The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in partnership with the Friends of Five Rivers, invites the public to become inaugural Five Rivers “5Rs” this fall. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center’s annual Fall Festival has connected families and persons of all ages and abilities with the outdoors for decades. While the pandemic precludes holding this year’s Fall Festival, the spirit of this popular event is captured with this fun trail challenge.

Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, boasts numerous trails traversing a variety of habitats at the 450-acre property. Participants register with the Friends of Five Rivers and hike five different trails at Five Rivers from Sept. 22 through Oct. 12, 2020, to become Five Rivers 5Rs. Commemorative 5R prizes will be given to all registrants.

Participants follow five easy steps to become a Five Rivers 5R:

1. Register for the Five Rivers 5R online at www.FriendsofFiveRivers.org ($5 per registrant);
2. Pick a Five Rivers trail to hike and take a picture of yourself at the trailhead kiosk, showing the trail’s name;
3. Enjoy your nature hike;
4. Repeat for four more trails; and
5. Email the five trailhead photos to DevFriends5Rivers@outlook.com.

This event is for individuals and families to complete on their own. For the safety of all Five Rivers 5Rs, visitors are reminded to socially distance while on the trials, including wearing a mask when a six-foot distance cannot be maintained. Participants’ rewards include spending time in nature, setting and achieving goals, calling yourself a Five Rivers 5R, receiving a commemorative prize for your hikes, and being highlighted on Friends’ social media.

To register, visit www.FriendsofFiveRivers.org. Call Five Rivers at 518-475-0291 for more information.