Recovery of the Pine Barrens. 4:30 to 6 p.m. The Pine Bush is a place like few others on Earth. Join us for an afternoon hike to learn how the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is working to protect and restore the pine barrens. We will meet at the Discovery Center and then drive to the Madison Avenue Pinelands trailhead (#7) for a 1.4-mile hike. All ages. Free. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. Registration required. (518)456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events.

Antlions: Ferocious Creatures in the Sand. 1 to 2:30 p.m. Discover the amazing world of antlions; a secretive insect in the Pine Bush. We will walk approximately one mile to explore antlion pits and investigate antlion larvae up close. All ages. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY. $3 per person/$5 per family/Children under 5 yrs free. Registration required. 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events.

Geology Walk to Minelot Creek Waterfalls, 10 a.m. at Thacher Park. Escape the summer heat and join our Geology Educator on a shady hike to the Paint Mine waterfalls. We'll take a portion of The Long Path that parallels the cool-running Minelot Creek, visiting 2 main waterfalls and a few smaller cascades. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Visitor Center, call 518-872-0800 to register.

Batty for Bats. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Are bats really blind? Participants must provide their own transportation. We will use technology to help us detect any of the five species of bats that live in the preserve. Ages 6+. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. $3 per person/$5 per family. Registration required. 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events.

The Buzz of the Pine Bush Bees. 12:30 to 2 p.m. Introduction to these native beauties and then examine them on the trail during a hike. Depending on how many bees we stop to look at, we could hike as much as 0.9 miles. All ages. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. $3 per person/$5 per family/Children under 5 yrs free. Registration required.

Free baseball summer camp hosted by the Albany County Recreation Department. Open to all county youth ages 7-13 and all equipment except for baseball gloves will be provided. Registration: August 7, at 8:30 a.m. or download forms at http://www.albanycounty.com. The camp will be Aug. 7 to 18 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Clayton A. Bouton High Satellite Field, 479 New Salem Road in Voorheesville. (518) 447-7948.

Learn to Fish. 9 to 11 a.m. DEC Fisheries staff will teach program participants how to identify common sportfish, how to cast a spin-casting rod, bait a hook and fishing safety. Participants will not need a fishing license. Space is limited and registration is required. 518-872-0800.

Golf outing: Guilderland star athletes and coaches return to celebrate Lettermen Foundation 20th anniversary. 10 a.m. ceremony and dinner at 2:30 p.m. Orchard Creek Golf Club 6700 Dunnsville Rd. Altamont, NY 12009. (518)222-6616.

Friday Walk and Talk. 12 to 1 p.m. A one-hour hike along the trails of the Kings Highway Barrens. Meet at the Kings Highway Barrens trailhead (#9). Adults only. Free! Registration required. 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events

Bird banding: Come along on an early morning adventure to observe some of the amazing birds in the Albany Pine Bush and see the science team in action as they capture and band birds. Meet at the Discovery Center. We will be walking off trail, dress in light colored pants, long socks to tuck pants into, and sturdy walking shoes. Ages 6+. 8 a.m. Free. 195 New Karner Rd, Albany NY, 12205. (518)456-0655