Nature Preserve Programs 2021

Updated as of 6/29/21- Here’s a quick list of programs & walks. Details forthcoming. Registration required no later than the Friday before by calling the museum at 518-642-1515.

There is a limit of 4 registrants per session but 2 sessions per program. Vaccinated individuals have the choice to mask while unvaccinated will be required to wear a mask. Staff have been fully vaccinated. Cleaning will take place before and after each program.

Programs:  10:00am – 11:30am AND 12:00pm – 1:30pm

7/11     Birds & Bees Pollination – Mason Bee House craft – Did you know that there are over 4,000 species of native bees in the U.S.? Come discover bees and their roles. What human impacts are there relating to bees? What do bees need? We will do a short walk to discuss bird pollination.
8/8       Butterflies & Other Pollinators – Butterfly Feeder craft
8/22     Mammals of NY – Tracks & Trails – Bobcat Tracks craft
10/10    Leaves & Trees in Autumn – Leaf Coaster craft
10/24   Hibernation – Winter Animal Adaptation – Acorn Squirrel craft

Walks: 10:00am – 11:30am/12:00pm – There is a limit of 10 registrants for Schoolhouse walks and 15 for South Grimes which is determined by the amount of parking available.
7/25     Marsh w/pond study – South Grimes Hill
9/12     Fungus and Ferns – South Grimes Hill
9/26     Fall Trees – Schoolhouse
11/14    Shin-rin Yoku – South Grimes Hill
12/13    Winter – Schoolhouse

Program packets are available. The Schoolhouse will be open on Sundays 9-2, and Tuesday 9-12:30. It will be closed on the following dates July 4, July 6, and August 1. There may be more days when it will be opened depending on staff schedules.

PROGRAM KITS to take home:
Nature Journaling with a premade 7-day journal
Mushrooms with clay to create a clay mushroom
Japanese Knotweed Flute instructions and pick up dried Knotweed – (You’ll need a wood burner tool)
Skull Investigation with a real skull for art (We have about 8 male skulls w/antlers cut off and a few
salvage skulls)
Insects with a spoon beetle craft
Forest Bathing – an exercise in absorbing nature
Owls of New York with an owl pellet for dissection and an owl craft (varies)
Welcome Spring with Kirigami flower and felt flower crafts

These program kits will be available during and after it’s program.
6/13     Bird Migration with a whimsical bird craft
6/27     Wildflowers with a wildflower suncatcher and/or Zentangle flower craft
7/11     Birds & Bees Pollinators with a Mason Bee House craft
8/8       Butterflies & Other Animal Pollinators with a Butterfly Feeder craft
8/22     Animal Tracking with a premade clay Bobcat track for painting or create your own
10/10   Leaves and Trees with a leaf coaster craft
10/24   Winter Animal Adaptation with an Acorn Squirrel craft

Upcoming Preserve Programs

Saturday, March 20 – Welcome Spring! Walk – 10:00am-11:30am – Meet at the Schoolhouse entrance to the preserve – Come celebrate the beginning of spring while discovering vernal equinox traditions from around the world. The March equinox marks when the Northern Hemisphere starts to tilt toward the sun, which means longer, sunnier days. The March equinox is also called the vernal equinox because it signals the beginning of spring (vernal means fresh or new like the spring). What spring signs will we see on our walk? A program kit will be available to take home.

PLEASE NOTE: Pre-registration is required for ALL programs by calling the Museum at 518-642-1515 or by sending a private message. Deadline for registration is 3/19 5pm. We are booking quickly for our outdoor programs, so don’t wait to the last minute. All participants are required to wear a mask when social distancing of 6 feet cannot be practiced. Dress accordingly. Trails may be muddy.

In case of poor weather, the program may be cancelled.

Saturday, April 17 – Bird Migration – 10:00am-11:30am – Meet at the Schoolhouse trail entrance to the preserve. Come take a walk and discover which birds have returned to our area from migration. We’ll walk the Schoolhouse trail to South Loop. A Bird Migration program kit will be available to take home.

PLEASE NOTE: Pre-registration is required for ALL programs by calling the museum at 518-642-1515 or sending a private message. Deadline for registration is 4/16 5pm. All participants are required to wear a mask when social distancing of 6 feet cannot be practiced.

In case of poor weather, the program may be cancelled.

Program Kits

With the cold weather, the Porter Schoolhouse/Pember Nature Center is now only open on Sundays 9am-12pm until the snow gets to flying. There will still be guided nature walks at the Preserve in which registration will be required.

