Seeking Submissions for our Annual Photography Show
It is time again for our annual photography exhibition to highlight the beauty and mission of the Preserve & Park.Submissions are due on Thursday, November 1. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:Best in Show; Best Nature in Winter; Best Nature in Autumn; Best featuring Conservation; Best featuring Education; Best Animal Shot; Best Karner Blue Butterfly Shot; Best Under 13; Best featuring Recreation.The selected photographs will be on display through April 1, 2019 at the office located at 80 Scout Road in Gansevoort.There will be an Opening Reception at the December Annual Holiday Gathering which takes place after the annual meeting on Monday, December 3 .For more information info@wiltonpreserve.org or call 450-0321.
Fall Astronomy Party Scheduled
Friday, September 14 at 7:30 pmRain/Cloud date is September 15At Camp SaratogaJoin us and volunteers from the Adirondack Skywatchers and the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers, Inc. to study the night sky in all of its beauty. There will be telescopes available and experts will be on hand to share their knowledge of the night sky. Please dress appropriately for the weather, as it can get chilly at night! Hot cocoa and refreshments will be served. Registration is required as “space” is limited. Call 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org
Wild About Blue Annual Fundraiser on Sunday, November 4
Join us from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Prime at the beautiful Saratoga National Golf ClubWe are well underway with our planning for our Annual Fall Fundraiser at the Saratoga National Golf Club.It is always a fun event where you can enjoy the evening with like-mined supporters of conservation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation. There will be a wine raffle and a unique silent auction! Funds raised will support protecting Karner blue butterfly habitat and our year-round environmental education and outdoor recreation programs.Invitations were mailed, if you would like to receive one, please contact the office at 518-450-0321 or register now via our website. http://www.wiltonpreserve.org/how-you-can-help/make-a-donationIndividual tickets for the event are $75 and include a bountiful buffet and beer, wine, and soft drinks.You can show your support at a higher level by joining the Honorary Committee.Honorary Committee members will be listed on the invitation and in the printed program for the event._____ $2,000 Visionary (includes a reserved table for 12)_____ $1,000 Conservationist (includes 8 reservations)_____ $600 Steward (includes 4 reservations)_____ $400 Guardian (includes 3 reservations)_____ $250 Protector (includes 2 reservations)This year we are delighted that our Metamorphosis Award honoree is Laura Clark, for her work in both environmental education and outdoor recreation. As an avid snowshoer and runner, Laura, as a member and former president of the Saratoga Stryders, has been a tireless promoter of getting outside for year-round activities. As the Children’s Librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, she has created dozens of programs over the years to encourage families to learn about nature and to get outdoors. Laura has created positive and dramatic changes in our community and we are proud to have her as our honoree this year!
Second Brood of Karner Blue Butterflies Emerge/Wednesday Butterfly Walks
On Tuesday, July 3rd, Karner blue butterflies of the second brood were observed at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. There are several trails in the Preserve & Park where you can observe these small blue, endangered butterflies. The most accessible are at Camp Saratoga where the trail leaves from parking lot #1 on Scout Road. 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 are many opportunities for guided nature walks to look for the butterflies. These walks will take place on Wednesdays starting on July 11th and continuing through August 1st. 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 Saratoga Sandplains Wildlife Management Area 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.The endangered Karner blue butterflies spend the winter as an egg, hatch into their larval stage to feed on wild blue lupine, and emerge as the first brood starting in late May. They then mate and lay eggs that become the butterflies of the second brood that are now emerging. They will lay eggs that will overwinter and become next year’s butterflies.For more information about the walk and to register, please contact the Park Office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org. For up to date program trail and program information, 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.
Wednesdays are for Nature Art Hours at Camp Saratoga
Wednesdays July 11 through August 15 From 10:00-11:00 amJuly 11 – Decorate a Plant Pot and Plant a PlantJuly 18 – Natural Weaving/Ojo de DiosJuly 25 – Watercolor Wall HangingsAugust 1 – Bird Houses and FeedersAugust 8 – Leaf CreaturesAugust 15 – Natural Musical InstrumentsJoin us under the pavilion by the pond for an hour of inspired-by-nature artistry! Each week we will have a different project. Elementary and middle schoolers encouraged. Please use Parking Lot #1 located on Scout Road directly across from Delegan Pond. Registration is suggested so that we can have enough materials for all of the participants.
