Catskill Water Discovery Center Opens Special Hours During the Holiday Season

Catskill Water Discovery Center Opens Special Hours During the Holiday Season

SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS

Noon to 4 p.m. on:

  • Friday / Saturday / Sunday
    November 24 – 26
  • Saturday / Sunday
    December 2-3; 9-10; 16-17
  • Saturday
    December 23; December 30

The Catskill Water Discovery Center (CWDC) is extending its exhibit of an inspiring collection of children’s artwork addressing the many aspects of water, such as where it comes from and the importance of protecting it.

The winning work of NYCDEP’s 2023 Water Resources Art and Poetry Contest will be on display at the Center during special open hours.

CWDC president Carol O’Beirne remarked:

“As you view this wonderful selection of artwork and poetry you can’t help but get the sense of how concerned these young people are about the future of their clean water sources.”

The work was created by second through twelfth grade students attending public, independent, charter or parochial schools as well as homeschoolers in New York City and in the City’s East and West of Hudson watersheds. The exhibit represents the winning entries among more than 1300 submissions to New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s 36th annual contest. More information about the contest is available at: Education Programs – DEP (nyc.gov)

Coordinator of the Water Discovery Center’s exhibit space, Don L. Myers, invites families to “have fun when visiting by testing your wits and memory with our ‘Find the Facts’ and ‘Reservoir Knowledge’ games. For kids of all ages, we have a very informative coloring book: ‘Drippy’s Water Adventure’ produced by NYCDEP’s Education Department.”

Also featured is the Center’s anchor exhibit “Of Rivers and Reservoirs: The NYC Water Story”, a timeline history of freshwater in the Catskills and its supply of 1 billion gallons per day to New York City and environs. The exhibit tells the story of the sacrifices made by local residents, the extraordinary engineering project that provides naturally filtered water to 9 million people and the cooperation that makes it all possible.

The Catskill Water Discovery Center is located at 669 County Road 38, Suite 3 — the northwest corner of the Catskill Watershed Corporation building in Arkville. Look for the bear sculpture next to the Center’s entrance.

2023 Water Resources Art and Poetry Student Contest Exhibit

2023 Water Resources Art and Poetry Student Contest Exhibit

Each year, 2nd through 12 grade students attending public, independent, charter or parochial school (or home schooled) in New York City and East and West of Hudson Watersheds are invited by NYC DEP (https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/environment/water-resources-art-poetry-contest.page) to create original art and compose poetry that reflects an appreciation for our shared water resources.

Representative works from the contest are displayed annually at the Catskill Water Discovery Center.

By Carolina Farias, 4th Grade
P.S. 199 Jessie Isador Straus, Manhattan.

Nature Preserve News

Nature Preserve News

Nature Preserve Updates

Join us Saturday, July 29 for our Nature Preserve Welcome Sign unveiling. Learn about our future Nature Preserve plans and share your ideas.

While you’re here, enjoy two current exhibits. “Of Rivers and Reservoirs: The NYC Water Story” and NYCDEP’s “Water Champions” – Water Resources Art and Poetry Student Contest Winners.

The Catskill Water Discovery Center
669 Hwy 38, Arkville, NY
Open Saturdays, Sundays and Holiday Mondays from noon-4pm.

DEP Student Art and Poetry Contest 2023

DEP Student Art and Poetry Contest 2023

Dear Educator:

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Education Office is pleased to provide you and your colleagues with the following educational programs and resources.

We are excited to share a Save the Date for our 37th annual Water Resources Art and Poetry Contest, continue reading to learn more.

Contact educationoffice@dep.nyc.gov for more information or if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Helene Amato

Education Project Manager
NYC Environmental Protection
(o) 718-595-6557 | (m) 646-675-8558
HeleneA@dep.nyc.gov

Become a fan of NYC Water at
facebook.com/nycwater

____________________________

STUDENT OPPORTUNITY:

Water Resources Art and Poetry Contest
SAVE THE DATE! DEP’s 37th annual Water Resources Art and Poetry Contest will kick off on January 10, 2023. Second through twelfth-grade students in New York City and the East and West of Hudson Watersheds are invited to create original art and compose poetry that reflects an appreciation for our shared water resources. The five central themes of the contest, incorporating STEM and humanities disciplines, include Water, a Precious Resource; NYC Drinking Water; NYC Wastewater Treatment; Harbor Water Quality and Healthy Marine Ecosystems; and Water Stewardship and Climate Change.

