Upcoming Programs at Museum & Preserve

Sunday, January 27 – 6-8pm – Owl Talk & Walk
Join Pember staff at the Porter Schoolhouse entrance to the Pember Nature Preserve at 6:00pm for a talk on Owls. There will be specimens for viewing, wings and talons for touching along with owl calls. Discover the differences between hawks and owls. Following you will venture down the trails in search of owl calls.

We are hoping the moon will shine brightly but you will still need a headlamp or flashlight. Please wear appropriate footgear. This hike will be of moderate difficulty and open to all ages. Weather-permitting.

Reservations are requested by January 25 by calling the museum at 518-642-1515 or messaging to reserve your spot. Hot cocoa will be served following the hike. The schoolhouse does have facilities but no running water. There is no fee for the program but donations are welcomed.

After-School Programs – Nature’s Art

Our after-school programs begin Wednesday, February 13 from 3:30-4:30pm and will run bi-weekly through June 5th. We are featuring nature’s art and there will be a little education with a lot of art using Flowers, Seeds, Beans, Trees, Gourds, Shells, Pinecones, Fossils, Corn Husks, and Stones. Registration is required one week in advance of each program. For instance, deadline to register your child for the February 13th opener is February 6th. Space for our class is being limited to 8 students ages 6 & older. You may chance to walk-in but please know that there may not be space. Call Bernie at 518-642-1515 or email to Pember_edu@roadrunner.com. Dates for classes are: 2/13, 2/27, 3/13, 3/27, 4/10, 4/24, 5/8, 5/22, 6/5.

Tracks & Trails Snowshoe Hike – Saturday, February 16, 12-2:30pm
Join Beth Duquette on a tracks and trails snowshoe hike at the Pember Nature Preserve. Meet at the Porter Schoolhouse on route 22 in Hebron. Snowshoes are optional but appropriate footwear is required. We have one women’s pair of snowshoes to loan for the hike. Beth will discuss the possible tracks you might see at the Preserve. In the past we have seen tracks of bobcat, coyote, mink, deer, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, and turkey along with fresh chewing from our resident beaver. Bring water and of course, dress warm. Weather-permitting.

Winter Break

Monday, February 18 – 9:30-11:30am – Animal Tracking
Registration required for this program on Animal Tracking. Call Bernie at 518-642-1515, message or email Pember_edu@roadrunner.com by Feb. 15th to reserve your spot. Meet at the Porter Schoolhouse, 6937 State Route 22, Hebron (Granville) at 9:30am to learn about animal tracks and signs. We’ll then hike the Schoolhouse and South Loop trails. This hike is of moderate difficulty. Participants must wear appropriate footwear and bring water. The Schoolhouse has facilities but no running water. Open to all ages!

Tuesday, February 19 – 10:00-11:00am – The Life of Coco Chinchilla
Join Bernie and Coco in the library for a story on the life of her chinchilla. A craft will follow the program. All ages welcome.

Wednesday, February 20 – 10:00-11:00am – Love Your Pet Day
Join Jodie and live animals in the library for a program on Loving Your Pet. Jodie will be bringing a couple of her pets and Bernie will be bringing her Chinese Dwarf Hamster.

This holiday is a day set aside to give extra attention to and pamper your pets. This is a good day to focus on the special relationship that you have with your pets.

Did you know that most households in the United States have at least one pet? While there are more cats than dogs in the United States, more households have dogs than cats, but not by much. Pets are not limited to the canine and feline categories. There are quite a few who prefer the companionship of birds, reptiles, fish or rats. Whoever your pet companion is, we are sure you will enjoy spending a little extra time with them on National Love Your Pet Day and reap the benefits, as well such as stress relief and lower blood pressure. So on February 20 (and every day) show your appreciation to your pets!

We will also be making pocket pet rocks. Open to all ages.

Friday, February 21 – 10:00-11:00am – World Food
Registration is required for this space-limited program on World Food: What Should I Eat? presented by the World Awareness Children’s Museum. For children K-2. Explore the use and impact of corn, rice and wheat in cultures. Hands-on stations include measurement, setting an international table, and a make-and-take project. Call Bernie at 518-642-1515 to register your child by February 15th.

