NEW SCOTLAND — Maureen Curry has been park manager of John Boyd Thacher State Park and Thompson's Lake Campgrounds for a year. Originally hailing from Western New York and with a background in geology as well as parks management, she has been in the midst of the park’s redevelopment as it goes through its first-ever master plan.

NEW SCOTLAND — A year after a private fundraising campaign was launched to raise $1 million for a Thacher Park Center, more than half the goal has been reached, according to the Open Space Institute.

Master Gardener Denise Maurer turns found items into garden art, and teaches others to do the same.

ALTAMONT — On Saturday, Dave Muska of Ondatra Adventures, led 10 or so intrepid participants, including children and elders, on a treasure hunt of sorts through the newly opened Bozen Kill Preserve.

KNOX — Boy Scout Earl Barcomb recently completed his Eagle Project — a one-half mile long trail at the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy’s Winn Preserve on Street Road in Knox.

The Albany County Soil and Water Conservation District held its 30th annual tree and shrub sale this spring. Over 225 local residents planted 8,150 seedlings.  In the last decade, residents have planted over 137,300 trees in the last 10 years alone, through this program.  These trees and shrubs are sold bare root and vary in size.

From historic railroad beds to waterfalls and through farmlands, six hikes will showcase Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy preserves beginning at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 20, during the organization’s first ever Summer Solstice Hike-a-thon. The event will precede the Albany County Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail Summer Solstice Festival.

A master plan for New Scotland's Swift Road and Feura Bush parks has some features that could be accomplished with the work of town employees and volunteers; other features would require grant funding.