For Immediate Release: January 28, 2005
Contact:
Andy J. Flynn | Public Relations | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 327-3000
NEWCOMB, NY – The Adirondack Park Agency Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) in Newcomb will host a number of programs in February, including nature video matinees, snowshoe trips and a bird-of-prey presentation.
On Feb. 5 and 12, the public is invited to watch nature videos during the “Saturday Matinee” from 1 to 3 p.m. Preregistration is not required for these free programs.
On Saturday, Feb. 19, guest naturalist Peter O’Shea will lead a snowshoe walk on one of the VIC trails and share information about the world of animal tracks during the “Out and About: Snow Tracking” program. The walk starts at 1:30 p.m., and snowshoes will be provided. Preregistration is required for this free program.
VIC Environmental Educator 1 Ellen Rathbone will teach a “Beginner’s Snowshoe How-to” workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20.
“Before you buy those expensive snowshoes, give snowshoeing a try at the Newcomb VIC,” Rathbone said.
Rathbone will start the program inside by giving an overview of snowshoeing history and showing different styles of snowshoes. Then the group will head outdoors and snowshoe on the one of the VIC trails. Each person will be equipped with a pair of MSR snowshoes and learn how to walk, turn and run in the snow. Preregistration is required for this free program.
On Wednesday, Feb. 23, Rathbone will present the “Family Winter Tracking” program from noon to 3 p.m. at the Newcomb VIC. Participants will learn some of the secrets of successful winter tracking. From gait patterns to footprints, Rathbone will teach people how to determine what animals are traveling through the winter woods. Preregistration is required for this free program.
On Saturday, Feb. 26, the Newcomb VIC will host a bird-of-prey program, starting at 1 p.m. A naturalist will show some of the VIC’s non-releasable education birds and will explain the special adaptations of these Adirondack raptors as they live in the wild. Preregistration is not required for this free program.
In all, the Newcomb VIC has five birds of prey: a great-horned owl, a red-tailed hawk, an eastern screech owl, a northern saw-whet owl and an American kestrel (falcon). Only a couple of the birds will be featured on Feb. 26. Each of the VIC’s birds was rescued and received care from wildlife rehabilitators; however, none are able to survive in the wild. The birds work alongside naturalists in bird-on-hand programs throughout the year.
The bird-of-prey program is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Adirondack Park Institute, the not-for-profit organization that supports innovative environmental education programs, curricula, special events and publications at the Newcomb and Paul Smiths VICs.
To register for Newcomb VIC programs, call (518) 582-2000.
The New York State Adirondack Park Agency operates two VICs, in Paul Smiths and Newcomb, which are open year-round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Christmas and Thanksgiving. They offer a wide array of educational programs, miles of interpretive trails and visitor information services. Admission is free.
The Newcomb VIC is located about 12 miles east of Long Lake on state Route 28N. For more information about the VICs, log on to the centers’ Web site at www.northnet.org/adirondackvic.