Smokey Bear is turning 71 this year and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is throwing a birthday bash befitting of the legendary forest fire-fighting icon. The media is cordially invited to join Venetia Lannon, Regional Director of NYSDEC’s NYC Office and partnering community organizations Alley Pond Environmental Center, Clay Pit Pond State Park Preserve, Hudson River Park Trust, NYC Urban Park Rangers, and the Student Conservation Association for a fun-filled day of environmental activities during the 12^th Annual Smokey Bear Birthday Bash.

Event:                          Smokey Bear’s Birthday Bash

Where:                        Alley Pond Park, 76^th Avenue, Queens

Date:                           Saturday, August 22, 2015

Time:                           Noon - 3 p.m.

Directions:                   Event will take place at 76^th Avenue entrance to Alley Pond Park. There is a parking
                                     lot along 76^th Avenue between Springfield and 226^th Street. Event is accessible by
                                     public transportation on Q46, Q88, and QM5 bus lines.

The event will feature games and hands-on activities focused on environmental awareness, camping, and fire safety and give families the opportunity to experience live animal demonstrations, a fishing rod casting challenge, an animal olympics obstacle course, mammal skins & skulls, a DEC Forest Ranger and a nature scavenger hunt. This year’s event will also feature a poster contest where the grand-prize winner will receive a basket of tools to explore nature.

DEC Contact Day of Event: Brittany DiLeo (646) 831-2529 or Andy Snyder (646) 315-1706