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Eric Powers, President
Eric Powers
President, NYSOEA
president@nysoea.org
The day was already not panning out the way we had hoped. 1970’s. Now, the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, named
It was rainy, exceptionally cool for June, and now our after the former man who breathed life into what is now Stony
detectives, two classes of 6th graders from Baldwin Middle Brook and Setauket on Long Island’s north shore, uses the
School, were about an hour late into their two-hour program. tiny estuary to educate people of all ages. I am more often the
Despite these set-backs, my first Salt Marsh Detectives naturalist on WMHO’s Discovery Cruise, a small pontoon boat
program with Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) ride through the 88-acre preserve that focuses on the area’s
at the Erwin J. Ernst Marine Conservation Center at West history and wildlife as we come upon them. However, I am
Meadow Beach was an unbelievable success. often invited to step in as an educator for the various outreach
programs and summer camps the organization’s education
Over the last few years, I’ve been increasingly interested in managers have developed.
estuarine health and education. Estuaries are the boundaries
where rivers and the ocean meet; they provide countless On this rainy Friday, we challenged our 6th grade detectives
animals a haven to find mates, food, nurseries, and housing. to crack the case of Calvin Clam’s murder. In an effort to
Estuaries are so important, in fact, that Congress instated the drive water quality importance home, their teachers asked
National Estuary Programs in 1987 as part of the Clean Water us to focus on the water cycle and how water pollution
Act. Twenty-eight estuaries of national significance are given affects wildlife and humans alike. The students were so
funding to restore their water quality, ecology, and educate the smart and well-versed in different sources of pollution.
public. New York is home to three such estuaries – the NY-NJ When asked, they mentioned chemical pollution, trash, oil,
Bight, Long Island Sound, and the Peconic Estuary (the water and even atmospheric deposition! I was so impressed, and
body between Long Island’s forks). West Meadow Beach and introduced to them the idea that light and noise could also
its associated salt marsh, therefore, are a sort of “estuary within count as pollution towards marine life. We then presented the
an estuary” as the marsh empties into the Long Island Sound, students five “suspects” from the marsh that could have killed
and it is where Ward Melville and Dr. Erwin J. Ernst worked Calvin, along with supporting evidence pointing towards
together to save 88-acres of this important habitat in the our real culprit. Although today’s clam murder whodunit was
previously developed by my supervisor, Deborah Boudreau, Eventually, the students went through every suspect. They
and another educator, Emily Correia, it took a lot of planning were extremely tuned in to details, immediately finding the
and detail work beforehand to ensure we would lead the oystercatcher, human, and blue crab innocent simply because
students to our main point. the way their victim died was not conducive to the hunting
strategies of their suspects. The jellyfish was a little harder, but
Our suspects were an opportunity to introduce other common eventually the students found the stinging tentacles could not
salt marsh animals to the students. Owen Oystercatcher was kill the clam either, what with it being closed tightly shut. That
one I added to the list, as my work as a fishery observer, as well just left the dinoflagellate.
as a Discovery cruise naturalist with WMHO, brought me close
to these iconic little shorebirds. Black and white like a penguin For those who are not well-read in marine microorganisms,
with a long, bright orange beak, the American Oystercatcher dinoflagellates are a group of microscopic algae made famous
is a striking bird to witness. Recently, Stony Brook Harbor chiefly for their role in creating red, rust, or brown tides, some
has become a home for a growing number of oystercatcher of which are poisonous. Long Island bays have been plagued
families. Not only that, but the birds eat bivalves, including by a brown tide algae since the 1980’s, with elevated nutrient
clams, a fact I hoped would force the students to consider loading from lawn fertilizer causing the blooms. In our mock
the details of our case as they defended or accused suspects courtroom, our salt marsh detectives were quick to pick up on
during the program. Other suspects included Bonnie Blue this situation and found Damon Dinoflagellate guilty of killing
Crab, Jordan Jellyfish, Damon Dinoflagellate (die-nuh-FLAH- Calvin Clam. However, the children also came back to our
gel-eht), and The Human. The children had fun reading the human suspect, and found the human to also be indirectly
material about their assigned suspect, creating an argument responsible as well, connecting the out-of-balance ecosystem
in their defense, looking through the microscope at real with the human-caused water pollution.
phytoplankton (the plant part of the plankton community),
looking at poor Calvin (who was just two clam shells glued We then took the children outside to find evidence of
shut), and arguing with me about who they thought was the their suspects. They were so very curious about everything,
real culprit. picking up snails, asking questions, finding bird feathers,
and admiring the plant life. Being outside, even though it Ward Melville Heritage Organization has many options for
was rainy, did a lot of good for the students. I felt after all was outdoor field trips for children of all ages, including historical,
said and done, time outdoors brought our mock court case environmental, and scientific programming. If you’re
to life for them. Soon after, pizza arrived, rounding out the interested in working with WMHO in setting up a trip, visit
day to be one of success and fun, despite its start. When the their website at wmho.org/education-programs.
kids left for the day, my supervisor, the other educator, and I
celebrated. Not only did the kids learn valuable things about References:
the salt marsh, but they were challenged to connect what they
USA EPA. Overview of the National Estuary Program:
knew and learned to a real world problem and had to support
https://www.epa.gov/nep/overview-national-estuary-
their claims with evidence. This August, I will be doing an
program. Accessed 05 June 2018.
entire week of these Salt Marsh Detective programs, and I
really can’t wait. Ward Melville Heritage Organization: https://wmho.org/
Accessed 05 June 2018.
YMCA Greenkill
Outdoor Education Center
8
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
I
t was 1918 when Mrs. Talcott donated the first 300
acres in Huguenot to the YMCA and Camp Talcott
was created. In 1923, another 417 acres of adjacent
property were purchased for Greenkill and Camp
McAlister. This year, the YMCA of Greater New York
celebrates 100 years of bringing summer camp and
the outdoors to children in Huguenot, New York.
The campus at Huguenot consists of three camps: Greenkill
Outdoor Education & Retreat Center, Camp Talcott, and Camp
McAlister. Known inclusively as New York YMCA Camp, the
property has expanded to over 1000 contiguous acres.
Community Events
Greenkill hosts several popular yearly events for families
and individuals. Family Camp and Winter Family Camp
are structured around togetherness and are a great way
for families to reconnect and can strengthen family bonds.
Women’s Wellness Weekends are in their 29th year and
feature activities such as hiking, yoga, water sports, health
and wellness sessions, and workshops. The property is also
provides the course for the local school district’s cross-
country team.
Photo retrieved from New York YMCA Camp Alumni private group
Facebook page, June 12, 2018.
Hello everyone…
We have been working towards this announcement for a long time Registration for the Conference is available now in both on-line and
and happy to send it to you. This Conference truly celebrates our past ‘write-in’ opportunities at www.nysoea.org.
and helps chart a course for our future. The overall program from start
The YMCA’s Greenkill Outdoor Education and Retreat Center in
to finish stays true to our philosophy and theme to ‘Learn It … Live
Huguenot, NY, is the host site for this year’s Annual Conference.
