“Our parks and trails are more important than ever to our physical and mental well-being. To ensure these treasured outdoor spaces stay open, please take the #ParksPledge to keep parks and trails safe for everyone, and urge your family and friends to do the same. Take the pledge here.

I pledge to:
– Avoid crowded areas – if a park or trail is crowded, be ready to change plans. Also, steer clear of places people tend to congregate: parking lots, playgrounds, picnic areas, overlooks
– Practice social distancing – stay 6-feet away from individuals outside of immediate household members
– Stay local – recreate close to home and keep visits short

And, of course, if you’re not feeling well or have any COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home. “

Thanks for this Parks & Trails New York!

Relaxing Body Scan

Focus on the sensations in your body. Starting at your toes, slowly move your way up tot your head, focusing on how each part of your body feels in this moment.

The “14 Days of Mindfulness” series is designed to be done anywhere near nature. From within the forest to a window looking out at a patch of blue sky. Take a few minutes each day to center yourself and connect to the natural world around you.

Mindfulness practice doesn’t need to be done in the forest. Find a reflection spot in the sun, near a tree, or even looking at a mossy patch in the sidewalk.

Challenge 14: Go cloud watching!
Take out an easy cloud ID chart from NASA and see what’s gliding by. Think you’ve got the hang of it? Make it a daily contribution to science using the Globe Observer app! Links below:

See Chart Here

Download App Here

Challenge 13: Create a minibeast palace!

You can create a habitat for tiny creatures in your neighborhood using sticks and leaves and even small logs. Check out this tip sheet from the Woodland Trust for pointers.

At Reinstein Woods, our primary concern is the safety and health of our visitors, volunteers and staff.

To limit the potential spread of the Corona virus, the Education Center and bathroom building are closed until at least April 15. If you need to contact us, please leave a message at (716) 683-5959, or email reinsteinwoods@dec.ny.gov.

All publicly scheduled events through April 15 are cancelled. Check here and or our facebook page for building and program updates.

We invite you to share in nature’s harmony on a walk through Reinstein Woods. Our grounds and trails will remain open daily from sunrise to sunset. With 292 acres of forest and wetlands, we offer the perfect location to practice “social distancing” (6′ apart) as you enjoy our trails. You can greet other visitors with jazz hands and a smile.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

-Reinstein Staff

Challenge 12: It’s Mammal Monday! Find as many mammal species as you can!

Now that spring has arrived, we are not just limited to seeing animals that are active through the winter. How many mammal species can you find in your neighborhood? Please comment what you find!

Challenge 11: Find a bug!
It may still be chilly out there, but insects are already emerging all around us. Ladybugs may start to become restless, stoneflies can be found crawling on rocks near streams, and even butterflies can be spotted on a sunny day!

Challenge 10: Create a mud face!
Use mud to make the shape of a face on the ground or on a tree trunk. Use leaves, pebbles, twigs, seeds and more to add eyes, nose, hair, and ears. See more at Tree Tools For Schools.

These warm spring days have buds about to burst. Some of the early flowers such as coltsfoot and crocuses are blooming. Moss and lichen are very vibrant right now. Waterfowl migrants such as pied-billed grebes have returned. Watch them dive in search of crayfish, aquatic insects and fish. Canada geese have separated out into pairs and will soon be on their nests. Watch them stretch their long necks underwater in search of aquatic plants. The water lilies are just starting to break the surface in shallow waters. Remnants of beaver chewed sticks, with their bark removed, are afloat on lily pond. The chorus of spring peeper frogs can be heard especially at lily pond, tussock marsh, and secluded swamp. An occasional snore from a leopard frog can also be heard from secluded swamp. Painted turtles have crawled out onto floating logs to soak up the sunny warmth. Trees such as silver maple, pussy willow, and quaking aspen are starting to show their flowers. Soon trout lily and Mayapple shoots will dapple the forest floor. Ticks are very active right now, so please remember to enjoy nature from the trails.