Urban Park Ranger Explorer Programs February 2003 M = , Bx = Bronx, Bk = , Q = , SI =

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 BX / Orienteer the John Muir Trail / · 1 PM / & Mosholu Ranger will teach you how to use a compass while navigating the labyrinth of trails named after the father of the modern environmental movement. M / Native American Pathways / · 1 PM / Inwood Hill Nature Center Learn how Native Americans lived off of this pristine land right here in Manhattan. M / Open Mic Night / Inwood Hill Park · 7 PM / Inwood Hill Nature Center Share your talent with the community and join us for an evening of poetry and music. Q / History of / Alley Pond Park · 1 PM / Alley Pond Nature Center Come out and enjoy the history of this amazing park and how it was designed. The Rangers will talk about the first inhabitants of the park dating back to the 1700’s while telling stories that have been passed on through generations. SI / Animal Tracks / · 11 AM / Blue Heron Nature Center Explore the trails and discover what has been creeping about. Learn how to determine what animal left their tracks along the way.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2 BX / Owl Van Trip / · 1 PM / Pelham Bay Nature Center *RESERVATIONS REQ. Reservation Date: January 24, Call (866) NYC-HAWK between 10 AM - 12 PM. Join us in visiting our winter guests, the amazing saw-whet owls. Dress warmly. BX / Winter Birds / · 1 PM / Crotona Nature Center Discover the birds that live here year round, enjoying the cold weather. BK / Seashore Ecology / Marine Park · 1 PM / Salt Marsh Nature Center Go for an adventure on the shore of Gerritsen Creek while studying mollusks, algae and more. M / African American History / · 12 noon / Circle (110th St. & 5th Ave.) Celebrate African American Heritage month with a cultural excursion through a neighborhood steeped in history. Learn about famous African Americans from Duke Ellington to Malcolm X and discover how they helped to shape not just , but at large. Q / Wildlife Sketching / · 12 noon / Forest Park Nature Center An exciting event for art and nature enthusiasts alike, whether a novice or expert. Sharpen your skills by sketching native wildlife found in the park. SI / Orienteering / High Rock Park · 11 AM / High Rock Nature Center The Rangers will teach you how to use a compass to navigate the hills of High Rock Park.

MONDAY, FEBURARY 3 BK / Monday Night Lecture / Marine Park · 7 PM / Salt Marsh Nature Center “Out of Africa” Celebrate African Heritage Month with Urban Park Ranger volunteer Rox Rosen as she shares stories, photographs and maps of her recent journey to the dark continent. Refreshments will be served. Doors open at 6:45 PM.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 SI / Lecture: “Environmental Issues” by Alex Greer / Blue Heron Park · 7 PM / Blue Heron Nature Center Alex Greer discusses current environmental issues within our parks.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 BX / Weather Workshop / Van Cortlandt Park · 1PM / Van Cortlandt Nature Center Learn clues in identifying changes in the weather. BX / Valentine’s Necklaces / Crotona Park · 1 PM / Crotona Nature Center Make your sweetheart a necklace with the provided materials. M / Plant & Tree ID / Ft. Tryon Park · 1 PM / Margaret Corbin Circle (Ft. Washington Ave., north of 190th St.) Tour Ft. Tryon Park and learn basic plant and tree identification. Q / Winter Animal Behavior / Alley Pond Park · 1 PM / Alley Pond Nature Center Take a brisk walk and experience the splendor of Alley Pond Park’s inhabitants including the Black-capped Chickadee and Blue Jay. SI / Winter Tree ID / Von Briesen Park · 11 AM / Bay St. & School Road (at Ft. Wadsworth) Learn how to identify the incredible trees of this scenic park.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9 BX / Winter Waterfowl / Pelham Bay Park · 1 PM / Nature Center Discover some of the birds that visit the area during this time of year to enjoy our waterways. BK / Holiday Crafts / Marine Park · 1 PM / Salt Marsh Nature Center Celebrate Valentine’s Day by making an ornate frame or decoration for someone dear to you or even for yourself. M / Orienteering / Central Park · 11 AM / North Meadow Recreation Center (99th St., mid-park) Never Eat Shredded Wheat and a host of other mnemonic devices await the amateur explorer on this fun and educational program. Hone your basic cartography skills and brush up on the ins and outs of compass use. Never get lost in Central Park again. (hand compasses provided for use during program) Q / Orienteering / Forest Park · 12 noon / Forest Park Nature Center Adults and kids of all ages are welcome to learn how to use a compass while navigating the trails of Forest Park. SI / Hibernation Hike / High Rock Park · 11 AM / High Rock Nature Center

