Community Partners

Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area

Lupine Fest Sponsor
In March 2016, the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area officially designated the Albany Pine Bush as a Heritage Site. The Albany Pine Bush was selected because of its unique combination of outstanding ecological (pitch pine – scrub oak barrens) features and its rich human history which starts with Native Americans who settled in this area almost 10,000 years ago. The Mohawks and Mohicans sold the furs they harvested from the Pine Bush to Europeans at Fort Orange, present day Albany. Both settlers and Native Americans used the “Mohawk Path” later named the Kings Highway, as a travel corridor through the Pine Bush. For centuries the Albany Pine Bush has provided resources of many different kinds for people. It provided land for farms, sand for glass manufacturing, trees for lumber and posts and was a place for hunting and food gathering.

"To conserve, improve and protect New York's natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being."

Hug A Tree

FEATURED ON MAY 3: Hug a Tree and Survive was developed to teach children a few of the most basic and vital survival principles. It was specifically designed for children between the ages of 5 and 12. 

Reservation required. 518-456-0655 or CLICK HERE

Nancy Lyons

FEATURED ON MAY 18 & 23: Nancy will be leading a Botanical Drawing class on May 18 & 23. We will focus on improving our drawing skills while we spend time appreciating lupine flowers of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. This program is suitable for tweens, teens, and adults.

Reservations required. Call 518-456-0655 or CLICK HERE
 

LUPINE FEST PARTNER
Become part of a Capital Region community of Friends that protects the unique habitat of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve!

FEATURED AT OUR NATIVE PLANT SALE ON MAY 31
Looking for native pine barrens plants for your home landscape? Stop by the Discovery Center on May 31 from 10am-11am and purchase native pine barrens plants from the students of Farnsworth Middle School. Purchases will support the Butterfly Station at Farnsworth Middle School.

FEATURED ON MAY 17, 11am & 1pm
Learn about wildlife of the Albany Pine Bush in live animal programs with Michael Clough of the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum.  Mike will introduce us to a variety of animals that are native to the preserve including owls, opossum, snakes, and turtles in this one-of-a-kind experience. Reservations required. Click here to make a reservation.

FEATURED AT OUR NATIVE PLANT SALE ON MAY 31
Since 1918, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schenectady County (CCE,SC) has responded to the needs of local residents with unbiased, research-based information, tools and education that people have come to depend on and trust. Our programs are developed in direct response to community input, and are based on the most current information available from Cornell and other Land Grant universities from across the nation.

The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC) owns and stewards 20 nature preserves that are open to the public in Albany, Schenectady, and Montgomery counties. They also sponsor the Nature Bus that visits the Albany Pine Bush in the summer. 

FEATURED ON MAY 11
Meet Library staff at trailhead #1 behind the Discovery Center on May 11 between 1-3pm. Go on a guided StoryWalk with them or read along the trail on your own. Click here for details.

The Library’s building at 2228 Western Avenue provides a dynamic focus for the town. The modern facilities are a meeting place for many residents who enjoy reading a bestseller, doing research or checking out a magazine.