News
September 2, 2015Pine Bush Discovery Center September and October 2015 Program Schedule
First Friday Walk and Talk
Friday September 4, 12 noon – 1 p.m.
Take a break from your day and join us for a one hour hike along the trails of the Madison Avenue Pinelands. We will meet at the Madison Avenue Pinelands trailhead (#7). Adults only. Free!
Location: Madison Avenue Pinelands trailhead (#7)
Fee: Free! Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Ravine Ramble
Saturday September 5, 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
The Albany Pine Bush is home to the headwaters of the Hunger Kill, the Kaikout Kill and the Patroon Creek. Join us for a hike to steep sided sandy ravines and an exploration of the life that thrives along their banks. We will meet at the Discovery Center and then caravan to the Madison Avenue Pinelands (#7) trailhead. Participants are responsible for providing their own transportation. We will be walking approximately two miles over varied terrain. This is a Hudson River Valley Ramble event. Ages 8+.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Wonder Walk
Sunday September 6, 1 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
“It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know the sense of wonder and humility.” – Rachel Carson. Join us for this 0.9 mile walk in the Pine Bush. We will use our senses to explore the big and the small, the living and non-living and the seasonal surprises around us. We will use Rachel Carson as inspiration, taking in everything around us, searching for a sense of wonder. This is a Hudson River Valley Ramble event. Ages 6+.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Pine Bush GPS Adventure
Monday September 7, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Search for hidden objects using a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) unit that will help you navigate the trails. Learn which buttons do what, how to locate your position on Earth, and how to find your way back to places you’ve been! GPS units are provided. Ages 8+.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Learn 10…Trees
Sunday September 13, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Pine Bush botanist Jesse Hoffman will guide participants in a beginner’s course on how to identify 10 native tree species through the use of keys, guides and their senses during a combination of lab and field sessions. Instruction will be provided on the use of keys and guides as well as field signs to be able to identify trees. The route is over moderate terrain, but participants should be prepared with sturdy shoes, sunscreen, hat, water, and insect repellent. A 10x hand lens is optional but recommended. Participants may bring guidebooks, although guides will be provided. Anyone interested in how to know the trees is encouraged to participate; no prior botanical training is necessary.
“Learn 10…” is a program of the NY Flora Association (NYFA) designed to help people of all ages and levels of knowledge begin learning the plants of New York. “Learn 10…” focuses on a group of only ten plants to teach simple techniques for easily identifying any plant, including trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, ferns and mosses. “Learn 10…” is a fun and interactive way to learn plants and develop a deeper appreciation of the natural world. Come join us on a “Learn 10…” outing and bring your friends! Ages 15+.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Discover the Pine Bush Drop-in Stations
Monday September 14, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Want to learn more about the Albany Pine Bush? Drop in the Pine Barrens Room anytime between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to explore this rare ecosystem through a series of hands on stations. All ages. Free!
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: Free! Registration not required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Science Lecture Series: Fungi of the Pine Bush
Thursday September 17, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Join Dr. Thomas Horton, associate professor of mycology at the State University of New York School of Environmental Science and Forestry and a specialist on mycorrhizal fungi and their role in plant establishment. The evening lecture will draw on his studies from around the world that provide insight into what fungi are likely helping pitch pine restoration efforts at the Albany Pine Bush. Dr. Horton will also present results from students in his lab that are currently identifying what fungi are mycorrhizal with pitch pine seedlings from the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Age 15+. Free!
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: Free! Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Birds Take Flight
Saturday September 19, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
It’s that time of year when birds are on the move. Come along on an early morning adventure to observe some of thea.m.azing birds here and see our science team in action as they capture and band birds! They are working together to learn more about birds migrating through the Pine Bush. After a short outside observation period, an indoor hands-on presentation will take place. Indoor portion will occur rain or shine. This is a Hudson River Valley Ramble event. Ages 10+.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Brilliant and Bristly Buckmoths
Saturday September 26, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Sunday September 20, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Join us for a 0.9 mile walk to discover thea.m.azing world of buckmoths. The inland barrens buckmoth is a large beautiful moth with bold black and white wings that flies for only a brief window of time in the early fall. A species of special concern in New York State, the buckmoth is uniquely dependent on the scrub oak that thrives in this sandy fire-dependent ecosystem. This is a Hudson River Valley Ramble event. Ages 6+.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Autumn Equinox: A Season of Change
Tuesday September 22, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Equinox comes from the Latin words for “equal night.” As autumn begins, the temperatures drop and daylight wanes further. Join us for a 0.9 mile hike to learn about the effects of this yearly change on the unique ecology of the Pine Bush. All ages.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family/Children under 5 yrs free. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Discover the Pine Bush
Sunday September 27, 1 – 2 p.m.
