Two events are scheduled for the near future that should be of interest to many living on or around the Rennselaer Plateau, the fifth largest forest in New York State. Both events promise to be both fun and educational.
[private]An Introduction to Orienteering Saturday, August 22, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, Pine Ridge Cross Country Ski Area, 1463 Plank Road, Petersburgh, NY. Cost: $25 Individuals, $30 Families
This hands on introduction to Orienteering led by Philip Hawkes-Teeter President of Empire Orienteering Club EMPO will include about one hour classroom work and then into the woods for a guided Orienteering course with a focus on compass reading, map reading, and orienteering skills.
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. This course will qualify participants to enter several upcoming orienteering events such as the National Sanctioned event October 3 and 4 at Pineridge and the Community Forest, the September event at Saratoga State Park or the EMPO championship held at Pineridge on November 7. Register: online at www.rensselaerplateau.org, click on events.
Mushroom Walk: Saturday, August 29, 10 am to Noon, Rensselaer Plateau Community Forest (approx. 220 Legenbauer Rd., Poestenkill, NY – off of Plank Rd.). Cost: $10/person, kids free.
Sue Van Hook, local mycologist, will lead us into the woods to see what is up and edible in late summer. It is recommended that participants have attended the June Learn Basic Mushroom Identification, but not required. Participants will have a chance to develop their field skills in mushroom identification. Bring a basket or bag with stiff sides, a field knife or trowel, and a hand lens. Sponsored by the Rensselaer Land Trust. Questions? Contact Marcy Steinberg at 674-2171 or marcygs@aol.com.
Register: online at www.rensselaerplateau.org, click on events.
Do you want to learn more about topics related to the Rensselaer Plateau? Check out our extensive library collection housed at the Sand Lake library. A list of the ever-growing collection (including edible mushrooms) is on our website. Click on Resources then Library Collection.
There are many other exciting events scheduled that may be of interest to you. Keep informed of what’s going on with RPA, more than 30 Alliance organizations and a wide range of other groups by checking out our new data-base driven calendar of events at http://www.rensselaerplateau.org/events. Scroll to the bottom of the page for an extensive list of activities.[/private]