The Kits we have left are: 

1. Japanese Knotweed Flute instructions with dried Knotweed. You will need a wood-burning tool for this. 
2. 1 Nature Journaling kit with a premade 7-day journal. More can be made if there is an interest.
3. 1 Mushrooms kit with clay to create a mushroom. More will be made for spring 2021.
4. 4 Animal signs guide – perfect for your pocket.
5. 4 Leaves and Trees kits with a real leaf coaster craft.
6. 4 Insects kits with a plaster beetle craft.
7.  7 Winter Animal Adaptation kits with a acorn squirrel craft.
8.  0 Skull kits but if I can obtain cleaned, salvaged deer skulls, we might have more in 2021. Stay tuned
9.  Wildflowers will be available in Spring 2021.

So, stop by the Schoolhouse on Route 22 in Hebron to pick up your kit before they are all gone. We won’t be making more until the spring.

Preserve Programs

We are not able to have “sit-down” programs at the Preserve but we can have nature walks. Please bring water and a mask in case there is a moment when we cannot social distance. Registration is required for all programs.

Schoolhouse is CLOSED for Labor Day on Sunday, September 6.

Sunday, September 13 7:30-9:30/10:30am – Fall Bird Count Walk (8 spots available)
A Bird Count walk will take place on Sunday, September 13 with a rain date of the 20th. We will meet at the Porter School entrance at 7:30am for a three-hour walk for advance birders and less for youths. There will be two leaders/groups. Masks are required along with social distancing. Bring water and snack. Binoculars, bird book and notepad are optional. There are eight (8) available spots and reservations are required no later than Sept 11 by calling the museum at 518-642-1515 or reserving your spot here.

Sunday, September 27 – 9:30am-11:00am – Fall Leaves Walk (10 spots available) Join us at the Preserve as we stroll the trails admiring nature’s turning of her leaves. We will discuss the various deciduous and coniferous trees. This is a great time for photos. There are 10 available spots. Registration is necessary by calling the museum at 518-642-1515 or reserving your spot on FB. Please bring water and a face covering for when we are unable to social distance. All ages.

Program Kits currently available for pick up at the Porter Schoolhouse entrance to the Preserve.
Nature Journaling with a premade 7-day journal
Mushrooms with clay to create a clay mushroom
Japanese Knotweed Flute instructions with dried knotweed
Insects with a plaster spoon beetle
Skulls with a real deer skull of your choice (salvaged, not museum-quality but cleaned & whitened)

Coming soon – Wildflowers

Reopening

The Museum is set to reopen on July 14 (1-5pm) after being closed for four months during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, things will not be back to normal. Before coming to visit the museum, please make sure you do not have a fever, cough, fatigue, or shortness of breath. Face coverings will be required and social distancing (6 feet) expected. Hand sanitizers will be available at the museum entrances.

It is unclear as to when sit down, hands-on programs will resume. So, at this time we are creating video programs and placing them on our YouTube channel. We also hope to have “to go” program kits by the end of July.

We don’t know what the future will bring but we hope that you will be here with us.

Nature Journal Video

Fungus Among Us Video

Create a Clay Mushroom Video

Winter Break Programs

WINTER BREAK PROGRAMS at the LIBRARY & MUSEUM

 

Tuesday, Feb. 18 10:00-10:30am
Frankie & Frannie Ferrets in the Library
Open to children of all ages! Come greet and meet two adorable and friendly ferrets and learn about their species. Registration is not required.

Wednesday, Feb. 19 10:00-11:00am
Corn Husk Sunflowers in the Library
Open to children age 6 and older for this craft program of making a sunflower using corn kernels and husks. Hot glue guns might be used so younger children will need adult assistance. Registration required by Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Friday, Feb. 21 10:00-11:00am
Basket Weaving in the Library
Open to children age 6 and older for this craft program of weaving a plastic basket with paper strips. We’ll learn a little history of basket weaving with a few international baskets to view. There are 11 available spots. Registrations required by Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Nature Preserve Programs

Animal Tracking – Sunday, January 19 – 11:30am to 1:00pm
Join Beth Moser-Duquette for a walk around the Nature Preserve identifying its animals by their tracks. Meet at the Porter Schoolhouse for this free program open to all ages. Dress accordingly and bring water. The schoolhouse has facilities but no running water. Weather-permitting. If it’s snowing and the roads are bad, the program will be cancelled.

Nature/Snowflake Walk – Sunday, February 16 – 11:30am to 1:00pm
Join Beth Moser-Duquette for an informational winter nature walk including snowflakes and perhaps nature in the anticipation of spring. Meet at the Porter Schoolhouse for this free program open to all ages. Dress accordingly and bring water. The schoolhouse has facilities but no running water. Weather-permitting. If it’s snowing and the roads are bad, the program will be cancelled.

