Friday April 26, 2024 
Learn to Fish at Dyken Pond EEC
GRAFTON – Saturday, June 26: 9:30am-11am. If you’ve never picked up a fishing pole before, today’s program is for you! Fishing basics and safety will be covered. Leave with the confidence to fish independently or to better assist your kids. This program coincides with NY’s “Free Fishing Days” so a license is not required 6/26/21-6/27/21. Poles and tackle available for loan. Preregistration required. Suggested donation $5. (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.
10th Anniversary – Staalesen Preserve Open House in Troy
TROY – Join Rensselaer Land Trust for the 10th anniversary of their John B. Staalesen Vanderheyden Preserve in Troy with a special neighborhood open house. They’ll be sharing stories of the first decade of the preserve, giving tours, and talking about volunteer projects for community members. In recent weeks there have been some trail improvements, including adding two bridges and a stone walkway over a stretch of wet ground near the Wynantskill. With the generous help of many volunteers the land trust is also working on removing invasive plants from the preserve. Please stop by a join in the celebration on Saturday, June 26 from 10am to 2:00 pm. (The rain date is Sunday, June 27)
The main entrance to the John B. Staalesen Vanderheyden Preserve is in South Troy off Campbell Avenue at the end of Wynantskill Way in the Vanderheyden Estates residential development. Parking is available on-site.
Free Outdoor Program for Teens: Work & Learn On-site with Conservationists Across Rensselaer County
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Rensselaer Youth Outdoors (RYO) announces a FREE program for young people aged 14-16 starting this July. Working alongside local conservationists, youth are invited to practice outdoor living skills, complete valuable projects onsite, learn about the local ecology and gain essential work experience that could inspire future job opportunities.
With a grant from the US Forest Service, RYO can accept and stipend 30 young people to participate. Days will run 9AM-4PM and include time to work and learn, challenging participants physically and mentally. Projects might include doing the math to build a structure that protects a water source or leveling the land for an ADA accessible trail. In the afternoon teens will identify species in the nearby wetland, make a fire without a match or lighter or ask a local ecologist how she got a job that pays her to identify plants.
Teens can choose from: July 12 – 16th weeklong program at Albert Family Community Forest; August 7-8 weekend program at Poestenkill Community Forest; September 25-26th weekend program at Dyken Pond Environmental Center. Space is limited and there is no application deadline.
Recovering from a year of online learning, RYO is excited to be a place where young people can plug into their surroundings—healthy forests that want to flourish, conservationists that are here to connect and opportunities that build self-esteem and skills for a better world.
Please visit the RYO website, www.ryoutdoors.org, to apply or call us at 518-712-9667. We are happy to accept applications and answer questions over the phone.
Burden Lake Country Club Junior Golf Clinic
AVERILL PARK – Registration is now open for the Junior Golf Clinic. Ron Choquette is back once again to run the program. The Clinic is open to Boys and Girls between the ages of 8 and 14. There will be five sessions starting the week of July 6th. The session will run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7:45 am till 11:30 am. Please feel free to call Ron at 518-703-0510.