It … Pay it Forward’. We are taking this opportunity in Pathways to
If you are planning on lodging or camping at Greenkill for the
introduce you to the Conference and provide everything you need to
Conference, please register early as some options are limited. For
know to entice you to join us.
more information about Greenkill, its facilities and lodging/camping
All of the Conference information you see here is also available opportunities for the Conference visit Greenkill Retreat Center, New
in more detail on NYSOEA’s website www.nysoea.org including: York YMCA Camp.
an introduction to our sponsors, The Brandwein Institute and the
Join us!! Come to the Conference, become an exhibitor, take out
American Nature Study Society; Conference FAQs; and complete
an ad, donate to the raffles, sponsor an event or scholarship…help
descriptions for the programs, speakers, workshops, special events,
celebrate the past and chart a course for the future. We will continue
the members’ art exhibit, pre-conference trainings, field trips,
to post information and updates on the Association’s Facebook
advertisers, exhibitors and sponsors, registration, lodging, meals and
platform.
more.
We look forward to seeing you all September 20-23, 2018,
The ‘Conference FAQs’ provides information for anyone interested
in participating and/or registering for the Conference, including Flo Mauro &
members, workshop leaders, past presidents, commuters, full Nancy Reichert
time students and interns, SCA members, EEAC-NYC members,
advertisers, exhibitors, sponsors, artists, authors…phew!
www.nysoea.org
conferencecommittee2018@nysoea.org
Friday 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM (cont'd) Friday, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM To Tap or Not to Tap?
Rock Pool & Rope Bridge Hike Creating and Using an Tim Stanley
Outdoor Classroom Assistant Director, Sharpe Reservation,
Greenkill Outdoor Education Staff
The Fresh Air Fund
The Rock Pool is one of Greenkill’s natural Padraic McCarthy
This workshop will highlight a forestry field
landmarks – a shady beautiful hike (need Science Teacher/Curriculum Coordinator
lab designed to be a more advanced maple
sturdy shoes/boots please). The trail has Learn how and why we created an outdoor syrup program to engage middle and high
some steep inclines and declines. The Rope classroom behind Port Jervis High School on school aged students. This class will introduce
Bridge is a traditional single-cable foot bridge the bank of Cold Brook…explore the activi- basic forestry tools from direct observation
suspended about 3’ over a stream. ties we are and the impact it has on students. to Bitmore sticks to assess tree health
We’ll describe the grants we have received as within a sugar bush. Collected data will help
a result of the Outdoor Classroom and we will
Fossils: Fun and Fascinating participants determine whether to tap or not
explore ideas for the future. to tap a maple tree.
Sally McCracken
Catamount Institute / NPS Volunteer /
Woodland Park School District
Digital Tools for Educators
Exceptional Work! Getting Students to
Studying fossils opens the world of
Sunny Corrao
High Quality in Outdoor Education
NYC Parks
Paleontology and Geology to students of all
Adam Gellwitzer
ages. Every academic area can be engaged in Digital technology is revolutionizing the
Public High School Science Teacher
the study of fossils. Paper shale from Colorado way data is shared today. Learn about some
will be available for the participants to split simple, free tools to use as you plan and or- Many of us have faced this scenario: we
and determine the ecosystem from 34 mya. ganize your programs. You may have a Gmail design robust lessons, purchase great
account, but have you explored the other materials, model strong techniques and ...
tools google provides. This workshop will have our students produce products that are
Archery: Creating Outdoor focus on google applications and windows a little underwhelming. When students’ best
Experiences for All Abilities platform tools. Please bring a smart phone or intentions fail to translate into quality products
tablet computer to work with. it can reflect poorly on our classes and
Jillian Trunko
even our entire program. In this workshop,
NY National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP)
strategies that are effective for allowing
Coordinator, NYS DEC Pushing Beyond Your Personal students to amaze parents, administrators,
Have you ever shot a bow and arrow? Learn Boundaries, Inside and Out! and other stakeholders will be shared.
about a great program where kids in grades Josh Teeter
4-12 can learn archery skills. The National Environmental Educator, NYS Office of Parks,
Archery in Schools Program (NASP) is a Recreation and Historic Preserves Friday, 1:45 – 3:45 PM
cooperative effort between the New York State
This session will discuss the limitations that Local Hugenot History Tour
Department of Environment Conservation
we sometimes place on ourselves and explore Kristen Dasenbrock
(NYSDEC) and NYS school systems designed
to introduce kids to the sport of archery.
things that we would like to change or get Youth Services Western Sullivan Public Library
better at. Drawing on my experiences and Join us on a tour of the local history around
yours, it is my hope that participants will leave Greenkill. Our first stop will be the “little red
Tools for Effective Leadership and this session fired up to go beyond what they schoolhouse”. Built in 1879, this one-room
Committed Action – Thrive Rather thought possible in some aspect of their lives. school is listed on the National Register of
than Survive Historic Places and is restored to its original
Lucinda Hurley Friday, 1:45 PM – 3:15 PM condition by the Little Red School House His-
torical Society. Here we will receive a guided
Retired, Nassau BOCES STEM-ulating Activities on
tour, not only of the schoolhouse, but of the
Participants will explore common leader- Human Ecology history of how it began and progressed.
ship challenges and learn how the tools and Dorothea Panayotou Trip Leader: Call Kristen at (732)567-6115 for ad-
constructs of conversational, adaptive and Science Teacher, The Spire School, Stamford CT ditional information.
strengths-based leadership can be applied to
Teaching human ecology (an interdisciplinary
their work situations. These tools help to en-
and transdisciplinary study of humans and
gage stakeholders, bring clarity and commit- Explore Lake Marling!
their environment) makes for relevant lessons
ted action, support change and build bridges
in the life and earth sciences that also brings Greenkill Outdoor Education Staff
to understanding of yourself and others.
in math and social studies content. A variety …which in true form is actually a pond. Canoe,
of teaching techniques will be outlined for
paddles, PFD, Lifeguard: all provided.
a truly inclusive classroom. Participants will
receive lesson plans in an electronic format.
Saturday, 1:45 PM – 3:15 PM (cont'd) Sunday Workshops & Field Trips Sunday, 9:30 AM AM-11:15 AM
Beginner Mountain Bike Experience Sunday, 9:30 AM -11:00 AM Hawk Watch!!
