Palisades Interstate Park Commission Sunday, March 1, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Snowshoeing Down Jenny Lane Environmental educator Laura Conner will lead this two-mile adventure down the rarely travelled Jenny Lane footpath. See the remains of this one-time farming settlement, while following along the tranquil Sanders Kill. If conditions are good, we'll also look for wildlife tracks. Saturday, March 7, 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Bookbinding: Nature Journals Join park naturalist and local artist Jillian Koehnken to learn the secrets of button-hole bookbinding. This style of book is an excellent choice for nature journals, leaf collections and photography albums. This program is recommended for adults and children over nine years of age. Sunday, March 8, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Carving the Ridge Come learn about the powerful forces that shaped the Shawangunk Ridge. Student Conservation Association intern and local geologist Renee Jones will lead this moderately challenging hike along a Minnewaska footpath, while hunting for signs of the glacier that once covered this area in over 5,000 feet of ice. Tuesday, March 10, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Wellness Walk: Introduction to Orienteering Grab your compass or borrow one from the Education Department and join a park educator to learn the basics of orienteering, including map reading, compass use and pacing. This hands-on program will take place on the trails near the Nature Center, including the Meadow Paths through the old golf course. Saturday, March 14, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Orienteering Nature Challenge An introduction on the basic techniques of map and compass reading will be followed by an orienteering scavenger hunt throughout the Park. Participants will use their new navigational skills to reach several stations, each with a nature-based challenge to complete, and find their way to the finish line. All participants will leave with a small prize and the ability to orient themselves anywhere! This program is appropriate for adults and children over ten years of age. Saturday, March 21, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Cliff Walkers – The High Peter's Kill Join park naturalist Jillian Koehnken for a four-mile hike on the rarely travelled High Peter's Kill footpath. See the area from a different perspective, as this trail takes you high up on the white cliffs overlooking dense forest and roaring waterfalls. This hike includes a brief rock scramble and is not recommended children under ten years. Sunday, March 22, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Introduction to Wildlife Tracking Join Renee Jones for an introduction to the art of wildlife tracking. Beginning with a brief, informative presentation at the Nature Center, this program will continue on the trails near Lake Minnewaska. While hiking (or snowshoeing), Renee will lead you on a search for signs of animal activity including browse, scat and of course, tracks. Tuesday, March 24, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Patterson's Pellet Look for early signs of spring while joining a park naturalist along a three mile walk that follows along the edge of Lake Minnewaska and then continues on the Millbrook Mountain carriageway. From Patterson's Pellet the view into the Palmaghatt Ravine below is breathtaking. Saturday, March 28, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Raptors of the Ridge Join a park naturalist for a four-mile hike to Echo Rock, the rock ledge offering a panoramic view of the deep Palmaghatt Ravine and an excellent observation point for the many species of raptors at Minnewaska. Learn basic differences between the large birds seen gliding over the Shawangunk Ridge. Pre-registration is requested for all programs since they are weather contingent. For outings, please wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring snacks and water. A parent or guardian over the age of 18 years must accompany children wishing to participate in programs. There is no fee for parking at Minnewaska and there are no additional fees for public programs, unless noted otherwise. The Park is open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Minnewaska State Park Preserve consists of approximately 21,000 acres of wild and scenic land located on Route 44/55, five miles west of the intersection with Route 299 in Gardiner New York. For more information and to register for programs, please call the Park Office at 845-255-0752. |
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