Earth Day Beaver Education Program hosted by Saratoga PLAN and Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park
To celebrate the 49th Earth Day on Monday, April 22, Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park and Saratoga PLAN are teaming up to offer a nature walk that is all about the largest rodent in North America, New York State’s official animal; the Beaver! Environmental Educators from the Preserve & Park will be joining with nationally renowned beaver expert, Skip Lisle to lead this family-oriented walk. The walk will leave from the Meadowbrook Parking area of the Bog Meadow Brook Nature Trail and explore the wetland habitats that are created and maintained by this fascinating animal. Participants will learn about the importance of the beaver to the exploration and settlement of our region, about its natural history, about how it is one of the few animals to be able to manipulate the environment to create its own habitat, and about the efforts that Saratoga PLAN has gone through to help keep the beavers as residents of the Bog Meadow wetlands.Space is limited and registration is required by April 18.For more information or to register, please call the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org.Mr. Lisle has created unique and environmentally-friendly solutions to the problems that beavers can cause to the human-built environment. Through his vast knowledge of how beavers build, he is able to work with them to keep their flooding and damming to a minimum, allowing them to do their work creating valuable wetlands without causing conflicts with roads, trails, and other human projects.For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the Preserve & Park’s website at www.wiltonpreserve.org or Saratoga PLAN’s at www.saratogaplan.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. The mission of Saratoga PLAN is to preserve the rural character, natural habitats, and scenic beauty of Saratoga County so that these irreplaceable assets are accessible to all and survive for future generations.
FrogWatch USA Volunteer Training Session on April 11
On Thursday, April 11th, Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park and Up Yonda Farm will be holding a joint training session for people who are interested in becoming FrogWatch USA™ Volunteers. The training session will take place starting at 6:00 pm and run until 8:00 pm at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park Office at 80 Scout Road in Wilton. Registration is required as there are materials that we must prepare for each registrant. For more information or to register for the program, please call the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org. If you are unable to attend the training but would still like to participate please call or email for information on doing a self-training program.FrogWatch USA™ is a frog and toad volunteer monitoring program with over ten years of data collection on record. It is a great opportunity for volunteers to get involved in their community to collect and report information about wetlands and frog and toad populations in the United States and to be a part of a nationwide program where participants learn and practice science while developing a closer relationship with the natural environment. Frogs and toads are important - and are in trouble!Frogs and toads are both predators and prey in aquatic and terrestrial food webs. They directly benefit humans by eating insect pests that can transmit diseases and are used as indicators of environmental quality due to their sensitivity to changes in the environment that can also affect human health.Many previously abundant species have experienced dramatic population declines - inthe United States and around the world. It is essential that we understand the scope, scale, and cause of these declines. Anyone can volunteer and you do not have to be a frog or toad expert to make an important contribution. All you need an interest in learning about frogs and toads, the commitment to learn and identify their distinct calls, and the ability to make several evening visits to a local wetland.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.
Earth Day Essay Contest 2019: We invite students to participate in an essay contest in honor of the 49th annual Earth Day on April 22.
Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park Earth Day Essay Contest 2019Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park invites students to participate in an essay contest in honor of the 49th annual Earth Day on April 22. The theme for Earth Day 2019 is Protect Our Species. 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: How Protecting the Earth is Protecting Ourselves. Many of us have seen images of enormous flocks of birds congregating in marshes, herds of wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle migrating through Africa, along with our most iconic species–tigers, elephants, giraffes, and rhinos. All of these species are imperiled. But it’s not just endangered species we should care about, all of our plants and animals have value in themselves and are part of the web of life. Our lives and theirs are linked together inextricably — without them, our own species might not survive.Some ideas for your essay could include:
- How humans depend on animals and plants
- 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 15, 2019. Winners will be announced in mid-May and prizes awarded at our Annual Wildlife Festival on Sunday, June 2. Submissions should be mailed to Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park at 80 Scout Road, Wilton, NY 12831 or emailed to info@wiltonpreserve.org by the deadline. Entries should include the following information: Name, School Name, Grade, Teacher’s Name, an email, and a phone number for each entry. Thank you and happy writing!
End Of Winter - Trail Report for 3/14/2019
It may be a few days before the official start of spring, but we are making the decision to end our winter grooming and our winter rentals.The trails conditions will be deteriorating and you can expect spring conditions. Over the weekend and into next week you will find soft snow in the open areas, bare patches appearing, and icier conditions in the shady areas.On days when it freezes overnight, you may consider using a traction device like microspikes.Thanks for a great winter season!!
