Friday April 26, 2024 
Upcoming Programs at Grafton Lakes State Park
(Cropseyville, NY) – Join us for our upcoming June programs:
Saturday, June 29th– Go Fish! Free Fishing Clinic 9am-1pm. On free fishing weekend, no license is required. Educators from DEC’s I Fish NY program will be on hand to show you how to fish, who’s in the lake, and they even provide poles to use! Ages 6 & up. Clinic is free, but gate fee of $8/vehicle still applies. Gate fee is refundable if leaving directly after program.
Saturday, June 29th—Busy Beavers at 1pm. Learn about all the great things these forest workers do to create a healthy habitat for themselves and many other creatures. Weather permitting, we will take a 25-minute walk to a beaver habitat to see the lodges that beavers at Grafton build! Please call to pre-register (518) 279-1155.
Gardening Tips from the Sand Lake Garden Club
As we celebrate 25 years in the Town of Sand Lake, we hope that you too will be celebrating your beautiful healthy gardens. Enjoy these tips as you spend your time in the garden.
– Have your Soil tested. You do not need more than a half cup of dirt that should be thoroughly dry. Take samples from wherever you are planting such as a vegetable area or your perianal gardens. The test will give you the Ph for your soil and help you determine if your soil needs additional nutrients. Your Cooperative Extension in Troy will do this for a nominal amount.
– Keep weeds out of your garden. The earlier you start pulling weeds, the fewer you will have during the growing season.
Search and Rescue Volunteers Needed
The Tri-State Emergency Team is recruiting volunteers to provide wildland and underwater searches within a 100-mile radius of Waterford, NY. This includes all aspects of field and underwater search. The Tri-State Emergency Team responds when requested by NYS Forest Rangers and other Police Agencies throughout New York State, Western Vermont and Massachesettes.
We are looking for certified scuba divers, experienced boat handlers, and people who enjoy hiking and the outdoors in general who wish to help people in need. The team will provide training and complete support as needed. Our headquarters is located in Waterford. Applicants need not live in Waterford to volunteer. If interested, please call 518-237-6744 or visit our website at www.tri-stateemergencyteam.org
Free Fishing Clinic at Grafton Lakes State Park
Grafton Lakes State Park will offer “Go Fish!” a fishing clinic led by DEC’s Fisheries Educators, on Saturday, June 29th, from 9am-1pm. This program is an opportunity to go fishing without a license as part of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Free Fishing Weekend.
This drop-in fishing clinic meets by the boathouse on Long Pond in Grafton Lakes State Park. Children and parents will learn the basics of fishing and identification. Fishing poles will be provided by DEC for this free class. Many children catch their first sunfish during this program each year, so come try your luck!
For more information about our other summer program offerings, please contact the environmental educator at 518-279-1155, ext. 2, or visit our website at www.nysparks.com/parks.
June Events at Dyken Pond EEC
Grafton – The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering the following events in June:
Finding Fish: Saturday, June 29th: 9am-11am
Find out who lives in Dyken Pond and how best to catch them. Fishing poles and tackle provided. For beginner youth. Pre-Registration required. Cost $3.
Hiking, Naturalist, & Children’s Programs
Rensselaer Land Trust and Rensselaer Plateau Alliance are partnering to bring our communities unique opportunities to get outside this summer! More information and registration at www.renstrust.org
June 29 • 9 a.m.:
Taconic Crest in One Year: Petersburg Pass to Berlin Mountain and on to Southeast Hollow in Berlin, 7.3 miles.
Some steep ascents on the way to the summit of Berlin Mountain, at 2,818 feet New York’s tallest peak outside of the Adirondacks and Catskills. Co-sponsored with Taconic Hiking Club.
June 29 • 10 a.m.:
Connecting Children to Nature: Alphabet of the Trees
Calling all young naturalists to discover the trees and water of RLT’s Staalesen Preserve using their five senses. We’ll go for a short hike and get to know trees up close and personal through sensory activities, and each child will have a chance to record their studies through bark rubbings and poetry. For children ages six and up. Meet at John B. Staalesen Preserve, Troy, NY.
Free Fishing Clinic at Grafton Lakes State Park
Grafton Lakes State Park will offer “Go Fish!” a fishing clinic led by DEC’s Fisheries Educators, on Saturday, June 29th, from 9am-1pm. This program is an opportunity to go fishing without a license as part of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Free Fishing Weekend.
This drop-in fishing clinic meets by the boathouse on Long Pond in Grafton Lakes State Park. Children and parents will learn the basics of fishing and identification. Fishing poles will be provided by DEC for this free class. Many children catch their first sunfish during this program each year, so come try your luck!
For more information about our other summer program offerings, please contact the environmental educator at 518-279-1155, ext. 2, or visit our website at www.nysparks.com/parks.