Ben Cheek Bizarre Geology, Plants & Animals The Brandwein Institute’s Invitation to
Director of Activities, Outdoor Club of Port Jervis and Around the World experience The Greatest Show Above the
Mountain Bike Program Director, Camp Deer Park Earth: Migrating Hawks John (Jack) Padalino,
Cathy Law President emeritus of the Brandwein Institute,
A beginner mountain bike ride will be offered High School Science Teacher, New Paltz High School
on the trail system at Greenkill demonstrating invites you to experience the Greatest Show
Join 56-country veteran traveler, Cathy Law, Above the Earth at the I 84 rest stop West
mountain bike skill coaching and how
aka Miss Adventure, as she takes you on an between exits 2 and 1. Field trip begins with
mountain biking can be a pathway to many
armchair journey of her worldwide quest a brief hawk identification session. Data we
outdoor education topics. The ride will be
for biodiversity gone bad. It is a jungle out collect will be shared with the Hawk Migration
no-drop and we’ll stop frequently to talk
there, but it is also a swamp...and a desert. Be Association of North America HMANA. The
through skills and topics covered in the
awestruck by photos of bizarre formations Interstate 84 rest stop is on the north-south-
morning session (not required). Bring your
of geologic landscapes and learn about how eastern flyway habituated by predatory birds,
own bike or ride one of ours (limit 12 loaner
animals and plants either eat or get eaten. raptors: The Kittatinny-Shawangunk Ridge
bikes). We’ll adjust ride distance to group
No passport needed! and Corridor, which is a relatively unbroken
member’s level (max 8 miles).
ridge that extends 250 miles across parts of
New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Saturday, 2:45 PM - 3:30 PM 5 Fs of Nature and Other
Trip Leader: Call Jack Padalino at 845-325-0536
Shortcuts to Learning
Teaching w/ Turtles for additional details.
Tom O’Dowd
Tracy Thomas High School Science Teacher, New Paltz High School
Massena Nature Center Executive Director Sunday, 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
Nature is vast. How do you break it down into
Live animals allow us to connect and engage digestible parts? Come learn fun frameworks What the Health?! Enhancing human
with our audience in amazing ways. Beyond for teaching and learning outdoors. This health through nature is just what the
show and tell, informal education and workshop will partially take the form of an
ID - we’ve used our 8 live turtles to teach doctor (should) order!
outdoor lesson, so we’ll learn some natural
math, science and more. From turtle races Amy DiRenzo
history as we discuss ways to teach it!
to building mazes, taking weights to target Associate Professor, RPLS Dept., SUNY Cortland
training. How can turtles (and other animals)
Josh Teeter
be part of the team? Cordage Making-Reverse Environmental Educator, NYS Office of Parks, Recre-
Wrap Technique ation and Historic Preserves
Lasting Community Partnerships: Jared Kapsiak This session examines issues of human
Education & Community Interwoven Outdoor Education Consultant, health, wellbeing and quality of life from
formerly of the Ashokan Center an ecological perspective. We’ll explore ways
Adam Gollwitzer
Practice one of the oldest traditional skills natural environments can enhance physical,
Public High School Science Teacher
common to human cultures worldwide…the mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
My students and I made a goal one year: that A review of the historical and current
Reverse-Wrap technique uses a minimum of
everything we did would have to benefit the research in this area will be presented and
material and yields a high-strength, durable,
community that surrounds our school. The accompanied by techniques for using
working tool. This is a crossover skill for na-
results were so impactful that we decided natural environments to enhance wellbeing
ture education, team-building, historical tech-
to make it a standing rule. This workshop that attendees can implement on their own
nology, traditional skills, survival workshops,
will share the highlights of that journey to a and is applicable to child and adult students programs and settings.
community-focused group of learners.
Certification Trainings
9:00 Workshops Workshops
& Field Trips
Workshops & Birds of a
9:30 Field Trip- (1/2 day) Field Trip- (1/2 day)
Feather - Flying Forward
Brandwein Nature
Hawk Watch Field Trip
Learning Preserve
Bashakill Preserve Canoe & Bashakill Preserve Canoe &
11:15 Closing Conversation
Kayak with Interpretation Kayak with Interpretation
Entertainment
7:30 Welcome
6:30 a.m. Saturday with Scott & Nancy Reichert- Join NYSOEA members Danny Kriesberg and June Lee, Past
President Sally McCracken and others for several informal
Share sunrise and fellowship of other birders as you greet the
‘book talks’ … featuring both oldies but goodies and newer
day in a different way. Beginners and advanced birders are
books. Participants can also ‘swap’ their books for someone
welcome.
else’s books.
Saturday evening – Judy Braus The NYSOEA membership has a proud history of producing
Judy will discuss how outdoor and environmental educators art. These varied works have contributed a richness to both
can help shape the future of our fields and inspire tomorrow’s our community and our profession. As multifaceted as their
leaders, not only here in New York, but across the globe. creators, the works represent a diversity of styles and medi-
ums. This excellence and diversity is a symbolic representa-
FEATURE SPEAKERS TESTIMONIALS tion of the outdoor educators that have taught, continue to
teach, and will teach into the future here in New York.
Enjoy these daily 5 minute remarks, stories and inspiration
from our colleagues to thank you for what you do, urge you
Join us in celebrating the artistic talent within. Authors
to carry on and set you up for a great day at the Conference!
will also be on hand to share their writings. Join the artists,
Don’t miss Sally McCracken, NYSOEA Past President, Carl
authors, and the rest of the Association in celebrating these
Heitmuller, a long time NYSOEA member, Cheryl Charles,
deeply moving personal expressions.
Executive Director, Children & Nature Network and Dan
Bisaccio, retired Science Educator.
REQUEST
The Members’ Art Exhibit is seeking works of art
and writing.
We are seeking art works by members, past or present, to be displayed at NYSOEA’s 50th Anniversary Conference
– September 20-23, 2018, at the Greenkill Y Outdoor Education & Retreat Center in Huguenot, NY. Authors are also
welcome. There is an opportunity to sell your work (there is a fee associated with this). The exhibit will precede the
annual banquet on Saturday, September 22, 2018.
If you are interested in having your art or written works displayed, please email Drew Hopkins for details at:
drew_hopkins@yahoo.com.
With every donation, we also get richer in our collective story. Each
donation tells something about who we are as an organization, and as
individuals. As we approach this conference, I recommend everyone
donate at least one item—and provide a 1-3 sentence story about why
you chose this item.
Recommendations include:
For questions or for more information about how you can donate to
the NYSOEA auction, contact MaryLynne Malone,
NYSOEA Past President, at malone@highlands.com
NYSOEA and its members have often supported local outreach minded and immensely cherished by his family and our community.
programs in and around the communities in which we hosts events His generosity to children lives on through the annual ‘Kucher’s Kids
and activities. The 2018 50th Anniversary Conference will be held at Shoe Drive’. He owned and operated Kucher Shoe Repair for more
the Greenkill YMCA Outdoor Education & Retreat Center in Huguenot, than 40 years repairing and creating shoes with old-world style
NY, just a few short miles from Port Jervis, NY. Many of you will master craftsmanship in his Front Street shop. He lost his life when he
actually pass through ‘Port’ on your way to/from Greenkill. was killed in his shop on November 8, 2014.
