PATHWAYS

Official Publication of the New York State Outdoor Education Association

www.nysoea.org • 845.288.3444 • Spring 2023
T

In this Issue…
Spring has arrived! This issue of PATHWAYS! brings the
Metro Region into focus, including an update on the NYSOEA Board of Directors
Environmental Education Advisory Council of New President – Rebecca Houser
York City. “Formation” highlights Nancy Manfredonia’s VP Administration – Kevin Wickersham
outstanding commitment to outdoor education. Discover
VP Communications & Technology – Conrad Baker
the inspiring works of nature-writer Sigurd Olson. Learn
VP Human Resources – Ashawna Abbott
about Maple Celebration and the vital campership funds
VP Programs – Mary Ronan
that NYSOEA members raise through this event. Re-kindle
Secretary – Sunny Corrao
your sense of adventure on a canoe trip with the Northern
Forest Explorers, encounter the intriguing life of slime Treasurer – Carol Rogers
molds, brush up on your knowledge of wild edible plants, Office - Lily Ropes
listen for “The Unsung Music of Birds,” plus so much more!
Regional Directors
Eastern – Anna Harrod
Metro – Shinara Sunderlal & Christina Tobitsch
Northern – Linda Besio
Western – Elijah Kruger
Central – Josh Teeter

PATHWAYS
Chief Editor
Jaime Winans-Solis
Table of Contents Issue Editors
3 President’s Message Jill Eisenstein
Jessica Kratz
4 Editor's Corner: Nature Journaling

8 Focus on: The Metro Region

Graphic Designer
Emily Marcet
10 Formation: Nancy Manfredonia
Photo Editor
12 From the Archives: Nature's Wild Foods Kayla Altland
14 Book Review: Sigurd Olson on Wilderness
Content Editors
17 The Outside Story: The Unsung Music of Birds Jill Eisenstein
19 Teacher Tips; Poem
Margaret Maruschak

20 Maple Celebration Communications & Technology Committee Chair

Jill Eisenstein
21 Learning Equity, Access & Inclusion at Any Stage
Members at Large
22 Canoe Paddle Democracy on the Raquette River
Jessica Kratz
26 Slime Molds: Fun for the Whole Family! Margaret Maruschak
Sally McCracken
Tom Stock

Cover Photo by Emily Marcet

2 Pathways Spring 2023

 A Message from the President
As a kid growing up, I loved playing outside – in the dirt, in streams, and in
the forest. At the age of 17, I moved to Canandaigua to attend Finger Lakes
Community College, probably one of the best decisions I made in my early years.
Many classes were outside, and we had the opportunity to learn in the forest,
streams and in the dirt. It didn’t take much convincing to start my career path in
environmental education. So here I am, more than two decades later, blessed to
be able to share my fascination with the natural world.

Springtime. Who doesn’t love spring? The signs of new life emerging all around
us: daffodils, dandelions, migrating birds, spring peepers, glass eels, rushing
streams, garden treasures, and warmer weather. With these boundless offerings
of new life, it reminds me to be thankful for what nature provides us.

Many of us are starting our busy season, where students are flooding our nature
centers, parks, and schoolyards. As I have said before, it is more important than
ever that we cultivate a need for “wild things”, big and small, with our students –
walking in the park, finding a cool mushroom, observing trees and animals and
the things they leave behind. Experiential learning – placing the world of nature
in their path – will stay with them for a lifetime, because they have lived it. Even a
small amount of time spent outdoors will be immensely valuable for them in the
future.

It’s also that time of year where we ask our community to consider donating to
our Annual Appeal. Thanks to you, NYSOEA has been able to push forward and
continue our tradition of connecting people of all ages to the outdoors. Your
tax-deductible contribution will continue to support us as we pursue our mission
of ongoing programs to meaningfully engage future generations in outdoor
learning. Please donate today by going to our website (preferred) https://www.
nysoea.org/annual-appeal.html or sending a check (made payable to NYSOEA)
via mail to: NYSOEA, 17 Liberty Street, PO Box 216, Chelsea, NY 12512.

Please continue to check our website for upcoming events as well as updates
about our Annual Conference (we are excited to be back at the Fresh Air Fund’s
Sharpe Reservation for that). Please share your expertise with all of us by leading
a professional workshop at the Conference or sharing resources anytime. Visit
our website www.nysoea.org for more information.

Here's wishing the beginning of your spring season is filled with little wonders
and sparks of joy.

With gratitude and dedication to the path ahead,

Rebecca Houser
President, NYSOEA
[email protected]

“Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the
embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love.” — Sitting Bull

Pathways Spring 2023 3

 A simple, DIY nature journal design.

Nature Journaling:
Self-Directed Nature Learning
Written by Jaime Winans-Solis

A timeless tradition in ecological inquiry, the Teaching Nature Journaling and Observation
nature journal, offers a versatile approach to (1999), written by Claire Walker Leslie, was my
facilitate engagement with the natural world first introduction to journaling with children and
around us. The ever-changing environment continues to be my guide. According to Leslie,
provides myriad entry points to focus children’s there are ample reasons to continue the age-old
attention. Through the years, in different places, tradition of the naturalist’s journal in our quest to
and with various ages of children, nature learn about the land. She questions: “Why shouldn’t
journals have remained one of my favorite tools we have the same fun these naturalists had, poking
for helping young people open their senses about in bushes and streams, drawing, wondering,
to nature. I appreciate their old-fashioned collecting, documenting, and sharing our journal
simplicity, where, in a fast-paced world, they offer accounts with friends?” (p. 36).
a path for slowing down and centering awareness
on the intricate wonders around us.

