Bring binoculars if you have them. weather. Space is limited for both guided walks.
Dress warmly. Space is limited. Please call 518- Please call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday,
475-0291 by Wednesday, December 29 to register. December 29, to register. In the event of severe
If severe weather is forecast, call on Friday, weather, these programs will be canceled.
December 31 to confirm the event will be held.
FRIENDS OF FIVE RIVERS GUIDED WALKS
TALK ’N’ TREK
TREE IDENTIFICATION by LEAF MORPHOLOGY
Become a part of a community of learners interested in exploring nature and sharing knowledge! Together
we will explore leaf morphology including arrangement, shape, and margins. Once understood, tree
identification becomes a way to identify a variety of trees at Five Rivers. Participants are asked to dress for
the weather and bring along water and a snack. Please meet at Five Rivers’ Guided School Program
Building.
Who: Adults individuals Maximum Participants: 8 Adults
Time & Dates: Thursdays, 1:00–2:30 PM, October 7, 14, and 21 (Rain Date: October 28)
Where: In person at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Fee: $35 for members, $50 for non-members for all three weeks
Registration or Questions: Contact Nancy Conway at gsp5rivers@outlook.com or
FriendsofFiveRivers.org.
GEOCACHING AT FIVE RIVERS
Calling all treasure hunters! Let’s learn to Geocache and find out what has been hidden at Five Rivers.
Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS devices. Participants navigate to a
specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.
GPS devices are provided. Participants are asked to dress for the weather and bring along water and a
snack. Please meet at Five Rivers’ Guided School Program Building.
Who: Adults individuals Maximum Participants: 5 Adults
Time & Dates: Wednesday, 1:00–2:30 PM, November 3, 10, and 17 (Rain Date: November 24)
Where: In person at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Fee: $35 for members, $50 for non-members for all three weeks
Registration or Questions: Contact Nancy Conway at gsp5rivers@outlook.com or
FriendsofFiveRivers.org.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 5You can also read
