• Stream Spotter Training – Volunteer Citizen Science Program on Saturday, May 3, from 10 am to 1 pm at the Kinderhook Preserve, East Nassau. This is the Rensselaer Land Trust’s first volunteer stream monitoring opportunity this year. Stream Spotters are the “eyes of the watershed.” They keep watch on what’s going on and share their findings with others. Stream Spotter volunteers are asked to take the training and then sample their stream location each week during July, August and September. Environmental monitoring can be a great family activity or just a good excuse to get outdoors. No previous education is required; training is free, and test equipment is provided. All you need is a desire to learn and help out. Bring your lunch and come prepared to wade in the stream with proper footgear and wading stick (an old ski pole works fine). For registration contact Francille Egbert at 518-674-3214 or fran.egbert@gmail.com. Details on where to meet will be given upon registration. There is no charge.
• Celebration and Walk on the Ridgeline Easement on Sunday, May 4, between 1 and 4 pm. The rain date is Sunday, May 18. Celebrate our new Ridgeline Easement and meet the owners. Enjoy the fields and forests in the Stephentown area with an amble through the land. Contact Francille Egbert at 518-674-3214 or fran.egbert@gmail.com for directions.
• Forage Walk with Sean Rowe on Saturday, May 10, from 11 am to 2 pm. Learn to forage the forest with Sean Rowe, singer-songwriter. He lived at Hawk Circle Wilderness Education for an entire year, eventually embarking on a 24 day solo survival quest. “I spent an entire year living off the land and going into the woods and surviving on my own,” he said. “I can’t think of a more pure experience.” Contact Kristina Younger at 518-527 6577 or key12061@gmail.com to register; participants are limited to 25. The cost is $25.
• Wild Flower Walk with Tom Phillips at Bear’s Den Preserve on Saturday, May 24, from 10 am to 1 pm at the Bear’s Den Preserve in Cherry Plain. Enjoy both well known and less common spring wildflowers. We’ll also hike to a rock shelter cave. Tom Phillips, a well versed botanist, will help us find and identify the area’s wide variety of flowers. There will be only a couple of miles of walking but with one steep hill. Register in advance; space is limited. Contact Francille Egbert at 518-674-3214 or fran.egbert@gmail.com. The cost is $5, free for RLT members.