Entries will be accepted
online from:

Tuesday, January 10 –
Friday, March 3, 2023.

To learn more,
Water Resources Art & Poetry Contest
.
For questions, contact
artandpoetry@dep.nyc.gov

____________________________

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:

Understanding NYC’s Water Story:
A Curriculum Guide for the Classroom

This exciting curriculum guide for K-8 classrooms is a compilation of successful STEM lessons and activities, designed to support an interdisciplinary, hands-on approach to teaching. This comprehensive guide of lessons, activities, and resources helps teachers and students explore NYC’s water story, from drinking water and wastewater to stormwater and harbor water. The curriculum guide is also aligned to the New York State Science Learning Standards and Amplify Curriculum. To learn more, click Curriculum Guide for K-8 Teachers. To request a printed copy, complete the Education Resource Material Request.

Jamaica Bay Education Resource Directory
Explore resources and program opportunities in and around the Jamaica Bay watershed, one of the City’s most unique, ecologically rich, natural areas. Download Jamaica Bay Education Resource Directory. To request a printed copy, complete the Education Resource Material Request.

NYC Water Virtual Tours
Explore NYC’s incredible water resources using our virtual tours of the NYC Watershed, Sewer System, Wastewater Treatment, and Harbor Water Quality. Featuring staff interviews, in the field footage, interactive maps, and historical images, these virtual tours will help you discover where your drinking water comes from, what happens after it’s flushed down the drain, and how we can all help protect our waterways. At the beginning of each virtual tour, you will find a Student Worksheet for following along. We recommend these resources for 6-12 grade students, as well as 3-5 grade students guided by an educator or family member. Adults will enjoy these fun, digital resources too! To learn more, click NYC Water Virtual Tours.

Sound and Noise Education Module
DEP’s new Sound & Noise Education Module features interactive, multi-disciplinary, STEM lessons and activities to introduce students to the New York City sound environment and the public health issues, both mental and physical, associated with noise. Lessons and activities include investigating the differences between sound and noise, mapping sound, analyzing local data, and exploring the NYC Noise Code. DEP’s education modules provide background information, lessons, activities, and additional resources. Check out DEP’s other online education modules on Climate Change, Green Infrastructure, and NYC’s Sewer System.

For more information about DEP’s education resources, please visit www.nyc.gov/dep/education. To keep up with DEP’s activities, click on the links below:

DEP website:  www.nyc.gov/dep
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/nycwater/
Instagram:  www.instagram.com/nycwater/
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/nycwater
Medium:  www.medium.com/nycwater/
Flickr:  www.flickr.com/nycwater/

____________________________

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Clear the Air, Stop Idling!
Help us to Clear the Air, Stop Idling! Join DEP in reminding your school community that the law limits vehicle idling to no more than ONE minute when adjacent to a school. For more information about idling, visit TURN IT OFF to Clear the Air.

Building Community Resilience in a Changing Climate Series
NYC Department of Education’s Office of Sustainability invites teachers to three full-day, in-person trainings to explore the “Urban Heat Island Effect” and consider how to use it as a way for students to become citizen scientists and environmental justice activists. Using a classroom set of heat mapping tools (yours to keep!), explore surface and air temperature data and discuss how students can design their own investigations to collect data to identify at-risk neighborhoods, evaluate the effectiveness of different action strategies, and design ways to present their findings. Up to 15 CTLE credits available 5th-10th grade educators, apply with a colleague here by Monday, December 12.

