ONGOING 

NYC:  For the NYC Urban Park Rangers Calendar of Programs visit www.nyc.gov/parks, or call (212) NEW-YORK (dial 311 if you live in NYC). 

NYSERDA ENERGY STAR® Change a Light, change the World Campaign. Save energy and reduce greenhouse gases by switching to efficient lighting. Businesses, community groups, schools and others can sign up as a Pledge Driver. Contact Jessica Barry, Mid-Hudson Energy $mart, barryjessica@gmail.com.

CLIMATE CHANGE: THE THREAT TO LIFE AND A NEW ENERGY FUTURE, American Museum of Natural History from October 18, 2008 to August 19, 2009. For more information, visit http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/climatechange/.

JUNE 2009

30: Firefly Watch at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. Center naturalists will lead an outdoor search for fireflies to monitor and collect valuable data on firefly activity at Five Rivers Center. For more information visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html.

30: Bringing Sustainable Energy Infrastructure to the Hudson Valley. An update on the most innovative local & global renewable energy & energy efficiency initiatives, and their possible application here in the Hudson Valley. Location: Vassar College. Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. For more information contact Manno Jo Green at  mannajo@clearwater.org.

JULY 2009

2: Thursday Morning Ranger Hike. Join a strenuous (3 mile) Thursday morning "ranger hike" up the rugged white trail to a magnificent Hudson River overlook at  Shaupeneak Ridge in Esopus. For more information, contact aconeski@scenichudson.org.

11: Wildflower Walk at Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center. Help us search for wildflowers in bloom as we take a leisurely ramble on one of our wooded trails. Soapwort, Joe-Pye weed, moth mullein and milkweed are just a few we might encounter. For more information, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/48977.html#r3Event55071.

18: Family Fun Weekend at the NYS Museum in Albany, NY. Family Fun Weekend is the 3rd weekend of the month!  The Museum offers fun for the whole family with games, crafts, and other theme-based activities. July's theme is the Circus. For more information, visit http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/calendar/.

21: Nightwalk: Bats. This program starts indoors with a presentation on the bats of New York State. We will conclude with an outdoor evening stroll ending at the Jones Barn where we will watch for bats emerging for their night of foraging. Location: Five Rivers Education Center. Time: 7:00 PM. For more information, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/48977.html#r3Event55071.

25: Gilgo Beach Green Fest '09. This all day event, focused on environmental awareness and sponsored by the Town of Babylon, features a surfing competition, a live art show, live music, and free giveaways. Call (631) 375-0865 or visit www.thrustcamp.com for more details. Rain date is July 26th.

AUGUST 2009

1: Animal Open House at five Rivers Education Center. Come get up close and personal with some of the Center's residents. Learn about what they eat and how they are cared for; we will follow up by taking an outdoor walk to the natural habitat of these animals. Program begins at 10:00 AM. Form more information, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html.

4: Nightwalk: Bats. This program starts indoors with a presentation on the bats of New York State. We will conclude with an outdoor evening stroll ending at the Jones Barn where we will watch for bats emerging for their night of foraging. Location: Five Rivers Education Center. Time: 7:00 PM. For more information, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/48977.html#r3Event55071.

8: Explore the Summit Trail. Located on the Cush Hill property, this trail offers a bit more strenuous walk through a mixed deciduous forest. Possible sightings include signs of porcupine, turkeys, deer and more. Location: Rogers Environmental Center. Time: 10:00 AM. Click here for additional information and directions to Rogers Center.

9: Trash to Treasures brings awareness to the manufacturing process by using it's waste materials and mistakes destined for the landfill as art supplies. Each participant uses these materials to exercise their creative skills to make unique items to take home. Location: NYS Museum in Albany, NY. Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. Fore more information, visit http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/calendar/.

SEPTEMBER 2009

19: 3rd annual NY's Capital Region Vegetarian Expo in Saratoga Springs, NY. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://nyvegetarianexpo.org/2009_Expo_Exhibitor_Flyer.pdf.