4 Photos courtesy of Jaime Winans-Solis Pathways Spring 2023

Nature journals are incredibly adaptable and
student-centered. Leslie writes: “In addition to
offering students a one-on-one connection “Nature journaling is hands-on
with their own immediate environment, the
nature journal is a wonderfully flexible teaching learning at its best. The students are
tool. It integrates many disciplines and allows
not punching keyboards, responding
opportunities for various styles of learning” (p.
37). Students may determine if they want to focus to questions in a book, or answering
on drawing, creative writing, or more scientific
note-taking or data recording.
questions made up by someone
else. They are outdoors, looking at
Activities you can do with a nature journal in
hand are endless, but it can be challenging to grasses, weeds, ants, earthworms,
get everyone excited about journaling, especially
blue jays, sugar maples, poison
initially. If drawing feels intimidating, remind
the group that nature journal sketches are meant ivy, and seeing for themselves
to be primitive. Leslie explains that “the heart of
nature journaling is the learning of observation
connections they never noticed
skills, not drawing skills” (p. 38). The drawings before. The proof of their observation
“serve a practical purpose rather than an aesthetic
one” (p. 39) as the intent is to keep a record of an is their own journal page.”
observation. Drawings can be labeled to help keep
track of important details and can be embellished
– Claire Walker Leslie
back in the classroom using other materials or
perhaps a field guide to help.

A DIY nature journal can be constructed from

simple materials. I am currently using a nature
journal that uses two pieces of cardboard as
covers, plain white paper for the pages, and
a sturdy twig and rubber band for binding. I
prepped the materials ahead of time and helped
students construct their own journal. Children
decorated their journal covers, and then we
grabbed our pencils and headed out the door for
a morning of early springtime nature discovery.
I turned to Leslie’s practical expertise to break
down our first day of nature journaling into small,
specific tasks to help us get started:
• A logical first step is to record the date,
location, time of the day (and to discuss why
this information is important). Then record
the weather.
• Gather in a standing circle outdoors in silence.
Ask the group to write down three sounds in a
“I Hear…” section. Then, “write a brief stream-
of-consciousness sentence or poem, such as,
“I feel the cold wind under the dark green tree
A child’s nature journal entry from a pond hike.
but the sun brightens me” (Leslie, p. 44).

Pathways Spring 2023 5

 • Ask the group to focus on looking at the encountered a great blue heron wading at the
ground for 2 minutes, and quickly sketch edge of a beaver pond. The heron patiently
three different leaf shapes using simple line allowed our group to get fairly close and there
drawings. Leslie recommends drawing along were an abundance of oohs and aahs as the
with the students. heron eventually took flight and glided low across
the pond. In the next instance, after watching the
• Focus at eye-level and draw three more heron’s flight, the children suggested we pause
objects. They may be the bark of a tree, to document what we had just witnessed in our
a wildflower, or insects on a plant. Leslie journals. This let me know that we had arrived
encourages her groups to draw carefully at a place of intrinsic motivation—they were
enough so that they can later identify what journaling in response to their own curiosities,
they are observing in a field guide. Here, not in response to my direction.
spontaneous discussion will often emerge as
students become curious about what they are The nature journal possibilities are endless. The
seeing. only rules are to follow your sense of wonder,
see something new, leave room for surprises,
These steps served to be a valuable warm-up, and have fun! Be sure your students bring their
which we followed with a hike around a pond, journals home, and hopefully they will cherish it
journals in hand. Mid-way into our hike, we and the nature discoveries which fill the pages.

Works Cited:

Leslie, C. W. (1999). "Teaching nature journ-

aling and observation." In: Into the Field: A
Guide to Locally Focused Teaching (pp. 35-
57). Great Barrington, MA: The Orion Society.

6 Pathways Spring 2023

Pathways Spring 2023 7
 Focus:
METRO REGION
The Environmental Education Projects Forum
Written by Mike Zamm, EEAC

The Environmental Education Projects Forum (The Forum), a program of

the EEAC, is a network of environmental educators and related professionals
working to create and implement systemic projects that establish
environmental/sustainability education in schools and non-formal settings.

It began with a coalition of the EEAC, the Council prep programs. (The TEEP White Paper, first
on the Environment of NYC (now GrowNYC), and published in 2003, was reprinted in the NYSOEA
the Environmental Action Coalition developing newsletter.) Again, although TEEP organized
a statewide initiative to infuse environmental workshops and meetings, and enjoyed some
concepts into the State Education Department’s conceptual support from the State Education
Syllabus, Curriculum and Regents Exams in most Department, many colleges of education in NYS
subjects. The New York State Outdoor Education resisted infusing more EE into their curricula.
Association (NYSOEA), led by its president at
the time, Gary Christenson, participated in the Undaunted, at TEEP workshops from 2016-
statewide infusion effort. 19, participants began to generate new ideas
to expand EE in the State. From these TEEP
Participants in the statewide coalition concluded workshops emerged The Environmental
that the infusion led to a modest increase in Education Projects Forum, and today, The Forum
the teaching of environmental education (EE) has a few exciting projects going on!
in schools throughout the state, especially in
science subjects at the secondary school level. The Forum now offers an online syllabi bank
It was clear, however, that most teachers were which contains a collection of courses in
not prepared to teach environmental subject environmental education available for those
matter and would either attempt to ignore colleges of education and other teacher training
environmental content or would not teach it in institutions that want to expand the infusion
an effective manner. of environmental concepts into their teacher
preparation programs. Approximately 2,500
In response, EEAC launched the Teacher downloads of courses have occurred from
Environmental Education Preparation (TEEP) educational institutions throughout the U.S and
project in December 1999. The purpose of TEEP Europe, although only a few NYS colleges of
was to motivate more NYS colleges offering education have used the resource.
education degrees to include EE in their teacher

8 Pathways Spring 2023

 Focus:
METRO
REGION

The Forum’s second ongoing project is a venture ensuring that more climate change education in
to install weather stations in schools. The Forum teacher preparation programs is included in the
helps identify and reach out to schools. The platform recommendations. The platform is now
weather stations, used to help youth understand accessible and the Forum will help CREFT secure
climate change, have been installed in 25 NYC political support for its proposals.
public schools with more on the way. The project
is coordinated by the NOAA Cooperative Science Forum workshop 6 was held in February of 2023.
Center for Earth System Sciences and Remote Thirty-four environmental educators met in
Learning at The City College of New York. groups to discuss various project strategies. A
number of project ideas emerged which were
The precept that “all persons have the right to whittled down to two at a subsequent meeting.
learn how nature works” was formulated at Forum They are:
workshop 5. From that, The Forum launched a
multi-faceted project which included: • High school students take tours of energy
systems, e.g., an electric power plant,
One: motivating a significant number of people through Con Edison and/or other energy
to vote for the Environmental Rights Amendment service providers, with career links.
to the New York State Constitution which states
that “Each person shall have a right to clean air • A regional Youth Can conference on “how
and water and a healthful environment.” The things work”, modeled after the original
amendment was overwhelmingly approved by Youth Can conferences held at the American
the voters in November 2022. Museum of Natural History.