This year we are asking our Conference participants to donate a The 2017 inaugural shoe drive collected 1,017 new pairs of shoes and
new pair of children’s shoes or sneakers while supporting a very sneakers for children in the community. The second annual ‘Kucher’s
worthwhile and worthy cause … Kids Shoe Drive’ will be held in November, 2018. We promise to bring
all our donated shoes and sneakers to Port Jervis at that time.
’New soles in honor of a special soul …Mr. Josef Kucher’
Thank you all for your consideration!
Josef Kucher was always kind and loving to others, generous to
strangers, forgiving, honorable, hardworking, talented, community- 50th Anniversary Conference Committee
The field trip to the Brandwein Nature Learning Preserve will offer a
variety of 90 minute outdoor workshops, guided trail walks and group
discussions presented by selected Brandwein Directors including
Bill Hammond, Daniel Bisaccio, Kasey Stankunis, Dave Foord, Jack
Padalino, Mark Schaefer, Brad Smith, Cheryl Charles, Lisa Janeway,
Alan Dandler, Marily DeWall, Bill Bavoso, Henry Burger and Keith
Wheeler. Brandwein Fellows Larry Peterson and Kevin DeVizia and
other members of the Brandwein Community will participate. Topics
include citizen science, advanced geo-caching, nature photography,
birding, exploring nature with children, nature journaling, the history
of the Preserve and more. A great field trip for EE Center staff mem-
bers, educators, parents, photographers, birders and ‘nature journal-
ists’.
Van and car pool from Greenkill … Lunch will be provided.
Call Keith Wheeler at 814-441-2887 for additional details.
Hawk Watch!!
Sunday, September 23, 2018
9:30am-11:15am
Brandwein Institute’s invitation to experience The Greatest
Show Above the Earth: Migrating Hawks
John (Jack) Padalino, President emeritus of the Brandwein
Institute, invites you to experience the Greatest Show Above
the Earth at the I-84 rest stop West between exits 2 and 1. Field
trip begins with a brief hawk identification session. Data we
collect will be shared with the Hawk Migration Association
of North America (HMANA). Migrating raptor identification
guides and hand-outs will be provided by the Brandwein
Institute.
The I-84 rest stop is on the north-southeastern flyway
habituated by predatory birds, raptors: The Kittatinny-
Shawangunk Ridge and Corridor which is a relatively
unbroken ridge that extends 250 miles across parts of New
York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. It begins at Rosedale, NY,
at the northern end of the spectacular Shawangunk Ridge,
crosses NJ into PA at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation
Area, and continues in PA almost to the Maryland border.
For three quarters of a century and more, ornithologists, hawk
watchers, birders, and nature lovers have observed, studied
and photographed autumn hawk migrations. Hawk Mountain
is the most famous of the watch sites. Important local
observation sites are I-84, Sunrise Mountain, and Raccoon
Ridge. Between 10,000 to 20,000 migrating raptors of 16
species are counted every autumn at these sites including
Bald Eagles and rarer Golden Eagles.
Call Jack Padalino at 845-325-0536 for additional details.
American folk singer and a political and social activist. Roger Tory
Peterson, naturalist, ornithologist, artist, and educator, spoke about
his publication in 1934 of his Guide to Birds which led to the Peterson
Field Guide Series. Heinz Meng, ornithologist and biology professor
at SUNY New Paltz, was the first person to successfully breed
peregrine falcons in captivity. Allan Gussow, artist, author, teacher
and conservationist, joined us at the Lake Placid conference. Eliot
Wigginton, oral historian who authored the Fox Fire books was at one
of the Catskill conferences as was Arlene Bloom, who led the first
American and women’s ascent of Annapurna. She also co-led the
first women’s ascent of Denali. When she arrived in NY to attend our
Sally McCracken conference, she was invited to speak at the Explorer’s Club in NYC.
She was the first woman invited to speak there. When she spoke at
Vice President for Publications – 1978-1980 the conference, she had a standing ovation. The men were the first to
President – 1980-81 stand up and applaud her.
Service Award 1978
Two other conferences that I attended over several years really
What a wonderful 50th Anniversary celebration there will be stand out in my memories. In the fall of 1979, we held the NYSOEA
in September!! Congratulations to the founders who were true conference at the Lake Placid Club just about 5 months before
visionaries in the late ‘60s. They understood the awakening across the the 1980 Olympic Games which were held in Lake Placid. It was a
country fueled by so many inspirational and passionate people who wonderful conference in a beautiful part of the state. As usual, the
realized the need and value of teaching about and in the outdoors. final banquet was Saturday evening. Sunday morning, some people
Congratulations also to those who listened to them: teachers at all went to a workshop before heading home. Others left early for a long
levels, naturalists, environmentalists, lovers of the outdoors, etc., who drive home. It wasn’t until I got home (no cell phones then) that I
volunteered to serve NYSOEA by serving as Board members, officers, found out that about 50 people had gotten food poisoning from the
conference organizers, committee members, mentors, newsletter banquet the night before. Sue Flatley (President) and I spent many
writers, and event planners. hours between late October and New Year’s Eve bargaining with the
Lake Placid Club. It was certainly not something that they wished to
I joined NYSOEA in the mid-’70s. The first conference that I attended have leaked out before the Olympics.
was at Sit’n Bull in Warrensburg. I was hooked. The people I met,
the energy they exuded, and all that I learned quickly found me Saratoga was the site of the next conference in the fall of 1980. Again,
immersed in regional events. As VP for Publications, I thoroughly a beautiful area and so lovely in the fall. The horse racing season
enjoyed the Board meetings where we met in different places across wasn’t over. Going to the races was one of our evening choices for an
the state to conduct business three or four times a year. activity. A race was named for NYSOEA. Several of our members got
to put the winner’s ribbon on the winning horse. It was a very unique
The fall conference every year was the main event for all of us. In the activity for one of NYSOEA’s conferences.
early years, conferences were held over Columbus Day weekend so
that classroom teachers could attend. The local NYSOEA events gave So many memories! So many friends! So many wonderful
us the opportunity to focus on specific ecosystems and flora and experiences! I truly believe that my membership in NYSOEA (mid
fauna of the area. The annual conference was always the refueling, ‘70s -- early ‘80s) gave me a grounding in teaching in and about the
retooling and inspirational event that gave us new ideas and outdoors. Having moved to Colorado in the ‘90s, I continue drawing
rekindled friendships. on my experiences from many years ago; NYSOEA inspired me to
work and volunteer here with local school districts, the National Park
As always, we were so fortunate to have extraordinary main speakers Service, and regional non-profits.
for all of the conferences. In the early years, we were inspired
by Paul Petzoldt, founder of NOLS in 1965 and one of America’s I look forward to joining all of you in September renewing friendships,
most accomplished mountaineers, and Anne LaBastille, author of retelling stories, learning new skills and being inspired by many.
