EDUCATION 

The Chapter offers educational workshops at 6:30 p.m. before the monthly chapter meetings at West Albany Firehouse, 113 Sand Creek Road in Albany.  Upcoming workshops are listed below.

Resources  – Link to educational resources

October 13, 2009 – Stretching for Hiking with Marcia Hanson - "Relax, and enjoy the hike"

Get in the habit of gentle stretching before and after a hike to prevent stiffness, reduce low back pain, improve your balance, and prevent injury.  Marcia Hanson, Kripalu Yoga teacher, backpacker, and long time ADK member will give you some tips and guide you on a brief practice. If you have a yoga mat, bring it, if not, a blanket or towel would be helpful, but not necessary.

November 10 – Preparing for Winter Hiking, Snowshoeing, and Backpacking

Carl Klinowski will cover choosing snowshoes, winter clothing and other gear necessary for winter activities in the Adirondacks.

December 8 – Flora and Fauna Review of 2009

Bill Danielson will present his favorite photos taken this year along with some all-time favorites.  Learn more about the plants and animals you see along the trail.  Members can take part in a fun identification quiz. Bill writes nature columns for the Albany Times Union and will soon have a book coming out focusing on the nature and ecology of New England and upstate NY.

January 12, 2009 – Used Gear Sale 

Bring your used gear and clothing to sell before and after the meeting, and look for some bargains at our annual sale. Label your goods with your name and selling price.  Ten percent of the proceeds goes to the Chapter as a donation.

February 9 – Animal Tracking

Learn how to read the animal tracks and signs of wildlife along the trail. Dan Yacobellis of Tamakoce Wilderness Programs in Grafton , NY will be our guide to knowing the unseen animals that are all around us while hiking and paddling. 

March 9 – Enjoying the Night Sky

We hike and camp in spots where the stars shine especially bright. Learn more about exploring the night sky with amateur astronomer Alan French. He will talk about meteor showers, aurora, constellations, planets, satellites, and other features of the heavens, as well as resources and inexpensive aids to increase your enjoyment of the celestial realm.

April 13 – Navigation and Safety: Paddling the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers

John Ozard will focus on safely paddling the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, covering basic navigation rules of the road, differences between topographic maps and nautical charts, interpreting and using nautical charts, common aids to navigation, finding your location on a chart, and how to increase safety when paddling in and around commercial shipping and recreational boating channels.

May 11 - Anual Banquet – no workshop

June 8 – The Secret History of the Forest Preserve

Included in the program will be some great photos from the Forest , Fish and Game Commission reports of old.  Former DEC Forester Carl Weidemann explores some of the little-known history of the Forest Preserve and NY’s pioneering efforts in forest conservation.

Please sign our Guestbook or View our Guestbook