Monarch Butterfly Walk Sat, Sept. 10th
2 pm-3 pm; Place: Old Gick Farm trailJoin us for a nature walk with the Monarch butterflies. The walk covers about a mile of gently rolling terrain. We will be looking for the butterflies during their peak season just before they start to head to Mexico for the winter. The monarch butterflies love WWPP for its many nectar species and its open pine/oak savannah. The walk will not take place if there is rain. Directions: From the Wilton Mall (Exit 15 on I87), go north on Route 50 for about four miles. Make a left onto Scout Road. Go straight under the railroad bridge until the crosswalk and make a right into Parking Lot #1.
Pond Exploration! Sat, Sept. 10th
Dragonflies and Damselflies11am-12 pm; Place: Delegan Pond(across the street from Camp Saratoga Parking Lot #1) What is the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly? If you’re not sure, stop by Delegan Pond to learn about the dragonfly and damselfly life cycles as well as the pond ecosystem. After the 20-minute lesson, we will explore for critters in our pond using dip nets. This program is for children 4 years old and older.Directions: From the Wilton Mall (Exit 15 on I87), go north on Route 50 for about four miles. Make a left onto Scout Road. Go straight under the railroad bridge until the crosswalk and make a right into Parking Lot #1.
Art Exploration Series Final Part! Tues, August 30
Art Exploration Series Part 2! Tues, Aug 23rd
Parts of a FlowerDiscover the beauty behind flowers! Join us while we dissect a flower to understand its parts and recreate our own version of a flower using creative crafts. The program will take place at the picnic table pavilion near the dining hall at Camp Saratoga at 10:30 am. to have some creative fun. (You do not have to attend every one of the art series activities to come.)
Arts Exploration Series Part 1! Tues, Aug 16th
Field Ecology Walk, Sat. Aug 13th
Place: Camp SaratogaTime: 10:30amEnjoy a guided hike through the fields of Camp Saratoga. Learn about the unique animals, grasses and wildflowers and their adaptations to our dry sandplains habitat. Come discover the diverse creatures throughout these open areas of nature. Meet us at the kiosk by Parking Lot #1 on Scout Road at Camp Saratoga at 10:30 am for this hour-long walk.
Pond Series Pt. 4: Tues, Aug 9
Wetland Ecology Walk: Sat, Aug 6th
Time 10:30amBring: lots of bug spray!Wetland communities are very fragile and delicate ecosystems. Come explore the wetlands at the Neilmann parcel with Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park! We will be meeting us at the Neilmann parking lot on Ruggles Road just south of King Road at 10:30 am for an hour-long exploration.
Conservation Walk (Sat, July 30)
Time: 10:30 amPlace: Old Gick Farm TrailWilton Wildlife Preserve & Park has been involved with various conservation efforts within the Saratoga Sandplains and the surrounding forest. Come join us as we walk through the Oak/Pine Savannah and learn the importance of this early successional habitat. We will also be looking at the forest community and understanding the characteristics that help maintain a thick understory habitat. The walk will leave at 10:30 am from the parking lot on Route 50 which is just under four miles past Wilton Mall and will take place on the Old Gick Farm trail.
Pond Series Pt.2 (Tues, July 26th): Discovering Plant Life!
Time 10:30 amPlace: Delegan Pond (across from Camp Saratoga kiosk)Discovering Plant Life! Plant life helps to maintain the life within ponds. Stop by the pond at Camp Saratoga and learn about the pond habitat and the different types of vegetation that provide the base of the food chain for all the critters in the pond community! After we’ve learned about these plants, we will explore the pond by using our dip nets. Meet by the Pond at Camp Saratoga at 10:30 am for this hour long activity. (You do not have to attend every one of the pond series activities to come.)
Pond Series: Part 1
Breathing Underwater!Exploring the pond is a great way to inspect the wonders of life that live under the water. Stop by the Pond at Camp Saratoga and learn about the pond habitat and how so many little critters are able to breathe under the water. After we’ve learned about these animals, we will explore for some in our pond using dip nets. Meet by the Pond at Camp Saratoga at 10:30 am for this hour long activity. (You do not have to attend every one of the pond series activities to come.)
Karner Blue Butterfly Walks
Dates: July 8th, 15th and 22ndTime: 10:30 amPlace: Old Gick Farm trailCome to the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park for a nature walk to look for the endangered Karner blue butterflies. The walks will leave from the parking lot on Route 50 which is just under four miles past Wilton Mall and take place on the Old Gick Farm trail. The walks should last about an hour and cover a mile of gently rolling terrain. We will be looking for butterflies from the 2nd brood. They have just recently emerged and we will see if we can find them as they search for nectar and mates in the open pine/oak savannah that is their habitat in the Saratoga Sandplains. The butterflies that are in the second brood will lay eggs that will overwinter and hatch next spring once the wild blue lupine that they feed on has come up again. The walk will not take place if there is rain. Please dress appropriately for weather and insects.
Stryders Take on Camp Saratoga
The annual Saratoga Styder's Fun Run Series will be taking place everyother Monday night starting June 27th. The 5K race will take place on the rolling, wooden terrain around historic Camp Saratoga. Race entries of $5 are accepted at the door starting at 5:30pm. The race starts at 6:15pm sharp, rain or shine. For more details about the race and the Stryders click on the following link, Fun Run Series. Race Dates: June 27th, July 11th, July 25th, August 8th, and August 22nd
Lupine Festival!
