Write a commentThe Amboy 4-H Environmental Education Center would like to announce two new programs happening in February.
The first program is Bird Quest, happening Wednesday morning, February 18th, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This program is in the style of the Great Backyard Bird Count, a weekend focused on birding that happens globally every February. Birders of all skill levels spend at least fifteen minutes watching birds and report their data to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology through the online website eBird.org. This data is then used for research by scientists.
While not happening on the exact days of the Great Backyard Bird Count, Bird Quest seeks to promote the activity of birding. This program is open to all ages. Participants will begin indoors, transitioning to a guided walk in the woods. Attendees will learn how to use binoculars, notice different clues to help identify a bird, and familiarize themselves with some common bird calls. Afterwards, they will gear up and head outside to put this knowledge to work in a bird search. With the help of an educator, they will look and listen to create a record of what birds are nearby and finish by learning about the citizen science project the collected data will become a part of!
The second program is Below the Snow, happening Thursday morning, February 19th, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Beneath the snow, there are many animals awaiting the return of spring. Some can be found in the ground, but others are located in the subnivean zone, the area of snow closest to the dirt. This program is designed for children and their families, providing an introduction to this special snow layer.
Participants will begin indoors, transitioning to a guided exploration in the woods. The story Over and Under the Snow will be read aloud and children will participate in an activity to experience what it's like to be a mouse tunneling under the snow. Afterwards, everyone will gear up and head outside to search for signs of burrowing animals along our trails.
Winter brings an extra element of adventure to all the center’s programs. If there is enough snow, the outdoor portion of programs will take place on snowshoes! They can be borrowed from the center at no additional cost or attendees can bring their own.
Advanced registration is encouraged, as space is limited. Each has a program fee of $4 per person and up to $12 per family. Visit https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/BirdQuest_235 or https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/BelowtheSnow_235 to register for that respective program. For questions or more information, contact Katrina Relyea, 4-H Natural Resources Educator with the Oswego County 4-H Office, at (315)963-7286 ext. 401 or kmr276@cornell.edu.