Family Snowshoe Walk and Rentals on March 9
Weekend Update:Saturday - Beautiful, Sunny, in the mid-upper 30s.Sunday - snow overnight turning to sleet in the morning and rain for the afternoon.On Saturday: Come and rent snow shoes or cross country skis from 10:00 - 3:00 or join in our Family Snowshoe Hike at 11:00.On Sunday: Stay home warm and dry under the covers! Our Winter Rental Cabin will not be open on Sunday.
Trail and Grooming Report 3/4/2019
Well, we got a little less snow than was forecast with two new inches. The trails were rolled this morning while the temperatures were still below freezing.This should keep the trails in good shape for the upcoming week and the cold weather that is predicted.Get out and enjoy the snow while we still have it!
March 6th Volunteer Meetings! New Volunteer Orientation/Meet-Up and Bimonthly Volunteer Meeting
New Volunteer Orientation and Meet-Up at 5:45 pm at the Park Office at 80 Scout RoadIf you have been thinking of volunteering at Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park, then this meeting is for you! There will be a brief presentation on the history of the organization and work that we do in the areas of conservation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation. There will be a question and answer time and refreshments.Registration is appreciated so we can plan for the right number of people. 518-450-0321 or info@wiltonpreserve.orgVolunteer Meeting Monday, March 6 at 7:00 pm (refreshments served at 6:45) at the Park Office at 80 Scout RoadWe will talk about what has been going on and what volunteer opportunities are coming up at the Preserve & Park.
Trail and Grooming Report 2/13/2019
We got around a foot of snow - soft powder at first and then a crust from the sleet and rain.The trails were all rolled this morning, so they should be beautiful - just in time for getting out and enjoying the upcoming School Winter Vacation Week!
Lots of Great Winter Break Activities Scheduled
No reason (or excuses) to suffer from cabin fever!You can get out of the trails with our snow shoe and cross country rentals - we have lots of kids and adults sizes.You can sign up for a nature walk or an owl prowl! There is something for everyone!!
Update for February 9th Winterfest and 8k Snowshoe Race
Trail and Grooming Report 2/7/2019
We have not groomed since the warm-up and rain. Grooming only happens when it is below freezing or it makes the trails worse!The trails are taking a beating as you can seen in the following pictures.
The warm-up and rain will continue through Friday then it is supposed to get cold again. We will see what the conditions are like after the freeze.We may groom over the weekend if the conditions allow.
Trail and Grooming Report: 1/30/2019
What great, fluffy snow! Looks like we got around 10 inches!!During the storm, the trails were rolled on Tuesday, the 29th when about 5 to 6 inches had already fallen.We will be rolling the trails again this morning as additional snow fell since then.Get out and enjoy while the conditions are great!!As always - PLEASE - do not walk in your boots on the trails that we groom. You can go across the road and walk on the trails at Camp Saratoga South or at Edie Road or at Neilmann. Walking in boots ruins the trails for everyone!!
Trail and Grooming Report 1/25/2019
What a bummer for the rain to ruin all of our beautiful snow!We did a reconnaissance of the trails this morning and while the trails in the forested areas are not in terrible shape, the meadow trails took a beating.The water accumulated under the snow and it has not completely frozen yet.
We are waiting to groom until the snow sets up.We want to also remind people to please please please not walk on the trails that we groom. There are so many other trails to walk on! One person walking can do tremendous damage as you can see in the picture below. These frozen foot prints are going to last a very long time!
Trail and Grooming Report 1/22/2019
There were so many people out enjoying the beautiful snow today!In anticipation of the coming freezing rain and rain, the trails were rolled again this afternoon.With the warmer temperatures and rain forecast through Thursday, we will not groom again until Friday at the earliest.
Trail and Grooming Report 1/20/2019
SNOW!!!We have lots of lovely fluffy snow!!The town plowed parking lot #1 earlier and it has more snow on it since the snow is continuing to fall.We are just getting ready to head out and groom, so barring equipment issues, that trails should all get rolled by this afternoon.
