News and Announcements

In the news:
The National Wildlife Federation has developed a site on the BP oil spill for teachers.  It includes a section of questions and answers on what kids are asking  about the spill. Click here.

Opportunities:
Solar Sails New York Program
Through a service contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), NESEA is offering free workshops: A Solar Kit for the Classroom; created for grades 3 -12 with a strong focus at the middle school level; and Wind Wisdom for School Power…Naturally, appropriate for grades K-6.  At the workshop teachers and non-formal educators will receive engaging, hands-on science and engineering activities that support New York State Learning Standards and Core Curriculum, addressing  specific performance indicators; and a free energy education kit and support materials for your classroom, center, or institution. 
For more information on the Solar Sails New York program and a workshop schedule, click here!

Download Free Curriculum:
(Courtesy of Northeast Sustainable Energy Association)
Wind Wisdom for School Power Naturally  Two curricular units: K-4 and 5-6

Featured new link to SISEA resources:
SchoolPowerNaturally.org

Upcoming local Staten Island events:

Culture of the Plains Indians - Friends of Blue Heron Park
7:30-9:15 pm Join Leonard Warner for a fascinating slide lecture on the way of life of the American Indian tribes that once lived across the open grasslands of the Great Plains. We will take a detailed look at a number of aspects of their culture including warfare, puberty rites, vision quests, courtship and marriage, death rites, political systems and religion. Tribes such as the Sioux, Cheyenne, Araphao, Kiowa and Comanche will be featured. (718)948-0230

Natural Trails Day - Greenbelt Nature Center
10:00 am Help improve the trails of the Greenbelt. Refreshments and gratitude provided. Registration required. For more information, or to register, call (718) 667-2165 or email jeanne.paliswiat@parks.nyc.gov

Long Pond Park - Protectors of Pine Oaks
10 a.m. to 12 noon We will look for evidence of the plants and animals, especially reptiles and amphibians, as we survey the woodlands surrounding Long Pond. We’ll also examine the geology and observe evidence of past human use of the area during this unhurried stroll through about one and a half miles of the park. Meet at PS 6, on Page Avenue and Academy Avenue about 3 blocks NW of Hylan Blvd. For more information phone Clay Wollney at (718) 869-6327.

Tides of Time Hike - Greenbelt Nature Center
11:00 am William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge. Join us on a hike of the recently renovated loop trail and look and listen for the diverse array of wildlife around the tidal wetlands. Hikers meet at the trail entrance near the corner of Travis and Mulberry Avenues. Registration required. Call (718) 351-3450. 

Birding with Friends of Blue Heron
8:00 a.m. High Rock Park – 8 am in the parking lot on Nevada Avenue. Young birders & enthusiastic “bird people” will learn about how birds behave & migrate. Howie Fischer will emphasize bird identification. Please dress weather-appropriately, wear walking shoes and bring your binoculars! Information: email cotingas@aol.com and (718) 981-4002

Help Build a Compost Bin - Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve
12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Roll up your sleeves and make your community greener as we help Clay Pits Pond State Park Preserve build a compost bin. You can also pitch in with chopping, mixing, and sifting compost, which will give you the basic info you need to properly create compost at home. (718) 605-3970

Old Mill Road - Protectors of Pine Oaks
12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Park at the end of Old Mill Road, behind the church. We'll stroll along the multi-use trail overlooking the marshes and return along the Blue Trail. We are surrounded by beautiful, old woodlands as well as newly grown stands of cottonwoods and other pioneer plants. We’ll see the flow of the famous Hessian Spring as it crosses the road and view Fresh Kills estuary. For more information phone Clay Wollney at (718) 869-6327.

Flutter by Butterfly – Friends of Blue Heron Park
3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Cliff Hagen will share practical tips for identifying the many similar species of skippers and brushfoot butterflies that find solace in the gardens of Blue Heron Park. This is a prelude to the annual Butterfly Census scheduled for the last Saturday of June.
Birding with Friends of Blue Heron
8:00 a.m. Mount Loretto – 8 am in the parking lot off Hylan Blvd. Young birders & enthusiastic “bird people” will learn about how birds behave & migrate. Howie Fischer will emphasize bird identification. Please dress weather-appropriately, wear walking shoes and bring your binoculars! Information: email cotingas@aol.com and (718) 981-4002