Join Wilton Wildlife at Camp Saratoga for the 1st annual Lupine Festival on June 4th from 10am-3pm! It will be a day of outdoor adventure, exploration, and the celebration of National Trails Day. Parking and all activities are free to the public! Click on the following links for Event Flier and Event Map. -Schedule of Events- 10am-3pm: Nature Crafts, Pond Life Exploration, Watercolor Painting, Live Animal Showings, Lupine and Karner Blue Butterfly Information, Access to the Cornell Hill Fire Tower (ages 5 and up) Hourly starting at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30: Karner Blue Butterfly Walks with TNC and DEC biologist 11am-Noon and 1-2pm: Campfire Songs and S'mores 11am-3pm: Buy some BBQ for lunch Program and parking is free to the public. Program will take place rain or shine (pavilions available) at Camp Saratoga on Scout Road. Program is subject to change. For any additional questions or comments please contact us at the office, 518-450-0321.
Neilmann Trail Update (May 22nd)
Neilmann Trail Update-May 22ndDue to the large rain fall this spring, the vernal pond water levels at the Neilmann parcel have reached record highs. Please read the following for important trail information. The yellow trail is substantially flooded, but it is possible to walk around the water. The south branch of the yellow trail (to your left when facing the kiosk) has several small and one large puddle. The north branch of the yellow trail (to your right when facing the kiosk) has one small and one quite large puddle. Orange and silver striped tape have been put up to mark a dry detour around this puddle. The orange trail has some significant puddles, but they are easy to get around. In summary, the Neilman trails are fairly flooded and muddy, but passable with detours. If possible, stay on the north side of the yellow trail.
WWPP Fire Tower in the news
The Times Union wrote a piece on the WWPP Fire Tower due to open on May 14th. WWPP is still looking for volunteers who are interested in being trained to help staff the fire tower during its open hours. Please let us know if this is something you are interested in.Click on the title for the articleNice view from on high in fire tower's new home
2010 Annual Report
The calendar year of 2010 will forever be cast in our minds as the year that life changed at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park.Click here to download the 2010 annual report.
Environmental Education Week:Ocean Connections
Its National Environmental Education Week! Check out or website or facebook for daily updates about this years theme-Ocean Connections. Oceans contain about 324 million cubic miles of seawater with about 53 million billion tons of dissolved salts and gases. The diversity of plant, animal, even microbial life is astonishing. Every day we learn more about the importance of oceans to humans. Just look at coral, its architecture and chemistry is so similar to human bone that coral has been used to replace bone grafts in helping human bone to heal quickly and cleanly.
April School Vacation Week Programs
Get Outdoors in April at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & ParkDuring the school spring break, take your child outside to enjoy the natural wonders that can be found close to home. At Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park there is something new to explore every day! All of the programs take place rain or shine and participants should plan on dressing appropriately for weather and insects. Programs will only be cancelled if it there is thunder and/or lightening. Preregistration is always appreciated by calling the Park Office at 518-450-0321. On Saturday April 16th there will be a Forest and Meadow Walk. Participants will enjoy a mile-long guided hike through the beautiful fields and forests at Camp Saratoga. It is a chance to learn about the endangered Karner blue butterfly and other plants and animals that make their home at the Preserve & Park. The walk will take place from 1:00 – 2:00pm and will begin from the kiosk in parking lot #1 on Scout Road. On Monday April 18th: there will be a Forest and Wetland Walk. This is an opportunity to explore one of the lesser known trails of the Preserve & Park and to discover the hidden wetlands at the Neilmann parcel. This walk will leave from the Neilmann parking lot on Ruggles Road just south of King Road at 10:30am.On Tuesday April 19th: there will be a drop-in Nature Craft Activity Station set up on the picnic tables by Delegan Pond which is across from parking lot #1 on Scout Road. Anytime between 10am and 12pm people are welcome to stop by and to let their natural creativity come to life. Rain site-Park office, 80 Scout Road. On Wednesday April 20th: Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will be one of the many community organizations that will be participating in the poplar Fish Release Day at Saratoga Spa State Park at the Geyser Creek picnic area from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. On Thursday April 21st the activities move back to the Preserve & Park with a walk on the new Saratoga County trails off of Edie Road. This is brand new trail that opened last fall, and this will be the first formal program to take place at this site. Meet the hike leader at the parking lot just south of Scout Road on Edie Road by 10:30am.On Friday April 22nd, in Celebration of Earth Day, the Preserve and Park is holding a volunteer opportunity called Habitat Helpers. This past fall, an area was cleared to create more of the open habitat that is used by the Saratoga Sandplains plant community that supports the Karner blue butterfly. At 10:00 am volunteers will be able to help to prepare the new Karner blue butterfly habitat at Camp Saratoga for spring planting. Volunteers should meet at parking lot #1 on Scout Road.On Saturday April 23rd: WWPP will again be on the road, participating in the Eco-Day at Saratoga National Historic Park. The Preserve & Park will be one of many organizations offering children’s environmental activities at this Earth Day Celebration..All of these programs are part of the Children & Nature Network’s Let’s G.O.! (Get Outside and Children & Nature Awareness month. We encourage children, families and people of all ages to get outside together to be active, have fun and connect with nature.
EMS Club Days
The annual Eastern Mountain Sport's Club Days are taking place this Friday and Saturday! Wilton Wildlife will be one of the many environmental organizations tabling at the EMS in Wilton off Route 50. WWPP will be at EMS on Friday April 8th from 4-8pm and Saturday April 9th from 11-3pm. All WWPP members or members of the other clubs and organizations that are tabling get:- 20% off everything in the store!!- 25% off All Eastern Mountain Sports merchandise!!For nonmenbers, to recieve the same discount, all you need to do is donate $10 to any organization! See you there!