Programs at Blue Heron Park

WINTER 2010

SEE PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE

For your pleasure, every Saturday and Sunday there is a naturalist-guided walk at 1:15 and another at 2:15, leaving from the Blue Heron Nature Center.

NATURE LIBRARY - Visit Blue Heron Nature Center’s NATURE LIBRARY, a collection of guidebooks, books & magazines about nature in the NYC area -- for adults, youngsters & children. The NATURE LIBRARY is available daily, except Monday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Nature Center -- for your study & enjoyment.

Fall Programs

Learn to Knit - During this four-week program, students will learn the basics of knitting. After practicing the knit and purl stitches, students will learn a new stitch pattern each week. Students will create swatches demonstrating the cable, bobble, moss and lace stitches. There is a one-time materials charge of $6. Plan to attend all four classes. All ages welcome. Instructor - Kathleen Ruoti

Registration 718-967-6158.

Tuesdays at 3-4:30 pm - February 2, 9, 16, 23

Valentine Card Making - Crafty Card-Making fun for all ages. Come along and create cards for those close to your heart. Pre-registration is a must - 718-117-8839 Materials fee - $1.

Sunday, February 7 - 1-2:30 pm

Herbal Trees - From apple, bay, and cinnamon to maple, pine, and oak, we use trees and tree products in a variety of ways. Join herbalist, Gert Coleman, to learn how to identify, grow and appreciate herbal trees. A brief walk outdoors, weather permitting. Call 718 356 9235 to register.

Saturday, February 20 - 1-2:30 pm

Beyond pickles - Dill, 2010 Herb of the Year. Join herbalist, Gert Coleman, to learn about dill and its cousins, parsley, fennel, caraway, and anise: how to use it fresh and dried in recipes, what varieties to grow, and the medicinal benefits of the umbelliferous family. Call 718 356 9235 to register.

Saturday, March 6 - 1-2:30 pm

Owl Prowl - Wander the backwoods with naturalist, Cliff Hagen, as evening falls in the park. At twilight the owls of Blue Heron rise to seek food and companionship. Join the search for our nocturnal neighbors.

January 31, 4 - 5:30 pm
February 28, 4 - 5:30 pm
March 14, 6 – 8 pm

Woodcock Walk - When the sun falls below the horizon, American Woodcock acknowledge the privacy of night with the sounds of courtship. Woodcock are a migrant species of shorebird that nests in local parks Join naturalist Cliff Hagen as he investigates the courtship display of the American Woodcock in Blue Heron Park.

April 11, 4 – 6 pm

Friends’ Annual Celebration this year will take place on Sunday, April 18. We are proud to announce that Clay Wollney, naturalist, Staten Island Advance columnist “Mr Discovery” and “Director of the Institute for Leadership in Science at the Staten Island Academy”, will be our celebrant. Invitations will be mailed at a later date.

Children's Programs

Doodlebug FunTime

For ages 18 months-4 yrs, with care giver

Kick off the weekend early with some Friday afternoon fun. Join Kathleen Hagen for storytelling, music & crafts. Materials charge is $1.00 per child. Registration is a must in order for us to have a craft project for each little one.

Please restrict registration to one series only.

Fridays – 1 pm REGISTRATION REQUIRED: 718-227-8839

Series I - January 15, February 5, March 5
Series II January 29, February 12, March 19

Kids & Kritters

For ages 5-7 with Parent

All programs take place on Saturdays, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. Dress your child weather appropriate. (Coats, hats, gloves and shoes you don’t mind getting dirty) Part of these programs will take place outdoors. All programs will include a craft, story or game indoors. 917-751-0071

January 23 – Winter Kritter Hike – Join us for a wintry jaunt through the woods as we search for evidence of winter animals.
February 6 – Valentines For The Birds – Learn about some of the animals that represent love and make a Valentine to share.
February 20 - Snowflakes – No two are alike. Join us to find out why, then make a snowflake to take home.
March 6 – Animal Trax – Join us for an exploration of animal tracking. Make a track to take home!
March 27 - Deer Are Here - Learn about the reindeer people of the Sami and the deer of Staten Island, and then make a pair of antlers to take home.

Krafty Kids

For ages 4-10 with care giver

Join Nancy Zawada Clair and wiggle, hop or fly over to the Nature Center and join us for some Saturday after school crafty fun. Materials fee is $1 per child.

Registration is required - 917-751-0071. 1-2 pm on the following Saturdays:

January 23 - Make a turtle out of a natural item
February 6 - Decorate a heart with natural items to hang
February 20 - Join us in decorating a beautiful snowflake.
March 6 - Make an animal track book to take home.
March 27 - Make a glitter reindeer craft.