Spring Break

Monday, April 22 – 9:30-11:30am – Bird’s Nest Hike at the Nature Preserve
Meet at the Porter Schoolhouse to learn about bird’s nests and then go on a hike in search of nests to photograph and identify, if possible. We will be making chocolate nests with eggs to take home. Ages 5 and older. Registration required by April 20th.

Tuesday, April 23 – 10:00-11:00 – Flower Power/Here Comes the Sun
Meet in the library for a program on flowers and the sun while making a sun-catcher using real dried pressed flowers. A parent or guardian will need to be present to assist younger children. Ages 5 and older. Registration required by April 20th.

Wednesday, April 24 – 10:00-11:00 – Photosynthesis
Meet in the library for a program on photosynthesis and all about leaves. Don’t worry, it’s not that hard. The art project will be creating a clear leaf coaster. Ages 5 and older. A parent of guardian will need to be present to assist younger children. Registration required by April 20th.

Friday, April 26 10:00-11:30 – Live Reptiles!
Meet in the library for a 30 minute program featuring John Dolyak and his live reptiles. Following the program will be a wooden snake craft to paint. Ages 5 and older. A parent or guardian will need to be present to assist younger children. Registration for the craft is required by April 20th. Space for the craft is limited.

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After-school Fall 2018

 

 

The Museum after-school programs begin September 26 and will run through December 19. The class starts at 3:30pm. There will be a video, worksheets, hands-on projects & crafts. The programs will be held in the library and are open to children age 6 and older.

Registration is required by calling the museum at 518-642-1515 no later than the Saturday before the program. Come join us!

Sept 26 Reptiles
A 30-minute video reveals the alien world of these misunderstood cold-blooded vertebrates, uncovering reptilian facts that are stranger than fiction. From hot, steamy swamps to dry-as-bone deserts, travel the world in search of these amazing animals. Worksheet, activity sheets and a turtle yarn craft will be included.

 

Oct 3 Seas & Oceans
Visit the alien world of the deep and the creatures that live there: fish, invertebrates, corals, mammals, plants, and more. 30-minute video, activity sheets and hands-on project.

 

Oct 10 Weather
What’s most deadly—lightning, wind, or hail? A 30-minute video will take you on a whirlwind tour of Earth’s turbulent atmosphere and reveals the forces that make the day fair or foul. From hurricanes to heat waves, weather is the most closely watched wild card in nature—yet it can still baffle us every day. Activity sheets and fall leaf craft will follow.

 

10/17 Rocks & Minerals
Which world-famous rock came from outer space? Why were rubies once known as bloodstones? Rock and Mineral shatters the stone’s reputation for “rock-solid” performance. Discover how rocks keep a constantly changing record of our planet’s fascinating history, and see how minerals are at the very core of our civilization in a 30-minute video. A worksheet, activity sheets and a hands-on project will be included.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10/24 Skeletons
Discover the story of human and animal skeletons—their evolution, structure, and function with a 30-minute video and real animal x-rays. There will be activity sheets and a craft just in time for Halloween.

10/31 Lifecycle of a Pumpkin
Short video, discussion, activity sheets and a pumpkin craft.

11/7 Birds
What do bird songs actually mean? How does an owl catch its prey in the dark? A 30-minute Bird video takes an up-close look at the staggering range of sizes, shapes, and habitats of these feathered creatures. It connects modern birds to a distant dinosaur past. Activity sheets & birds & beaks game will be included.

 

11/14 Mammals
What incredible talent do dolphins and bats share? How can you tell which is the oldest elephant in a herd? A 30-minute video reveals the most amazing facts and folklore about our favorite furry animals. Towering or tiny, ferocious or friendly, mammals trot, hop, swim, and soar. Meet the creatures that make up this huge and varied family. There will be activity sheets & animal bingo.