Schodack Island 5th Annual Fishing Derby
Schodack Island 5th Annual Hudson River Fishing Derby Saturday, June 29th, 7:00 AM– 12:00 PM.
Valuable prizes in three age categories for accumulative weight of fish. Anyone under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Free Fishing Weekend– no license needed, but all NYS DEC rules apply. Shoreline Fishing encouraged!
Schodack Island State Park, 1 Schodack Island Way (Route 9J), Schodack Landing, NY 12156. For more information, call (518) 732-0187.
Co-sponsored by Hudson River Bait & Tackle.
DEC Asks Public to Report Moose Sightings
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is asking the public to report moose sightings and observations. DEC and its research partners use these public sightings as indices of moose distribution and abundance in New York. This is part of a multi-year research project to obtain information on the status of New York State’s moose population, health of the moose, and the factors that influence moose survival and reproductive rate.
Most moose sightings occur within the Adirondacks, but neighboring states Connecticut and Massachusetts also have moose populations, resulting in observations in the southeast portion of New York.
The moose, a protected mammal in New York State, is the largest member of the deer family and the largest land mammal in New York. Bulls weigh from 600 to 1,200 pounds and stand up to six feet tall at the shoulder. Cows weigh anywhere from 500 to 800 pounds.
DEC reminds the public to respect wildlife by viewing from a distance, at least 50 feet away. Keep quiet, move slowly, and do not approach moose. Drive cautiously at dusk and at night in the Adirondacks.
Have you seen a moose? Let DEC know by reporting your observations using the online form. Share your moose encounters by mailing in or e-mailing your photos to us.
Rensselaer Youth Outdoors Forest Conservation Corps Teen Sumer Program
Rensselaer County, NY: Rensselaer Youth Outdoors is announcing an environmental education summer program for teenagers, aged 14-16. The program will combine recreation and education experiences while teens work on valuable conservation projects protecting Rensselaer county’s parks, waters and natural resources.
The four-week program will run weekdays from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, July 22 to August 16, with space for 10 teens each week.
Locations:
Week 1: July 22-July 26 – Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center
Week 2: July 29-August 2 – Grafton Lakes State Park
Week 3: August 5-August 9 – Poestenkill Community Forest
Week 4: August 12-August 16 – Albert Family Community Forest
Participants who complete a full week of the program will receive a certificate and a $100 stipend at the end of the week.
For more information or to download an application, visit ryoutdoors.org and click the Programs tab
Contact RYO Program Coordinator Amanda McCreary with questions at: Email: Amanda.ryo.coordinator@nullgmail.com
Phone: 518-810-4544.
Rensselaer County’s Second Annual Farm Day Out!
When: August 18th 12pm-3pm Where: Kinderhook Creek Farm (5168 S Stephentown Rd, Stephentown, NY 12168)
Join Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County and The Eckhardt Family at Kinderhook Creek Farm from 12-3pm on Sunday, August 18th, for Rensselaer County’s Second Annual Farm Day Out! Kinderhook Creek Farm is an 1150+ acre field crop and vegetable farm that has been owned and operated by the Eckhardt’s since 1959. Once parked, a hay wagon ride will take you through some of the fields at Kinderhook Creek Farm. Through interactive demonstrations you will learn about the different crops (such as hay, grain, sweet corn, and the many vegetables) grown on this farm. You will also see how their farm products get to market and eventually to your family’s table. Also, be sure to visit exhibits set up by local organizations & businesses, experience the equipment used on the farm by the farmers and see the 4-H Club sponsored petting zoo. Food, corn on the cob, ice cold watermelon and other farm fresh foods will be available to purchase for your enjoyment. Admission and parking for this event is free and open to the public. We look forward to seeing you Sunday, August 18th!!! If you are interested in being a volunteer, a sponsor, or have any questions please reach out to Kayela in the CCE office at (518)272-4210.
Tree Identification Book
The Arbor Day Foundation has a book that helps people identify trees in a simple, step-by-step process. The book, What Tree Is That?, is available for a $5 donation to the nonprofit tree-planting organization.
What Tree Is That? is a fun, easy-to-use tree identification guide that features hand-drawn botanical illustrations highlighting the distinctive characteristics of many tree species.
Its beautiful, full-color illustrations are in precise detail and depict natural colors, shapes and textures so users can make a positive species identification in a few steps.
The Arbor Day Foundation offers this book to help people identify trees throughout the Eastern and Central regions of the United States. What Tree Is That? uses a unique step-by-step approach for identifying the species of each tree, explaining what to look for in the shape and arrangement of the leaves, differences in the leafstalks and specific characteristics of fruits, flowers, buds and bark.
What Tree is That? is also available as an online interactive version at arborday.org.
To obtain a tree identification guide in full color, visit arborday.org or send your name, address, and $5 for each guide to:
Arbor Day Foundation
What Tree Is That?
100 Arbor Ave.
Nebraska City, NE 68410.