Gnome Guardian of the Forest – Sunday, February 16 – 1:30-3:00pm
You too can be a Gnome Guardian of the Forest. Join us for a fun, fact-filled hike followed by Gnome activities in the Porter Schoolhouse/Nature Center. This is a one-of-a-kind program to get children interested in protecting the environment. Kathy Terrio will be leading the program with help from Pember’s educator, Bernie. We’ll learn about the different natural areas of the Preserve and how we can participate in protecting it for future generations. As a Gnome Guardian, children will learn what it takes to protect the areas around their home too. Space is limited to 12 children age 4 and older. Reservations are required by calling the museum at 518-642-1515 or emailing at Pember_edu@roadrunner.com. Wear appropriate clothing and bring water. This program was scheduled for the 15th but the weather is suppose to be in the teens. Sunday is predicted to be in the 30’s.

2020 Wildlife Safari

Join us for our Wildlife Safari after-school programs open to children age 6 and older beginning in January on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month until June 10 from 3:30-4:30pm in the Pember Library. Parent or guardian should be present in case your child needs assistance with the craft. We’ll be learning about African animals, playing an educational “Wildlife Safari” card game, and creating animal cutouts which will fit in a star carousal book made by each child. Star books will be put together at the last class and animal cutouts will stay at the museum in a personal folder unless the child ceases to attend the programs. This way they won’t get lost or forgotten at home. Participants must have attended at least 7 programs in order to make a book for their African Animals. Class size is limited to 10 but might be expanded should there be interest. Registration is required a week in advance of each program by calling the museum at 518-642-1515. If you register, please show up unless extenuating circumstances occur. As of 12/5/2019 we have 8 registrants!

Schedule:
January 8, 22
February 12, 26
March 11, 25
April 8, 22
May 13, 27
June 10

Just a few animal cutouts

Top view of star book

Star Book Cover

Nooks for animals

Card Game

 

Printmaking Art with the Hyde – Cancelled

This workshop was cancelled due to not having enough registrations by the required deadline. It has been rescheduled for Monday, April 13, 2020.

Join us in the Library for an active moving, looking and creating activity with the Hyde Collection. Participants will create a fun printmaking artwork that is inspired by the exhibition Picasso, Braque and Leger which opened on October 6 at the Hyde Collection in Glens Falls.

This is a free workshop open to the whole family with children age 6 and older. Of course, adults are welcome.

Registration is required no later than November 12. Call the Museum at 518-642-1515 or Library at 518-642-2525. Space is limited to 25 participants.

Keri Dudek is the Assistant Educator at The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls, NY. Her responsibilities include developing and instructing relevant education programming which explores a variety of artistic, cultural and intellectual perspectives to all levels of learning. Dudek conducts family programs such as Artful Afternoons, Tour for Tots, Art Crawl and Art Lab. She coordinates Here and Now programs which are designed for participants with Alzheimer’s, dementia or stroke related challenges. The museum offers visitors a self-guided Discovery Kit and Gallery Guides which Dudek creates for the rotating special exhibitions. She is actively pursuing ways The Hyde Collection can provide a more inclusive and accessible learning environment to all visitors. She paints between folding loads of laundry and lives in Saratoga Springs, NY with her husband and three children.

The Hyde Collection
The Hyde Collection Trust was founded in 1952 by Charlotte Pruyn Hyde, a Gilded Age collector who shared her art collection and home with the public. The Museum opened in 1963, after her death. The Hyde’s core collection, acquired by Mrs. Hyde and her husband, Louis, includes works by such artists as Sandro Botticelli, El Greco, Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens, Edgar Degas, Georges Seurat, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes, Pablo Picasso, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, as well as American artists Thomas Eakins, Childe Hassam, Winslow Homer, and James McNeill Whistler. The Museum’s collection of Modern and Contemporary art features works by artists including Josef Albers, Dorothy Dehner, Sam Gilliam, Adolph Gottlieb, Grace Hartigan, Ellsworth Kelly, Sol LeWitt, George McNeil, Robert Motherwell, Robert Rauschenberg, and Bridget Riley. Today, the Museum includes the historic house and a modern wing with five galleries, and innovative programming to inspire with art.

Photo: Fernand Léger (French 1881-1955), Fêtes de la Faim, (Day of Hunger) 1949, lithograph in black with three colors, 13 x 9 5/8 in., Anonymous Loan. © Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York

Fall After School Programs

Nature Art continues to the end of the year.

Registration Required – 518) 642-1515
Class size limited to 15 – age 6 & older

9/11 Flowers                                Register by 9/6
9/25 Seeds & Beans                                       9/20
10/9 Fall Leaves                                             10/4
10/23 Pinecones                                            10/18
11/6 Corn Husks                                            11/1
11/20 Rain                                                     11/15
12/4 Acorns                                                   11/29
12/18 Snowflakes                                           12/13

Pressed Flower Bookmark

Painting with Seeds and Beans

Fall Leaves Coaster

Fall Pinecone Basket

Corn Husk Flower Magnet

Rainstick

Acorn Plaque

Snowflakes