Woodswoman and an ecologist and photographer honored by the NYSOEA had and still has many of the “giants” in the field of both
World Wildlife Fund and the Explorer Club in NY for her pioneering OE and EE. I feel so fortunate to have met those who motivated me
work in wildlife ecology. Joseph Cornell, author of Sharing Nature years ago. I specifically didn’t mention any of the “giants” who were
with Children, was a speaker at the Saratoga conference. Joining us members of NYSOEA in this article out of fear of missing someone.
for one of the “down state” conferences was Pete Seeger, a wonderful We will be surrounded by “giants” in September!
Janet Lee
While studying for my Elementary Education Teaching Degree at with an Emphasis in Outdoor Education. If it hadn’t been for that
Plattsburgh State, in Plattsburgh, NY, I took an elective course called NYSOEA Annual Conference I may have never found out about their
“Outdoor Education 101”. The text book used was Dr. Julian Smith’s course. My teaching methods were changed forever.
book called Outdoor Education1. I enjoyed the class very much and
could see how I could use my Girl Scout background and teaching At another Conference, I met Helen Ross Russell, the author of Ten
skills together. We learned how a class could be taken outdoors to do Minute Field Trips. She also influenced my approach to teaching and I
various activities, such as looking for signs of spring, finding how used many of her ten-minute field trips with my classes.
big an acre is, doing an ABC scavenger hunt, learning about the
environment first hand, and much more. In 1981-1982, I was President and have many great memories of that
year. My year ended with the Annual Conference held at the Marriott
I was able to apply the skills and ideas learned in “Outdoor Education Hotel in Amherst, NY. Roger Troy Peterson was our keynote speaker,
101” starting with my very first class of second graders. Later, I even and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit with him and
took a class of second graders on an overnight camping trip and we gained much from him.
did pond studies and night-time activities.
At many of the Western Region workshops and Annual Conferences,
I am not sure how I found out about NYSOEA, but it was in the I willingly shared the units I wrote on how to use the outdoors as
late ‘60s or early ‘70s, and I am so glad I did. I joined right away a classroom. In 1986, I had one of my units printed in the Council
and became a very active member and attended both annual and for Elementary Science International’s CESI Sourcebook IV3. It was
regional Conferences, and soon joined the Board of Directors. I filled called, “A Cloud is Like…..”
many positions including Regional Director, Secretary, worked on
conference committees and served as President in 1981-1982. I am a life member and even though I am now retired, I still enjoy the
articles in the various NYSOEA publications.
I am honored to have received the NYSOEA Service Award in 1979
and the Harlan “Gold” Metcalf Award in 1989. NYSOEA had a huge influence on my teaching methods and units.
I have over 50 years of great memories counting my studies at
I wanted to get a Master’s Degree in Outdoor Education, but the Plattsburgh State. May NYSOEA continue into the future with great
colleges I looked into only had it connected with their Recreation success.
Departments and I didn’t want to start over and get another BS and
then a master’s degree. Smith, Julian W., et al., Outdoor Education, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewoood Cliffs,
N.J., 1963.
Then at the 1975 NYSOEA Annual Conference, Dr. Julian Smith was Russell, Helen R., Ten Minute Field Trips-Using the School Grounds for
the keynote speaker and I met him while working at the registration Environmental Studies, J. G. Ferguson Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois,
table. During our hour-long chat, I learned that he was teaching at 1973.
Michigan State in East Lansing, Michigan, and they had an Outdoor
Lee, L. Janet, A Cloud is Like…., page 17, Science Experiences for Preschoolers,
Education master’s program connected with their Elementary The Council for Elementary Science Sourcebook IV, ed. Leon Ukens
Education Department. To make a long story short, I did attend Published by ERIC Clearing House for Science, Mathematics, and
Michigan State and received a Master’s in Elementary Education Environmental Education, 1986.
Outdoor Education...
The Evolution of an Idea
Jerry Passer
Past-President, 1977-78
Harlan “Gold” Metcalf Award, 1978
Leadership Award, 1975
Conference Chair, 1973 & 1976
In the late 1960s and early 1970s when environmental issues came
to the forefront and Earth Day celebrations were happening, it was
quickly learned that many of our human concerns dealing with the
environment could often best be addressed and studied in the out-of-
doors.
It was during that era that I was invited to join a group, led by George
Fuge of SUNY Cortland, NY, and inspired by the legendary Harlan
“Gold” Metcalf, also of SUNY Cortland. It was to be dedicated to pro-
moting teaching and learning in the out-of-doors, a phenomenon
labeled as “outdoor education”. Thus, emerging as a result of this idea,
the NYS OUTDOOR EDUCATION ASSOCIATION was created and the
journey, now 50 years and thriving, began.
1908 – 2008
A Frank Knight Mini-History 2018
In the late 1800s, a series of economic depressions drove farmers Certainly, in the latter half of the 20th century, nature study evolved
to tenement life in the city. The American Nature Study Society to include all the multidisciplinary non-science disciplines we teach
(ANSS) was founded at the 1908 annual meeting in Chicago of the today as espoused by NYSOEA and the John Burroughs Association
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) by a (JBA), to name only two groups. ANSS Journals reflected this
large and distinguished group of its academic members to promote evolution through the Gustafson and Russell years.
and teach school science. Also in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt
ANSS was sustained for a century without a mission statement
convened his famous Conference of Governors with several actions
by its continuity policies. Top leadership became a four-year
of lasting significance, most notably the creation of state conservation
commitment: one year as President-elect followed by two years
departments. Cornell’s Liberty Hyde Bailey, ANSS’ first and sixth
as President followed by a year as Past-President, each office with
president, was appointed by Roosevelt as Chairman of the National
very specific duties. By the time I became the 51st president in 1987,
Commission on Country Life which called for revitalizing American
ANSS had mastered sustainability. ANSS’ memorable seven-word
agriculture. Among Bailey’s many accomplishments were agricultural
slogan: Excellence in Nature Study, Writing and Appreciation gave
extension services, the 4-H movement, the nature study movement,
focus for a century. ANSS became a magnet for nature writers, many
parcel post and rural electrification. Fifth president Anna Botsford
of whom besides Bailey, Comstock and Russell became President -
Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study (1911) (still in print today) and
notably, Roger Tory Peterson and Edwin Way Teale. At each of the
her School Leaflets series at Cornell were part of a major campaign to
annual meetings, I recall helping unpack and repack an increasingly
keep families on the farm.
