Electronic Annual Meeting Due to Storm
We are cancelling our Holiday Reception and Photography Show Opening because of the inclement weather. We will be holding our Annual Meeting electronically. If you would like to join in on the Annual Meeting, please email info@wiltonpreserve.org and you will be given the phone access information.
Wild About Blue Fundraiser: October 26
Please join us at our annual fundraiser at the Saratoga National Golf Club. At the event we will be presenting Wildlife Biologist Kathy O’Brien with our Metamorphosis Award, an award given to an individual who has helped initiate great change in the community. She has been instrumental in the survival of the endangered Karner blue butterflies. We will also have a unique silent auction! Cost is $65.00 and preregistration is required by Friday, October 17, 2014. Please RSVP to Margo at 518-450-0321.
Photography Show: Accepting Submissions
Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will be hosting a photography exhibition to highlight the beauty and mission of the Preserve & Park. Submissions are due on Monday, November 17th.Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
- Best in Show
- Best Nature in Winter
- Best featuring Conservation
- Best featuring Education
- Best featuring Recreation
- Best Animal Shot
- Best Karner Blue Butterfly Shot
- Best Under 13
The selected photographs will be on display from December 9, 2014 to April 1, 2015 at the office located at 80 Scout Road in Gansevoort.There will be an Opening Reception at the Annual Holiday Gathering which takes place after the annual meeting on Tuesday, December 9 at 5:00 PM.For more information emailinfo@wiltonpreserve.orgor call 450-0321.
Pre-K Discovery Days at Camp Saratoga
Starting on September 15Mark your Calendars: the Third Monday of Every Month at 10:30 am.This monthly program is for our youngest explorers (ages 3-6 years old) where we use children’s love of nature to teach simple concepts. Adults are expected to attend. This is an outdoor program so please come dressed for the weather. Preregistration is required so register today!!Dates: September 15, October 20, November 17, and December 15
Star Party on September 19th
Star Party at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park!What: Join the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park and our friends from Albany Area Amateur Astronomers, Inc. as we study the night sky in all of its beauty. We will have telescopes available for gazing and will also be learning some of the constellations in our night sky. Registration is limited, so please call today!When: Friday, September 19, 2014 at 8PMRain Date: Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 8PMWhere: Camp Saratoga on Scout RoadRSVP by: Wednesday, September 17, 2014 to
| Dress warmly & bring a blanket for this family event!Be ready to enjoy a great view of the heavens above us.Hot cocoa & other refreshments will be provided. |
info@wiltonpreserve.org or 518-450-0321
Wild About Blue: October 26
Please join us at our annual fundraiser at the Saratoga National Golf Club. At the event we will be presenting Wildlife Biologist Kathy O’Brien with our Metamorphosis Award, an award given to an individual who has helped initiate great change in the community. She has been instrumental in the survival of the endangered Karner blue butterflies. We will also have a unique silent auction! Cost is $65.00 and preregistration is required by Friday, October 17, 2014. Please RSVP to Margo at 518-450-0321.
Karner Blue Butterflies: 2nd Brood is Here!
The second brood of the endangered Karner blue butterflies have begun to be seen. These adults will lay the eggs that will overwinter until next spring.There are several trails in the Preserve & Park where you can observe these small blue butterflies. The most accessible are at Camp Saratoga where the trail leaves from parking lot #1. The other trails are Old Gick Farm and Fox which are accessed from parking areas off of Route 50, just north of King Road. The Preserve & Park is home to the largest population of these endangered butterflies in the Northeast.There are several opportunities to take a guided nature walk to look for the butterflies. These walks will take place on Thursdays starting on July 10 and continuing through the month of July. The walks will be offered twice a day, at 11:00 am and again at 4:00 pm. The walks leave from the parking area for the Old Gick Farm on Route 50 which is just under 4 miles past Wilton Mall. The walks should last about an hour and cover a mile of gently rolling terrain.The next few weeks will be ideal for seeing many of the newly emerged butterflies as they search for nectar and mates in the open pine/oak savannah that is their habitat in the Saratoga Sandplains. The walks will not take place if there is rain. Please dress appropriately for weather and insects.For more information about the walk and to pre-register, please contact the Park Office at 450-0321 or visit the website at www.wiltonpreserve.org. The Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is a non-profit organization that conserves ecological systems and natural settings while providing opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation.