Nature With Kathy

Ages 4 to 8

Tie Dyeing - Hear about The Goat in the Rug, a charming and informative story and what happens with the nature dyes when the goat sees them. Then you will do your own tie-dyed piece. Materials charge is $1. To register call Cathy at 1-917-596-4198.

Sunday, January 24, 1-2:30 pm, ages 4-10

Winter Nature Books - Take a quick walk outside, make observations, and come in and make an accordion book about winter. Colored pencils, watercolor, colored paper and nature things will be used. Children can label their work or write a poem about winter. Materials charge is $1. To register call Cathy at 1-917-596-4198.

Sunday, January 31, 1-2:30 pm, ages 4-10

Winter Native American Corn-Husk Dolls – This time, the dolls will have pants and boots. Materials charge is $1. To register, call Cathy at 1-917-596-4198.

Sunday, February 14, 1-2:30 pm, ages 4-12.

Spring Origami - In early Spring rabbits and flowers get busy. We will be busy making rabbits and flowers to decorate any room in the house. Materials charge is $1. To register, call Cathy at 1-917-596-4198.

Sunday, March 14, 1-2:30 pm, ages 4-12

Printmaking - Do your design and make an edition of 3 prints. The design could be nature-inspired, for Valentine's Day, or whatever you want. Materials charge is $1.

To register, call Cathy at 1-917-596-4198.

Sunday, March 28, 1-2:30 pm, ages 4-12.

Natural Science Club

Ages 8-12

Programs for curious nature-oriented students ages 8-12. This Club will meet with Clay Wollney on the days listed with different topics relating to natural science. On the following Sundays from 2-3:30 pm INFORMATION: 718-967-3542

January 17 - Muscles and Bone - The Biology of Movement - Participants will learn how the skeletal and muscular systems work together to create movement. Through the dissection of a chicken wing the action of opposing pairs of muscles and their action as levers will be discerned.
February 14 – The Many Kinds of Mammals - The characteristics of mammals and their variety of adaptations to different environments will be observed. Participants will learn the different orders of mammals and observe the adaptations of some common examples.
March 14 - It’s a Gas! - The properties of oxygen, hydrogen and carbon dioxide gases will be demonstrated and compared during this session. Participants will learn how to isolate these gases and test their characteristics. The practical uses of these gases will be the subject of experiments as well.

Explorers of the Wild

For ages 6-12

Explorers can learn a lot about the environment from Clay Wollney. Clay is a Naturalist, a science teacher at Staten Island Academy, & a featured columnist for the Staten Island ADVANCE. Clay is also known as “Mr. Discovery” at the Staten Island Institute of Arts & Sciences. On the following Sundays from 2-3:30 pm INFORMATION: 718-967-3542

January 31 - Keeping Warm - Protection from the cold is important for both animals and humans in the winter. Participants will use both natural and man-made materials for experimentation to discover their insulating properties.
February 28 - The Adaptations of Fish - Fish were the first vertebrates to evolve and are still the most common. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the anatomy and behavior of the three classes of fish through observation of live and preserved specimens.
March 21 - Looking for Signs of Life - With spring just around the corner, participants will search for the first signs that warmer weather will soon return.

Birding with Friends of Blue Heron

For all ages

Young birders & enthusiastic “bird people” will learn about how birds behave & migrate. Howie Fischer will emphasize bird identification. Places and times are listed below. Please dress weather-appropriately and bring your binoculars! Information: email cotingas@aol.com and 718-981-4002

February 27 - Mount Loretto at 9 am - Focus will be on late wintering land birds and early waterfowl. Bring binoculars and warm clothing. We meet in the parking lot just off of Hylan Boulevard.
March 6 - Great Kills Park at 9 am - We will look for lingering ducks and other water birds. Meet in the parking lot closest to Hylan Boulevard and then we will go into the park and search the tidal flats, nature center and boat basin. Bring binoculars.
March 13 - Mount Loretto at 9 am - We will look for early spring arrivals and lingering waterfowl. Our target bird will be Wilson's Snipe if the fields are wet. Bring binoculars. Meet in the parking lot.
March 20 - High Rock Park and Pouch Camp at 9 am - This may be the best time for some early spring migrants if the weather cooperates. Kinglets, Hermit Thrush and Pine Warblers are possible. Bring binoculars. We meet in the High Rock park parking lot at the top of Nevada Avenue.

Please note: All programs subject to change

This document maintained by Preserve & Protect.