R GERS CENTER Newsletter

MAY 2015 Vol. 4, Issue 2
R GERS CENTER
Newsletter
[ EXCITE | INSPIRE | MOTIVATE ]
e
u
l
g
e
t
a
e
r
C scratch!
from
ent
im
r
e
p
x
Fun enside...
i
« INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• Director’s Message
Rogers Memories
• Ask Friends of Rogers
Balloon Conundrum
• Solar Universe
• Summer Camp Series
Go on an adventure!
• Easy Experiment
DIY Glue
• Calendar of Events
www.FriendsofRogers.org
2 www.FriendsofRogers.org
ROGERS CENTER NEWSLETTER MAY 2015
Friends of Rogers
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Rogers Memories
F
inally, SPRING HAS ARRIVED!
The sun is shining, the sky is
blue, the days are warmer, and Rogers Center is buzzing, quite literally, with spring fever. There is an
exhale of
excitement
that finally,
spring is
here!
The arrival
of spring
brings the
return of
Mother
Nature in
so many
ways. The
geese found
their way
home to nest their offspring, our
honeybees are shaking off and looking for that first blossom, and our
friendly woodchuck has emerged
to say hello to our visitors. Just like
the animals that appear at Rogers
each year, so do the influx of visitors both old and new who arrive
and leave with a lasting memory. I
imagine that many of you reading
this have a memory about Rogers
too, one which you might preface
by stating “I remember when”....
just like the countless visitors we
meet who walk through the Center!
Personally, I remember visiting Rogers Center as a child with my family
to walk the trails, feed the trout,
and navigate around the geese who
continue to greet our visitors even
now to this day. Having grown up
in Sherburne, I completely understand the loss we would all feel if
Rogers Center was no more. This
is actually something, as Executive
Director, I’m compelled to think
about day in and day out...what if?
However, we have so many ‘Friends
of Rogers’ fighting for our cause
(hardworking staff, volunteers,
board members, nature lovers, and
cute animals) we hope the ‘what
if?’ will never come. With that
in mind, we must never become
complacent in our thinking. We are
facing real challenges. Fortunately,
the past couple of years have been
favorable to us - but each year is
different. That is why we must
continue to focus on our mission
and get the word out about who
we are and how we now operate.
2014 was an exciting year! We had
more than 14,000 people visit the
Rogers Center property. Visitors
were able to explore our many
trails, paddle with us on our annual kayak & canoe trips, dig with
us for fossils, birdwatch, participate
in our roundtable nature discussions, and spend a day on-property simply picnicking and hiking.
Our goal is to continue this trend
into 2015 and beyond by expanding
our popular community program
initiatives such as Family Fishing Day
and summer-long Youth Adventure
Camp. So come on out of hibernation, shake off, stretch, and get your
legs in step for a hike! It’s that time
of year to look for a new beginning
and a fresh start. Who says your
New Year’s resolution cannot begin
today, right here at Rogers Center?
See you on the trails,
Simon M. Solomon
Executive Director
Approaching Coffee Deadline
Orders for Friends of Roger’s quarterly coffee fundraiser
are due Friday, May 8. Place your order today!
Environmental Education Center, Inc.
Board of Directors
President: Sharon Pelosi
Vice President: Adam Schoonmaker, Ph.D.
Secretary: T. J. Moorehead
Treasurer: Rose Cole
Frank Busce
Marsha Guzewich
Paula Howard
Thurston Packer
John Pumilio
Chris Rossi
Bruce Selleck
Carol Smith
Laurie Trotta
Fred von Mechow
Staff
Simon Solomon
Executive Director
Sarah Freedman
Environmental Educator
Jenni Larchar
Children’s Program Coordinator
Jessica Moquin
Fundraising & Marketing Coordinator
Brandon Episcopo
Spring Naturalist Intern
Valerie Mitchell
Spring Naturalist Intern
Friends of Rogers, Inc.
P.O. Box 932
2721 State Route 80
Sherburne, NY 13460
607-674-4733
www.FriendsofRogers.org
Email: [email protected]
Friends of Rogers (F.O.R) is a non-profit
organization composed of dedicated supporters
of the Rogers Environmental Education Center
located in Sherburne, NY.
ROGERS CENTER NEWSLETTER MAY 2015
www.FriendsofRogers.org 3
Ask Friends of Rogers
Dear Friends of Rogers,
I am interested in your opinion on balloon releases. I am surprised that I still see them done in stories in the newspaper or
on TV. It’s hard to criticize people doing them because they are usually done in memory of a loved one or for a good cause but I
think there are many other ways, such as planting a tree, to commemorate such an occasion. I have left comments when I have
seen these done in the paper and some responses were that there are biodegradable balloons that can be used.
Not sure if that’s the case. Just curious as to your opinion, and if there is a way, to educate the public about the negative effects of balloons released into the environment?
Sincerely,
Community Member Concerned About Balloons
Dear Concerned,
Thank you for your concern about balloon release effects on the environment. Some people argue that balloons are
latex and latex is a natural product that eventually degrades. Latex is natural, however many of the latex and rubber
products we use today are not in their raw forms. To make rubber and latex stronger and more resilient it has undergone vulcanization, a treatment with heat and chemicals. These chemicals, dyes and plasticizers are not a natural part
of our ecosystem.
