Albany Pine Bush Preserve

Check out our list of upcoming programs!

Click on the title of the program for more information and to sign up. Pre-registration is required for all events.

We hope to see you soon on a guided exploration of the Albany Pine Bush.

Lupine Fest: A Pine Bush Block Party
Saturday, May 16, 2015 @ Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (5/16/2015 -> 11:00am – 5:00pm) (195 New Karner Road Albany NY 12205)

Join your neighbors at a celebration of the Capital Region’s globally rare, nationally significant, and locally distinct Albany Pine Bush. The festival honors the beautiful lupine wildflower and its importance to the conservation of several endangered butterflies. A fun day of music, games, crafts, snacks and more will reveal what a unique and special place it is!

Mothmania!
Thursday, May 21, 2015 @ Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (5/21/2015 -> 8:30pm – 10:30pm) (195 New Karner Road Albany NY 12205)

Who’s awake and flying at night? Moths! Help us observe and document the moths and other nocturnal insects within the preserve in this citizen science project. No prior training needed. You can stay as long as you would like between the hours of 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. with our naturalists. Ages 14+

Family Karner Blue Butterfly Walk
Friday, May 22, 2015 @ Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (5/22/2015 -> 11:00am – 12:00pm) (195 New Karner Road Albany NY 12205)

Don’t miss this chance to join Albany Pine Bush staff on a 0.9 mile hike in the Pine Bush Preserve to see the rare Karner blue butterfly.  Once common in the glacial Lake Albany sand belt, the Karner blue has plummeted in numbers over the past 40 years and is now listed as a federally endangered species.  Come learn about the natural history of the Karner blue and what efforts are underway to rescue this species from the brink of extinction. All ages

Lupine Walk
Saturday, May 23, 2015 @ Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (5/23/2015 -> 10:00am – 11:30am) (195 New Karner Road Albany NY 12205)

Join us for an approximately one and a half- mile hike over rolling terrain to observe the wild blue lupine, a beautiful wildflower that is critical for the survival of the endangered Karner blue butterfly. We will meet at the Discovery Center, then drive to the Madison Avenue Pinelands trailhead (trailhead #7) where we will start our hike. Participants must provide their own transportation. Ages 6+

Terrific Turtles
Sunday, May 24, 2015 @ Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (5/24/2015 -> 1:00pm – 3:00pm) (195 New Karner Road Albany NY 12205)

Have you ever seen a turtle in the Pine Bush? They’re here! In this program, we will learn what kinds of turtles live in the Pine Bush, where they live, and how they survive. We will start our program indoors with a live turtle presentation and continue outside for a hike into turtle habitat. We will be hiking approximately one-mile over rolling terrain. All ages

Family Hike
Monday, May 25, 2015 @ Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (5/25/2015 -> 1:00pm – 2:00pm) (195 New Karner Road Albany NY 12205)

Join us for an approximately one mile hike over rolling terrain and enjoy the beauty of the Pine Bush. All ages

Certified Seed Collectors volunteer training
Tuesday, May 26, 2015 @ Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (5/26/2015 -> 7pm-9pm) (195 New Karner Road Albany NY 12205)

The Albany Pine Bush (APB) Certified Seed Collector is an important and greatly appreciated volunteer position, essential to maintaining the integrity of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve as a unique natural area.  The APB Certified Seed Collector helps to facilitate restoration of our globally rare ecosystem by by scouting for native seed patches throughout the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, collecting ripe native seed, and leading volunteers on weekend seed collecting trips.  In order to become a Certified Seed Collector, volunteers must complete a minimum of 7 hours of classroom and in the field training. Attendance at all training sessions is mandatory, training Sessions will be held at the following times: Tuesday May 26 from 7pm-9pm; Thursday, May 28 from 7pm-9pm; and Saturday, May 30 from 9am-12pm. The three evening sessions will be indoors, the Saturday morning session will be outdoors rain or shine, so please dress appropriately. We will meet for all training sessions at the Pine Bush Discovery Center located at 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205

Whip-poor-will
Tuesday, June 2, 2015 @ Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (6/2/2015 -> 8:30pm – 11:00pm) (195 New Karner Road Albany NY 12205)

What’s a Whip-poor-will? A nocturnal bird that is classified in the family of Nightjars. Join in on the fun as we record as many whip-poor-wills as we can hear in the Pine Bush. We will meet at the Discovery Center for a short indoor presentation and then divide into groups to head out into the preserve. We will caravan to different trailheads. Participants much provide their own transportation. We plan to walk approximately one-mile. Ages 14+

First Friday Hike: Intro to Wild Edibles
Friday, June 5, 2015 @ Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (6/5/2015 -> 12:00pm-12:45pm) (195 New Karner Road Albany NY 12205)

Did you ever wonder about wild edible plants in the Pine Bush?  Join us for an introductory glance into the existence of wild edibles right here in the Pine Bush. Collecting and picking are not permitted in the preserve but join us to expand your knowledge.  We will begin with an indoor presentation followed by an approximately one-half mile hike to search for wild edibles along the trail.  Ages 16+

Karner Blue Butterfly Walk
Sunday, June 7, 2015 @ Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (6/7/2015 -> 1:00pm – 2:30pm) (195 New Karner Road Albany NY 12205)

Don’t miss this chance to join Albany Pine Bush staff on a 0.9 mile hike in the Pine Bush Preserve to see the rare Karner blue butterfly.  Once common in the glacial Lake Albany sand belt, the Karner blue has plummeted in numbers over the past 40 years and is now listed as a federally endangered species.  Come learn about the natural history of the Karner blue and what efforts are underway to rescue this species from the brink of extinction. Ages 15+

Insect Investigation
Saturday, June 13, 2015 @ Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (6/13/2015 -> 11:00am – 12:30pm) (195 New Karner Road Albany NY 12205)

They fly, they wiggle, they crawl, and they leap.  It’s the amazing world of insects! This is a family friendly hike to investigate the different types of insects that live here in the Pine Bush. There will be opportunities for hands on activities and exploration. We will be hiking approximately one mile over rolling sand dunes. All ages.

Spring Wildflowers
Sunday, June 14, 2015 @ Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (6/14/2015 -> 1:00pm – 2:30pm) (195 New Karner Road Albany NY 12205)

Come walk with us to explore the early summer flowers of the Albany Pine Bush. We will hike 1.2 miles. Ages 6+