Saturday, June 30, 9:30 am – Birding Hike. Join local birder, Philippa Dunne, for a hike to listen to the calls of our avian friends. Cost of event: Huyck Preserve members, free. Non-members, $5. Registration required:

Rensselaerville Ramble Trail Run and Walk on Saturday, June 16. Register at 7:30, Run/walk begins at 9:00 am. The third annual Ramble is upon us! Join us for a joint fundraiser for the Huyck Preserve and Rensselaerville Library in this fun-for-all-ages recreational event. A diverse spectrum of ages and levels of athletic ability will head for the trails. Choose between a 2-, 5-, or 8-mile route, or sign your little one up for the free Wood Duck Dash! This event takes runners and walkers on some of the most beautiful, less used trails of the Preserve.

Discover the Pine Bush on Sunday, June 17, from 1 – 2 pm. An extraordinary journey into the Albany Pine Bush – a globally rare, nationally significant and locally distinct inland pine barrens. Our experts will guide you along this 0.9-mile hike over rolling sand dunes where you will discover Pine Bush natural history, seasonal surprises, and transformations. All ages. Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY. Fee: Free!

Saturday, June 16, at 9:00 a.m.: Karst Geology Walk at Thacher Park. Much of the rock found in Thacher Park is limestone. Limestone can be dissolved through natural processes, giving rise to topography called karst. Features of karst topography include sinkholes and caves. On this walk, we will see some fine examples of karst and learn about a process that is shaping the park we see today. Call 518-872-0800 to register and for meeting place. Park entrance fee is $6 per vehicle.

Sunday, June 10, at 1:00 p.m.: Explore the Bluebird Trail at Thacher Nature Center. Want to see an Eastern Bluebird? Sneak a peek at some Tree Swallow hatchlings? Our Bluebird Trail winds through fields and woods with homes for over 25 nesting pairs of birds. Join us as we check on who’s in our nest boxes and monitor and record data on several bird species. Bring binoculars and be prepared to walk on uneven terrain. Program is free and open to all ages. Space is limited, please call 518-872-0800 to register.

Saturday, June 9, at 9:00 a.m.: “Off the Beaten Path” Geology Walk in Thacher Park. Mud, sand, and shells record ancient Albany County history, long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Thacher Park’s rocks and fossils record a time of abundant marine life in tropical seas, when New York was about 30 degrees south of the equator. Explore little known parts of Thacher Park and New York’s ancient seas with Dr. Chuck Ver Straeten, New York State Museum. Be prepared for moderately strenuous hiking on and off trail. Call 518 872-0800 to register.

Doggy Day Stroll in Thacher Park. 10 a.m.  Join us with your furry friends for a leisurely stroll through the park. We will begin at Pear Orchard and walk along the Escarpment Trail. Learn about different techniques for keeping your dog safe and comfortable while they enjoy the outdoors. Proof of recent vaccinations and six-foot leash (maximum) is required. To register call 518-872-1237. Parking fee is $6 per vehicle.

Terrific Turtles. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Learn what kinds of turtles live in the Pine Bush, where they live, and how they survive. We will start our program indoors with a live turtle presentation and continue outside for a hike into turtle habitat. We will caravan to another trailhead where we will hike approximately one-half mile. Participants must provide their own transportation. All ages.

Karner Blue Butterfly Walk. 1 to 2:30 p.m. 0.9-mile hike to see the Karner blue butterfly. Once common in the glacial Lake Albany sand belt, the Karner blue has plummeted in numbers over the past 40 years and is now listed as a federally- endangered species. 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY. Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family. Registration required.

Birding with Rich Guthrie at Thacher Nature Center at 8 a.m. We’ll start at the Nature Center feeders and head out on the trails. Beginners are welcome, and binoculars are available to borrow. Call 518-872-0800 to register.