Dyken Pond Events

January 8 – Guided Snowshoe Trek for all abilities; rentals available with advanced reservation; 1 to 3 pm; free.
January 19 – Full Wolf Moon Trek.   Ski or snowshoe by the light of the moon. Call ahead for snow conditions. Updated conditions will be on voicemail at 518-658-2055 the day of the program; free; 7 pm.
New Programs
The Winter Wildlife Tracking Series is presented by the Friends of the Dyken Pond Center and Tamakoce Wilderness Programs. All classes in this series will be held outdoors. Participants need to know their own limitations and dress accordingly for a day in the field. Detailed supply list and recommended attire will be mailed upon registration. Space is limited and each class must have a minimum of five participants to be held. Pre-registration is required and can be done by contacting  Lisa Hoyt at the Center at 518-658-2055 or dykenpond@fairpoint.net.
January 8 –  Basic Tracking – 10 am to 2 pm; hot cider with a campfire at 2 pm for informal discussion; Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center; Dan Yacobellis, instructor.  Starting from the basics, this class will cover basic identification and terminology of tracking.  The cost is $15, $12 for members
January 12 – Animal Signs Slide Show from 7 to 9 pm.  Agricultural and Life Sciences Building, Rensselaer County Government Center, 61 State St., Troy, NY; Dan Yacobellis, instructor.  Aside from tracks, animals leave behind numerous other sign that you can learn to “read.” The cost is $10, $8 for members.
January 15 – Follow a Fisher from 9 am to 3 pm;  Grafton Lakes State Park;  Dan Yacobellis, instructor. The fisher is a fascinating animal to track, being very active throughout the winter. This class will have participants finding fisher tracks and following them for the entire day to discover details on animal movement and behaviour.  Other tracks encountered this day will  be looked at as well. The cost is $25, $20 for members.
January 16 –  Tracking Inquiry from 9 am to 12 noon; Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center;  Carl Herzog, NYS Wildlife Biologist, instructor.  Herzog will lead participants through a series of engaging questions to ask yourself to determine each track’s identity. Carl will lend his expertise to guide you in this entertaining process. The cost is $15, $12 for members.
January 25 – Animal Movements and Gaits from 7 to 9 pm;  Agricultural and Life Sciences Building, Rensselaer County Government Center, 61 State St., Troy, NY; Jim Bonesteel, instructor. This video and discussion is valuable in learning why track patterns appear the way they do and how the animal is moving. The cost is $10, $8 for members.
January 29 – Citizen Science Monitoring Project from  9 am to 3 pm; meeting site to be determined.  Train to become a Citizen Science Volunteer. This special group of people will be trained to assist in the Rensselaer Plateau Mammal Monitoring Project, a project to scientifically monitor movement of animals, identify target wildlife corridors and submit data into a regional database.  Contact the Center for more information. The cost is $25, $20 for members.
February 5 – Wildlife Tracking with Alcott Smith from 9 am to 4 pm; meeting place TBD;  Full day field intensive. The cost is $30, $25 for members.
February 6 – Wildife Tracking with Alcott Smith from 9 am to 12 noon  and/or 1 to 4 pm; sign up for one session or both; Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. The cost is $20, $15 for members.
February 22 – Family Tracking Day from 10 am to 12 pm for all ages, a basic introduction to having fun in the snow while tracking;  Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center;  Lisa Hoyt, instructor. The cost is $6, $5 for members, includes snowshoe rental. There is a $15 family rate.
If you have questions on programs, contact Lisa Hoyt at 518-658-2055 or dykenpond@fairpoint.net.