Two: participating in the Climate Resilience and The EEAC steering committee will select one
Education Task Force’s (CRETF) development of of these projects to add to the set of services
an online platform on climate change education provided to the EE community of NYC and the
that can be accessed by schools, teachers, surrounding region.
students, policy makers and citizens throughout We welcome the participation of NYSOEA and its
NYS. A Forum representative has been active on members in the Forum and its projects.
the platform committee and has been effective in

Pathways Spring 2023 9

 FORMATION:
Nancy Manfredonia
Written by Tom Stock, NYSOEA life member, [email protected]

Nancy Manfredonia has had a huge impact on the outdoor education of

Long Islanders. Because she has led weekly hikes over a span of 40 years,
some 70,000 people have had contact with the environment. But she not
only has led the hikes, she was instrumental in making sure there were
trails across Long Island to even hike.

Here’s her story. As a young person growing up in Queens, N.Y., her

father urged her to join the Girl Scouts, where she earned a badge in
birdwatching. “I’d get up at 5:00 AM and sit on the back porch with my
binoculars,” she remembered. Other early outdoor memories included
bicycling to Alley Pond Park when she got a little older. And once,
her family rented a rustic cabin in Maine with pump water and wood
fireplace. “This stayed with me,” she said.

Her family moved to Central Islip in 1968. Their lot was right on the
boarder of a huge hunting and fishing club which became a State Park.
During the first Earth Day, 1970, she met local chapter members of the
Citizens for a Clean Environment. She joined, and soon learned that a
string of parklands crossed the Island from sound to bay. The goal of the
group: connect these parks and make a 32-mile-long hiking trail.

She assembled a group of volunteers who scouted, flagged, and blazed

the trail, calling it the Greenbelt Trail. There was one roadblock right in
the middle – a developer bought a wetland and forest and planned to
build a huge warehouse. Trail members and others protested and finally,
Suffolk County purchased the land. The Greenbelt Trail passes through
this area now called Lakeland County Park.

The Greenbelt Trail spawned more trails until today there are 200 miles
of trails. That’s a lot of outdoor education possibilities! There are over two
million residents in Nassau and Suffolk County that now have a chance
to connect with nature. Nancy boasts that a person can walk the trails
“without having to drive up to the Catskills.”

Nancy Manfredonia started with an acorn that not only sprouted but
grew into a mighty oak tree.

10 Pathways Spring 2023

 FORMATION

Guided Hikes Throughout Long Island

(a sampling of locations)
Orient Point SP

Nassau - Suffolk Trail Rocky Point State Forest

Pine Barrens Trail
Caumsett SPP (Paumanok Path)

Stillwell Woods Preserve Bethpage SP

Muttontown Preserve
Blydenburgh CP Flanders/Sarnoff Preserve
LIGTC Headquarters

Wertheim Refuge

Terrell River CP

Connetquot SPP
Walt Whitman Trail Long Island Greenbelt Trail
Massapequa Preserve

Trailview SP

Nancy Manfredonia

Pathways Spring 2023 Photos Courtesy of Tom Stock 11

From the Archives
NATURE'S
WILD
FOODSand R
e c i p es
e N otes
Som
Written by Laurie Ives, Sherburne, NY

Wild Leeks

Reprinted from NYSOEA’s The

Communicator Vol. V, Number 1, Fall-Winter If you are planning on venturing outdoors to start
1973. Very slightly edited and abridged. your own harvesting, the first step you should
Ed. Note: This article is presented to you for take is to the bookstore or library to read the
ideas on WHAT to eat from the wild; you will available wild food literature. Then you are ready
have to check on the WHEN, as it varies from to begin. Why is this the best approach? Because
place to place. there are some plants that are entirely edible and
some that are not.

During the past week the Milkweed Pods began

“Eat the weeds, they’re good for you,” is a to grow, and so came the time to pick them since
statement that has more “meat” to it than the they are best an inch or less in length. I usually
novice might suspect. Let me analyze it through just blanch them in preparation for the freezer or
my own experience with eating weeds, and you’ll inclusion in a meal right away. After blanching,
see what I mean. my favorite way to fix them is to cut the young
pods crosswise in thin sections to resemble okra,
There are some plants growing in our lawns, then put a good amount in stewed tomatoes to
fields, and other places that are quite edible. which sugar has been added.
They have the same or better flavor and are
just as versatile as our cultivated vegetables. As Queen Anne’s Lace has long been considered
a beginner in this new culinary adventure, I poisonous, but in my readings I have found that
thought of them as weeds. As I ate them more maybe this tale is woven around the fact that
and got used to them the word “weeds” began to cattle leave it alone. The flowerhead brewed into a
seem inappropriate and now they are as natural strong tea and made into a jelly has become one
to me as asparagus, spinach or broccoli. It was of my favorites. The taste is a little like blueberries.
just a matter of getting used to them – as I had to It does not jell easily, though, so I use about 1 ¼
other vegetables as a child. cup sugar to one cup of tea.

12 Pathways Spring 2023

 From the Archives

Staghorn Sumac Berries are delicious brewed My experience with the “weed vegetables” have
into a tea or lemonade or made into jelly. Since it been many and rewarding, although I will admit
jells easily, one cup of sugar to one cup of strong there are some that were not pleasing to my taste
tea is sufficient. Be careful not to steep the stems buds. But then I have not always enjoyed every
with the berries since they can produce a bitter, cultivated vegetable either. As a food which is
unpalatable drink. The berries may be picked all both good and economical, they are worth trying.
winter but have a tendency to lose flavor as the I hope you in your new adventure will come to
rain leaches through them, so try to gather them enjoy these foods and will also, as I have, gain a
in late summer. To keep them for winter use, I new and deeper respect for the natural world that
simply dry the fruit thoroughly and store in a you have come to know.
shopping bag in a dry place.