heavy load of boxes of display books by members to inspire the
Arguably the two most significant nature study publications in next generation. In the 1960s, the annual Eva L. Gordon Award for
the first half of the 20th century were Comstock’s Handbook and E. Outstanding Children’s Science Literature was created for an author’s
Laurence Palmer’s Fieldbook of Natural History (1949). body of work. I was awed by the recognition my literary heroes were
given at a Gathering of the Elders: writers like Millicent Selsam, Jean
Surviving two world wars, ANSS had its financial ups and downs
Craighead George and Golden Nature Guides author Herbert Zim.
with chapters across the U.S. and Canada at its peak, and a succession
Awardees eagerly contributed essays and art work for publication in
of three official publications over the decades: Nature Study Review
Nature Study.
edited by Comstock was succeeded in the 1920s by Nature Magazine
edited by Cornell’s Palmer, Prof. of Nature and Science Education. In A Service Award called “The Gus”, for John Gustafson, who had
the 1970s the Journal Nature Study became ANSS’ final official organ served as President and then Treasurer for all the years I knew him,
edited by John Gustafson and Helen Ross Russell, the first woman had many worthy recipients. Inspired by the Burroughs Medal
PhD graduated from Palmer’s department. Nature study had a broad awarded by the JBA and the NYSOEA’s highest honor, the Golden
interpretation including all of the science -ologies not just the natural Award for founder, SUNY Cortland Prof. Harlan “Gold” Metcalf, I
sciences. Glacial geologist Louis Agassiz had famously admonished created the Liberty Hyde Bailey Award, rarely bestowed to individuals
educators in the mid-nineteenth century teaching by rote from espousing his ideals.
antiquated texts to “Study nature not books”. Comstock, ANSS fourth
As with the demise of many venerable institutions and individuals,
president, eloquently clarified mistaken notions about science in her
there is seldom a single cause. By the 1990s, excellence in reading
Handbook introduction: “Nature-study is science brought home. It
and writing were being replaced by what fit on a computer screen.
is a knowledge of botany, zoology and geology as illustrated in the
Certainly, eBooks, digital newsletters and journals are more quickly
dooryard, the corn-field or the woods back of the house. …nature has
and inexpensively produced but also more disposable.
furnished the material and laboratories on every farm in the land.”
What is NYSOEA and what is the Annual Conference? Who usually attends the Conference and do I get
Established in 1968, The New York State Outdoor Education to meet them?
Association is the leading professional group supporting outdoor Conference participants represent both public and private affiliations
education, environmental education and interpretive services in and include classroom teachers, environmental educators, college
New York State. professors, naturalists, interpreters, youth leaders, administrators,
The signature event for NYSOEA is the Annual Conference. The students, parents and others interested in the outdoors.
conference is an excellent opportunity for networking, attending Conference Committee and Board members are on hand throughout
workshops, participating in outdoor activities, and supporting the Conference to meet, greet and orient all participants to NYSOEA,
outdoor education in New York State. The 2018 Conference the Conference and Greenkill’s facilities.
celebrates NYSOEA’s 50th Anniversary!
For complete information about NYSOEA, mission, goals,
How do I register and what does it cost?
membership & activities visit: www.nysoea.org
Visit www.nysoea.org and follow the Conference 2018
Registration link!
When is the 50th Anniversary Conference? You will find many options for registration, membership, donations,
September 20-23, 2018 lodging and meals. There are convenient lodging and meal options
For complete information about the 50th Anniversary Conference available at Greenkill.
visit: www.nysoea.org Register early!!! A number of programs, field trips, lodging and single
meal options are limited.
Where is it?
It will be held at the Greenkill ‘Y’ Outdoor Education & Retreat Center, I am a workshop leader for the Conference … do I need
Huguenot, NY 12746. For information, directions, and more about to register?
Greenkill, please visit: http://ymcanyc.org/ycamps/. Everyone needs to register, even if it’s just for the day – workshop
Huguenot is a hamlet in the town of Deerpark, in Orange County, leaders receive a $20 discount on registration fees … need to pay
New York, north of Port Jervis on US-209 in the tristate area of NY, for lodging and meals.
NJ and PA, ‘surrounded’ by the Delaware River, the Bashakill Wildlife For questions please contact Carolann James at
Management Area and the Neversink River. CJames@nasboces.org.
I am a Past President and may / may not be able to attend I am full time student and/or SCA member … are there
the Conference…how can I participate? options to attend?
NYSOEA’s Legacy Committee is reaching out to all Past Presidents Absolutely!! SCA members please contact Libby Young at lyoung@
inviting each of them to participate in the celebration, support the thesca.org.
50th and inspire the future …
Full time students please contact Snapper Petta at Snapper.Petta@
If you are planning to attend, please fill out the general Registration oneonta.edu.
form to secure a place at the Conference and your housing and
meals….visit www.nysoea.org.
Is there a scholarship program available to help defray
costs?
What can I expect to do and see and learn while I’m there?
Scholarships are available for full time educators, students and
There is a full 3-day (from 6am through 11pm!) program of workshops, interns. For registration and scholarship information please contact
training programs, field trips, guest speakers, receptions, special Snapper Petta at Snapper.Petta@oneonta.edu.
events, exhibitors and more. Visit www.nysoea.org for the Conference
schedule and complete descriptions of all programs, workshops and
special events. I would love to sponsor an event or student and have an
exhibit and/or ad for the Conference…
…and we would love to have you as a sponsor, exhibitor and advertiser
…please visit www.nysoea.org
40
InFARMation
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Writing & Illustrations by Leslie Cancilla
This article originally appeared in NYSOEA’s The Communicator, Volume X, Number 2, 1979.
It has been abridged for this issue of Pathways.
Behind barn doors, beneath horses’ hooves, between rows Have you ever felt the warmth of a freshly laid egg, especially after
of corn, there is a vast field of knowledge which when tilled can fetching it from underneath a faithful old hen? Were you ever a victim
produce an abundance of food for thought. Using the farm situation, of a directed spray of goat’s milk as it was being squeezed from the
a teacher can capitalize on the activities, facts and philosophies udder? Or felt the rough bristles on a pig’s back?
evident here to teach youth about the essential interdependence of
Luckily, my childhood was enriched and enlightened by a special visit
people and the land.
to a unique farm in Dayton, Ohio – Aullwood Audubon Farm. The
In today’s modern technological world, many people have lost sight farm made a deep impression that is just as vivid today as the time
of our dependence on the land for our basic needs. Machines, mass I stepped through the entrance gate. There I had my first encounter
production, synthetic materials, and technology in general have made with two 2000-pound draft horses that greeted me with moist velvety
our life self-contained and seemingly independent of nature. noses and loose inquisitive lips, a goat that I wanted to take by the
horns (literally) and escort home, and the startling yet maternal
A mere appreciation, even love, for the rustic rural ecosystem can
sensation of a calf sucking desperately on my fingers... No books or
be a building block to an effective attitude change toward becoming
school teacher could have transferred that invaluable message of
a respectful steward of the earth. Once aware of the give and take
wonder, awe and affection that I experienced first hand. This sense of
processes established between the farmer and the land, children can
wonder has grown within me and has led me directly into the field of
then incorporate these actions into their own environments.
environmental education and eventually back to Aullwood Farm.
machinery. The draft horses exemplify this. Their original role as the Environmental education should encompass all outdoor
power house of the farm has been lost in the tracks of mechanization. environments, whether created by people or natural. A
Unlike the horse-drawn plow of yesteryear, today’s farmer uses a farm clearly encompasses both!
