RLT and Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) have teamed up to offer a winter snowshoe/hiking series. Stay warm this winter by getting out with others who love the outdoors as much as you do. Join us! 

Come celebrate the beginning of winter and the New Year (almost) with a hike or snowshoe through the recently acquired Gundrum property-Grafton Forest adjacent to the Pittstown State Forest. This stunning parcel of almost 1000 acres offers some of the best viewpoints on the Rensselaer Plateau and we will get to them along marked and mapped trails.

Overall distance will be 3 to 5 miles depending on conditions and speed of group but plan on 3-5 hours in the woods.  Full winter gear is required. Winter hiking requires proper equipment and gear for conditions: warm layered clothing, gloves, hat/balaclava, spikes/cleats/snowshoes for ice or snow, the willingness and ability to climb steep slopes and negotiate uneven, rocky, icy, wet, or muddy terrain. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and lunch.

For additional questions or if you don’t have access to email, call Fran Egbert at 518-674-3214 or the RPA office at 518-712-9211.

$5 donation collected the day of the outing.

RLT and Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) have teamed up to offer a winter snowshoe/hiking series. Stay warm this winter by getting out with others who love the outdoors as much as you do. Join us! 

We’ll snowshoe if conditions allow, or hike if not, through RPA’s Albert Family Community Forest in East Nassau. We’ll follow several newly completed trails in this beautiful and historic place, skirting a long cascade, old stone walls, a long-abandoned homesite, and a large wetland. The trails will be approximately 3-4 miles but we may have to snowshoe into the Forest to access them, adding .5 mile distance. Trails are rocky, steep, and might be muddy and slippery in places. We’ll also be crossing a brook down a ravine over mossy and possibly wet rocks. If it’s icy participants will need cleats or microspikes.

Full winter gear is required. Winter hiking requires proper equipment and gear for conditions: warm layered clothing, gloves, hat/balaclava, spikes/cleats/snowshoes for ice or snow, the willingness and ability to climb steep slopes and negotiate uneven, rocky, icy, wet, or muddy terrain. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and lunch.

To register: E-mail Peter Wood

For additional questions or if you don’t have access to email, call Fran Egbert at 518-674-3214 or the RPA office at 518-712-9211.

$5 donation collected the day of the outing.

RLT and Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) have teamed up to offer a winter snowshoe/hiking series. Stay warm this winter by getting out with others who love the outdoors as much as you do. Join us! 

Winter wonderland snowshoeing or hiking through the Rensselaer Land Trust’s Robert Ingalls Preserve. We’ll travel along the Black Brook and look for signs of a mink hunting or perhaps river otter slides, and fisher and bobcat tracks in the uplands. As always, be ready for snow or ice, and rocks, roots, and mud. About 2.5 miles.

To Register:
E-mail Peter Wood

For additional questions or if you don’t have access to email, call Fran Egbert at 518-674-3214 or the RPA office at 518-712-9211.

$5 donation collected the day of the outing.

Important: Winter hiking requires proper equipment and gear for conditions: warm layered clothing, spikes/cleats/snowshoes for ice or snow, the willingness and ability to climb steep slopes and negotiate uneven, rocky, icy, wet, or muddy terrain. Please read the full description before joining an outing and contact the trip leader to register.

Clearwater sails rain or shine, and so will we!

Departing from Riverfront Park

Please arrive no later than 8:45 am.

Join us aboard an authentic working Tall Ship – the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. This three-hour sail on the beautiful Hudson River will include dockside orientation before departure, Clearwater's history, wildlife observation, education, even a chance at steering the ship. Music by the crew and sing-a-longs. Refreshments available at the dock.
Clearwater is a 106 foot long wooden sailboat, with one 108 foot tall mast. In the 1800's such boats were a common sight on the Hudson and Long Island Sound; now, ships like Clearwater are a rare sight.

This is a benefit for the Rensselaer Land Trust and the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.
Limited 50 tickets, $150/pp.

Purchase your tickets HERE.

You will help to sail her: raising the mainsail and taking a turn at her tiller. The best way to ensure that your sail is enjoyable is to be prepared for what you'll encounter on a real, working tall ship.

There is also an Afternoon Sail 1:45 - 5.

What to Wear:
Clearwater sails rain or shine with the exception of severe weather, so be sure to check the forecast and dress accordingly.
If there's even a small chance of rain, bring rain gear.
If it's cold wear clothing in layers, with a warm coat, sweater, long pants, scarf, and hat.
If the day is warm, bring a light jacket or windbreaker; it's often colder on the water than on land.
If it's sunny, a brimmed hat, high SPF sunscreen, and sunglasses should be worn.
Wear flat, soft-soled shoes. No clogs, flip flops or high heels should be worn onboard.
In any weather, make sure you wear clothing you can easily move around in and don't mind getting dirty.

What to Bring:
Hydration is extremely important while sailing; we strongly suggest bringing a re-useable water bottle.
You will not eat lunch onboard, but are welcome to bring a snack.
If you'd like to bring a camera, you may. It is important to always be aware of what is going on around you and note that there are appropriate times to take photos.

