Upcoming Nature trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of August 6th - August 7th, 2011:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Macy's Fishing Clinics
Saturdays in July and August, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Learn how to fish at Prospect Park!

Sunday, August 7, 2011
Morning Bird Walk: Early Migrants
Meet the amazing birds of Prospect Park on this expert-guided walk. Start your Sunday morning surrounded by nature!

Discover Tour
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center

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Bedford Audubon Society (Westchester)
Saturday, August 6, 10:15 am to 4:00 pm.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge With Tait Johansson
Leave By 9:00 am.
This trip will coincide with high tide in the bay, which sends plovers, sandpipers and other shorebirds in impressive numbers to the refuge’s impoundments. We should also see herons, egrets, Glossy Ibis, and many other species. Bring binoculars, lunch, sunscreen, plenty of cold drinks, and boots you don’t mind getting muddy. (M)

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, August 6, 2011, 8:00am – 9:30am
Van Cortlandt Bird Walks
Guide: Andrew Baksh or Urban Park Rangers. With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and Urban Park Rangers. Meet at Van Cortlandt Nature Center. The history of birding and Van Cortlandt Park are inseparable. Influential birders such as Roger Tory Peterson and Allan D. Cruickshank got their starts on Van Cortlandt’s ecologically diverse grounds. These walks celebrate the tradition set forth by these great ornithologists. Participants will look for various species of migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics. For more information, please call 718-548-0912. No registration necessary. No limit. Free.

Sunday, August 7, 2011, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Sunset Eco-Cruises to Harbor Heron Islands
Guide: Gabriel Willow With New York Water Taxi Meet at South Street Seaport's Pier 17. Experience the wonders of New York's famous harbor at sunset and see some of the three thousand herons, egrets, and ibis nesting on islands around the harbor. Register with New York Water Taxi online by clicking here, or by phone at 212-742-1969. Limited to 100. $35 for adults, $25 for children under 12.

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, August 6, 2011, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Long Pond Park
From reptiles and amphibians to birds and mammals, we’ll look for signs of animal life during this one and a half mile hike to through the woodlands of Long Pond Park. In addition evidence of the geologic history and human influence on the park will also be observed.
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.

Sunday, August 7, 2011, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Clay Pit Pond Park
This ecological wonderland hosts a variety of habitats. And among the woodlands and native flowers we will search for dozens of butterflies utilizing the park’s flowers, trees and shrubs.
Meet in the Nature Center parking lot.
For more information call Cliff Hagen at (718) 313-8591.

Sunday, August 7, 2011, 1:00p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Mount Loretto Unique Area Smokey Bear’s Birthday Bash

DEC CELEBRATES SMOKEY BEAR’s BIRTHDAY AT MOUNT LORETTO
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Regional Director Venetia Lannon invites all to celebrate Smokey Bear’s 67th birthday and the natural. The public is welcome to join the DEC at the 8th Annual Smokey Bear Birthday Bash at Mount Loretto Unique Area, located at 6450 Hylan Boulevard on Staten Island. The event will promote fire safety and environmental awareness.

The public will be able to engage in hands-on activities, nature walks, environmental games, and a raffle with free prizes. New York State Forest Rangers will have wild land firefighting equipment for the public to view. National Park Service, Greenbelt Education Center, and the New York City Urban Park Rangers will also have hands-on displays. The furry guest of honor, Smokey Bear, will make an appearance at the event.

The United States Forest Service (USFS) campaign starring Smokey Bear and the famous slogan “Only YOU can prevent forest fires!” started on August 9, 1944. For more than six decades, Smokey Bear has educated school children and the public about careless actions that start forest fires. In June, 1950, a bear cub was rescued in a wildfire by a USFS Forest Ranger in New Mexico and nursed back to health. This bear became the living embodiment of Smokey Bear and was moved to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., where he became the living symbol of the educational effort to prevent forest fires.

Directions: Just east of the intersection of Page Avenue and Hylan Boulevard, across the street from the MIV/CYO building, along the road leading to the bluffs from the parking lot.

Press Contact: Thomas Panzone: 718-482-4958
Contact for DAY of Event: Betsy Ukeritis: 646-831-2529

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, August 6, 2011

Birding
8:00 a.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. From falcons and salamanders, to...
Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Basic Canoeing
9:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m.
Few truly unique experiences compare with being on the open water in New York City. The...
Location: Meadow Lake Se (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Basic Canoeing
11:00 a.m.; 2:00 p.m.
Few truly unique experiences compare with being on the open water in New York City. The...
Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Basic Canoeing
12:00 p.m.
Few truly unique experiences compare with being on the open water in New York City. The...
Location: Van Cortlandt South and Major Deegan Expressway (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Butterfly Exploration
2:00 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. From falcons and salamanders, to...
Location: Blue Heron Nature Center, Staten Island
Cost: Free