Watershed Education Grants
The Catskill Watershed Corporation is now accepting applications for Watershed Education Grant Proposals. If you’re interested in starting a Trout in the Classroom program in your school, this is a great funding opportunity to help you get started! If you would like more information about the Catskill Watershed Corporation and upcoming education grant opportunities, contact Samantha Costa, scosta@cwconline.org. Visit watersheducators.org for information on field trips, classroom programs, streamside and digital learning opportunities. Applications due by February 3, 2023 by 4pm!

Watershed Forestry Bus Tour Program
Apply now for in-person fieldtrip funding to the NYC Watershed for spring 2023 through the Watershed Agricultural Council’s Watershed Forestry Bus Tour Program. Discover the world-famous NYC Watershed and forest-filtered water supply system first-hand! Check out the four Watershed Forestry Bus Tour options that explore the source of NYC’s water and how forests protect water quality. You can plant trees, release trout, and learn at environmental education centers. All trips include a guided tour of a drinking water reservoir. Check out the website to download the current application today. Applications due Friday, January 6, 2023 by 5pm.

Creative Adventures in Art and Play (CAAP)

Creative Adventures in Art and Play (CAAP)

Winter 2023

Catskill Water Discovery Center
669 Hwy 38 Suite 3
Arkville, NY 12406

Children ages 4 – 9 are invited for art and creative playtime sessions at the Water Discovery’s Exhibit Hall from 2 – 4 p.m on the following dates:

  • January 28
  • February 11 & 26
  • March 11 & 25

Artist facilitators will gently guide children’s creative playtime as they create their own masterpieces out of recyclable and natural materials.

Register today! There is no fee for the program.

Inspired by the CAPE (Community Adventure Play Experiences) model:

https://www.sarahlawrence.edu/cdi/outreach/

Developed by Sarah Lawrence College’s Child Development Institute, these creative play sessions foster kids creative spirits and abilities — and they’re FUN!

Register your child
for up to five art/play sessions
by contacting:

Don Myers
Program Administrator
caapwdc@gmail.com
(845) 399-3913

Parent or responsible adult must be present (but will be encouraged to enjoy the company of other parents and learn about the Water Discovery Center.)

Masks are encouraged but not required.

We are required to cancel if there is snow that requires removal. Participants’ parents will be notified directly.

Water Resources Art and Poetry Contest

Water Resources Art and Poetry Contest

Each year, 2nd through 12 grade students attending public, independent, charter or parochial school (or home schooled) in New York City and East and West of Hudson Watersheds are invited by NYC DEP (https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/environment/water-resources-art-poetry-contest.page) to create original art and compose poetry that reflects an appreciation for our shared water resources.

Representative works from the contest are displayed annually at the Catskill Water Discovery Center.

(Click on an image to see it enlarged.)

NYC DEP Exhibit

NYC DEP Exhibit

Student Water Resources Art and Poetry Contest Winners

“Water Champions” Exhibit at the Catskill Water Discovery Center.

Artwork and poetry created by students in New York City and areas of the Catskill Mountains that comprise the NYC Watershed is on display annually at the Catskill Water Discovery Center. The work represents the winning entries from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) annual Water Resources Art and Poetry Contest.

This year, more than 1,300 second through twelfth grade students representing 90 schools in New York City and the East and West of Hudson Watersheds participated. “Students submitted entries that beautifully depict an understanding of and appreciation for New York’s shared water resources and the importance of water conservation and protection,” says DEP Director of Education Robin Sanchez. For more information about DEP’s Art and Poetry Contest, visit www.nyc.gov/dep/education

DEP manages New York City’s water supply providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8.3 million in New York City.

The water is delivered from the Croton, Catskill, and Delaware Watersheds that extend more than 125 miles from the city and comprise 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Thanks to strong community partnerships and significant investments in watershed protection programs, the Catskill and Delaware watersheds remain the largest unfiltered supply of drinking water in the United States today.

To learn more, visit: www.nyc.gov/dep

CWDC Soft Opening

CWDC Soft Opening

The Catskill Water Discovery Center held it’s soft opening on June 5, 2021. Click on any image for a larger view. To see an online version of the panel installation, go to the menu: Exhibits > NYC Water Story.