11/28 Planets
The final frontier. Since we first walked the Earth we have gazed in wonder at the night skies and searched for our place in the Universe. Come travel through our solar system with a 30-minute video, activity sheets & star clock craft.

12/5, 12, 19 Christmas STEM Challenges
5 Christmas challenges for you to design, create, predict and test your creations.

December 5th – Oh my goodness! We had so much fun at this class. We created a 3D Christmas Tree as we ate cookies. For our STEM Challenge we designed and created a snowball catapult.

December 12th – Another STEM challenge…. Christmas tree made with 5 sheets of newspapers & tape. Participants were able to fold, tear, bend, roll or crumple their newspapers. The tree had to stand for at least 30 seconds. Needless to say, they stood for hours following and were still standing on a library table the following day. The 2nd challenge was making a tree out of candy canes. There were cookies, of course, and pinecone ornaments to create. Here are some photos:

Teacher’s tree in middle of table – 24.5″

29 inches tall

26 inches tall

34 inches tall

The tallest 41 inches

September/October Nature Preserve Programs

Pember Nature Preserve Programs
6937 NY 22, Hebron

Programs start when you arrive! Most are typically an hour-long and the last one starts at 2:00pm. Hands-on activities are included in each program. The facility will be open from 11:00am to 3:00pm for visitors.

Sept 9, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Mammals
Stop in to discover Endothermal vs. Ectothermal and which one defines a mammal. What mammals are dwelling at the Preserve? When one animal populates an area, what other animal helps keep this mammal under control? What are the benefits of harvesting predator vs. prey? What happens if one animal stays or another leaves?

Sept 16, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Climate Change
Our environment is trying to tell us something, whether it is global warming or another transition or Earth shouting out and asking for help. What are the signs of a good eco-system? Come learn about Climate Change and what we can do to help protect our planet.

Saturday, Sept 22, 10:00am – 12:00pm – Tree Talk & Walk
There is a lot of diversity amongst the canopy, is it a conifer or deciduous tree? Leaves are changing and trees are going to rest as fall approaches. From Birch to Butternut, we’ll explore the area of the West Trail. Wear your comfy shoes and long pants. Meet at South Grimes Hill Road entrance.

Sept 23, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Turning Leaves
Our season is changing to fall. Learn about the ways a plant goes dormant to learning why the leaves change when they do. Explore the resources of certain species of trees. Learn to identify the leaves in your own backyard.

Sept 30, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Wings, Migration & Hibernation
What’s happening in the woods and around our homes? What are the animals doing to get ready for the colder season? We’ll explore and touch wings! From flightless birds to soaring birds, come discover the ways and means of how birds migrate.

Oct 7, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Hibernation, continued (last program)
What’s happening in the woods and around our homes? What are the animals doing to get ready for the colder season?

Programs are free * Donations are welcomed
For more information, contact the museum at 518-642-1515.

August Programs at the Preserve

Pember Nature Preserve Programs
6937 NY 22, Hebron (Porter Schoolhouse)

Programs start when you arrive on Sundays! Most are typically an hour-long and the last one starts at 2:00pm. Hands-on activities are included in each program. The facility will be open from 11:00am to 3:00pm for visitors.

Aug 5, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Marshes
Come learn about the benefits of a marsh ecosystem. Did you know that some organisms live primarily on decaying vegetation? A hands-on activity will be included. There are several types of wetlands: swamps, marshes, bogs, and fens. Beth will be teaching the benefits of our ecosystem & what may look like a rotting log to some, mushy, decaying and dark. A Bog is an essential part of our wetlands as it promotes growth, food and homes for many of our microorganisms and many of our aquatic animals reside near the bogs. Marshes are similar and within the swamp you will learn the differences of each. Then grab a map and take a hike on our trails to discover microorganisms along the way.

Aug 12, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Geology Rocks
Get out from under that rock and stop by to explore what’s on the floor. Did you know the glaciers came through Hebron NY and up through the valley? The ledges on the trails tell a story and the natural history of our area is an ecologically balanced and complex piece of the puzzle. Throughout history the moving and shaping of earth has transformed many wonders that continue to be researched.  A craft activity will follow the program.

