News
December 20, 2016School Vacation Week Programs: Pine Bush Science Lab
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission will be offering programs at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center during the upcoming school break, December 26-30, 2016. “Our programs will allow attendees to experience different aspects of science in a hands-on way, while learning more about the Pine Bush” said Sara Poggi-Decker, Education Program Manager. “The theme for the week is Pine Bush Science Lab.”
Science research is an important piece of what the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission does. During these science lab programs we will give participants the chance to think about the Pine Bush in a new way. Each day of the week a different Science Lab Program will be offered. “Science is fun and the goal of this series of programs at the Discovery Center is to bring a little science to your winter break,” said Grace Barber, Outreach Coordinator. Science Lab Programs include Crystals on Monday, Microscope Magic on Thursday and Owl Investigation on Friday. Details about these programs and the other programs being offered during this week are on our website.
These programs are $3 per person/$5 per family and pre-registration is required for all programs. The Discovery Center is located at 195 New Karner Road in Albany. For more information and to sign up for any of these programs, please visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events or call 518-456-0655.
The 3,300+ – acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP), located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch-pine scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent ecosystem provides habitat for many plants and animals and supports 70 New York State-designated wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the endangered Karner blue butterfly. The APBP is a National Natural Landmark, Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Site, a New York State Unique Area, Bird Conservation Area and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and miles of trails, the APBP offers visitors many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the APBP and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities.
As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center is a state-of-the-art “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. A visit to this unique destination is an exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush. Admission to the Discovery Center is free (there is a small fee for programs). The Center is open daily weekdays 9am-4pm, weekends and most holidays 10am-4pm. For more information, visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org or call 518-456-0655.
