Wednesday April 24, 2024 
Aprril Lecture and Nature Book Club at RPA
Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 7pm on Zoom.
Wild Edibles in Rensselaer County, lecture with Russ Cohen. The Rensselaer Plateau Region is home to over 80 species of edible wild plants, many of which are more nutritious and/or flavorful than their cultivated counterparts. Join wild edibles enthusiast Russ Cohen, author of the book Wild Plants I have Known…and Eaten, for a program covering at least two dozen of the tastiest species the region has to offer. Keys to the identification of each species will be provided, along with info on edible portion(s), season(s) of availability and preparation methods, as well as guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging. Please pre-register at www.rensselaerplateau.org/events.
Tuesday, April 26, 7 pm on Zoom. The Nature Book Club discusses “H is for Hawk,” by Helen Macdonald. You are warmly invited to RPA’s new Nature Book Club, with Rama Hamarneh, PhD. The book club provides a space to discuss books related to nature, together as a community! One evening a month, we will meet on Zoom to discuss a book we have read, and the work’s relationship to nature. We will explore multiple aspects of nature in literature – represented through multiple genres and authors from around the globe. Register at www.rensselaerplateau.org/events.
Valuing our Forests
Rensselaer Plateau Alliance and New York Forest Owners Association team up for a unique foresty event, open to all. Saturday, May 7, 10 am – 12 pm, Pineridge Cross Country Ski Area, Petersburgh.
Sponsored by Rensselaer Plateau Alliance and the New York Forest Owners Association.
Want to learn more about the woods, and why they are so important? This unique event, cosponsored by RPA and the New York Forest Owners Association (NYFOA) will allow participants to take a hike through Pineridge Cross Country Ski Area, with the opportunity to learn about forest management, forest ecosystems, and the diversity of relationships that we can build with our woods. Following a short opening presentation, participants will have the opportunity to take one of two guided hikes.
The first hike – Forest Ecosystems – will introduce participants to forest ecosystems, biodiversity, and how forest communities are connected with each other, and with us. The second hike – Forest Management – will delve into management practices that forest owners can take to promote healthy, productive forests.
Please learn more and register at www.rensselaerplateau.org/events.
Family Forest Carbon Program Woods Walk
Saturday, April 30, 10am – 12pm, Poestenkill Community Forest, Averill Park. Family Forest Carbon Program Woods Walk.
Come take a walk in the woods at Rensselaer Plateau Alliance’s Poestenkill Community Forest to learn about strategies to manage woodlands for wildlife, climate adaptation, and forest health. Meet with conservation partners to learn more about the Family Forest Carbon Program, developed by the American Forest Foundation and The Nature Conservancy. The Family Forest Carbon Program enables family forest owners to access climate finance from carbon markets and empowers them to address climate change by paying them to implement climate-smart forestry practices. The program is currently available in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and parts of Maryland, and will be expanding to the Midwest and Northeast in 2022. Learn more and register at www.rensselaerplateau.org/events.
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 10 and end on June 26. 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 10 and end on June 26. 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 10 and end on June 26. 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.
Forests Forever Events with RPA
Friday, April 22, 2022 at 7pm. Evening Campfire with Fred McCagg, Albert Family Community Forest, East Nassau. Have you ever wanted to see Albert Family Community Forest in the moonlight? Bring your camp chairs and come spend a relaxing evening by the campfire with RPA’s Vice President Fred McCagg and other RPA folks. We will provide supplies to make S’mores, but please bring any other refreshments you would like to enjoy. Families of all ages welcome. Please pre-register at www.RensselaerPlateau.org/forests-forever-events.
Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 9am. Hiking Safety Outing with Jim Slavin, Gutierrez Family Forest, East Nassau. You are invited to join RPA Board Member Jim Slavin for a 2 hour hike and presentation on “Hiking Safety.’’ You will walk about a mile along a beautiful, mostly flat trail at the Gutierrez Family Forest. Along the hike, you will stop to discuss the essentials of safety and preparation while hiking including: appropriate clothing, adequate food and water, what to carry in your backpack and basic map reading. This outing is family friendly–teach your kids how to hike safely! Please wear comfortable walking shoes or boots and bring water and a snack. Rain gear is recommended in case of inclement weather. Please pre-register at www.RensselaerPlateau.org/forests-forever-events.