World Water Day-March 22nd
Its World Water Day 2011! Clean water can change a society for the better. Continue reading for facts from charitywater.org.Sanitation-Clean water along with hygiene training and sanitation can reduce disease by up to 50%. Of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and unhygienic living, 90% are children under five years old.Health-Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. The UN predicts that one tenth of the global disease burden can be prevented simply by improving water supply and sanitation.Food Security-When a community receives a water project, they can often use the new water source to plant small gardens near their homes and secure their own food supply. Self-sufficient households are less affected by external conflict, famine or inadequate government services.Education-Many children around the world spend their days collecting water for their families or home sick with a water-related illness instead of going to school. With safe water nearby, they can earn an education and build the future of their communities.For ways you can help support clean water projects visit World Water Day: 8 Ways To Get Involved from the Huffington Post.
National Wildlife Week
Wildlife that hop and leap:Eastern Spadefoot Toad: This toad gets its name from its spade-like hind feet. This helps the animal dig burrows in well-drained, loose, and sandy soil. These toads are also listed as “Species of Concern” according to The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. While they can be found at WWPP, Spadefoot Toads, like other toads, secrete a mild toxin that can cause allergic reactions in some humans. 
National Wildlife Week
Wildlife that Swims:Spotted Salamander: These amphibians can be found under leaves and twigs near ponds or vernal pools. They can be easily identified by their bright, round, yellow spots over their black bodies. These salamanders also have a unique relationship with green algae. The eggs of a Spotted Salamander sometimes contain green algae with absorbs the carbon dioxide the embryo produces and convert it into oxygen for the embryo. Spotted Salamanders that survive to the adult stage can live up to 20-30 years. 
National Wildlife Week
Today's theme is wildlife that climbs:Raccoons: These animals are often referred to as "bandits" due to their mask-like facial markings, their nocturnal lifestyle, and the fact that they will eat almost anything they can get their paws into. However, did you know that these animals behave in a social setting similar to lions? While raccoons are mostly isolated, during mating season a small group of related female raccoons will live and raise young together while unrelated males bond and live together.
Frogs and Toads and Salamanders, Oh My!!
A tracking and counting study will be going on at Wilton Wildlife this spring as amphibians emerge from their winter homes. If you would like to join this citizen science project please click the link for our newsletter for more information.
National Wildlife Week
Its National Wildlife Week! Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for updates and fun facts about local animals.Monday's theme is "animals that fly"-Ruby-throated Hummingbird: This bird will be returning to the Eastern US in the spring from its winter home in Central America. Hummingbird feeders are a great way to observe Ruby-throated Hummingbirds however, this bird is territorial and will defend the feeder from other birds, insects, or small mammals.
Snowshoers race through WWPP
Last Saturday was the annual 8K snowshoe race held by the Saratoga Striders at Camp Saratoga. Click here to read the review.
Newest Land Parcel Purchase
Read an article from the Saratogian announcing the purchase of 68 acres, in Wilton, that will be become protected land for the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly.
Snowshoe Rental
Snowshoes will be available for rental at the snowshoe hut next to parking lot #1 on Scout Road from 9am-2pm on the following Saturdays: Jan 7th and 22nd, February 5th and 19th, and March 5th and 12th.They are $3 for nonmembers and free to members. Please continue to check the website for any changes or additions to the rental schedule or call the office, 450-0321, with any questions.
Upcoming Nature Hikes
Beat the winter blues and get outside and go on a hike! Guided hikes will be lead on Saturday January 8th from 1-2pm at Camp Saratoga and on Monday January 17th from 10-11am at Old Gick. Please check out the calander for more information.
Historic Fire Tower at WWPP
A historic fire tower found a new home at Camp Saratoga. For the complete story click here, Historic Fire Tower .
Annual Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe
The popular and highly anticipated Annual Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe is scheduled for Saturday, January 15 from 7 pm-9:30 pm at the Camp Saratoga parcel on Scout Road. Luminaries will glow along 2.5 miles of groomed trails. Along the way you will pass fields and forests, two warming bonfires, and plenty of hot chocolate. The terrain is suitable for all levels and ages and includes a smaller 1 mile loop.Participants can arrive anytime. Snowshoes will be available on a first-come first-serve basis in the warming hut off lot 1. The rental fee is $3/person for non-members. There is no charge for WWPP members. Parking will be directed by WWPP.This event is weather permitting. In case of cancelation, the back-up date is Friday, February 11th. Call 450-0321 for more information.This event is free and open to the public.