What NOT to Bring:
We encourage you to leave the following items at home:
For the safety of you and your devices, cell phones, iPods, portable music devices, and tablets should not be taken onboard. They are easily broken and can be distracting.
Headphones prevent passengers from hearing important information or directions from the captain and crew.
Backpacks can be bulky and often get in the way.

Bathrooms:
Many of the docks have facilities available on site and you are encouraged to use them before boarding the boat. Clearwater's head, or boat toilet, is rustic; more like an outhouse than a bathroom. There is a barrel of wash water for hand washing on deck.

Safety:
You are in good hands when onboard! Clearwater's professional crew has been selected to combine the talents of a competent sailing team with those of a trained education staff. It is important to listen closely to the captain, crew and to your teachers, and to always follow the basic safety rules outlined at the beginning of your sail.
For answers to other frequently asked questions visit us at www.Clearwater.org

To ensure our community stays safe during these uncertain times brought on by COVID-19 we are cancelling this year's Tomhannock Reservoir Clean-Day.

Meet at the NYS DEC public access parking lot on NYS Route 7 just before the causeway over the reservoir. Bring gloves and wear weather appropriate shoes and clothing.  We will work regardless of the weather. Garbage bags are provided.

REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER BY CLICKING

HERE

Or contact Bob Crowley, RLT Board Member, at 518-283-7364 (land line) or E-mail

Link to the 2018 Shoreline Clean-up efforts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB4hMj1uteE

Co-sponsored by Rensselaer Land Trust (RLT), City of Troy, and NYSDEC.

Experience Rensselaer Land Trust’s popular Kinderhook Creek Preserve in winter! The Preserve’s wide, smooth trails are perfect for snowshoeing, and if there’s not enough snow, we’ll enjoy a hike. We’ll pass through dark hemlock glades, walk along the icy Kinderhook Creek, and view glacier-carved rocky crags. This walk will cover about three miles, and will include a few steep up and down sections. Dress appropriately for the weather with extra layers that can be taken off or added as needed. Microspikes or traction devices may be needed if trails are icy. Bring water/hot drink and snacks. Some snowshoes and poles may be available for those who need them, by advance arrangement.

Due to current public health mandates, registration is limited to 9 people. Masks are required, and participants from separate households are encouraged to stay six feet apart. Do not attend if you are not feeling well.

Registration in advance is Required

To register e-mail Peter Wood (trip leader) at peterrmapleacres@gmail.com.

SOLD OUT

We will focus on learning key characteristics in track identification, and begin to unravel various track patterns and how they correspond to the way the animal was moving, providing us with insight into its behavior and a window into its life. We will also look at other types of animal sign, gaining an increased awareness of the wildlife that surrounds us. Josh Wood is the Program Director of Flying Deer Nature Center in East Chatham. He’s an avid tracker, naturalist and wilderness skills mentor. He leads a monthly tracking club in the East Chatham area.

Dress appropriately for the cold with extra layers that can be taken off or added as needed, keeping in mind there will be periods of inactivity while looking at a track. Depending on snow/ice conditions, snowshoes or microspikes may be needed. Bring water/hot drinks, snacks, and hand/feet warmers.

Due to current public health mandates, registration is limited to 9 people. Masks are required. Do not attend if you are not feeling well.

Program fee is $20

Advance Registration is Required online at this link, or contact 518-659-5263.

Stop by to say hello to RLT Board members and staff at the Schodack/Nassau Lake Trailhead -- RLT's trailhead on the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail (AHET), the recently completed walk/bike trail from East Greenbush to Hudson. We'll be there greeting visitors and sharing information about the AHET and other RLT - related projects. The Schodack/Nassau Lake Trailhead is located at County Route 7, Nassau, NY 12123. To view on map click HERE. The "P" above marker 19 is where we will be. NY State has a COVID-19 Advisory for the public trail system, to learn more click HERE.

We are pleased to announce the re-opening of Palmer Road Preserve in Schodack, NY. The 57-acre property was transferred to Rensselaer Land Trust upon the voluntary dissolution of the Schodack Area Land Trust in late 2020. On Saturday, July 31 from 10 am to 11 am Rensselaer Land Trust will hold a public re-opening ceremony. The land trusts invites the community to join them as they celebrate this special place.

Located in a residential community near Miller Road in Schodack, the property features an extensive walking trail system. The entrance to Palmer Road Preserve is located just beyond the cul-de-sac at the end of Thoroughbred Drive. The Preserve features a 1-mile loop trail system. Hiking, birdwatching, and other forms of passive recreation are permitted and encouraged.

Rensselaer Land Trust protects the open spaces, watersheds and natural habitats of New York’s capital region for the benefit of our communities and future generations. For 34 years, RLT has conserved important lands in our area through voluntary land protection agreements and land donations and purchases with conservation-minded landowners. To learn more visit: www.renstrust.org.

Join Us for a New First Staurday Hiking Series February 5, 2022!