Gather Choke Cherries in late summer, if you

can beat the birds to them, and try your hand
at a cream pie or jelly. For those who like food
slightly sour this will probably be a pleasing dish.
They can be frozen or canned by following the
standard directions.

The Wild Leek is an early spring plant that is

commonly found in a Beech-Maple climax forest.
The entire plant is edible and may be used in
place of onion. It has the added benefit of a slight
garlic taste which will enhance many a dish. My
two favorite ways to use the bulb are: sauteed
in butter over an open fire and lavished on
hamburgers, or made into leek and potato soup.
My version of this dish consists of diced potatoes
into a pot. Stir in two tablespoons flour until well
mixed. Add ¼ cup chicken stock; cover it all with
milk and heat until thick. The leek may be pulled
from the ground any time of the year, but for
convenience’s sake I freeze my winter supply.

In the spring, you may find a member of the

Mustard family growing in your lawn. This is
Wintercress and is one of my favorites to gather
before the lawnmower takes its toll. Pick the
leaves in early spring while they are young and Wintercress
sweet. Simmer until wilted in the water left on
them from washing; then serve with butter and
seasonings. Do not neglect the buds. This “wild
broccoli” is excellent simmered with a small
amount of olive oil. Freeze the rest for a future
meal. The blossoms of any of the Mustard family
add a delicate sweet touch to pancakes, and
vitamins to a soup, stew or casserole.

Pathways Spring 2023 13

 SIGURD OLSON
on Wilderness
Written by Sally McCracken
Past President 1989-1990

The breakfast was delicious, the conversation

inspiring, and the experience life changing. As I
got up to leave, Sigurd Olson asked me if I would
like to see his “writing shack” as he called it. As we
walked into the backyard of his home in Ely, MN,
I quietly thanked my friend and mentor, Anne
LaBastille, for introducing me to this inspiring,
gentle man through the mail. That introduction
ultimately led to a breakfast invitation with Sigurd
and his lovely wife Elizabeth in 1978. Having had
this wonderful experience so many years ago
made me feel that it was time to do a book review
on Sigurd Olson’s works.

Sigurd F. Olson (1899-1982) was a bestselling

author of nine books introducing a generation of
Americans to the importance of wilderness. He
was one of the greatest environmentalists of the
20th century, an award-winning conservationist,
and an advocate for the protection of wilderness.
As one of America’s best-loved nature writers,
he was able to express the essence of the
magnificent wilderness that was central to his life.
He lived during the time of other conservation
giants such as Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, and
Anna Botsford Comstock, but in the years that
Olson was writing, he was considered the Muir
and Thoreau of that time.

His first writing was mainly articles for magazines

such as Outdoor Life and Sports Afield. But he
really wanted to focus his life on writing. With
a young family, it was difficult to find the quiet,
alone time he needed to gather his thoughts for

14 Pathways Spring 2023

 The interior of Sigurd Olson's writing shack in Ely, Minnesota.

writing. He moved the garage on his property in University of Illinois, majoring in botany, ecology,
Ely, to a secluded area at the back of his house. and geology, he moved to Ely, Minnesota, where
It became his “writing shack” where he authored he taught biology at Ely Junior College, which
most of his books. In December 2022, his “writing is now Vermillion Junior College. He eventually
shack” was listed on the National Register of chaired the science department and served as
Historic Places and remains exactly as it was on dean.
the last day of his life in 1982 when he went for
a hike on snowshoes and suffered a fatal heart He served for more than thirty years as a
attack. wilderness guide in the forests and lakes of
northern Minnesota which later, with his help,
Olson’s prose is sheer poetry. He paints became the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
pictures with his words and through his Wilderness.
passages he brings feelings of peace. Using
astute observations, he captures the feeling Sigurd Olson became president of the National
that wilderness brings. In his many essays and Parks Association in 1953. He later served as
journals, he writes about what is wilderness, the President of the Wilderness Society (1968-1971).
spiritual aspects of wilderness, preservation of He helped draft the Wilderness Act of 1971 and
wilderness, why we need wilderness, the longing establish Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota.
for wilderness and related topics. Sigurd also was a consultant to the Secretary
of the Interior Stewart Udall on wilderness and
After he attended college at Northland College, National Park issues. Sigurd Olson received
the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and the the John Burroughs Medal in 1974, which is

Pathways Spring 2023 15

the highest award for nature writing. He was 2) In Listening Point (1958), Olson describes
inducted into the Conservation Hall of Fame his whole process of finding his beloved
posthumously in 1993. property on Burntside Lake that he ultimately
called his “Listening Point”. The cabin, named
Two of Sigurd Olson’s most-read books are two to the National Register of Historic Places in
of my favorites, Listening Point and The Singing 2008, was built in 1956 as a retreat to enjoy the
Wilderness. The illustrator for both was Francis wilderness. Olson states, “I have named this
Lee Jaques, an American wildlife painter whose place Listening Point because only when one
works can be seen in the American Museum of comes to listen, only when one is aware and
Natural History. still, can things be seen and heard.”
Listening Point is Olson’s classic book on creating 3) Reflections from the North Country (1976),
a place to experience solitude and wilderness. displays Olson’s beliefs about nature and the
One of my favorite essays is entitled “The Sound human spirit. He writes, “Simplicity in all things
of Rain”. In Olson’s words, it starts like this: “Last is the secret of the wilderness and one of its
night in my tent, I listened to the rain. At first it most valuable lessons.”
came down gently, then in a steady drumming
downpour, and I lay there wondering when I In 1998, Sigurd Olson’s youngest son Robert
would begin to feel the first rivulets creeping established The Listening Point Foundation to
beneath my sleeping bag.” How many of us keep his father’s legacy and philosophy alive. One
can identify with that? He has such a way of of its key missions is to preserve Listening Point
pulling you into his thoughts. He fully believed as it was – a place of connection for Sigurd which
that everyone should have a listening point. Do continually renewed his sense of wonder and
you have one? Do you have a place where you gratitude for the natural world. You can receive a
go to listen, some quiet place where you can free newsletter twice a year by subscribing.
contemplate the universe?
It has been almost 50 years since Sigurd Olson
In The Singing Wilderness, his essays rekindle published his first book, The Singing Wilderness.
spirits wearied by the turmoils of 20th-century It became a New York Times bestseller. How
living. I am sure that his books can still do the has our view of wilderness changed since the
same for us in the 21st century. publication of this book and his eight other ones?
Do you agree with all his concepts? What is your
David Backes, Olson’s biographer, has written vision of how we see wilderness today? What are
several indispensable collections of Olson’s the writers of today saying that wilderness is?
rarest articles, essays and speeches. He discusses
Olson’s evolution into one of the wilderness’s Every once in a while, I pick up one of Sigurd’s
leading figures from the 1950s to the 1980s. books and re-read my favorite essays. I also
reflect on the very special experience that I was
Backes suggests three of Olson’s most well- so fortunate to have in 1978. It is only now in later
known books as representative of all of Olson’s years that I realize how special it was. When you
works: have a moment, choose one of Sigurd’s essays to
1) The Singing Wilderness (1956), his first and find peace in his poetic writings.
most well-known book, beautifully poetic
essays for each season best capture his land
aesthetic. Backes has added a timeline of his
life and accomplishments at the beginning of
the book.

