"The Failure of Markets" Dr. John Gowdy, RPI Professor of Environmental Economics, presents how changing human activity is affecting the natural world through the two major transitions in our relationship with nature: agriculture and fossil fuels. Free and open to the public.

Spend 1½ hours with mycologist Sue Van Hook learning the basics of mushroom identification and absorb Sue’s enthusiasm for the beauty and diversity of local mushrooms. Your walks in the woods will be changed forever as you begin to identify mushrooms you used to not even see. Registration fee is $10/person. Location: Shea Hall at Sage College in Troy. To register, contact Marcy Steinberg at marcygs@aol.com, (518) 674-2171.

$15 per person • RSVP by Tuesday, November 8.

Click here to register online.

Join the Rensselaer Land Trust at Brown’s Brewing Co.’s Revolution Hall  for their 29th Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 13 at 4 p.m. The Land Trust will celebrate their 2016 accomplishments, review plans for next year, honor this year’s award recipients, hear a compelling presentation “The Transformative Impact of Trails and Greenspace on Communities” by Jeff Olson–keynote speaker, and enjoy good food and company.

2016 marks the first year that the Land Trust will be honoring two individuals in their inaugural annual awards program. This year’s recipients will be Francille Egbert receiving the 2016 Volunteer of the Year Award and William Niemi receiving the William Niemi Conservation Leadership Award.

Francille Egbert has fostered the growth of the Land Trust over last 20 years with her endless dedication in volunteer work. Francille, a former board member continues to chair our Outings Committee and brings leadership to the Trail Crew as “Captain” working on numerous trails throughout the Rensselaer county making them accessible for everyone’s enjoyment. She is the Land Steward of Geiser Preserve and leads a variety public outings throughout the year. Francine recently assisted with the planning and implementation of the Land Trust’s 2016 New Website launch (renstrust.org).

William Niemi, a former board member, joined the Board of Directors in 1987, Rensselaer Land Trust’s first year.  He has been an instrumental force behind the Land Trust’s success. Niemi served as President for five years, as Vice President, and on multiple committees. Under William’s guidance and term as President, Rensselaer Land Trust brought GPS into their property monitoring process, hired their first Executive Director, achieved national accreditation, and acquired the Hoosic River Property in Eagle Bridge, a very complicated transaction that involved a private landowner, DEC's Fish &Wildlife, the New York Attorney General's office, the state's farmland protection office, and the USDA. William has organized and worked on all of the Land Trust’s Annual Tomhannock Reservoir Shoreline Cleanup Volunteer Days.

Keynote speaker, Jeff Olson, an RPI Alumnis, architect, planner, and author who has been involved in greenways, open space, active living, and alternative mobility projects for more than 25 years. Jeff has had a diverse career with national, international, and local experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. This experience was recognized in 2014 by the Association for Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals with a Lifetime Achievement Award. His unique vision and leadership ability are important assets to projects ranging from regional planning to site-specific projects and programs. He is the co-founder of the Saratoga Springs Open Space Project, teaches America’s first university course in bicycle and pedestrian planning, and is Co-Director of the UAlbany Initiative for Healthy Infrastructure, which creates model plans connecting public works with public health. He is a frequent inspirational speaker at conferences, public meetings and other events and the author of the book “The Third Mode: Towards a Green Society.”

 E-mail Questions to: Julie Moore

What do you love about living in Rensselaer County? The Rensselaer Land Trust wants to hear what places in Rensselaer County are important to you, and why. The Land Trust has received funding to develop a Conservation Plan for Rensselaer County that will identify the most important places to preserve for future generations. We are holding four Community Values Meetings around the County to gather local input from communities and residents on lands they value for recreation, scenic views, natural resources, wildlife, and quality of life.  Landowners, business owners, hikers, cyclists, hunters, skiers, snowmobilers, realtors, and anyone interested in the future of Rensselaer County’s landscapes and resources are encouraged to attend.  Come to one of the meetings to make sure your values help guide the Conservation Plan.

Community values meetings Schedule

Hoosick Falls–RSVP HERE
Thursday, February 16 • 6 - 8:30 pm
Location: HAYC3 Armory, 80 Church Street

East Greenbush RSVP HERE
Thursday, March 2 • 6 - 8:30 pm
Location: East Greenbush Library

Valley Falls   RSVP HERE
Saturday, March 18 • 10 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Valley Falls Community Hall

Troy  RSVP HERE
Monday, April 3 • 5:30 - 8 pm
Location: RPI Cultural Center and Chapel

Light refreshments will be served, plus pizza at evening meetings and bagels at the Saturday meeting.

Questions: 518-659-5263.

Can’t make a meeting? Check out our online survey later this spring at www.renstrust.org.

The Community Values Meetings will be led in partnership with Cornell University Department of Natural Resources, with funding from the Hudson River Valley Greenway and from the Environmental Protection Fund through the NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program and the NYS Conservation Partnership Program.

Always wanted to see behind the stage and scenes of the Historic Troy Savings Bank Music Hall?  Join us for a private backstage tour.  The historic Music Hall was designed by George B. Post and built in 1875.  It is a designated National Historic Landmark and is known throughout the world for its near perfect acoustics.  Limited to 20 people.

Register HERE

Or call Bob Crowley at 518-396-6614

Due to the overwhelming interest in our mushroom workshop held in May we are offering a second mushroom lecture presented by mycologist Sue Van Hook.  Come learn about ten mushrooms you can safely pick and eat from the forest.

Come early to sign-in so the lecture can start promptly at 7:00 pm.

Location: Cowee IV conference room, Russell Sage Troy Campus on 1st St
Registration fee:  $10 per person. This workshop is limited, please register ASAP.

Register online HERE.

To register by email contact Marcy Steinberg or call 518-928-2038

For more information contact Marcy Steinberg.

Program starts with short lecture by Larry Skinner on his experiences in collecting and boiling sap starting with simple buckets and spiles, to vacuum tubing in use today. Tour will include walk in the bush with a forester discussing sugarbush forest management. Tour will conclude with visit to Larry’s nearby evaporation and final process system.  Maple products will be available.

Children are especially welcome.

Questions? E-mail Dick Gibbs

Skinner's Sugarbush
245 Hidley Rd.
Wynantskill, NY