by Bea Peterson
On Saturday afternoon, May 8, a group of hearty volunteers planted over 200 trees around the perimeter of the new Rensselaer Land Trust Hoosic River Fishing and Boating Access Site on Route 67. The launch area is 1.4 miles east of Buskirk, just past Beck Road or one half mile west of Eagle Bridge on Route 67. The tree planting workday was done in partnership with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Though many public officials were invited to the event, none chose to participate in the rainy weather.
The new launch site has a car top boat slide into the River and parking for eight to ten cars. The River banks are lined with large rocks.
Rensselaer Land Trust Executive Director Christine Young, said they are planning a family boating day in July to introduce everyone to the pleasures of boating on the Hoosic. There will be plenty of fun activities throughout the day.
Rensselaer Land Trust is the only not-for-profit land trust primarily dedicated to the preservation of natural spaces in Rensselaer County, especially land that protects sources of drinking water, areas that serve as natural habitats for wildlife and land that maintains the scenic rural character of the community.
Volunteers working on Saturday included Christine Young of Sand Lake and Larry Murray, Matt Murray, Cathy Murray, Seamus Kelley, Anthony Giamei, Julie Frierson and Maria Clemente of Troy.
