Listed below are upcoming Columbia Land Conservancy education and outdoor recreation events, as well as volunteer trail work days.  CLC's education and recreation programs are made possible through the generosity of CLC members and supporters, the help of numerous volunteers, Hudson River Bank and Trust Company Foundation, the Mellam Family Foundation,  and the T. Backer Fund. View photos of recent public events here. Click here for listings of programs offered by other organizations Click here for a printable calendar of  upcoming events. Click here to learn more about weekly trail runs at CLC properties and other public lands in Columbia County.
Wednesday Wanderings CLC Public Conservation Areas Final Wednesday of the Month 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Ages: All     Looking for an opportunity to explore CLC’s Public Conservation Areas, but don’t want to go on your own?  Join us at a different site each month and we will provide a guided tour of these amazing properties.  You will learn about the history of each site, look for wildlife, and have a chance to familiarize yourself with the trails.   July 28 – Drowned Lands Swamp; August 25 – Borden's Pond; September 29 – High Falls To register, please contact Marica at 518.392.5252, ext. 202 or by email at marcia@clctrust.org. Knee-High Naturalist Summer Program   Thursday, July 29th:  Spying on Nature Thursday, August 26th:  Butterfly Beauties    Schor Conservation Area Pavilion 10:00am-11:00 am Ages:  Preschool   CLC invites kids ages 3-5 and their parents, grandparents, or caregivers to explore, interact, and discover nature in an outdoor setting through fun-filled sessions this summer.  Create art, collect insects, catch frogs, splash in Jon’s Pond, play outdoors and more!  Programs include story time, arts & crafts, an educational program and free play.  Registration appreciated.  For more information and to register, contact Jenny Brinker at (518) 392-5252 x210 or at jenny@clctrust.org.   Ecology Walks at Hawthorne Valley Farm   Saturday, August 21st, Wet Meadows and Shrubby Hillsides Saturday, September 18th, Fall Flowers of Meadows and Forest   Hawthorne Valley Farm (Harlemville) 2:00 pm-4:00 pm Ages:  All These walks with Conrad and Claudia Vispo, Farmscape Ecology Program, take you to different parts of the farm, introducing you to different on-farm habitats and their wild inhabitants.  No need to register.  Just meet at 2 pm at the front of the Hawthorne Valley Farm Store in Ghent (on Route 21C, 2 miles east of the Philmont exit off the Taconic Parkway).   Gardening with native plants on a budget Hawthorne Valley Farm, Ghent   Saturday, August 21st, 9-12am (Implementation) Saturday, September 18th, 9-12am (Implementation) Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program: A workshop at the Creekhouse on Hawthorne Valley Farm with Ruth Dufault (Bittersweet Gardens) in collaboration with Judy Sullivan (Project Native)   Suggested donation $15/session, $50 for entire workshop Please register with the Farmscape Ecology Program, fep@hawthornevalleyfarm.org or 672-7994 www.hawthornevalleyfarm.org/fep   Taste of Columbia County Bounty Monday, August 2nd Fair House, Columbia County Fair Grounds, Chatham 5:00pm-8:00pm Ages: All CLC is pleased to support Columbia County Bounty  and the Taste of Columbia County dinner.  This annual celebration of local foods brings together local farms and restaurants, providing guests the opportunity to sample a variety of fresh fare.  For ticket information, click here. Explore the Estuary Tuesday, August 3rd Saturday, August 14th Stockport Flats,  Stockport 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Ages:  All We will explore Stockport Creek, one of the ten largest tributaries to the Hudson Estuary, and look for eagles, herons and cardinal flowers in bloom.  Own canoe/kayak, equipment, and PFD required.  Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Jenny Brinker at 518.392.5252 or by email at jenny@clctrust.org by Friday, July 24th.   Magnificent Monarchs Sunday, August 29th Roeliff Jansen Park, Hillsdale 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Ages:  All Every fall, Columbia County monarchs fly south to spend the winter at roosting sites.  Monarchs are the only butterflies to make such a long, two-way migration, flying up to 3,000 miles in the fall to reach their winter destination.  Following a talk about monarchs, we will capture, tag, and release the monarchs at Roe Jan Park as they head south for the winter.  Tagging monarchs helps researchers gather data to answers questions about monarch butterfly migration, and its fun to chase butterflies!  To register, please contact Jenny Brinker at 518.392.5252, ext. 210, or by email at jenny@clctrust.org by Friday, August 28th.   Old Chatham Trail Ride and Hike Sunday, September 19th  Old Chatham Sheepherding Company 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Ages:  All   Enjoy a trail ride on historic hunt trails with 3 fields/capability levels for $45 or a hike on Old Chatham Hunt Club horse trails after the horses and riders have departed for $25.  All children under 12 are free with an adult.  A catered luncheon, by Carlucci Catering, is included in the ticket price.   100% of event proceeds benefit CLC and are tax deductible.  Additional donations encouraged.  For an additional donation of $100 with your event ticket you get a complimentary OCHC baseball cap. Horses should arrive at 9:30 with the first field departing at 10:00.  Lunch and a brief program by CLC and OCHC at noon.   Pre-registration is appreciated.  Contact Lauren Haberland at (518) 392-5252 ext 214.     Greenport 5K Trail Run Saturday, September 25th  Greenport Conservation Area 8:00 am registration Ages: All   Come for a run on the trails of the Greenport Conservation Area consisting of 714 acres located in the Town of Greenport.  The moderately difficult trails meander  through open fields, deciduous forests and dense cedar groves to catch magnificent views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains beyond. Pre-registration is appreciated. For more information, please contact Lauren at 518.392.5252, ext. 214, or by email at lauren@clctrust.org    Columbia County Bike Tour  Sunday, October 17th  9:00 am- 2 pm   Enjoy a day of recreational cycling by the protected farms and fields of Southwest Columbia County.  The route offers a 50k and a 100k option. Pre-registration is appreciated, the registration fee is $25 per cyclist. For more information, please contact Lauren at 518.392.5252, ext. 214, or by email at lauren@clctrust.org      Down to Earth: the ins and outs of leasing farmland Wednesday, October 27th 7:00-9:00 pm First Pioneer Farm Credit on 9H in Claverack   CLC will be offering a free 2-hour session designed for farmers and landowners interested in leasing farmland.  Professionals will be available to answer questions about agricultural assessments, insurance, leases and other aspects of farmland leasing.  In addition, farmers and landowners with experience leasing agricultural lands will be presenting and available to answer questions.  Snacks and drinks will be provided. For more information contact Marissa at 518 392 5252 or by email at Marissa@clctrust.org