SATURDAY Aug 18, 10:00am – 12:00pm – Butterflies & Beetles Hike
Join the Pember for a Butterflies & Beetles guided hike for all ages. We’ll explore both species and discuss our responsibilities for these migrating insects. We’ll look up and lift rocks and logs. Let’s discover what’s happening when these important species need to adapt to our climate change.

Our “Winged Migration” is not only birds but many animals in the classification called the “Kingdom.” Let’s discover why each species flies to its geographic location.

How can we do our part to keep our natural world healthy?

Aug 19, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Tracks & Trails
Beth will share ways of identifying prints left in dirt or soil and identifying scat. Discover what’s travelling the trails during the night. A game camera is going to be on the trails and there will be a presentation of the findings.

From size, shape, color, traces or markings, animals come in all shapes and sizes. Explore the unusual ways of how Mammals poop. Know a Turkey scrap to a buck rub, to a snail’s crawl and a foxes call. There are so many ways to figure out who’s in your backyard by what the animal has left behind. Walk the Nature trails and discover who or what was in the path. A hands-on activity will be included in the program.

Aug 26, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Reptiles & Amphibians
Come discover and learn the important role these slithery and slimy creatures have in our region. Why does the Red-Eft/Newt return to its original birthplace and why do turtles travel when they do? Stop by and learn the differences of a turtle to a tortoise and a snake to a salamander. Discover the unique characteristics and differences. Herpetofauna is the study of Reptiles and Amphibians. Although some are similar, what makes them connect to water, marshes or bogs or all of them?

Programs are free
Donations are welcomed

July Programs at the Nature Preserve

The Pember is opening the historic Porter Schoolhouse (Pember’s Nature Center) every Sunday from June 3 through October 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Beth Moser-Duquette will be presenting programs each week with some including a craft project. There is no specific start time. Participants can show up at their convenience as long as it’s not 30 minutes before the nature center closes. Visitors can also pop in to create a walking stick, grab a trail map or rest from a hike. There will also be a featured program once a month on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Schoolhouse is located about 6937 NY 22 in Hebron with the sign reading “Hebron Nature Preserve.”

Please note that the last class on Sundays begin at 2:00 p.m. in order for us to close by 3:00 p.m.

July 1, 11:00am – 3:00 pm. – Seeds and Such
Stop by during our open hours and Beth, our Naturalist will share the many splendor of seeds from what we plant, sow and eat to what we find as a nuisance. Is it a weed? It may have healthy benefits and be edible, too. We will explore the onsite teaching garden, engage in the history and the origins of seeds and the plants our ancestors brought to the New World. This curriculum will tie in the flora & fauna, and teach children and families that certain plants are okay in some regions, but not in others. A recap of invasive species and how the seeds travel throughout the area. A craft activity will be available.

July 8, 11:00am – 3:00 pm. – It all began with a Larvae
Stop by throughout the day and Beth, our Naturalist will present to you an introduction to Entomology. Learn and explore garden insects and what’s “bugging” the plants. She will share the metamorphosis and the structure of an insect, pollinators and more. There will be an opportunity to make a Journal and you and/or your family can explore the area of the Nature Preserve and see what insects are among us.

July 15, 11:00am – 3:00 pm. – The Teaching Garden
By this time the onsite Teaching Garden should be in full bloom with Beth, our Naturalist busy getting it ready to explore. Learn about the benefits of each flower to shrub, learn a little Latin and use your artistic skills to help make new signs. We’ll have watercolor and other supplies to make your signs stand out! If your sign gets selected, we’ll photograph the art and utilize it within the “teaching garden.”

SATURDAY, July 21, 10:00am – Noon – A guided hands-on hike!
Beth, our Naturalist will take you on a wildflower walk to search for and label beautiful wildflowers! In addition, she’ll educate you on invasive plants. Wear good hiking shoes, bring a bottle of water and let’s explore!