16 Pathways Spring 2023

 The Outside Story

Music
The Unsung

of Birds
Written by Kenrick Vezina

With spring creeping closer, our year-round the edges of forests and in clearings, where they
avian residents such as cardinals and titmice are put on a show each evening, shortly after sunset.
already raising their voices. But there’s more than
one way to make music, and birds have evolved Their performance has three acts, combining
means for using everything at their disposal to fill visual and auditory cues. First, a minute of
our forests with whistles, twitters, and booms – urgent, nasal peent calls from the ground. Then
no voice needed. a spiraling, twittering flight upward. And, finally,
a steep descent accompanied by rapid, chirrupy
Early spring is the perfect time to catch a bug- sound. The first sound is vocal – videos abound
eyed, comically plump creature demonstrating online of woodcocks throwing their heads back
birds’ potential as instrumentalists. In March, and beaks wide to produce a peent call, which
male American woodcocks stake out turf along seems to be a whole-body effort. Once the bird

Pathways Spring 2023 17

takes off, however, that airy twitter is created Of course, feathers are just one of the tools birds
by the three foremost primary feathers of its use to make noise. Big, hard beaks also have
stubby wings as it beats its way skyward. These great potential as instruments. The most obvious
feathers are narrower and stiffer than the rest of example is the staccato stylings of woodpeckers.
its primaries, with greater space between them. By taking advantage of the natural acoustics
During the display flight, they act like the reed in of hollowed-out snags, even the little downy
a clarinet, vibrating rapidly to produce a high- woodpecker can fill the forest with its territorial
pitched sound. Interestingly, the same feathers on announcements. But birds don’t need extremely
females and immature males are not as narrow, specialized pecking hardware to send a message:
probably because they don’t need to use them as ravens, with heavy but general-purpose beaks,
noisemakers. are an excellent example. Dominant females
will often follow-up their “knocking” call with
Musical feathers can do more than serenade a a loud bill snap. The champion of beak-based
potential mate. If you’ve ever startled – and been communication must be the African shoebill –
startled by – a mourning dove, you’ll know they a.k.a. the “whale-headed stork” – a 5-foot-tall bird
make a distinctive high-pitched flutter on takeoff. with a truly massive shovel-shaped beak. When it
Like woodcocks, they have specialized noise- rattles its bill, the resulting sound is like machine-
making feathers, but for the doves this sound acts gun fire.
as a built-in alarm system that may momentarily
confuse predators – and let other doves know it’s All of these unsung (literally) sounds illustrate
time to skedaddle. Though it sounds to human an important aspect of evolution via natural
ears like doves make the same panicky whistles selection: it works with what it’s got. Feathers’
every time they take off, experiments have shown primary purpose, in evolutionary terms, was
that other birds can recognize the difference probably insulation and, later, enabling flight.
between a casual takeoff and a hawk-induced Likewise, beaks did not originally arise as
flight. biomechanical castanets. But communication
is essential for both survival and reproduction,
Whistles aren’t the only sound feathers can make. the twin imperatives of evolution, and sound
Another secretive, round-bodied bird, the ruffed is a very effective way to communicate. All the
grouse, performs a “drumming” display that uses attention goes to the vocalists, but bird bodies are
the entire wing – and serves to both mark his full of musical potential: a fact that evolution has
territory and attract mates. Drumming begins exploited with aplomb.
in late spring. A male grouse finds a good log to
stand on, fans his tail, and flares the namesake
ruff of chocolate-colored feathers around his
neck in a collar that would make Shakespeare
jealous. He stretches to his full height, pauses as
if to gather his strength, and begins to pump his Kenrick Vezina is a freelance writer,
stumpy wings in what looks like an attempted naturalist, and raconteur based in the Greater
clap. He quickly accelerates, and what starts as Boston area. Illustration by Adelaide Murphy
a few weak whuffs quickly builds to a hearty Tyrol. The Outside Story is assigned and
whumph-ing, a noise akin to the chug of a gas- edited by Northern Woodlands magazine
powered mower. Each whumph is the sound and sponsored by the Wellborn Ecology
of air collapsing into the tiny vacuums created Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable
by the bird’s whipping wings. During a single Foundation: www.nhcf.org. Northern
10-second performance, a ruffed grouse might Woodlands is an Affiliate Member of
beat its wings 50 times, reaching a peak speed of NYSOEA
almost 20 beats per second.

18 Pathways Spring 2023

 The Ecology of Spring
The season of spring is upon us. I turn on hot jazz
to help with the energy needed to open buds. I
welcome the increase in dark shadows and the
bleaching of bright light in the noon hours.

I look forward to lighter shirts, more shorts, flip

flops and lingering outdoors. LOOK! A squirrel just
stole a banana peel from our compost bucket; a
male English sparrow is fluttering wings and tail
hoping that a female is looking; power boats are
emerging from their white plastic cocoons. The
last moments of winter wither away.