Cancelled: Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe
We have made the difficult decision to cancel the Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe for this year.The overflow parking lots (Parking Lot #2 and the Parade Ground) are extremely icy and dangerous.The same goes for the trails.We walked the meadow loop at Camp Saratoga and found that it is completely icy and is not safe. (See the picture below.)The forecast for 1 – 3 inches on Friday is not enough to groom but it is just enough to cover the ice and make it a hidden hazard.If the Saturday/Sunday storm that is being forecast moves in during the afternoon and into the evening, it will create additional safety concerns.While we are extremely disappointed to have to cancel, the conditions and the forecast leave us without much of a choice.We have lots of other great winter activities planned including our Winterfest on February 9th.Let's hope we get some great winter trail conditions soon!
No Winter Rentals Until We Have More Snow
We are postponing the opening of our winter rentals of cross country skis and snowshoes until we have a little more snow on the trails.There is not much snow on the trails at all, the main surface is ice as of today (Friday, January 11.)With the icy conditions, we are recommending microspikes.With the cold weather and lack of snow in the forecast we do not expect the trail conditions to change over the next few days.
January 19: Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe Registration Information
While the weather is not looking good, we are hoping for a snowstorm between now and the 19th!Since parking is limited and we do not want to cause any damage to the trails at the Preserve & Park by having too many people show up, this year we are requiring registration for the event. You will need to print out a ticket and show it to one of the parking attendants to be admitted to the event.We encourage people to carpool and ONLY ONE PASS IS NEEDED PER CAR so only one person in each car needs to register.Please use this Eventbrite link to register for your Parking Pass.https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-moonlight-ski-and-snowshoe-wilton-wildlife-preserve-park-tickets-54550789881*****************************************************************************Join us at the popular and highly anticipated Annual Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe at Camp Saratoga on Scout Road. Luminaries will glow along 2.5 miles of groomed trails. Along the way you will find fields and forests, warming bonfires, and plenty of hot chocolate!The terrain is suitable for all levels and ages and includes a smaller 1 mile loop. We will have a bake sale in the I.P Winter Lodge and donations are always appreciated.We have a limited number of snowshoes that will be available on a first-come first-served basis in the I.P. Winter Lodge off of Parking Lot #2. The rental fee is $5/ person. We cannot reserve snowshoes and set any aside. If you want to be sure to have snowshoes for the event we recommend that you rent them from somewhere like the Alpine Sport Shop in Saratoga Springs or at EMS in Wilton.We encourage people to carpool and ONLY ONE PASS IS NEEDED PER CAR so only one person in each car needs to register.You will be asked to choose either the first shift at 6:00 or a later shift beginning at 7:30. This should help to alleviate parking congestion and traffic and insure a smooth experience for everyone.Parking will be directed by volunteers so please be patient and polite.This event is weather permitting.Please call or email for more information or if you are interested in volunteering for this event.Volunteers do not need to register and they will use the volunteer parking at the office at 80 Scout Road.518-450-0321info@wiltonpreserve.orgWe encourage people to carpool and ONLY ONE PASS IS NEEDED PER CAR so only one person in each car needs to register.
Important Information about the 2019 Annual Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe
Annual Moonlight Ski and SnowshoeSaturday, January 19, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pmAt Camp SaratogaMaybe you heard that last year we issued a limited number of registration tickets to attend our free annual Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe because of the overwhelming interest in the event (over 7,000 indications of interest on Facebook) and the concern that everyone participating have a safe and enjoyable experience. The tickets were quickly snapped up by those who first saw the Facebook posts, and many of our long-time members and attendees were left disappointed. This year, we will send out a link on Monday, January 7th to our paid supporters in advance of the general public. This will give them an early opportunity to register for the event in case it sells out again. If you have not made a donation in the past year, we need two things from you – a paid membership donation before the first week of January and your current email address. If you don’t use email, please contact the office, and we will make separate arrangements for you. Your membership donation means that we can continue providing the year-round programs and activities that you have come to know and love, like the Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe!Donate Today!Join us at the popular and highly anticipated Annual Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe at Camp Saratoga on Scout Road. Luminaries will glow along 2.5 miles of groomed trails. Along the way you will find fields and forests, warming bonfires, and plenty of hot chocolate! There will be a bake sale of homemade goodies in the Winter Lodge, so stop in for some treats and to warm up.The terrain is suitable for all levels and ages and includes a smaller one-mile loop.Snowshoes will be available on a first-come first-served basis in the I.P. Winter Lodge off of Parking Lot #2. The rental fee is $5/person for non-members.Parking will be directed by volunteers who will collect people's registration ticket.This event is weather permitting.Please call or email for more information or if you are interested in volunteering for this event.