100-horsepower tractor to pull several plows over a large area. Since
farming has become so industrialized and mechanically controlled,
few people sympathize with or even comprehend the hard labor,
bodily strength, and devotion of early American farmers and the role
of their horses.
Raccoon. Fox. Coyote. Crow. All have benefitted greatly from Brett Amy Thelen is Science Director at the Harris Center for
access to trash, agricultural fields, and other food sources provided, Conservation Education in Hancock, New Hampshire (www.
intentionally or not, by us. Where these “mesopredators” thrive, turtle harriscenter.org).
hatchlings struggle to survive.
The illustration for this column was drawn by Adelaide Tyrol.
In northern New York, raccoons destroyed 94% of all snapping turtle
The Outside Story is assigned and edited by Northern Woodlands
nests identified in one turtle nesting study. During a six-year study
magazine, www.northernwoodlands.org, and sponsored by the
on the reproductive and nesting ecology of snapping turtles in
Wellborn Ecology Fund of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation:
southeastern Michigan, predation rates averaged 70%, with two years
wellborn@nhcf.org.
Dr. Sam Ross (affectionately known as Rollo) was both a leader in 18 people who were evenly divided between men and women to start
education and in his community. He was the founder of Green a new Rotary Club in Patterson, New York. I was so fortunate to be one
Chimneys in Brewster, New York, and received both the Leadership of those first 20 people who started this club that included both men
Award in 1976 and the Harlan “Gold” Metcalf Award in 1981 from the and women. It was a great opportunity to serve with both of them
NYSOEA! Dr. Ross touched the lives of thousands of children and over the next 7 years before I moved to Colorado. Dr. Ross eventually
animals as he brought them together at Green Chimneys. moved to the Brewster Rotary Club and served as the Rotary District
Governor. How honored we can be that Sam was a member of
NYSOEA who has left an amazing legacy for Outdoor Education.
I met Sam back in the late ‘70s when I served on the Board of the
Hillside Outdoor Education Center which was part of the Green
Chimneys programming. At that time, I also met his wife, Myra, On the morning of February 28, 2018, Green Chimneys Founder Dr.
who was his partner in all of his endeavors for 63 years. Together, Samuel B. Ross, Jr. died peacefully at the age of 89, in the Las Vegas
they were a magical couple who were movers and shakers at both home of his son. Dr. Ross was surrounded by family including Myra,
the school and within the community. In 1989, just after Rotary his devoted wife, and partner in Green Chimneys, of 63 years.
International voted women into “the fold”, Sam and Myra gathered -Originally printed in the Green Chimneys Gazette, Spring 2018.
NIEHS (National Institute for Environmental find useful in collaboration with public or school librarians. I have
Health Sciences) is one of the National included it as part of several of my past presentations at NYSOEA
Institutes of Health [NIH] centers. It has a Conferences, “Eco-Literacy Conquers Illiteracy,” and more. Each book
podcast that explores how spending time is provided a brief annotation sufficient to see if the book would work
in nature can increase physical activity, and into a good program idea that I describe as “Read the Book! Do the
thereby reduce the risk of chronic disease Book!” By having a librarian read the book of choice to the students,
and improve children’s sense of emotional you can engage the children in expressing their thoughts and get
wellbeing. Plus it teaches how children learn them talking about a subject, topic, or idea—even have them record
about the roles of health professionals and their thoughts and feelings in a nature journal. They then can go into
unique initiatives that are working to prescribe nature to improve the outdoors and further explore what they read and discussed. The
the health of children and their communities. This is an outstanding ten books are: They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel, the Looking
resource for professional presentations or articles for newsletters, Closely series by Frank Serafini (ecosystems found in each volume:
magazines, newspapers, and professional journals or books. The garden, desert, forest, shore, rain forest, and pond), Small Wonders –
speaker is Leyla McCurdy, a health and environment professional and Jean Henri Fabre and His World of Insects by Matthew Clark Smith,
an active member of the American Public Health Association (APHA). illustrated by Giuliano Ferri, A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars by Seth
She is an adjunct instructor at the University of North Carolina’s Fishman, illustrated by Isabel Greenberg, Flashlight by Lizi Boyd (Note:
Gillings School of Global Public Health and a Senior Advisor for the a GREAT evening or early night-time activity of exploration), Infinity
Children’s Environmental Health Network <https://www.niehs.nih. and Me by Kate Hosford, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska, Flotsam by
gov/research/supported/translational/peph/podcasts/children- David Wiesner, The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr.
nature/index.cfm>. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca, illustrated by Daniel Rieley,
and You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang, illustrated by Christopher
Weyant. Katey Howes is described as the author of Grandmother
Thorn and Magnolia Mudd and the Super Jumpstastic Launcher
Delux. She is a team member at All the Wonders: The Children’s Book
Podcasts
In a science-based field, outdoor and environmental educators <http://www.allthewonders.com/podcasts/atwpodcast/>, and one of
use powers of observation as a critical component of the learning the founders of Picture the Books, a website introducing debut picture
(and teaching) process. We often take pain-staking time to develop, book authors and illustrators
sustain, and enhance those powers of observation in the making <https://twitter.com/PictureTheBooks> . Katey contributes
of more science literate adults. Luckily, students are enthralled with posts to sites such as STEAMpowered Family <https://www.
things they see, hear, feel, touch, and taste in the environments they steampoweredfamily.com/> and Multi-Cultural Parenting. Prior to
frequent. Ten Picture Books about Observation and Perspective, her writing career, Katey was a physical therapist specializing in brain
by Katey Howes, is a blog-post from Nerdy Book Club <https:// injury rehabilitation. You can connect with Katey at kateyhowes.com,
nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2018/02/03/ten-picture-books- on Twitter @kateywrites, or on IG @kidlitlove. She resides in Newtown,
about-observation-and-perspective-by-katey-howes/> of particular Pennsylvania, northeast of Philadelphia.
interest that provides suggestions for ten children’s books you might
We certainly saw a different winter this year, Already in 2018 there are several academic or
and Western New Yorkers will tell those of scholarly books on environmental and outdoor
you living downstate and on Long Island, education that bear watching and further
“‘we feel your pain,’ but not this year.” So, commentary. While suited for college and
how many of you are looking for a few university libraries, and perhaps for large public
weather apps for your smart phones? The libraries, these books should pique our interests
ReviewGeek site lists seven GREAT ones for more detailed reviews and commentaries.