Written by Tom Stock, March 20, 2023

Walking: An Outdoor Education Activity

Written by Tom Stock

Guiding children on an outdoor walk is a Where we walk makes a difference. On a sidewalk

common activity. Everyone walks at their own next to a busy highway, a quiet street, a large
pace. Staying in a group, but not marching, is grassy open space, a forest trail…we want to group
challenging. Most guided walks are stop-and-go to consider walking where they live. During the
affairs. The cadence of the pace is interrupted as debriefing after the walk, ask the group where
the leader points out various nature subjects. It they could walk in a place where they feel like
might be wise to plan an out-and-back trip, with they did on their walk with you.
the “out” without stops and the “back” with them.
How long should this activity last? If the entire
The art of walking is the repetition of each step session is an hour, a little less than a half hour
in a rhythm. Start with some guidelines. “We will out and a half hour back might work. When it’s
maintain a steady walk and stay together. Please time to turn back, the leader should have a good
don’t be loud. We are not marching. We want to idea of what they want to stop for. The children
enjoy just the walking to notice what we pass. in the group should know that they want to have
On the way back, we will stop a few times to look the group stop to focus on something. It is not
more closely and learn some things about what advisable to overdo the stops. Too many stops
we see.” will dull the experience.
This in itself is outdoor education. By focusing on After the walk, a short debriefing session will
walking, our goal is to get the group comfortable review their experience. How did you feel; what
and relaxed. Walking is its own reward. Let’s walk did you like; will you try to find places to walk
and see and feel free. near your home; would you invite your parents
to go for a walk?

Pathways Spring 2023 19

 MaryLynne, Christina,
Shinara, Kevin &
Benita getting ready
to get our waffle on!

Maple Celebration Helps EAI Committee

Earn $600 toward Camperships
Written by MaryLynne Malone

It was a cold, wet morning as we set out to the that was completely ours to use! They provided
Fresh Air Fund’s Sharpe Reservation Maple a refrigerator, waffle irons, coffee makers and
Celebration on March 25, 2023. The goal: serving carafes. We have had generous member
earn money for the NYSOEA EAI Committee donations for all of the paper and food products.
Campership program. What is the Campership Volunteers bring the essentials like bowls,
program? It is a great way for Affiliate Members measuring equipment, containers and utensils
of NYSOEA to send a child to camp and be for serving, cleaning supplies, and aprons to keep
reimbursed for the expenses! Each NYSOEA us festive and clean.
Regional Director is given $350 to distribute
each camping season, which means that the What can you do to keep this great program
fund needs to be replenished regularly. For years, moving? We need members committed to take
volunteers have been donating time, sweat, and the lead for the future, be in contact with the
pure enthusiasm to keep the fund going. organizers at Sharpe, be sure all equipment and
supplies are purchased, and be ready to make
One fun way is we sell waffles and hot beverages waffles and hot beverages for hungry Maple
at the Annual Maple Celebration at Sharpe Celebration patrons.
Reservation. NYSOEA members from the Metro
and Eastern Regions volunteer to become Is your organization an Affiliate member? If not,
cooks and servers for the day. The program encourage them to become one. Do you have
has evolved over the years, but a few things a summer program for children? Apply for the
have definitely improved! For one, the Taconic Camperships and take advantage of Affiliate
Outdoor Education Center, located right down benefits!
the road from Sharpe, has been very generously For more information contact the EAI Committee
donating the syrup. Sharpe has done renovations at [email protected].
to the dining hall which this year meant a cafe

Photo courtesy of MaryLynne Malone

20 Pathways Spring 2023
 OUTDOORS
FOR ALL

Learning Equity, Access

and Inclusion at any Stage
Written by MaryLynne Malone

As an Outdoor/Environmental Educator for over meetings to discuss pertinent articles. In previous

30 years, I thought that my knowledge of things issues of PATHWAYS, we have written about our
was pretty well set. That started to change in article discussions, but we encourage members
November of 2019 at around the same time as to experience the articles firsthand. Spend some
the very inactive NYSOEA Diversity Committee time reading the articles on your own and then
became the very active NYSOEA Equity, Access, read our take on it.
and Inclusion (EAI) Committee. I thought,
interesting, a name change can make all the In February we read Dr. Robert Bullard: Lessons
difference? The answer was yes! As the world From 40 Years of Documenting Environmental
slowed in 2020, the EAI Committee became more Racism, The Ask - April 17, 2019 - by Tara
active. I should note that I was the Chair of the Lohan. Dr. Bullard is known as the “Father of
Diversity Committee and had agreed to take a Environmental Justice”. Our moderator for
leadership role in the EAI Committee, thinking the discussion was Christina Edsall. Christina
that not much would change. I was wrong! Not asked us all to think of a quote from the article
only has the Committee held a solid membership, that was surprising and why we thought it was
it is a very active group of people always looking surprising. The conversation was enlightening;
to learn and to help others on their journeys as we discussed personal experiences that helped
well. Through webinars, panels, infographics and us clarify changes we could make to improve
workshops, the Committee is putting helpful, programming as well as how we could be better
useful everyday information out to the NYSOEA advocates and allies to populations that are on
membership. I am proud that we embraced the the receiving end of racism. Understanding those
Safe Space Commitment set up by the Hudson impacted can create empathy and hopefully
River Foundation, a commitment to continue change.
to learn and make changes at every level of our I would like to encourage all members of NYSOEA
organizations to provide a safe and welcoming and perhaps some of the decision-makers of
space for all we work and learn with. our Affiliate members to set aside some time
Continuous learning in this field involves setting on a Monday evening at 7:00 pm a few times a
aside time to read about and discuss how others year to get some insight into the barriers that
have strived for equality and fought against are keeping all people from experiencing nature
environmental racism and other adversities based and the environment the way so many of us are
on location, gender, race, religion, sexual identity, privileged to do.
and economics. The EAI Committee sets aside

Pathways Spring 2023 21

 Canoe Paddle Democracy on the

Raquette River Written by Matt Burnett

“But I wanted to fish!” the boy insisted. during our traverse of Upper Saranac. Our crew
had performed amazingly, pushing beyond their
“We are the group leaders, we need to be in the limited strength and experience to safely navigate
front of the boats, and I need you to help me that situation. Now that the water was calm and
paddle.” This was the decisive reply from his older the weather conditions mild, the pressure was
paddle partner. off and some of the normal adolescent dynamics
I had just paddled into the middle of something. were back in play.
Our canoe group, comprised of nine children “You two are going to have to talk this out,”
ages 11-14, were packing up the boats for our (or something to that effect) was my soft
third day of paddling. On this particular trip, the intervention. This was my sixth year running
Northern Forest Explorers were traveling from these canoe trips, and my general approach to
Upper Saranac Lake to Tupper Lake, a paddle of leadership was to put as much decision making
approximately 30 miles. We had just recovered and responsibility as was reasonable onto the
from a difficult day of paddling on the previous kids. Of course, this changed from group to group
day when the wind had whipped up whitecaps and situation to situation.