Thursday Mornings are for Pond Exploration at Delegan Pond
Thursdays July 5 through August 16From 10:00-12:00 pmDrop in anytime between 10:00 and noon to discover the aquatic wildlife found at Delegan Pond! Use our dip nets to search for critters including frogs, salamanders, tadpoles, crayfish, and insects. Please park in Parking Lot # 1 located on Scout Road, directly across from the pond.
Friday, June 8: Two Events with Author Katy Farber of Salamander Sky
Storytime: 10:30 am at Northshire BookstorePond Program: 1:00 pm at Camp SaratogaEvery spring in the eastern United States, warm nights with steady rain bring the migration of salamanders to ponds and pools, often across busy roads. Salamander Sky features a mother and daughter who go out to help the salamanders cross the road safely. Amphibians worldwide desperately need protection. This book is a valuable tool for getting children engaged in conservation. There is a special story time with author Katy Farber & educators from the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park at Northshire and an afternoon Pond Program at the Preserve & Park.Registration is required for the afternoon program by calling 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org
Plein Air Painting Workshops on June 4th and 9th
Plein Air Painting at Camp Saratoga
Monday, June 4 from 9:00 am to noon
with Catherine Wagner Minnery
(rain date June 8th)
Saturday, June 9 from 9:00 am to noon
with Page Darrow
(rain date June 10th)
Made famous by the French impressionists, the idea of painting outdoors and capturing the landscape is growing in popularity. If you want to get outside, get some pointers from an artist, and combine your love of art and nature, this is the workshop for you! This program is appropriate for participants older than 13. Workshop size is limited to 12 participants so please register by calling 518-450-0321 or emailing info@wiltonpreserve.org. All supplies will be provided but if you prefer to use your own supplies, you can bring them.
Registration is required by June 1st.
We will be holding an exhibition of the work created during the workshops during our Blues for the Karner Blues event on Sunday, June 10th at Camp Saratoga.
Saratoga Arts made this program possible with a Community Arts Grant funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
Blues for the Karner Blues, a Free Concert on Sunday, June 10
There will be guided Karner blue butterfly and wildlflower walks on Sunday at 11:00 am and at 2:00 pm.
Rainy and Cloudy Weather this Weekend: Astronomy Party is Cancelled
With almost 100% cloud cover in the forecast for both Friday and Saturday nights, we are cancelling the Astronomy Party.We do not have another date scheduled until September - check in the fall for more details!
Check Out our Great Vacation Programs from April 2nd - 7th
Looking for something to do during Spring Vacation? Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park offers “naturally” fun programs with a week chock-full of outdoor programs scheduled. All About Trees Nature Walk and CraftMonday, April 211:00 am-12:30 pm at Saratoga LibraryParticipants will meet at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, walk to Congress Park, and learn all about the trees in the park. We will collect twigs and then create twig vases to take home. Registration is limited to 20 families, so register early! Preregistration is required by calling the Library at (518) 584-7860 option 3. Spring Nature Scavenger HuntTuesday, April 3 1:00 - 2:00 pm At Camp Saratoga NorthChildren will learn to use their senses to explore the outdoors during spring by working to complete a nature scavenger hunt. The program is designed for children ages 5 and up. Meet by the kiosk in Parking Lot #1 off of Scout Road. Preregistration required by April 2nd. History WalkWednesday, April 42:00 - 3:00 pm at Camp Saratoga On this walk participants will be invited to imagine how those before us lived in this area on the trails that we walk today. Learn about area’s rich cultural history before it became the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park! Find out about the Native American trail, the railroad beginning in the 1830s, historic farm land, the Boy Scout camp, and the present Preserve & Park. Preregistration is required by April 3rd. Frog WatchWednesday, April 4 7:00 – 8:30 pm at 80 Scout RoadStarting with an indoor presentation at the Park Office, participants will learn about the frogs and toads of our area. Then we will head outdoors to listen and look for our amphibian friends! Participants will be helping Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park collect important data for Frog WatchUSA! Group size is limited and is for ages 5 and up. Preregistration is required by April 3rd Clay PrintingThursday, April 51:00 - 2:00 pm at Camp SaratogaUsing items we find in nature, we will be making decorations or jewelry out of clay! Reconnect with nature through a relaxing craft! This activity is intended for children ages 5 and up. Registration required by April 4th. Night WalkFriday, April 6 At 7:00pm at 80 Scout RoadJoin fantastic naturalist and author George Steele to celebrate his new book. He will lead a short hike and help us to investigate the mysteries of the night, ending with an owl prowl. Copies of “Wait Till It Gets Dark” will be available for purchase. Best for children ages 5 and up. Registration is required by calling the Library, (518)584-7860 option 3. Astronomy PartySaturday, April 7 8:15 - 9:45 pm at Camp SaratogaJoin local astronomy clubs for a night of gazing upon the stars! We will be sure to see some of the famous constellations such as Orion, Canis Major, and Ursa Major! Also, the galaxy fields of Leo and Virgo will be in great placement for viewing! Take some time to learn about the vast universe we live in at this family-fun star party! Preregistration is required by April 5th. For more information or to register, 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.
