News
September 8, 2015The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Announces “Learn 10… Trees” Program
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve announces the program Learn 10… Trees. The program will be held on Sunday September 13 from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center.
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. Sara Poggi-Decker, Environmental Educator and public program coordinator with the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission said, “This is an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge of Pine Bush trees and a great way to gain tree identification skills that can be used anywhere.” Learn 10… focuses on a group of only 10 plants to teach simple techniques for easily identifying any plant, including trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, ferns and mosses and is a fun and interactive way to learn plants and develop a deeper appreciation of the natural world.
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Steward and 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. Some guidebooks will be provided though participants are welcome to bring their own books as well. Anyone interested in how to know the trees is encouraged to participate; no prior botanical training is necessary. The program is for ages 15+ and costs $3 per person/$5 per family. Pre-registration is required by calling 518.456.0655 or through www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events.
The 3,200 – 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 habitat provides homes for many plants and animals and contains 55 New York State-designated wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. The Preserve is a National Natural Landmark, 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 Preserve 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 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., weekends and most holidays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org or call 518.456.0655.
