Local News from Marbletown, Rochester, & Rosendale
Junior Naturalists for families at Minnewaska, Wildlife Myth Busters
Join SCA/AmeriCorps Environmental Educator, Josh Grosse, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, July 22 to talk about how important it is not to judge a book by its cover, especially when it comes to plants and animals. Snakes, coyotes, and spiders are just a few examples of animals that many people see as bad, scary, or evil. On the other hand, deer, birds, and bamboo are noted for their beauty and grace. Are either of these assumptions true? This program is recommended for children between the ages of 7-12, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18 years old. Well-behaved younger siblings are always welcome. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center, 5281 Route 44/55, Kerhonkson. Preregistration is required by calling Minnewaska at 845-255-0752.
Learn about the lichens of Minnewaska with John Franklin, Guest Educator
Join lichen photographer and Department of Environmental Conservation Steward, John Franklin, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 24 for a walk and talk on lichens, the colorful organisms seen growing on trees and rocks throughout the Park Preserve. This program will include up to two miles of walking on carriage roads, stopping to discuss lichens along the way. This program is recommended for participants over the age of 16 years old, accompanied by a parent or legal guardian over the age of 18 years old. Please bring binoculars, a hand loupe, or a magnifying glass, if possible, to aid you in close-up observations of the lichens. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center, 5281 Route 44/55, Kerhonkson. Preregistration is required by calling Minnewaska at 845-255-0752.
Mindfulness Woods Walk Series with Jane Dobson at Minnewaska
Begin the day with peace of mind and join Jane Dobson with Mind the Forest guides,9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Friday, July 26 for a meditative walk in the beautiful forest at Minnewaska. This free program is open to participants over the age of 16 years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18 years old. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752. The meeting location will be provided upon registration.
Hike to Echo Rock at Minnewaska
Join Nick Martin, Park Educator, 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 27 for an approximately four-mile hike to Echo Rock. Echo Rock is perched on a cliff edge above the Palmaghatt Ravine, where beautiful views of the surrounding Park Preserve and Wallkill Valley can be seen. Our trip will take participants on a few historic carriage roads and one footpath, including Lake Minnewaska, Millbrook Mountain, and Hamilton Point Carriage Roads. This section of Hamilton Point Carriage Road is lovely, with exposed rock formations, scattered boulders, and lush ferns. Our return trip will be slightly different, as we will follow Hamilton Point and Castle Point Carriage Roads, the Meadows trails, and Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road to return to our starting point. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center, 5281 Route 44/55, Kerhonkson. Preregistration is required by calling Minnewaska at 845-255-0752.
Make a plaster animal track and sun print drop-in program for families at Minnewaska
Bring the children to the Minnewaska Nature Center, 10 a.m.-noon Sunday, July 28 to make their own plaster animal track and nature themed sun prints to bring home. While the plaster hardens and the sun print dries, participants can explore the nearby trails. This activity is recommended for children over the age of six years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Siblings of any age are welcome; however, younger siblings may need parental assistance. Pre-Registration is not required. For more information, call 845-255-0752.
Adult Learning Summer Series, Field Guide Creation at Minnewaska
On this three-mile outing, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, July 29, Josh Grosse, Student Conservation Association/AmeriCorps Environmental Educator, will help walk participants through the steps of making entries in their own field guides, from taking measurements of the subject to making a drawing. Blank guides, measurement tools, and drawing materials will be provided by Minnewaska before embarking on the hike. Participants should come prepared with appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear, plenty of water, and food to sustain themselves. Partakers are also encouraged (but not required) to download the “Seek” iNaturalist app¬, a helpful digital tool for identifying plant and animal species using the phone’s camera¬, before coming to this program. It is free, and available on all app stores. Meet at the Lower Parking Lot. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Bike to swim at Lake Awosting Beach at Minnewaska
Join Laura Conner, Environmental Educator, and Josh Grosse, Student Conservation Association/AmeriCorps Environmental Educator, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 30 for a bike ride to the gorgeous and remote Lake Awosting. The total distance for the ride is approximately nine miles. Participants must bring their own bikes, equipment, swim gear, towels, food and water. The Lake Awosting Swim Area has a changing area and composting toilets. Only Class 1, pedal-assist, electric bikes are allowed in the Park Preserve. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center Upper Parking Lot. Pre-registration is required by calling 845-255-0752.
Junior Naturalists for Families at Minnewaska, Wilderness Skills Adventure Hike
Come along with SCA/AmeriCorps Environmental Educator, Josh Grosse, 9:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 31 for this program. The day will begin with a fun, interactive game that teaches participants how to properly pack for a safe day on the trail. Afterward, the group will take a five-mile hike to Millbrook Mountain and back. Along the way, they will practice using orienteering tools, like maps and compasses, with another interactive activity on the trail. The day concludes at the Visitor Center. All participants should come properly prepared with lunch, snacks, plenty of water, and appropriate clothing and footwear. The footpath portion of this hike does include some steep and potentially slippery sections that some may find challenging. This program is recommended for children between the ages of 9-13 years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Well-behaved younger siblings are always welcome, so long as they can hike the full distance. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center, 5281 Route 44/55, Kerhonkson. Preregistration is required by calling Minnewaska at 845-255-0752.