Grooming and Trail Report: Weekend of March 17 and 18
We still have very good coverage on our trails! The colder weather has made people yearning for spring weather sad, but has kept the snow better than we thought it would be for the weekend.So if you are happy to have another winter weekend on the trails, you should get out and enjoy!Last weekend was our last weekend for rentals, so you will need your own snowshoes or cross country skis if you plan on using the trails.The trails were last rolled on Tuesday afternoon after about four inches of snow had fallen.
FrogWatch USA Training Rescheduled to March 19
We have had to reschedule our training session from Monday the 12th to Monday the 19th.The session will take place starting at 7:30 as part of our regular volunteer meeting.People who are interested in the training should email info@wiltonpreserve.org or call at 518-450-0321 to register.
Seeking Submissions for Earth Day Essay Contest - Deadline April 16
Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park Earth Day Essay Contest 2018Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park invites students to participate in an essay contest in honor of the 48th annual Earth Day on April 22.The theme for Earth Day 2018 is End Plastic Pollution. There are three categories: high school, middle school, and elementary school.
- High School entries must be no longer than 650 words.
- Middle School entries must be no longer than 500 words.
- Elementary School entries must be at least 10 sentences. Accompanying illustrations are also encouraged.
The contest winner from each of the categories will receive a $50 cash prize!******************************************When the astronauts first saw the Earth from space, it created a new feeling about the fragility and uniqueness of our planet. They were struck by how all life shares this one, small planet that is surrounded by the vastness of space. Earth Day was started in 1970 to help promote the importance of protecting our planet, not just for people but for all of the plants and animals that live here. Some people say that it was the start of the modern environmental movement. Many laws that protect the Earth came out of that first Earth Day; laws like the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.*******************************************For your essay, please write about the theme, We Need to End Plastic Pollution.From poisoning and injuring marine life to disrupting human hormones, from littering our beaches and landscapes to clogging our waste streams and landfills, the exponential growth of plastics is now threatening the survival of our planet. Currently about 300 million tons of plastic are produced each year to make bags, bottles, packages, and other commodities for people all over the world. Unfortunately, only about ten percent of this plastic is properly recycled and reused. The rest ends up as waste in landfills or as litter in our natural environment, where it leaches dangerous chemicals into the nearby soil and water, endangering humans and wildlife alike. The problem has now grown completely out of control and threatens to affect millions of people and animals if we do not act soon.In the last decade plastic has become so popular that from 2002-2012 humans produced more plastic than they did in the entire 20th century! Can you believe that? While some plastic products are essential in our day-to-day lives, others, such as single-use or disposable plastic products, are not essential and are placing an enormous strain on our environment. Plastic waste is a huge problem because it never really goes away. Plastic does not biodegrade like other organic materials such as wood and paper. Instead, over time plastic just breaks into smaller and smaller pieces. Because of this, every single piece of plastic ever made is still present today in one form or another. Each year over 100,000 marine animals and one million birds die from ingesting and choking on plastic. If we don’t address this problem soon, our use of plastic will continue to grow and the problems associated with it will escalate even faster.How can you make a difference? Even though recycling will play a critical role in reducing the amount of plastic in our landfills and environment, we use too much plastic for recycling to be the only solution. We have to cut back on the amount of plastic we produce and use. The easiest way to do that is to stop using unnecessary plastic products such as bags and bottles. Instead we need to start using reusable bags, bottles, silverware, dishes, cleaning tools, and other products that are alternatives to plastic. It’s time to end our obsession with plastic and start protecting our environment.Some ideas for your essay could include:
- Why our actions as people can impact the Earth
- Things people do that hurt or help the Earth
- Personal experiences
- Anything else that you can think of that relates to the theme!