Some may argue that balloons will burst into tiny fragments once they reach a certain height and fragment into tiny
pieces and don’t become an issue. Once released, latex balloons behave differently and may not reach the height of 5
miles necessary which causes them to burst. Also, upon bursting the fragments that reach the Earth, whether large or
small can resemble a meal for an animal. There are many documented cases of finding animals such at turtles and birds
with fragments of balloons or trash in their stomachs. Additionally, the strings and ribbons that are tied to the balloons which more often than not are made from plastics which are not biodegradable can also cause harm.
There are many ways to enjoy balloons without harming wildlife and releasing them into the atmosphere. If outdoors, tie balloons securely to a child’s wrist or backpack and dispose of the balloon properly. There are many activities and games that be enjoyed with balloons inside such as balloon pops and relay races.
If you want to do something in memory of someone, think about other alternative options which will not only last
longer, but gives a location to go back to in the future. Plant a tree or a bush in their honor. Friends of Rogers sells
tree cookies in a variety of sizes that can be customized to say just about anything.
For a copy of Friends of Rogers Balloon Brochure or an order form for a Tree Cookie please contact Friends of
Rogers at (607)674-4733, e-mail [email protected] or stop by the Visitors Center Wednesday-Saturday from
10am – 4:30pm and Sunday from 11am – 3pm.
Sincerely,
Friends of Rogers
This “Ask Friends of Rogers” was written by Sarah Freedman, Enivornmental Educator for Friends
of Rogers. If you any questions, please direct them to Friends of Rogers. Your inquiry may be answered
in next month’s issue!
Sources for this article include:
Balloons Blow… Don’t Let Them Go!
Cain, M. E.; Jumpasut, P.; Watson, P. J. (2001). International Scrap & Recycling Industry Handbook.
In 2009, NYS enacted the Plastic Bag Reduction, Reuse and Recycling Act. The Act requires grocery stores of a
certain size (such as Price Chopper, Target, Walmart, Hannaford, CVS, Wegmans, and others) who distribute single
use plastic bags to establish a plastic bag recycling program. Simply stuff your plastic bags inside one bag and drop off
in the container at the entrance of the store. The Governor signed an amendment to this Act in December 2014 to
include film plastics in addition to plastic bags with a March 1, 2015 implementation deadline.
The main change in the Law is the addition of film plastics which are defined as “FILM PLASTIC” MEANS UNCONTAMINATED NON-RIGID FILM PLASTIC PACKAGING PRODUCTS
COMPOSED OF PLASTIC RESINS, WHICH INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, NEWSPAPER BAGS, DRY
CLEANING BAGS AND SHRINK-WRAP.”
Bill Search Site
Let others know so we can all do our part to help reduce the amount of plastics in our environment. Of course,
using reusable totes is the very best option!
ROGERS CENTER NEWSLETTER MAY 2015
Help Rogers Center & local tourism efforts!
In an effort to improve the visitor experience, Madison
County Tourism is conducting regional marketing research
with an independent research firm, Young Strategies, Inc.
If you have visited Madison County within the last two
years, we would appreciate you taking a brief visitor survey. This travel survey is about your overall experiences
planning your visit and your actual stay. Please take a few
minutes to respond now as survey collection will end May
4, 2015.
Just click HERE to begin the survey.
We thank you in advance for your valuable input. In appreciation for your time
and effort, upon completion of the survey, you can register to win (1 of 5) $200 VISA gift cards.
Your responses will be treated as confidential and will not
be used for any other purposes. Must be 18 years of age
to participate; only one survey per travel party.
If you have any questions related to this Madison County
Tourism visitor research study, please direct them to:
Scott Flaherty, Director
Berkeley Young, President
Madison County Tourism
Young Strategies, Inc.
scottflaherty@
byoung@
madisontourism.comyoungstrategies.com
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Easy Experiment
E
DIY Glue
quipment:
Measuring cups and spoons
2 small paper drinking cups
Mixing spoon
Paper towel to use as a filter
Plastic sandwich bag to store the paste
I
ngredients:
¼ cup skim milk
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Pinch baking soda
How to make your own glue/paste:
1.) Pour the milk into one of the cups. Add the vinegar and stir for 1 minute. The mixture will form clumps
(curds) and clear liquid (whey).
2.) Place the folded paper towel over the second cup
and push the middle down a bit.
3.) Hold the paper towel in place and slowly pour the
curds and whey into the paper towel. Most of the whey
will flow through the towel into the cup. Gently squeeze
the rest of the whey into the cup, then throw the liquid
whey away
4.) Scrape the curds into the sandwich bag and add
the baking soda. Mix the baking soda with the curds by
squeezing the curds in the plastic bag.
The paste will take longer to dry than paste you buy in
a store because there are no additional chemicals added
to help it dry faster. If you make a collage, you should let
the paste dry overnight before hanging it on a wall.
