NEWSLETTER
Albany, NY - The Albany Pine Bush Preserve will host its annual Smokey Bear Day on Saturday October 15, 2022, 10am – 2pm at the Discovery Center located at 195 New Karner Road in Albany.
Christopher Hawver, Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission Executive Director said, “We invite the community to come out and meet Smokey Bear with this free annual event. Smokey Bear Day provides a family-friendly opportunity to learn why fire is an important natural component to this globally-rare ecosystem.”
Since 1944, Smokey Bear has protected America's forests from unwanted, human-caused fire. Smokey – one of the most-beloved issue ambassadors of our time – and his signature phrase, “Only you can prevent wildfires,” are truly iconic. His message of wildfire prevention is the center of the longest-running PSA campaign in our nation's history. Though Smokey has been essential to the reduction of unwanted, human-caused wildfires over the last 75 years, he still needs help. Even today, nearly 9 out of 10 wildfires nationwide are caused by people.
Visitors to Smokey Bear Day will learn how the Commission uses prescribed fire to keep the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, listed as a National Natural Landmark, a healthy habitat for the unusual species of plants and animals that thrive there. Smokey Bear and a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Ranger will make appearances throughout the day, and Commission Fire Management and Education staff will be on hand.
Erin Kinal, Education Program Director said, “There will be interactive exhibits on prescribed fire, refreshments and Smokey goody bags for visitors to take home. Visitors will have multiple opportunities throughout the event to meet Smokey Bear.”
All ages are welcome. The event will be held rain or shine at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center at 195 New Karner Road, Albany. This is a free event. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For more details visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events or call 518-456-0655.
OTHER UPCOMING PROGRAMS AT THE PINE BUSH
Morning Meander (Suitable for adults)
Friday October 7, 2022, 10:00am
Start your day outdoors and join us for a hike along the Kings Highway Barrens trail. We will walk 1.2 miles over rolling terrain. Location: Kings Highway Barrens Trailhead #9.
Fee: FREE
Reservations required. Visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events or call (518) 456-0655.
Almost Full Moon Hike (Suitable for ages 6-10, tweens, teens and adults)
Friday October 7, 2022, 6:00pm
Enjoy the Pine Bush at night with a hike under the almost full moon. We will walk approximately one mile over rolling topography stopping intermittently to explore the Pine Bush at night.
Location: This program will meet at the Discovery Center and then we will caravan to the Truax Barrens Trailhead (#12). Participants are responsible for their own transportation.
Fee: FREE
Reservations required. Visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events or call (518) 456-0655.
Bristly Buckmoth Walk (Suitable for ages 6-10, tweens, teens and adults)
Saturday October 8, 2022, 1:00pm
Join us for a 0.9-mile hike to discover the amazing world of buckmoths. The inland barrens buckmoth is a large beautiful moth with bold black and white wings that flies for only a brief window of time during daylight in the early fall. A species of special concern in New York State, our local buckmoths depend on scrub oaks that thrive in this sandy, fire-dependent ecosystem. Location: This program will meet at the Karner Barrens Trailhead (#1) at the wooden and metal kiosk.
Fee: FREE
Reservations required. Visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events or call (518) 456-0655.
Community Science: Snowpack Monitoring Volunteer Training
Wednesday, October 12, 2022, 7:00pm
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is looking for neighbors that can collect data within half a mile of the preserve to help track changing weather patterns by measuring the depth of snow in their own backyard or at their workplace. On Wednesday, October 12 from 7:00-8:00pm an online training will teach volunteers how to collect and submit measurements.
Fee: FREE
Reservations required. Visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events or call (518) 456-0655.
Fall Hike in the Woodlawn Preserve with Friends of the Pine Bush Community
Thursday, October 13, 2022, 4:30 pm
Tucked away in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Schenectady, just a few blocks south of Albany Street, it is an undeveloped, rare natural community and wetlands with a unique ecosystem that is home to several rare species; it is part of the same ecosystem as the neighboring Albany Pine Bush Preserve and includes sand plains and dune formations, pitch pine and scrub oak barrens and historic Karner blue butterfly habitat, which while currently unoccupied, may be restored as a future reintroduction site. (Hike distance: Approximately 1.3 miles)
Reservations required through MeetUp. www.meetup.com/Albany-Pine-Bush-Preserve
This event is hosted by the Friends of the Pine Bush Community. For questions, please contact info@PineBushFriends.org or call 518-690-2764.
Virtual Book Club
Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 7:00 pm
The next Friends of the Pine Bush Community Book Club will take place on Wednesday, October 19th from 7:00-8:15pm online. The book is The Genius of Birds by Jenifer Ackerman.
Reservations required through MeetUp. www.meetup.com/Albany-Pine-Bush-Preserve
This event is hosted by the Friends of the Pine Bush Community. For questions, please contact info@PineBushFriends.org or call 518-690-2764.
Fall Foliage Walk (Suitable for ages 6-10, tweens, teens and adults)
Saturday October 22, 2022, 11:00am
Changing foliage is all around! Come join us for a 2.6 mile hike through the Karner Barrens region of the preserve and take in the beautiful scenery of this rare ecosystem.
Location: This program will meet at the Karner Barrens trailhead (#1) at the wooden and metal kiosk.
Fee: FREE
Reservations required. Visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events or call (518) 456-0655.
From Cobwebs to Coyotes: Halloween in the Pine Bush (Suitable for all ages)
Saturday October 29 and Sunday October 30, 2021, 11:00am – 3:00pm
Drop by the Discovery Center between 11am and 3pm to explore our Pine Bush Halloween exhibits and learn more about spiders, bats and other Pine Bush creatures through hands-on activities and crafts. Costumes are welcome.
Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY.
Fee: FREE (No reservations required for this drop-in program)
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Wendy Craney
Communications Director
518-456-0655 x1211 Office
518-421-0186 Mobile
518-456-8198 Fax