Western ADKs, Central NY, & Finger Lakes Environmental Education Program
Covering DEC's Regions 6, 7, & 8
On This Page
The goal of the Western Adirondacks, Central NY, & Finger Lakes Environmental Education program is to increase environmental awareness to foster more informed decision-making and get youth and adults out studying and enjoying their local environment. While only a staff of one, the Inter-regional Environmental Educator has a few ways to achieve this goal: networking to help connect educators with the resources they are looking for; providing high quality, professional development for teachers and educators; and occasionally hosting an interactive table at environmentally-focused events.
Tours & Outreach at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery
The Inter-regional Educator provides tours and outreach programming at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery in Altmar, NY. The hatchery is open seasonally, roughly April through November, depending on snow. When the facility is open, the visitor center is open daily, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, and the viewing decks are open dawn to dusk. No fishing is allowed on the hatchery lands.
To schedule tours or programs at the hatchery, contact the Inter-regional Environmental Educator:
NYSDEC - R7
5786 Widewaters Parkway
Syracuse, NY 13214-1867
Phone: 315-426-7532
Email: [email protected] Please include "Salmon River Hatchery Tour" in the subject.
Professional Development for Educators and Youth Leaders
The Inter-regional Educator offers professional development workshops in environmental education, tailoring them to the audiences needs such as a focus on STEM or literacy. These workshops provide staff working with youth hands-on, environmental activities using the international programs of Project Learning Tree, Project WILD, and Project WET. The workshops range from four to six hours and may have a nominal fee for refreshments. Each workshop showcases some of the activities in the activity guide, and, if time allows, participants will lead the rest in an activity so they get a hands-on experience using the guide under the watchful eye of a facilitator. Workshops are offered all over the are and can be arranged at a specific location if you have at least eight guaranteed participants. To view a list of the upcoming workshops across New York State, please visit the Upcoming Workshops page.
The Inter-regional Educator is also available to help educators work environmental topics into their curriculum, through providing background information, providing resources, or working with educators to create lesson plans on specific environmental topics.
For more information, contact the Inter-regional Environmental Educator:
NYSDEC - R7
5786 Widewaters Parkway
Syracuse, NY 13214-1867
Phone: 315-426-7532
Email: [email protected] Please include "Professional Development" in the subject line.
Public Outreach Programs
Are you having an environmental fair? Celebrating Earth Day or Arbor Day or International Migratory Bird Day or Water Quality Month? Are you hosting a career fair and are looking for different careers to feature? Are you looking for a speaker to talk with your church, civic, or youth group on a particular environmental topic? Or looking for hands-on activities to engage youth about their local environment?
The Inter-regional Educator may be able to come and host an interactive table at a fair or festival your school or group is hosting. She may be able to come and talk about environmental careers, and occasionally, other DEC staff such as Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, and others may also be available to talk with youth about their environmental careers. Contact the Inter-regional Educator at least two weeks in advance (the earlier the better as staff and time is limited).
For more information, contact the Regional Environmental Educator:
NYSDEC - R7
5786 Widewaters Parkway
Syracuse, NY 13214-1867
Phone: 315-426-7532
Email: [email protected] Please include "Public Outreach" in the subject line.
DCEE, Bureau of Environmental Education, Region 7
5786 Widewaters Pkwy
Syracuse, NY 13214
