• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Eastwick Press Info
  • Contact Us

The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

  • Community Calendar
  • School News
  • Sports Outdoors
  • Obituaries
  • Letters & Comments
  • Church Directory

A Good Year For The Dyken Pond Environmental Center

October 8, 2015 By eastwickpress

By Doug La Rocque

This past Saturday was The Friends of Dyken Pond Environmental Centers Appreciation Day last Saturday provided an opprtunity for the Center’s director, Lisa Hoyt, to reflect on some of the accomplishments of the past year and plans for the future.  

[private]

A Merlin hawk, native to this area, was shown by wildlife rehabilitator Kelly Martin. Photo by Doug La Rocque
A Merlin hawk, native to this area, was shown by wildlife rehabilitator Kelly Martin. Photo by Doug La Rocque

Hoyt said the summer saw a steady flow of patrons and an increase in participants in the summer children’s program.  This success was helped by the fact that they were able to fund two educators this year.  Hoyt also feels there has been an increase in adult awareness and appreciation of what the Center offers as more people resolve to get out, move around and be more active, and engage with nature and outdoor recreation.

The Center has also had some success in its outreach programs this year, and she hopes to build on that, offering experiences both in and out of the classroom during this school year.

Hoyt also emphasized the Center would not be what it is today without the Friends Association.  Dyken Pond Environmental Center is a Rensselaer County Park and thus receives some of its funding from the County.  However, Hoyt said that without the funds raised by and the work down around center by the Friends, many of the programs and services they offer would not be possible.

The agenda for the Appreciation Day was full – a hike to Newcomb Pond, a presentation of live birds of prey, a meeting and dinner.

The Friends are currently purchasing a 56 acre adjoining tract of land that Hoyt says will help round out the Center and open up more hiking trails and opportunities for educational programs.  They are currently engaged in a fundraising program to raise $100,000 dollars to qualify for matching state grant monies.

The growth of a program for 14 to 16 year old teens is also in the works.  Called the Forest Conservation Corp, it is a work, service and learning program.  About half the time is spent working on center lands and projects, the other half in an educational and career training program.

The Center is open during daylight hours, with more than six miles of hiking trails, accepts non motorized boats on the lake with great shore line fishing and for the coming winter months, offer snowshoeing and cross country skiing.  More information is available at dykenpond@fairpoint.net[/private]

Filed Under: Front Page, Grafton, Local News, Rensselaer County

Primary Sidebar

    News Categories

    Archives

        Footer

        Local News

        Brunswick Town Board Highlights

        by Denise Wright The March 13th Brunswick Town Board meeting was filled with conversation and resulted in the passing of two resolutions. During the Building and Codes report, 25 building property inspections and 22 follow-up complaints were reported for the month of February. The State Uniform Code Administration Compliance Report has been prepared. The historian […]

        March 21st, 2025 Edition

        View this week’s entire newspaper: You must be logged in to view this article.

        Stephentown Board Highlights

        by Denise Wright The Stephentown Board’s St. Patrick’s Day meeting began with a moment of silence to honor former town board member Gerry Robinson. Robinson focused on “improving local service opportunities, protecting Stephentown’s unique rural environment, and increasing local jobs and amenities by encouraging economic development appropriate to the size, atmosphere, and well-being of our […]

        School News

        Berlin School Board Appoints New Superintendent

        Submitted by BCSD Communications The Berlin Central School District Board of Education selected Mr. Kenneth Rizzo to be its next superintendent of schools, effective July 1st. Mr. Rizzo was unanimously appointed by the board at its meeting on March 6th. You must be logged in to view this article.

        Wildcats Compete at the New York State Indoor Track Championships 

        Hoosick Falls CSD Indoor Track Submitted by HFCSD Communications The Wildcats put forth a great effort at the New York State Indoor Track Championships on March 8th. The girls 4×400, consisting of Emma Waugh, Mihaly Blake, Ava Salvsevold, and Erin Conety, had a huge upset in their race. Going in as the underdogs, the girls […]

        Winter Scholar Athletes and Varsity Teams

        Brunswick CSD Submitted by Brunswick CSD Communications Brunswick CSD is proud to announce its winter Scholar Athlete sports teams for the 2024-2025 season. The school fielded seven varsity teams, including Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Boys Wrestling, Competitive Cheerleading, Unified Bowling, Boys Indoor Track, and Girls Indoor Track. In addition to the exciting lineup of winter […]

        Copyright © Eastwick Press · All Rights Reserved · Site by Brainspiral Technologies