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 BX / Critters In Love / Van Cortlandt Park · 1 PM / Van Cortlandt Nature Center Investigate the variety of rituals that animals perform during their search for a mate. BX / Indoor Planting / Crotona Park · 1 PM / Crotona Nature Center BK / The Lenape / Marine Park · 11 AM / Salt Marsh Nature Center Learn about the original inhabitants of Marine Park, the life and legends of the Lenape Native Americans. M / Nature Photography / Inwood Hill Park · 1 PM / Inwood Hill Nature Center Did you ever want to capture the perfection of a moment in nature? Join us in learning the basic techniques of photography while exploring the park. M / Open Mic / Inwood Hill Park · 7 PM / Inwood Hill Nature Center Share your talent with the community and join us for an evening of poetry and music. Q / Orienteering / Alley Pond Park · 1 PM / Alley Pond Nature Center Adults and kids of all ages are welcome to learn how to use a compass while navigating the trails of Alley Pond Park. SI / Rookery Coffeehouse / High Rock Park · 7 PM / High Rock Nature Center Open mic night in the park. Tell a story, sing a song, act out a skit, or perform a musical number.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 BX / Pine Cone Critters / Pelham Bay Park · 1 PM / Pelham Bay Nature Center Create your own style critter from pinecones. M / Winter Tree ID / Central Park · 3 PM / Sure, you can tell an oak leaf from a maple’s, but what about when there are no leaves? Just leave it to us. Join the Central Park Rangers as they conclude their “winter” series of Explorer programs and you’ll be a bark and bud expert in no time. No prior experience necessary, just bring an appreciation for those majestic creatures, trees. Q / Origami / Forest Park · 12 noon / Forest Park Nature Center SI / Presidents & Environmental Conservation / Blue Heron Park · 1 PM / Blue Heron Nature Center Learn about the role that our nations’ leaders played in preserving our treasured wilderness.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 BX / George Washington Slept Here / Van Cortlandt Park · 1 PM / Van Cortlandt House, enter the park at 246th St. & Broadway During the Revolutionary War, George Washington had his temporary headquarters here. A Ranger will guide you through this historical landmark. BX / Black History Month: Famous Black Bronxites / Crotona Park · 1 PM / Crotona Nature Center BK / Saturday Night Live / Marine Park · 7 PM / Salt Marsh Nature Center “Transforming Nature into Art” with photographer Vladimir Andreyev and friends. Meet the artist and view photographs of natural settings transformed into paintings and poetry. Doors open at 6:45 PM. Refreshments will be served. M / Snowshoeing/Winter Hike / Inwood Hill Park · 1 PM / Inwood Hill Nature Center If there is a blanket of snow, bring your snowshoes and explore the Inwood backcountry. Hikers are always welcome to partake in the wonderfully peaceful nature of this park after snowfall. Q / Vanderbilt Motor Parkway / Alley Pond Park · 1 PM / Alley Pond Nature Center Before there was a Long Island Expressway or Grand Central Parkway running through Alley Pond Park, driving enthusiasts took this exclusive route out to Long Island. Come walk on the historic trailway and share this experience, just a little more slowly. SI / Day of Owls / Blue Heron Park · 11 AM / Blue Heron Nature Center Enjoy owl crafts, dissect owl pellets and discuss the behavior of these fascinating nocturnal creatures.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23 BX / Winter at Bartow Pell Mansion / Pelham Bay Park · 1 PM / Bartow Pell Mansion (895 Shore Rd.) Visit this 1835 home while learning about the area’s first European visitors. BK / Winter Bird ID / Marine Park · 11 AM / Salt Marsh Nature Center Join the Rangers for an invigorating hike while investigating the bird diversity of Gerritsen Creek. Bring binoculars, dress warm and wear hiking shoes. Q / Recycling / Forest Park · 12 noon / Forest Park Nature Center Make a difference by learning how to recycle properly and the benefits it will have on your environment. SI / NatureTrek / High Rock Park · 11 AM / High Rock Nature Center Hike through one of the most pristine parks in and become enchanted by its beauty.