A new magazine from the state Department of Environmental Conservation is geared toward getting elementary school students interested in outdoor activities.
Conservationist for Kids is being sent to fourth grade classrooms statewide and will be published three times a year.
The nature magazine is an outgrowth of DEC's Conservationist magazine, which began 60 years ago and covers wildlife, environmentalism and wide range of outdoor activities in New York. Conservationist was recently redesigned with a more modern look to provide more photos and content for readers.
A local elementary principal and the president of the Oneonta Sportsman's Club both lauded the concept as a positive initiative to help get children interested in the outdoors.
The December premier issue features information on winter wildlife, including how to identify animal tracks and scat.
Oneonta City School District has collaborated with Hartwick College's Pine Lake Campus to provide outdoor learning opportunities
See DEC on Page 11
for students, said Tim Gracy, principal of Greater Plains Elementary School.
"I'm encouraged to hear that the state is supporting this as well," Gracy said.
Oneonta Sporstman's Club President Dennis Van Deusen said people who are interested in the outdoors tend to be more active.
The club does its part by helping to send about 10 children a year to DEC Conservation Camp Van Deusen said.
Conservation for Kids can augment the local efforts, he said.
Children today have a lot of indoor distractions, Van Deusen said.
"We've got a lot to compete against," Van Deusen said.
DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis announced the magazine's launch last month at an Albany elementary school.
"In a world full of iPods, Xboxes and 500-channel digital cable, our youngsters are spending more and more time indoors on the couch, disconnected from the natural world," said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis in a media release last month announcing the magazine's launch.
Conservationist for Kids gives children across New York a reason to venture outside, offering fun and informative activities that we hope will spark a connection and concern for nature that lasts a lifetime."
The magazine is part of a broad-based plan by the DEC to strengthen environmental education and outdoor experiences for all age groups and increase participation in hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing and hunting, according to the media release.
Conservationist for Kids includes a teacher supplement for using the magazine in classroom learning.
The magazine's web page is at www.dec.ny.gov/education/40310.html.
