- Suitable for all ages

The Steward of Rensselaer Land Trust’s Robert Ingalls Preserve will lead a walk through this hidden corner of Stephentown, visiting its old roads, pristine trout stream, and archeological evidence of times gone by. The hike will cover approximately two miles and involves traversing occasional wet/muddy areas, rocky footing and steep slopes.

Please arrive before 10am to assemble – the Ingalls Preserve parking area is located on Garfield Road just west of the intersection of Horse Heaven and Garfield Roads.

Learn more about Ingall Preserve HERE

Jim de Waal Malefyt has been doing a bird census for over one year at the Poestenkill Community Forest in anticipation of plans for sustainable logging.  Join him on an early morning bird walk to see and hear the forest birds and migrating warblers.  

Hear about how a bird census is done and Jim’s concerns for health of the birds and bird habitat. 

To register contact Jim de Waal Malefyt  at by e-mail.

Fee collected day of the outing $5.

We’ll hike 27-34 miles across the Rensselaer Plateau over two days through various terrain. Come enjoy the company of hardy hikers. Optional overnight at Pine Ridge Cross Country Ski Center. This is a strenuous hike with some bushwhacking.

Sponsored by RPA, Rensselaer Land Trust, and Dyken Pond Environmental Center.

To register contact Annie by e-mail

Berlin Mountain, at 2818 feet, is the highest point in New York outside of the Adirondacks and Catskills, and its open summit provides wonderful views of the Taconics, Mt. Greylock and the Berkshires. We’ll ascend steeply from Greene Hollow in Petersburg via the old 1700’s Albany Road to Berlin Pass, hike along the Taconic Crest Trail to the summit, then through an uncommon spruce-fir forest, and descend via Southeast Hollow in Berlin.

This will be a moderately strenuous seven-mile hike with long steep uphill and downhill sections. Wear boots or sturdy shoes. Bring lunch, snacks and plenty of water. Prepare for cool and windy conditions.

Donation $5.

Register with Nick Conrad at 518-308-5332 or by e-mail nbconrad@msn.com.

Photo caption:
There are views from Berlin Mt through the trees of the Phelps Trail.
http://www.taconichiking.com/berlin-mt.php

 Due to the weather this event has been postponed to the Rain Date: October 20, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

The Asa Eddy family lived in Stephentown, Rensselaer County, New York, between 1794 and 1905.  While the homestead and other structures have long since disappeared, and forest has reclaimed the farm, an early family cemetery, along with stone foundations and other evidence, can still be seen on the landscape.  Warren Broderick, a descendent of the Eddy family, author, archivist and researcher, will discuss and use other resources to bring the history of an early farm in Rensselaer County back to life.  

Participants will take an easy/moderate hike about two-and-a-half miles along an abandoned road in the Towns of Nassau and Stephentown to visit the farm site, and family cemetery, hear about an infamous 19^th century local murder and reputed haunting, and view other abandoned farm sites along our route.  The hike will conclude through hiking trails at the Albert Family Community Forest, a 353 acre forest owned by the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance.  This was part of the Hayes farm which adjoined the Eddy farm on the south.

This hike will require some shuttling of vehicles. Rain date will be Saturday, October 20.

Contact outing coordinator and registration contact: Peter Wood at peterrmapleacres@gmail.com 

$5 donation collected day of the outing.

Celebrate the New Year on the land!

Fred DeMay will lead a snowshoe at the Poestenkill Community Forest. We might wander onto some new lands that were just protected, expanding the Community Forest! For more info or to register, e-mail Francille Egbert

$5 donation collected the day of the event.

Wildlife Tracking Workshops in Rensselaer County

Join local tracking experts Dan Yacobellis and Josh Wood for a series of three workshops to learn animal tracks or to enhance your skills. All are welcome to attend one or more workshops; each workshop will add a new layer to the tracking experience. The second two workshops will also include GPS mapping and documenting of all observed wildlife sign, using citizen science to contribute to an online, active map of animal activity on the Rensselaer Plateau.

Tracking Basics with Josh Wood at Albert Family Community Forest, Nassau. 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.

Online pre-registration is required. Cost is $20 for each workshop. Space is limited.

Click HERE to Register!

Questions about the workshops? Contact Annie by e-mail

All participants need to sign a liability waiver, which can be downloaded HERE and returned the morning of the workshop.

Please arrive promptly by 9:45 a.m. to complete registration, get organized and be ready to hike by 10:00 a.m.  

These workshops are jointly sponsored by the Rensselaer Land Trust, Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, and Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center.

Dress appropriately for the cold weather!

Wildlife tracking requires some hiking with long periods of standing while you examine the tracks you find. (this is when your feet get cold!)  We never know what we will find or how far we will actually hike.  Folks need to be in good physical condition and have adequate winter gear to be outside for the day.  Temperatures are about 10 degrees cooler on the Plateau than lower elevations. Please plan on wearing what you think will keep you warm, and then add two extra layers in a back pack to bring along. Hand and foot warmers are always a good idea.

Bring snowshoes. Again, snowpack can be much deeper on the Plateau than surrounding areas. 

Plan on eating lunch outside if you are attending the full day programs. There are no indoor facilities. Pack high energy, nutrient dense foods: nuts, cheese, energy bars, dark chocolate, nut butters, oranges are all good choices. Remember to drink adequate water through the day. It is easy to become dehydrated in the winter as we tend to not feel thirsty. 

Refunds will gladly be given up to 7 days prior to the event. After that, refunds will be given only if we are able to fill your place.   

We are very excited to offer this Tracking Series this year with Josh and Dan.  Whether you're new to wildlife tracking or one of our regulars, you're in for a great day in the woods. 

Upcoming Tracking Programs

February 16, 9:30-4:00, with half-day option -- Bringing Tracking Home with Dan Yacobellis at Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, Grafton. Read more HERE.

March 10 – 9:30-4:00, with half-day option – Animal Tracking in Late Winter with Dan Yacobellis at Poestenkill Community Forest, Poestenkill. Read more HERE.

Dan Yacobellis runs Tamakoce Wilderness Programs in Grafton, immersing children and adults in wilderness living experiences. He is a long-time Plateau resident and teacher, and has led many tracking outings on the Plateau.

Snowshoeing has become one of the fastest growing winter sports in the country. Simply strap on a pair of snowshoes and go on a winter hike or backpack! This class is a great introduction to the sport. We will start with an indoor clinic and focus on the gear selection and the initial skills needed to get on the trails. Then we will hit the outdoors for some fun in the snow and to learn snowshoe techniques, ascending and descending hills and winter preparedness. Discover the joy of winter and the freedom of snowshoeing!  We will send information before the class on proper clothing and gear for this great adventure. Some snowshoes will be available to borrow.

Meet at the parking lot of the Staalesen Preserve on Wynantskill Way in Troy.

Register in advance with Fred McCagg be e-mail.

Suggested donation of $5 collected day of event.