Thanks to TJ Moorehead for sharing this experiment!
www.FriendsofRogers.org 4
BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!
MEMBER BENEFITS
Member benefits vary by level, but all members will:
Pay a special member rate for program fees
Receive a 10% discount on
all purchases at the bookstore
Attend special member-only events
Receive Rogers’ monthly e-newsletter
Students and Seniors (65+)... $15
All of the above benefits
Individual... $25
All of the above benefits
Family... $35
All of the above, plus two free snowshoe rentals
Affiliate... $50
All of the above, plus a FOR t-shirt
Contributor... $100
All of the above, plus a FOR 18 oz. BPA-free water bottle
Organizations... $100
One free guided walk for organization members
Name
Address
Phone
Email
Additional Donation
Total Amount Enclosed
Send to: Friends of Rogers, Inc.
PO Box 932
Sherburne, NY 13460
Check made
payable to
Friends of Rogers, Inc.
Cash
Credit Card #
Card Type
Signature
Amount
Credit Card
Expiration
5 www.FriendsofRogers.org
ROGERS CENTER NEWSLETTER MAY 2015
Rogers Environmental Education Center
2721 State Highway 80, Sherburne, NY 13460
Buzz Buzz Bugs
Growing Green
Bugs are buzzing all around us!
Join fellow campers in the quest
for insect identification and
discovery! Roll logs, search
streams, and uncover the amazing
abundance of insects all around.
Living in harmony with Mother Earth
is both easy and fun! Throughout this
adventure, we will learn about the
gifts our planet has to give
us and discover creative ways
we can give back in return.
All About Animals
Wilderness Explorer
Join us in a search for the animals
that make our backyards special.
From painted turtles to pumpkin
seeds to garter snakes, there is a
lot to be discovered.
Every naturalist knows that
all organisms are important,
no matter how small! Join us as we analyze,
interact, and explore the different ecosystems in
our backyards.
Junior Adventures
Enjoy exploring, creating, singing, storytelling, playing games and
learning about how we fit into the natural world around us.
Ages
June 29-July 3
July 6-10
5-7
July 13-17
Junior
Adventures
7-9
8-12
All About
Animals
Hours
Camp 9 am - 4 pm
Early Care* 8-9 am
After Care* 4-5:30 pm
Growing
Green
July 20-24
July 27-31
Buzz Buzz
Bugs
Growing
Green
Wilderness
Explorer
Weekly Rates
Member: $120
Not-Yet-Member: $145
*Additional fee for extra care
Aug. 3-7
Junior
Adventures
Aug. 10-14
Aug. 17-21
All About
Animals
Wilderness
Explorer
Buzz Buzz
Bugs
Daily Rates
Member: $30
Not-Yet-Member: $35
*Additional fee for extra care
Discounts
Multi-Child
Register by June 15,
save $5/session
To register, download forms at www.FriendsofRogers.org, call (607) 674-4733,
or e-mail [email protected]
T
here are many items and services that will allow us to
continue fulfilling our mission. If you have access to any
of the following items and are willing to donate, we would
be extremely grateful!
Batteries, large 6 Volt and D for flashlights
Gently-used board games
HP Ink cartridges - 56 & 57
Large paint brushes for big projects
Postage Stamps
Printer paper, both white and other colors
Spade shovel
In Kind Services
Saws & hedge clipper sharpening
Any of these items can be dropped off during regular
Visitor Center hours. To make special arrangements,
please contact Friends of Rogers via email at info@
FriendsofRogers.org
6 www.FriendsofRogers.org
ROGERS CENTER NEWSLETTER MAY 2015
7 www.FriendsofRogers.org
ROGERS CENTER NEWSLETTER MAY 2015
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SATURDAY, May 2 • 10:30 am
Family Fun Program:
Upcycle T-Shirts
Bring your old t-shirt and turn it into a reusable bag.
This simple DIY project repurposes clothing, reducing plastic disposable bag use.
SUNDAY May 3 • noon
Earth Fest
Celebrate the wonders of nature at Rogers!
THURSDAY, May 7 • 6:30 pm
Music of the Birds
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 13, 20, 27 • 10 am
Storytime & Hike
Every Wednesday, Jenni Larchar leads young children
& caregivers in
songs, stories & a
walk on the trails.
Storytime & Hike
takes place rain
or shine; participants should wear
appropriate clothing & footwear.
Awaken your appreciation of bird songs and learn
the tunes of our most common songsters.
SATURDAY, May 16 • 10:30 am
Family Fun Program:
Kitchen Science
How do you get a raisin dancing? What makes glow
sticks shine? Why do bakers sprinkle lemon juice
on apples when preparing pies? Find the answer to
these questions and more through simple experiments with materials found around the home.
SATURDAY, May 23 • 8 am
For more information about
upcoming events, visit
www.FriendsofRogers.org
or call (607) 674-4733.
9 Mile Swamp Canoe/Kayak Trip
Not-Yet-Members: $13 (bring your own boat) & $20
(boat provided); Members: $10 (bring your own
boat) & $17 (boat provided) Rain date is May 30;
pre-registration required.