First Karner blue butterflies of the Year Emerge
On Sunday, May 25, the first Karner blue butterflies of the year were observed at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, just in time for the Wildlife Festival that is scheduled for Sunday, June 1st at Camp Saratoga on Scout Road in Gansevoort. At the festival, there will be hourly butterfly walks starting at 11:15. At the festival there will also be live raptor programs, pond exploration, nature crafts and other hands-on activities. The festival runs from 11:00 – 4:00 and is free of charge.The endangered Karner blue butterflies spend the winter as an egg, hatch into their larval stage to feed on the wild blue lupine, and have just now emerged from their chrysalises. This first brood of adult butterflies will mate and lay eggs on the wild blue lupine. Those eggs will hatch and form the second brood, with those butterflies appearing usually in early July. There are several trails in the Preserve & Park where you can observe these small blue butterflies. The most accessible are at Camp Saratoga where the trail leaves from parking lot #1. The other trails are Old Gick Farm and Fox which are accessed from parking areas off of Route 50, just north of King Road.
There be many opportunities for guided nature walks to look for the butterflies. These walks will take place on Thursdays starting on May 29 and continuing through the month of June. The walks will be offered twice a day, at 11:00 am and again at 4:00 pm. The walks leave from the parking area for the Old Gick Farm on Route 50 which is just under 4 miles past Wilton Mall. The walks should last about an hour and cover a mile of gently rolling terrain. The next few weeks will be ideal for seeing many of the newly emerged butterflies as they search for nectar and mates in the open pine/oak savannah that is their habitat in the Saratoga Sandplains. The walks will not take place if there is rain. Please dress appropriately for weather and insects. For more information about the walk and to pre-register, please contact the Park Office at 450-0321 or visit the website at www.wiltonpreserve.org. The Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is a non-profit organization that conserves ecological systems and natural settings while providing opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation.
Fire Tower Open this Weekend: May 10th and 11th
10:00 am-3:00 pm at Camp Saratoga (Parking Lot 3)Climb an authentic fire tower without having to climb a mountain! Get a treetop view of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. The schedule is subject to weather conditions and availability of Volunteer Fire Tower Interpreters. To confirm that it is open, contact Larry Gordon (Town of Wilton Fire Tower Coordinator) at (518) 469-0918.
Trails Update 3/13/14
A little of everything fell during the storm yesterday - rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow and trees. There are several fallen trees on the trails at Camp Saratoga and the Opdahl Farm. As soon as they are removed, we will be able to groom the trails. In the meantime please use caution on the trails.
Trails Report 3/3/14
The icy trails were groomed over the weekend. It took quite a bit to break through the frozen surface, but they have been groomed!The conditions are improved, but still a little rough.
Conservation Conversation – Blue Birds
Postponed!! No Ski Demo Day on 2/17/14
The planned Cross Country Ski Demo Day scheduled for Monday, February 17th has been postponed.Sorry for the late notice. We will let you know as soon as we have a new date.
February 15th Full Moon Ski and Snowshoe at Camp Saratoga
The popular Full Moon Ski and Snowshoe will be taking place on Saturday evening, February 15th at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park.The free event will begin at 6:00 pm from the Scout Road entrance to Camp Saratoga and run until 9:30 pm. People can drop in anytime during the event and participate free of charge, but donations will be graciously accepted at the information table in the Winter Lodge.There will be more than two miles of groomed trails lit by luminaries. People can ski or snowshoe out to two different bonfires where they will find free hot chocolate.Snowshoes will be available for rent on a first come/first served basis beginning at 5:30 in the International Paper Winter Lodge that will be set up as a warming hut and information center. Rentals are $5.00/pair or free for members of the Preserve & Park.There will also be free hot chocolate, a bake sale and an information table in the Winter Lodge. The Winter Lodge is located between Parking lots #1 and #2 on Scout Road.Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited at Camp Saratoga. There is overflow parking available at Parking Lot #3 on Scout Road.For more information, please call the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org. If you are interested in volunteering at the event as a trail monitor or parking lot attendant, please contact the park office at the number listed above.For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the Preserve & Park’s website at www.wiltonpreserve.org The Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is a non-profit organization that conserves ecological systems and natural settings while providing opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation.