<https://www.reviewgeek.com/2354/7-
great-apps-for-tracking-the-weather/>. The prices for these apps
Curriculum and Environmental Education: Perspective,
range from free to $9.99. They also range from the more technically
Priorities and Challenges. 2018, by Alan Reid, ISBN
complex RadarScope (Android/iOS, $9.99) to a much simpler
1138501832, Routledge, $140.00.
WeatherBug (Android/iOS, Free). There are also free weather apps
from NOAA from Apple’s App Store <https://itunes.apple.com/us/ International Perspectives on the Theory and Practice of Environmental
app/noaa-weather-radar/id749133753?mt=8>, and from Google’s Education: A Reader. 2018, by Giuliano Reis, ISBN 311967741, Springer, $99.99.
Android Apps on Google Play <https://play.google.com/store/apps/ Handbook of Environmental Education. 2018. Reid. ISBN: 1118956567, Wiely-
details?id=com.apalon.weatherradar.free&hl=en>. For those of you Blackwell, not yet available.
spending a lot of time in the outdoors, knowing what the weather is
New Ideas in Environmental Education. 2018, by Sailvano Briceni O., ISBN
doing, and more importantly, what it will be doing, can be a critical
1138483699, Routledge, $120.00.
factor in making our educational experiences more enjoyable and|
can assist in essential preparations for a safe outing as well.
Monitoring for
Earlier this month, the Invasive Species Management Team kicked off sign of infestation to be on the lookout for. The chewing of galleries
spring with the installation of several Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) traps disrupts the flow of water and nutrients, resulting in crown fading
at Minnewaska State Park and a few other locations. Southern Pine and ultimately tree death in as little as 2-4 months. The Long Island
Beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis, is a 2-4mm long bark beetle, red- Central Pine Barrens have been particularly damaged by SPB. This
dish brown to black in color, that hails from the southeastern United may be due in part to the lack of fire as a management technique to
States and attacks pine trees. The female will locate a host tree, most thin stands, reducing competition and therefore resulting in healthier
commonly one with a compromised defense system as noted by the trees. Additionally, smoke from fires overpowers the beetle’s phero-
presence of alpha-pinene, a chemical made by stressed trees, and monal communication, thus impeding their spread.
release the pheromone frontalin to attract males for mating, as well
Because of how widespread SPB is in its distribution, eradication of
as other males and females. Males also secrete a pheromone, endo-
the species simply isn’t possible. The main method employed to sup-
brevicomin, summoning more beetles to congregate. The beetles en-
press invasions is the cutting and removal of infested trees. Another
ter the trees through cracks in the bark. In an effort to eject the beetle,
management method is monitoring for the early detection of SPB to
pines will produce resin to push them out. The resulting little, lumpy
enable a rapid response, bringing us back to Minnewaska State Park.
sap nuggets are called pitch tubes and are a good indicator of SPB
The Sam’s Point area of Minnewaska is home to the only population
infestation. Once in the tree, SPB starts constructing curved tubes, or
of dwarf pitch pines in the world, making the Shawangunk Ridge a
galleries, in the cambium to lay their eggs. Larvae move to the inner
globally unique ecosystem. Therefore, monitoring for the arrival of
bark immediately after hatching, and then to the outer bark to feed
SPB is imperative for the preservation of the pine barrens of Min-
as they mature. Once adults, they chew round exit holes, another
newaska.
For all those people with concerns that the traps will attract beetles
into the park that otherwise would have remained absent, rest assured
that these are short-range traps that would only lure beetles within a
few mile radius, meaning they only attract beetles already in the area.
Being unaware of SPB presence in the park would be the much bigger
Invasive Species Project Coordinator Nick Marcet securing
risk. Last year all the traps remained empty; let’s hope for the same Lingren Funnel Trap.The yellow lure is alpha-pinene, host
this year! volatile, and the black lure behind it is frontalin, SPB sex
pheromone. (Photo by Sarah Travalio)
The PATHWAYS team is always eager to hear from NYSOEA members We all got good at writing just-the-facts term papers in school that
and publish articles, news or event announcements they would like were totally dry and boring. For some of us, it took a bit of practice to
to share with other members. Content (essays, editorials, poetry, add colorful adjectives and emotions to achieve a popular, interesting
graphic art, etc.) consistent with our Mission Statement is welcome writing style. This idea was driven home in reverse when I took a
for possible inclusion. Simply send us the content along with any graduate science course after years of writing popular essays for work.
supporting material – pictures, newspaper clippings, etc. We can It was painfully difficult for me to eliminate feelings and opinions.
receive it in any of the ways listed at the bottom of the page.
When asked recently for their recommendations, Conservationist
Submission Deadlines editors Dave Nelson and Eileen Stegemann eagerly shared their
thoughts on what makes an interesting natural history essay:
September 15 for October (fall) issue
Tell a Story - I like to think (and often suggest contributors do the
December 15 for January (winter) issue
same) in terms of a “story.” Bring the reader along with you on your
March 15 for April (spring) issue outdoor adventure, be it a hunt/paddle/trip to the weather station/
bird walk. What are you eeing/thinking/feeling/experiencing? Then
June 15 for July (summer) issue
back out to look at the larger picture. What is DEC [or your agency/
Text should be typed. Please include a short biographical section nature center] doing to fix/perpetuate/enhance the experience? What
about the author of the article. References cited should be listed at the are the challenges? The opportunities? Then close with a first-person
end in APA style. account again, tying back to the opener.
To help educators prepare for the season ahead, we ask that material We like to tell writers that readers determine whether or not they will
with a seasonal content be submitted the season before, i.e. Winter keep reading or turn the page in a matter of seconds. A couple of
content at the fall deadline. Popular magazine-type writing favored seconds. If you haven’t hooked them in by then, they will quickly turn
over formal papers, but both welcome. Teacher-guided student work the page.
is highly encouraged. 750 words or less ideal; may be edited for length When you are telling the story, tell it as if you are telling your
and style. grandparent. Some technical or biological info is great, and a good
PATHWAYS, official quarterly newsletter of the New York State way to educate folks, but too much, and you’ve lost folks’ interest. If
Outdoor Education Association, is published by the New York you do have technical stuff you feel you need to include, consider
State Outdoor Education Association and is emailed to NYSOEA doing it as a sidebar rather than in the story. That way it doesn’t
members. Opinions expressed by contributors are theirs solely and impede the flow of the story (and in the process lose the reader’s
not necessarily shared by the Editorial Board of Pathways or NYSOEA. interest), but you’ve included it for the folks who would like to read it.
Advertisements included in PATHWAYS should not be interpreted So write your story, and send it our way. Get double use from it by
as endorsement of the product(s) by NYSOEA. submitting it to your facility’s newsletter or local newspaper as well.