Winter Fun Day at Esopus Meadows Preserve is Monday, Jan. 18

From Scenic Hudson:

"Banish cabin fever by letting your kids do something fun, free -- and good for them -- on their day off. Join us on Monday, January 18 at our Esopus Meadows Preserve for our annual Winter Fun Day. In addition to sledding and ice skating, we'll offer guided snowshoe treks, tips on building snow caves and igloos and Native American fire-making demonstration.

"Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit the RSVP page for additional details and a schedule and directions."

Funding Source for Small Community Projects

Museums, afterschool programs, libraries, community centers, and other local organizations are encouraged to apply for mini-grants from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s “Celebrate Urban Birds” project. Grants average $250-$500 and are used to fund neighborhood events that may involve art, gardening, science, community service or other cultural activities. To apply for a mini-grant, visit www.CelebrateUrbanBirds.org. Organizations working with underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply. No experience with birds is required.

Application deadline is February 15, 2010.

Celebrate Urban Birds is a free, year-round citizen science project in which participants watch birds in their neighborhoods and report what they see. This information helps scientists better understand how birds survive in cities and make use of green spaces, including parks and gardens.