Trails Update 2/14/14 - We Love Snow on Valentines Day!!
We got well over a foot of snow and all the trails at Camp Saratoga were rolled today. We are prepping for tomorrow night's Full Moon Ski and Snowshoe, so you might see luminary's placed by the sides of the trails on Saturday afternoon. We will be lighting the luminaries starting around 3:30 tomorrow and the event will officially begin at 6:00.
Trails Update 2/6/14 - Snow Glorious Snow!
We are back in a winter wonderland with close to a foot of light, fluffy powder. Today, the trails were rolled.We are preparing for the 8k snowshoe race that is taking place Saturday the 8th.Be advised that the trails at Camp Saratoga North will be used by the racers on Saturday morning between 10:30 am and noontime.
February Vacation Events and Programs
Looking for something to do during Winter Vacation? Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park offers “naturally” fun programs!Full Moon Ski & SnowshoeSaturday, February 15 from 6:00-9:30 pm at Camp SaratogaThe popular Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe event at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will be taking place on Saturday evening, February 15th. The free event will begin at 6:00 pm from the Scout Road entrance to Camp Saratoga and run until 9:30 pm. People can drop in anytime during the event and participate free of charge, but donations will be graciously accepted at the information table in the Winter Lodge. There will be two miles of groomed trails lit by luminaries, and there will be bonfires and free hot chocolate. Snowshoes will be available for rent on a first come/first served basis beginning at 5:30 in the International Paper Winter Lodge that will be set up as a warming hut and information center. Rentals are $5.00/pair or free for members of the Preserve & Park. There will also be hot chocolate, hot tea, and an information table in the Winter Lodge. The Winter Lodge is located between Parking lots #1 and #2 on Scout Road. Cross Country Ski Demo DayMonday, February 17 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pmAt the I.P. Winter Lodge at Camp Saratoga (between Parking Lots #1 and #2)Join us in welcoming the Alpine Sport Shop for an opportunity to demo some great cross country skis on the groomed trails at Camp Saratoga. There will be a number of different skis to try and some kids’ skis and boots as well. If you have been wanting to try out cross country skiing, this may be what you were looking for! Snowshoe rentals will also be available during the demo hours. Animal Tracking Snowshoe Hike Monday, February 17 at 11 am at Congress ParkWe will be partnering with Saratoga Springs Public Library for their Animal Tracking Snowshoe Hike. Preregistration is required for this event. To register, please call the Children’s Room at (518) 584-7860 option 3.Winter Animal Olympics Tuesday, February 18 from 1:00-2:00 pm at Camp SaratogaIf you’re in the Olympic spirit this is the program for you. Come learn about the different “Olympic events” animals compete in throughout the winter. Then compete in some yourself! We will be outside for the program so please come dressed for the weather. Preregistration is required by calling 450-0321.Owl Prowl with Jacqueline CitrinitiWednesday, February 19 from 6:00-8:30 pm at 80 Scout Road and then Camp SaratogaIn collaboration with the Saratoga Springs Public Library, we will be going out on an early evening “hunt” for local owls. First, we will learn about what owls are found in our area with an indoor presentation by Jacqueline Citriniti of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Then we will head outdoors to listen and look for wild owls! Group size is limited and is for ages 5 and up. Pre-registration is required by February 18 by calling the Library at (518) 584-7860 option 3. This program will be offered again on March 14th and 21st. Winter Experiments Thursday, February 20 from 1:00-2:00 pm at Camp SaratogaJoin us for some thought-challenging winter fun. We will be learning about some of the different properties of snow and doing some snow related experiments. We will be outside for the program so please come dressed for the weather. Preregistration is required by calling 450-0321.Preregistration is suggested for all programs at least one business day in advance of the actual event. Preregistration in not required for drop-in events like the Full Moon Ski or Demo Day. For more information, please call the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org. For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the Preserve & Park’s website at www.wiltonpreserve.org The Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is a non-profit organization that conserves ecological systems and natural settings while providing opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation.
Super Sunday Snowshoe Rentals
We will have snowshoes available for rental on Sunday, February 2nd from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. You will find us in the cabin next to Parking Lot #1 on Scout Road. Rentals are $5 a pair or free if you are a member of the Preserve & Park. Hot cocoa will be available so stop by even if you have your own snowshoes or skis - we always love to chat with our visitors!