Deadline: Monday, April 16, 2018. Winners will be announced in mid-May and prizes awarded at our Annual Wildlife Festival on Sunday, June 3rd.Submissions may be mailed to Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park at 80 Scout Road, WIlton, NY 12831 or emailed to info@wiltonpreserve.org by the deadline. Please include your name, the name of your school, your grade, your teacher’s name, an email, and a phone number with your entry. Thank you and happy writing!
Grooming and Trail Report 3/2/2018
Well! We have a good 6+ inches of wet, heavy snow! The one-mile meadow loop was groomed but there is a tree down past the bridge so no other grooming was done today.We will be open from 10:00 to 3:00 on Saturday and Sunday renting cross country skis and snowshoes. You may find other trees and branches down on the trails, so be aware as you go.
Snowshoe and Cross Country Ski Rentals This Weekend (March 3 and 4)
With the fresh snow on the ground, the trails will have enough coverage to get out and enjoy this great winter blast!The Rental Cabin is located in Parking Lot #1 on Scout Road.We will be there from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Last rentals at 2:00 and returns must be by 3:00.$5.00 per rental or free for members of the Preserve & Park!
Owl Prowls on March 7th and 16th
Lots of Outdoor Activities for School Vacation
Looking for something to do during Winter Vacation? Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park offers “naturally” fun programs with a full week of outdoor programs scheduled.Our snowshoe and cross country ski rentals will be open all week from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. We have lots of sizes from little kids through adult, so you can get out with the whole family! Animal Tracking Hike Monday, February 19, from 11:00 am-12:30 pmParticipants will meet at the Saratoga Springs Public Library to learn about animal footprints and get snowshoes. We will walk to Congress Park and look for animal tracks. Registration is limited to 20 families, so register early! Preregistration is required by calling the Library at (518) 584-7860 option 3. Skull ScienceTuesday, February 20 from 1:00-2:00 pm Participants will meet at the Park Office at 80 Scout Road and use animal skulls and furs to discover how different animals have adapted to survive in their habitats. We will be examining animal artifacts during this interactive lesson. This program is best for children ages 8 and up. Preregistration required by February 20th. Marshmallow GlaciersWednesday, February 21 from 2:00pm- 3:00 pmParticipants will meet at the Preserve & Park office a t 80 Scout Road to learn the natural history of the Saratoga Sandplains ecosystem, going all the way back to the last ice age! This program will wrap up with a tasty marshmallow model of a real-life glacier. This program is best for children ages 8 and up. Preregistration is required by February 20. Owl ProwlsWednesday, February 21 at 6:00 pmat the Park Office at 80 Scout RoadStarting with an indoor presentation, participants will learn about which owls are found in our area. Then we will head outdoors to listen and look for wild owls! Group size is limited and is for ages 5 and up. Preregistration is required by February 19th by calling the Library at (518) 584-7860 option 3. This program will be offered again at the same time on March 2 and 7 and at 7:00 pm on March and 16. Winter Nature Scavenger HuntThursday, February 22, from 1:00pm-2:00pmAt Camp Saratoga NorthChildren will learn to use their senses to explore the outdoors during winter by working to complete a nature scavenger hunt. The program is designed for children ages 5 and up. Snowshoes will be available for rental 30 minutes before the program; free for members, $3 for non-members. If there is no snow, the program will take place without snowshoes. Preregistration required by February 21. Natural Picture Frame MakingFriday, February 23, from 2:00 pm-3:00 pmJoin us at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park for a great nature craft that can be done during any season! We will use twigs, pine cones, and other materials found in nature to create our picture frames. This program is for children ages 5 and up. Preregistration required by February 22.Preregistration is required at least one business day in advance of the program. 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.#