Holiday Open House
On Tuesday December 14th come and celebrate our successful year and the holidays in this social event. Also take advantage of the opportunity to meet our new Executive Director, Margo Olson and enjoy some desserts! The Open House will take place at the office on 80 Scout Road from 7-8:30 in the evening. We hope to see you there!
Winter Scavenger Hunt and Holiday Crafts Program
On Saturday December 11th from 2:00 to 3:30 pm, join the Wilton Wildlife staff in an afternoon of exploration and creativity. Children, ages 6-12, will learn to use their senses to explore the outdoors during winter by completing a scavenger hunt in Camp Saratoga. Afterward, the participants will craft holiday gifts from items they found during the hunt. The program will take place at the Park’s Camp Saratoga location on Scout Road. Please meet by the kiosk in the parking lot. Dress for outdoor weather. The rain location will be in the IP Lodge which is right off the blue trail from the parking lot. This program is free and open to the public For more information, please call the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park at 450-0321 for registration and information.
Camp Saratoga Habitat Restoration
We're performing some vital habitat restoration at Camp Saratoga for an array of butterflies, reptiles and amphibians that are endangered. A small section of trails will be temporarily closed until mid-December while we complete our work. To learn more about this restoration project and view affected trail area, click on the document links below.Camp Saratoga Restoration ProjectCamp Saratoga Trail Closure Map
Margo Bloom Olson Appointed Executive Director
The Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park (WWPP) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Margo Bloom Olson as Executive Director. The Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is a partnership between the Town of Wilton, Saratoga County, The Nature Conservancy, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The Preserve & Park is part of the geologically significant Saratoga Sandplains, an area of ancient sand dunes, where there are small but important wetlands and diverse ecological communities. It is home to the largest population of the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly in the eastern United States. While working to ensure a future for the Karner blue butterfly and other species, the Preserve & Park helps people of all ages to enjoy the protected lands, appreciate the area’s beauty, and value nature’s importance.As Executive Director, Ms. Olson will be responsible for advancing the mission of the WWPP, including overseeing its initiatives in educational programming, conservation and recreation. Ms. Olson plans to start at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park on November 1, 2010.Ms. Olson began her professional career in environmental education when she worked as an Interpretive Ranger for the National Park Service in Grand Canyon and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks. She worked as an Environmental Educator for the Five Rivers Environmental Center before developing environmental programming, exhibits and curricula as Director of Education at the Junior Museum in Troy, which has recently become the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology.Ms. Olson has extensive experience in fundraising and community volunteer initiatives in Saratoga County. She helped lead the recent fundraising effort to create new playgrounds and outdoor recreation space at Lake Avenue School in Saratoga Springs. This project involved a $25,000 legislative grant from New York State and resulted in raising a total of more than $150,000 in donated funds, goods and services for the school.Ms. Olson’s local experience includes serving as Curator of Education at the National Museum of Racing and her most recent position at Skidmore College was as a member of the Office of Campus Life. She serves on the Advisory Board of Children and Nature Saratoga and has been a consultant for several projects with the Children’s Museum at Saratoga. As the new Executive Director of WWPP, she will be responsible for collaborating with public, private and non-profit partners to further the goals of the organization.“We’re delighted to have Margo Olson as our new Executive Director. She brings a wealth of experience in all aspects of our mission, including conservation, education, and recreation,” said Linda Baker, Chair of the Executive Board of Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park. “We look forward to her leadership.”After learning of her appointment, Ms. Olson stated, “It is an honor to be selected for the Executive Director position at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. The Park and Preserve is such a wonderful place. Its lands are a treasure, providing the perfect environment to fulfill the mission of the organization. I am looking forward to working with the numerous constituents served by the WWPP and in finding new and creative ways of reaching out to the public to expand the regional awareness of this exceptional community resource.”
Karner blue butterfly - Second Brood!
This year’s second brood, or flight, of Karner blue butterflies is beginning to emerge from their pupae. Walking around the Opdahl, Fox, and Old Gick parcels on Saturday, June 26, I saw dozens of males along the sandy trails. Males tend to emerge before females. I suspect I’ll see females in the next few days.The flight period is three to five weeks. While each individual butterfly lives an average of four or five days, the butterflies emerge from their pupae at different times. The peak occurs on that day when the greatest number of butterflies is out at one time.The eggs the females lay will overwinter on the ground and become next year’s first flight.The butterflies are beautiful. Writer and poet Vladimir Nabokov referred to them as little blue snowflakes.