22 Pathways Spring 2023

 The Northern Forest Explorers on Upper Saranac, 2022

One year, having arrived at the midpoint of The argument of this morning was between
our journey early in the trip, we had decided a person from the region, an eleven-year-old
collectively to park our canoes as far up the boy who grew up on our lakes and rivers with a
Cold River as we could paddle, recombine our fishpole in his hand, and an older girl of thirteen
bags, and travel five miles up the river to reach who was paddling with us for the first time. She
Shattack’s Clearing, a remote outpost that had was from out of state, and most of what we were
once been a Ranger station many years before. doing (paddling, camping, portaging, fishing)
Because of deteriorating weather and poor was brand new to her. Because they had been
trail conditions, this ended up being one of the “elected” as leader boat of the day, she was taking
hardest hikes many of us had ever done. We even the task of leading the other boats more seriously
had to use the river as the trail for some of the than her paddle partner. As the day went on, I
trek. The group that I awoke to the morning after noticed the two found some middle ground.
that rugged challenge was so much stronger, it
was almost as if we had suddenly grown up a few The socialization skills that we practice in
years overnight (myself included!). education (I’m in Higher Ed myself) – learning
to compete, cooperate, accept, and maybe even

Pathways Spring 2023 23

learn from each other – get a different kind of on this trip was Ruby Lewin, who had been
chance in the outdoor classroom. Whatever participating in these trips since the age of
your learned role is in your school and home eleven. Now in her first year of college, she had
community, in canoe camp you have the chance earned her medical certifications and run one of
to step out of that role, to engage with new people the trips with me as the second guide.
and new challenges, and to breathe freely outside
of the human-designed world. As someone who I’ve seen the dividends from older participants
was born and has lived most of his life in the as well. At SUNY Canton, where I teach in the
Adirondacks, I need this kind of oxygen and have Graphic and Multimedia Design program, I’ve
it available in regular doses. But the freedoms offered a course called “Adirondack Photography”
and privileges that I enjoy – to walk daily in the where the participants travel into the Adirondack
woods, to throw a boat in the water and paddle wilderness for several days. Our experiences
without paying a cent, to enjoy the daily parade with young adults are very similar to the youth
of the seasons outside my window – are gifts not trips, with the interactions, team bonding, talks
equally available to everyone. around the campfire, and daily challenges and
rewards being some of the strongest learning
Camp is a culture that breeds its own opportunities. I am still in touch with some of the
expectations. My repeat paddlers always students who have participated in these trips over
reminisce about the big and the small, the hard the years; they are some of my most memorable
times and the fun times, right down to their and rewarding student interactions.
favorite dehydrated meal that they look forward
to, the lean-to that we burned popcorn in, or And what else happened on that day? Oh, a host
the spot we dumped a canoe. Camping itself is a of things. Arguments over who got what candy,
privilege, a chance to broaden our expectations, contests such as sleeping bag races and putting
to challenge ourselves, and to meet and learn up the tents blindfolded. Burritos heated over the
from other people and to drink in our natural fire. Perhaps the funniest thing, the thing that put
resources. We make strong memories this way. a pin into all the little disagreements and made us
all come together, was a canoe spill in the river.
This trip has proven so popular with kids from We had been drifting down the Raquette River
the Tri-Lakes region that I have seen some kids with all our canoes held together (just with our
reregister year after year. In fact, my co-guide hands) while I cut up apples and spread peanut

During this canoe trip on the Raquette River, I found myself

really thinking more about our campers from outside of
the Adirondacks, kids from urban areas that often haven’t
experienced this kind of thing or don’t have easy access
to it. How do you reach people that don’t know what they
are missing? Asking questions like this since last summer
has encouraged me to seek increasing support for this trip.
Regional groups like the Long Lake Association, Long Lake
Lions Club, Raquette River Outfitters, and the Long Lake Rod
and Gun Club have all generously contributed to the ongoing
efforts of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. We’ve developed
new partnerships with enthusiastic organizations like Midtown
Utica Community Center and developed new collaborations
with my forward-thinking colleagues at the Department of
Environmental Conservation, Adirondack Watershed Institute,
and the New York State Outdoor Education Association. The
two trips that we have been offering since 2016 have grown
into four this summer, and we’re hoping with more funding
to increase that further in the years to come, to bring this
opportunity to more people from more communities.

Saniya and Corbin "explore" the Raquette River

24 Pathways Spring 2023

 The Northern Forest Explorers on Upper Saranac, 2022

butter on them. The kids joked and shared snacks, Dutch oven, which was a veteran of many prior
two or three occasionally dipping the oars in to trips, lots of calzones and yummy pancakes,
steer us around the river bends. the occasional “hot sauce challenge” and the
infamously bad “S’mores Casserole” (so terrible
All of a sudden, the boat next to me started to that it had earned the review of “boiled diarrhea”).
separate from the rest. I had been balancing a
tray (the lid to a food barrel) across the gunwales The memories that we have made on the water
and making our delicious appetizers there while and in the woods are ones that stay with us; they
we drifted, but suddenly Corbin and Saniya saw are a product of living in the present, of being
that because of the boats spreading apart, the tray safe and grateful and knowing that you are going
of apples was about to fall. They both reached through the same thing with others. We are
out to grab it, and instead went into the drink thankful for the many supporters of these trips
themselves. and look forward to being a part of many more
safe and rewarding adventures.
Well, as canoe flips go this was a pretty safe
situation, so nobody was super worried, mostly For more info on the Northern Forest Explorers,
just trying to save the gear and get reorganized. visit: https://www.northernforestcanoetrail.org/
I’m proud to say that both paddlers came up with discover/northern-forest-explorers/
smiles on their faces. And Saniya even saved the

Matt Burnett is an educator, artist, and licensed NYS guide living in the central
Adirondacks. He is a professor at SUNY Canton teaching in the Graphic and
Multimedia Program, a fellow at the Munich University of Applied Sciences
in Germany, and a recipient of the Chancellors Award for Creative Activities
in 2021. An advocate of experiential learning and the outdoor classroom, he
is best known for developing immersive experiences along the Raquette and
Saranac rivers for school groups, college groups and family adventurers. A former
NYS Assistant Forest Ranger, his creative work and programming explores the
history, paradoxes, and environmental dilemmas of nature/culture relationships.