July 22, 11:00am – 3:00pm – Flora and Fauna 
Oh, the colors are bursting and there are so many beautiful flowers within our diverse trails. The scents are in the air and it’s time to come for a hike and find the illusive “Jack in the Pulpit.” We’ll use the onsite “Teaching Garden” to help with learning the differences of seed to pod to plant to shrub. There are many amazing plants and “fauna” (animals) that have a symbiotic relationship to one another. We’ll look at roots and rhizomes and learn the importance of why each plant has a place in our ecosystem. However, without the flora, you’ll not have the fauna. Animals play an important role in our environment. The Nature Preserve is the place to come explore the diverse relationship.

All living things have these characteristics in common:
· Each are made of cells
· They acquire and use energy
· They grow and develop
· They reproduce
· They respond to their environment
· They have the ability to evolve and adapt to the environment

A craft activity will follow.

July 29, 11:00am – 3:00pm- BONES!
Beth will be teaching the role of a forensic anthropologist. Have you been on a hike and discovered a bone? Learn the process and solve the pieces of the puzzle to discover what you may have found. There will be hands-on learning for those who want to hold a femur or feel the sutures of a deer skull. Have you held the bones of a muskrat? Come discover and learn what we’ve found that teach us about our past. A Craft activity will be available and you’ll be able to wear and keep your work of art.

Egypt After-school

We learned about modern day Egypt in our after-school program on April 24th and participants created several cat mummies.

Owl Week Pics

Owls were the featured topic during Winter Break last week. Each day participants received two informational owl cards along with word searches, crosswords, and coloring sheets. A different craft program was presented each day. 2/20 – Great Horned Owl & Long-eared Owl with cricut owl craft & scratch art, 2/21 – Barred Owl & Barn Owl with tree owl and tissue paper owl crafts, 2/22 – Snowy Owl and Short-eared Owl with wooden standing owl and paper roll owl crafts, 2/23 – Eastern Screech Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl with mosaic sticker owl craft.

Silent Wings returns

If you haven’t visited our Facebook page, seen the newspaper or the flyer at the library and museum, then you might not know that the bird of prey program Silent Wings will be at the library tomorrow (May 6) from 3:30-4:30pm. The program is being sponsored by the Southern Adirondack Audubon Society. Come watch and be thrilled!

Trish and her Red-tailed Hawk with the same expression?

Collections Database

Online Database
The Museum’s online database features more than 6,000 collection items. Each listing contains a description, photo of the item and more.

Research collections of the Pember Museum are available to the public for the following collection units:

• Amphibians (1 record)
• Birds (1,363 records)
• Botany (1,444 records)
• Eggs (884 records)
• Geology (382 records)
• Insects (1,601 records)
• Invertebrates (273 records)
• Mammals (152 records)
• Reptiles (32 records)

Easy to follow directions can be found on the site itself.

We constantly add new data and correct information in the records. If you see an error in the data please contact us. For questions regarding the collection, or online database, contact the Pember at 518-642-1515 or email at pember_edu@roadrunner.com.

Click here to view the database.

Around the World with Hudson Falls

The Pember Museum presented a couple programs to third graders at the Hudson Falls Primary School in Hudson Falls, NY on Tuesday, May 13th. Animals presented were Moose, Red Fox, Grey Fox, American Alligator, North Chinese Leopard, Red Kangaroo and a live Yellow-naped Amazon Parrot. The children knew some of the facts presented and it was exciting to see their eager faces to learn. Touching and exploring was a big hit too. However, Barnyard the Parrot was an even bigger hit than the touchable specimens. She delighted everyone!

The Pember thanks HFPS for inviting us to their school.

It should be noted that the specimen North Chinese Leopard is on personal loan to Pember Educator Bernadette Hoffman by the owner of Flag Acres Zoo. It was a zoo animal and when it died of old age, the owners wanted to honor it by using the pelt and skull for educational programs. Although the owners of the zoo retired, Bernadette has been granted use of the artifact for her wildlife programs.