Minnewaska Preserve hosting winter events
GARDINER — Minnewaska State Park Preserve is holding its Winter Fest at Lippman Park this Saturday. There is a snowshoe outing on Sunday and the showing of an award-winning documentary on Thursday.
Winter Fest at Lippman Park
Saturday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join Nick Martin, Minnewaska State Park Preserve educator, this year at Lippman Park for the Ellenville Wawarsing Youth Commission’s Annual Winterfest. Bring your whole family to the table and participate in hands-on activities for the kids and get information about the year-round activities available at Minnewaska. And, if you’re feeling more adventurous, join Martin on one of two interpretive hikes in the woods nearby. In the morning, the hike will feature a search for signs of animal activity such as bird calls, animal tracks, scat and homes. In the afternoon, learn how to identify some common trees in winter while walking in the woods. Activities may be modified due to weather conditions. For more information about the Winter Fest, visit the Ellenville Wawarsing Youth Commission Web site at http://ewyouthcommission.org.
Mossy Glen Snowshoe Outing
Sunday, Feb. 2, 12 to 3:30 p.m.
Dust off your snowshoes or try out your new holiday gifts on this nearly four mile-long walk in the woods along the edges of the Peter’s Kill stream. This picturesque trail offers a relatively flat route for people just learning to use snowshoes and features two newly built rustic trail bridges over the stream. Snowshoes may be rented from the park office, located at the Peter’s Kill Climbing Area, for $5 per person for this outing. Early arrival is suggested for snowshoe rental. This hike will be led by Eric Van Deusen, a Hudson Valley naturalist with years of experience exploring Minnewaska. If there is no snow, this outing will be a hike. Meet in the Awosting parking lot.
Shawangunk Ridge Biodiversity Partnership (SRBP) Lecture Series
Thursday, Feb. 6, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Screening of "Green Fire"
"Green Fire" is an award-winning documentary film about legendary environmentalist Aldo Leopold. Mohonk Preserve Director of Conservation Science John Thompson will screen the film. After the film, Thompson will discuss Leopold’s influence on Preserve naturalist Dan Smiley and the Mohonk Land Ethic, and share notes from Smiley’s personal copy of Leopold’s book. This lecture will take place at SUNY New Paltz, Lecture Hall 102. No pre-registration is required and it is free of charge.
Composed of non-profit and public agencies including Minnewaska, the Shawangunk Ridge Biodiversity Partnership is dedicated to protecting the sensitive wildlife habitat and other natural resources of the Shawangunk Mountains. It will present a free public lecture series, Secrets of the Shawangunks, providing information on conservation topics and biodiversity on the ridge. The series consists of four lectures held at SUNY New Paltz in Lecture Hall 102. For directions and a campus map, see www.newpaltz.edu/map. No parking permit is required after 6:30 p.m. Cancellations due to winter weather will be announced on area radio stations. Lectures will be held on Thursday evenings in February and are free and open to the public.
Pre-registration is required for participation in all public programs. Call the park office at 845-255-0752 for information and to register.
For outings, wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring snacks and water. A parent or guardian over the age of 18 must accompany children wishing to participate in any programs. Snowshoe and cross country ski outings will be offered as winter hikes when snow conditions are poor.