RENSSELAER LAND TRUST WORKING TO KEEP THE TOMHANNOCK PRISTINE

The Rensselaer Land Trust led the Fourth Annual Shore Clean-Up of the Tomhannock Reservoir, in partnership with the City of Troy, on Saturday April 24, 2010. Over 50 volunteers from the community collected over 100 garbage bags of debris and litter that had accumulated along the 17 miles of shoreline of the reservoir over the past year. Organizations represented included the Appalachian Mountain Club, the City of Troy, Rensselaer Land Trust, SUNY at Albany, Tamarac High School Biology Classes, and Niskyuna High School.

Special thanks are due to Chris Wheland from the City of Troy for mapping the shore and assigning volunteers to specific areas and to Bill Niemi of the Rensselaer Land Trust for organizing the event. Special thanks are also due to the event's Corporate sponsors: City of Troy, Hannaford's Supermarket of Lansingburgh, Stewart's Shops, and Tamarac High School Biology classes whose support ensured the success of the event.

The Tomhannock Reservoir provides drinking water to over 100,000 residents in Rensselaer and Albany Counties. Keeping inappropriate runoff from contaminating the reservoir is critical to maintaining the quality of the water.

Our Spring 2010 Newsletter and 2009 Annual Report is now available. 

You can download a pdf version here.

Here is a link to our complete 2010 Outings Schedule.

Here is our Outings Schedule in Word (.doc)

 Here are our next few outings for the 2010 season.

Sunday, May 16, 10:00

Stewart Preserve

The Stewart Preserve is 123 acres of peaceful woods near Crooked Lake in Sand Lake.  George Wilson, volunteer steward for the Nature Conservancy, will guide us through the Stewart Preserve's hardwood and hemlock forests to see old foundations, stone walls, spring wildflowers and ferns, and to hear thrushes, warblers, vireos, and other birds.  A short walk off the preserve will lead to a lovely wetland.  This hike is about two miles and easy, with some steep, rough and/or wet spots.

Contact George at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for meeting place and more information.

Saturday, May 22, 9:00
Spring Wildflowers at Bear's Den Preserve

This spring wildflower hike will be at RLT.s own Bear.s Den Preserve on Butternut Hill near Cherry Plain. In addition to Bear.s Den, a natural shallow cave, a wide variety of wildflowers can be found in the Preserve.s rich woods. The hike is about 2 miles, with some short steep slopes. Bear.s Den Preserve is not open to the public except during guided hikes such as this. This outing is limited to 15 people, by reservation only. Contact Kate Hubbs at 674-2069 or 690-7864 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to reserve a spot.

Saturday, June 12, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Hudson River Walk and Talk

The Hudson River has played a pivotal role in the history, geography, and ecology of Rensselaer County. We will walk along the shore of the Hudson River near Troy with Shirley Hartman of the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries. She will discuss the Hudson.s human history, flora and fauna, and the Institute.s current programs to monitor and restore the river and shore. To register and for more information, contact Bob Ingalls at 272-2978 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information about the Beacon Institute, visit www.thebeaconinstitute.org