An extraordinary journey into the Albany Pine Bush, the best remaining example in the world of an inland pine barrens. Our experts will guide you along this 0.9 mile hike over rolling sand dunes where you will discover Pine Bush natural history, seasonal surprises and transformations. This is a Hudson River Valley Ramble event. All ages.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family/Children under 5 yrs free. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
First Friday Walk and Talk
Friday October 2, 12 noon – 1 p.m.
Take a break from your day and join us for a 1.2 mile hike at Kings Road Barrens. We will meet at the Kings Road trailhead (#9). Adults only.
Location: Kings Road Barrens trailhead (#9)
Fee: Free! Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Brilliant and Bristly Buckmoths
Saturday October 3, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Join us for a 0.9 mile walk to discover thea.m.azing world of buckmoths. The inland barrens buckmoth is a large beautiful moth with bold black and white wings that flies for only a brief window of time in the early fall. A species of special concern in New York State, the buckmoth is uniquely dependent on the scrub oak that thrives in this sandy fire-dependent ecosystem. Ages 6+.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Prickly Porcupines
Sunday October 4, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Porcupines, also known as quill pigs are the only mammal in Northa.m.erica with quills and they live here in the Pine Bush. Join us for a talk and a walk to learn more about these interesting and elusive animals. We will walk approximately one mile. Ages 6+.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Neighborhood Walk: Blueberry Hill West (Trailhead #5)
Saturday October 10, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Join us for a neighborhood walk in the Blueberry Hill West region of the Preserve located adjacent to the Dunes neighborhood. We will hike 1.37 miles over rolling topography stopping along the way to explore the diversity of species that live in this region of the Preserve. We will meet at the Blueberry Hill West trailhead (#5). Ages 8+. Free!
Location: We will meet at the Blueberry Hill West trailhead (#5).
Fee: Free! Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Smokey Bear Day
Monday October 12, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Drop in and meet Smokey Bear and friends at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center! Learn from Smokey how the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission uses prescribed fire to keep this habitat healthy. There will be prescribed fire equi p.m.ent on hand for visitors to see and try out, a relay race for kids and Smokey goody bags for visitors to take home. All ages. Free!
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: Free! Visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar” for details.
Science Lecture Series: Birding while sound asleep – using audio recording to follow bird migration
Thursday October 15, 7 – 8 p.m.
Many birds migrate at night and call as they fly. Beginning in 2014 the Albany Pine Bush Preserve joined two other sites in Albany County in a study of bird migration by acoustic monitoring. Local birder and naturebits.org founder David Martin has been recording the birds’ calls to follow fall migration for over six years. Join us this evening for a presentation of how acoustic monitoring works, what the data has taught us so far and learn how the Pine Bush stacks up next to some of his other sites. Ages 15+. Free!
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: Free! Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Fall Foliage Hike
Saturday October 17, 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Changing foliage is all around. Come and join us for a 2.6 mile hike while we take in the beautiful scenery of this rare ecosystem. Ages 8+.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Oh Deer!
Saturday October 24, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Would you like to learn more about white tail deer in the Albany Pine Bush? Come and join us for an afternoon program on the largest mammal in the Pine Bush. We will start inside with a short introduction to deer anatomy and behavior and then continue outside for a 0.9 mile hike looking for signs of deer in their habitat. Ages 6+.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Discover the Pine Bush
Sunday October 25, 1 – 2 p.m.
An extraordinary journey into the Albany Pine Bush, the best remaining example in the world of an inland pine barrens. Our experts will guide you along this 0.9 mile hike over rolling sand dunes where you will discover Pine Bush natural history, seasonal surprises and transformations. All ages.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family/Children under 5 yrs free. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Sensory Night Hike
Thursday October 29, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
It’s that time of year when we associate with dark and spooky things. On this multi-sensory tour of the Pine Bush after sun-down, we will explore nocturnal adaptations through hands on activities. Participants will walk away with a new found appreciation for the nocturnal world. We will hike 0.9 miles. Ages 6+.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
Spectacular Spiders
Saturday October 31, 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Spiders are feared by many but are actually an important part of our ecosystem. Are you already a fan? Or just a little bit afraid? Come learn more about these crawling creatures in the Pine Bush and join us for a 0.9 mile walk and discussion as we explore what makes spiders special. All ages.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family/Children under 5 yrs free. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar”.
