Sunday March 26, 2023 
April Programs at Dyken Pond EEC
Grafton –Happy Spring! Check out our line-up of programing for April. Preregistration is required for all programs at (518) 658-2055 or dykenpond@nullgmail.com. Your registration is not complete until you receive confirmation from the Center. All programs are limited to 10 individuals including instructors. Masks are required when 6 foot social distancing cannot be maintained. Programs are free with donations welcome!
Make a Journey Stick: Saturday, April 3: 1pm- 2:30pm
Explore the forest while creating a journey stick. Create your own journey stick by collecting interesting natural objects while you investigate the woods and attach them to your stick. Take home your souvenir to remember the day and the adventure. For preschool aged youth and above. Preregistration required. Free.
Bird Feeding 101: Wednesday, April 7: 1pm -2:30pm
Learn what birds will be attracted to birdfeeders, make a birdfeeder ornament to take home and create an offering to the birds which will be left at the Center and documented with a trail camera. Participants will receive “best of” photographs of the visitors via email following the program. Free. Youth of all ages. Donations welcome. Preregistration required.
Staying on Track: Navigation Skills Class: Saturday, April 17: 10am-11:30am
This beginner navigation class will build your skills using a compass and trail map and cover methods of finding your way when you are without traditional tools. Feel more comfortable hiking in the woods and exploring new areas. Know what you would do if you ever find yourself confused in the forest. For families and youth aged 10 and up. Free. Preregistration required.
Mindful Nature Walk: April 17: 1pm – 3pm Join Sandy Wilson from Spirit of Dragonflies, LLC to celebrate the wonders of the outdoors! This type of slow walking ‘sauntering’, deep breathing, present-centered awareness, and observation in nature is shown to reduce stress, boost our moods, and strengthen our immune systems. Free, but donations accepted if you are able.
Volunteer for Earth Day: April 24: 9am – 12pm. Give back to the Earth by taking care of a place we all love and enjoy. Volunteer to clear trails, plant gardens, pull invasive plants and get the Center ready for Spring. Snack provided. Preregistration required.
The Friday Family Forest Foray: Every Friday in April: 10am -11:30am
It’s finally Spring! For the month of April we will be on the lookout for migrating birds. See all of the Center’s trails in their seasonal splendor. Every Friday in April from 10am -11:30am we will be exploring a different area of the park attempting to cover every inch of the park’s many trails. These programs end at lunch time so feel free to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy following the program! Preregistration required for each weekly session. All ages welcome but must be able to hike 2 miles. Free. Donations welcome.
Tuesday Treks: Every Tuesday 12:30 – 2:30pm
Join Leonard Tremblay on a 2-3 mile hike at a moderate pace exploring the wilds of Dyken Pond Center. Each week we’ll discover new ground and nature. Hikes may be cancelled in bad weather. Preregistration required. Free.
Please visit our website www.dykenpond.org to learn more about our procedures as a result of COVID-19, for more information about the Center and a complete schedule of our spring events. During the pandemic, we are waiving most program fees, but donations of any amount are always welcome if you are able. We encourage you to follow our Facebook page and/or website where we will post new events when the conditions are just right for getting outdoors. Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing, birding, canoeing and kayaking.
Twin Town Regional Baseball League – 2021 Season
TROY – Twin Town Little League is now offering a non-travel baseball league for players of all ability levels ages 17-22.
Open to anyone in the capital district, this league will play a 10+ game season running from June 1 – July 24 at our Williams Road complex.
Registration fees are $165 for the season. Partial and full scholarships may be available based on eligibility.
Don’t miss this opportunity to get back on the field and play the game you love!
If you are interested, please email twintownlittleleague@nullgmail.com or contact Bob Schuman at 518-894-5723.
April Events with the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Pre-registration is required for all events; space is limited for in-person events and masks are required. Learn more, get directions, and register at www.rensselaerplateau.org.
Poestenkill Community Forest, Averill Park —
Amphibian Walk, with Jeff Briggs and Fran Egbert. Saturday, April 10, 10 am – noon. Join us for a walk in the woods to observe the spring activities at our vernal pools! The frogs and salamanders are awakening from their winter hibernation to meet for their annual mating rituals. Ecologist Jeff Briggs will show and tell all about these mysterious critters we share our forests with. Space is limited, so please register early via our website!
Chestnut Hill Preserve, Stephentown–
April Mindful Walk, with Molly Freiberg and Sandy Wilson. Saturday, April 10, 10 am – 12:30 pm. Chestnut Hill Preserve. Nature has the ability to calm, inspire, and restore us in all seasons — so let’s take some much-needed time to receive what is offered. Join Sandy and Molly on a slow and gentle celebration of spring, opening our senses to all that we discover. Space is limited, so please register early via our website!
Clean Energy & Climate Solutions, with Ethan Winter. Thursday, April 15, 7 pm via Zoom. Ethan Winter, Senior Community Engagement Manager at Cypress Creek Renewables, will discuss climate change, New York’s ambitious clean energy mandate, and community solar. He will also will discuss the latest science and trends in climate change, review the state’s clean energy and climate change policies, and explore the role of solar as well as land conservation as climate solutions.
May & June Lacrosse Programs For Boys
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Capitalland lacrosse will be running a boy’s MAY & JUNE lacrosse programs. Players can chose to play on Tuesdays night, Sunday afternoons or BOTH. Programs will start on May 11 and end on June 27. Each group will play for an hour and a half each day/night. Levels include: a co-ed K – 5th learn to play program; boys instructional programs for beginner & novice players grades 2nd – 5th & 6th- 10th; an advanced instruction program for players in graders 3 – 6 & 7 – 9 who want to refine their game while being introduced to more advanced techniques. All age level will be separated and a scrimmage will be held each night. For more information on all of these programs go to www.capitallandlacrosse.com or e-mail us at chad@nullcapitallandlacrosse.com.
May & June Lacrosse Programs For Girls
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Capitalland lacrosse will be running a girls MAY & JUNE lacrosse program. Players can chose to play on Tuesdays night, Sunday afternoons or BOTH. All programs will start on May 11 and end on June 27. Each group will play for an hour and a half each day/night. Levels include: a co-ed K – 5th learn to play program; girls instructional programs for beginner & novice players grades 3rd – 10th, an advanced program for players in graders 6th –8th and one for 9 – 10 who want to refine their game while being introduced to more advanced techniques. All age level will be separated and a scrimmage will be held each night. For more information go to www.capitallandlacrosse.com or e-mail us at chad@nullcapitallandlacrosse.com.
May & June Field Hockey
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Capitalland Field Hockey will be running a MAY & JUNE field hockey program for players in graders K – 12 grades. Players can chose to play on Tuesdays night, Sunday afternoons or BOTH. All programs will start on May 11 and end on June 27. Each group will play for an hour and a half each day/night. Levels include: a K-3 learn to play program; girls instructional programs for beginner & novice players grades 3 – 10, an advanced program for players in graders 6 –9 and one for 10 – 12 who want to refine their game while being introduced to more advanced techniques. All age level will be separated and a scrimmage will be held each night. For more information go to www.capitallandlacrosse.com or e-mail us at chad@nullcapitallandlacrosse.com.