For more info: www.mattburnettguiding.com

Pathways Spring 2023 25

 Slime Molds Fun for the Whole Family!
Myxomycete plasmodium

Written by Taro Ietaka

“Mom, I’m bored!” No parent or teacher enjoys The impressive thing about slime mold
hearing a child say those words. But the next plasmodia is the way they move while in search
time it happens, don’t hand over the iPad or turn of food. The cytoplasm that makes up the inside
on the TV. Instead, you can say with either great of a slime mold plasmodium flows like the tide.
enthusiasm or mystery, “Well then, let’s go on a It rushes forward in the direction it wants to go
slime safari.” The child will be too surprised or (usually toward food or moisture, or away from
puzzled to resist. Then the fun can begin. light) thus propelling itself forward in a fan-like
shape. The cytoplasm retracts much more slowly
What are Slime Molds? so as not to cause it to move backward. Then,
Plasmodial slime molds, also known as it repeats the cycle. Most slimes can move only
myxomycetes, are among nature’s most about a millimeter an hour, but some can move
fascinating and unique organisms. They have up to a centimeter or more per minute.
characteristics of both animals and fungi – they
move in search of food but produce mushroom- The slime mold life cycle doesn’t stop here
like reproductive structures filled with spores. however: a fascinating transformation is in store,
In fact, they are neither animal nor fungus, but but that will be described later.
instead part of the protist kingdom.
Where to Find Slime Molds
After emerging from a spore, a microscopic Now that you’ve piqued that child’s curiosity, you
young slime mold resembles either an amoeba better deliver! So, read on to learn how to find
(myxamoeba) or a euglena (a cylinder with slime molds in the wild. Or, if you don’t want to
flagella for propulsion). It then sets off in search take any chances, you can purchase slime mold
of food – bacteria and other microorganisms culture kits if you don’t mind shelling out $50.
– and a mate. If it is fortunate enough to find
a compatible myxamoeba, the two fuse into a The best time of year to find slime molds is inlate
single cell with multiple nuclei. Now is when summer and fall, a couple of days after a rain.
it gets really slimy: the myxomycete forms a They like dark, damp places, so rotting logs are
plasmodium that looks to the naked eye like a the ideal place to look. A slime mold’s dream-log
runny lemon pudding (they are usually yellow) would be one that has been dead for a few years
or blood-filled capillaries (they can sometimes be and that has loose bark and softened wood. You’ll
red). know you’ve found a slime mold when you see
what appear to be yellow, vein-like slime. You

26 Photos courtesy of Taro Ietaka Pathways Spring 2023

may also encounter brown, vein-like patterns.
That’s slime mold poop, but you can track it to
the creature for extra fun. When you find one,
carefully transfer the wood that the slime is on
into a petri dish or other container in which it
won’t be damaged while you carry it home.
Care and Feeding of Slime Molds
Slime molds are very low maintenance. An
airtight container lined with damp paper towel
makes a great ‘myxarium’. Store your myxarium
in a dark place at room temperature. Make sure to
keep the cover on the mold-arium or your slime
might escape and move into your sock drawer
or get eaten by your dog. You could also allow
harmful mold spores to enter. Fruiting body of the common Scrambled Egg Fungus (Fuligo septica). Avoid calling
them dog-vomit slimes; it could be viewed as offensive.
Feeding a slime mold is very easy. The wood you
brought home with you is full of yummy slime perform one last spectacular trick as it transforms
mold food, such as spores and bacteria. However, into something completely different. The clumps
if you want to give your slime mold a treat, an oat that your slime mold has formed will start to
flake from your kitchen cupboard is perfect. In harden and may change color to red, blue, yellow,
fact, slime molds will go out of their way to get brown, or black. By the end, your slime may look
their favorite treats, as you will see in the next like microscopic mushrooms, like scrambled
section on slime mold tricks. eggs, like miniature grapes, or even hair growing
from a piece of wood.
Slime Mold Fun
Slime molds are much more clever than your Your slime mold has one last surprise. Within its
average mushroom or amoeba. Students and hardened remains, millions of spores are waiting
scientists have designed experiments to mimic to emerge and scatter with the wind to start
slime mold takeovers of the United States and new slimes. Think of the scene and song from
to test the ability of brainless creatures to solve Charlotte’s Web with the ballooning newborn
mazes. Spoiler: they are better at it than most spiders. Then grab some tissues.
infants and toddlers. They shouldn’t feel bad
though since slime molds were able to design That’s it for now – good luck on your slime safari
train routes as efficiently as Tokyo’s city planners
at a fraction of the time and salary. Your child or
student can get creative with slime experiments
too using the combination of oat flake incentives
and a container with a nutrient agar base.
Moving On: Coping with the Loss of Your Taro Ietaka is a
Slime Mold professional naturalist
The day will come when your slime will start to and land manager
look “knotty” and will split apart and congregate employed by
in very small clumps. Your slime mold is nearing Westchester County
the end of its life. Even though you may feel like Parks' Conservation
you are losing a family pet, now is not the time division. He is a graduate of
to be sad. Instead, you should enjoy your last Steve Stephenson's slime mold
days together, especially as your slime mold will camp in Eagle Hill, Maine.

Pathways Spring 2023 27

Official Publication of the New York State Outdoor Education Association
www.nysoea.org • 845.288.3444 • Sp rin g 2023