Wild About Blue October 18th
The invitations to our annual fall fundraiser have been mailed!Wild About Blue, a fundraising event for the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will be taking place on Sunday, October 18, 2015 beginning at 4:00 pm at the Saratoga National Golf Club with drinks, a bountiful buffet, and a unique silent auction.Please call 450-0321 or email at info@wiltonpreserve.org for more information or to receive an invitation.
Star Party on September 18
Star Party to be held at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park On Friday, September 18 at 7:15 pm, there will be a star gazing party at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park’s Camp Saratoga. Join the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park and volunteers from the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers, Inc. and the Southern Adirondack Astronomy Club to study the night sky in all of its beauty. This date was chosen for gazing at the waxing crescent Moon and at Saturn through the telescopes that will be set up by the Astronomy club members. There will be telescopes available and experts will be on hand to share their knowledge of the night sky. Please bring a blanket to lay on the ground and dress appropriately for the weather, it gets chilly at night! The rain date for this event is Saturday, September 19 at 7:15 pm in the same location. Space is limited so preregistration is required by Wednesday, September 16.For more information, please call the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org.
Trail Alert
Trail AlertBeavers have built a dam across the bridge where the blue trail crosses Delegan Brook. The trail is under several inches of water in the area. Please use caution.DEC has been notified.
Second Brood of Karners are here!
On Monday, June 29, the first Karner blue butterflies of the second brood were observed at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park.The endangered Karner blue butterflies that are in the second brood will mate and lay eggs that will overwinter until next spring!There are several trails in the Preserve & Park where you can observe these small blue butterflies. The most accessible are at Camp Saratoga where the trail leaves from parking lot #1. The other trails are Old Gick Farm and Fox which are accessed from parking areas off of Route 50, just north of King Road.To get a chance to see and learn more about these beautiful, endangered butterflies we will be offering many opportunities to attend a guided nature walk.Karner Blue Butterfly Walks at Old Gick FarmWednesdays July 1, 8, 15, 22 at 11:00 am and 4:00 pm And Saturday July 18 at 10:00 am We will be looking for adults that are searching for nectar and mates in the open pine/oak savannah meadows. The walk will be cancelled if it is raining. The walk lasts for about an hour. Please park in the lot by the Saratoga Sandplains Sign on Route 50 half a mile north of King Road. Preregistration is strongly encouraged by calling 450-0321 or info@wiltonpreserve.org
Camp Saratoga 5K Fun Runs
Camp Saratoga 5K Fun RunsJune 22, July 6, July 20, August 3, August 17 at 5:30 pmThe Saratoga Stryders host this series of five fun runs on wooded trails at the beautiful 310 acre parcel. The race series is open to all ages and abilities, run one race or all five. Registration is $5 per race at the door starting at 5:30PM. Races begin at 6:15PM sharp - rain or shine.A raffle is held at the end of each race with many prizes awarded. At the last race of the series the Ironman and Ironwoman award is given. This is a fun but challenging trail course: expect to add 10-20% to your best 5K road course time. There are no water stops on the course. Water is available at the finish.Proceeds benefit the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, Jake Fund and other local non-profits. For more information contact Laura Clark at races@saratogastryders.org or 581-1278.
Wildlife Festival Sunday is Rain or Shine!!
A little rain on Sunday won't spoil our Wildlife Festival!We are all set up for a warm and dry event inside the Dining Hall by the pond at Camp Saratoga.The live animal programs and crafts will all be inside under cover.We will still have a BBQ and bake sale. So what better for a rainy day than to come to the festival! See you on Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
First Karner blue butterflies of the year have been seen!
On Monday, May 18, the first Karner blue butterflies of the year were observed at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park.The endangered Karner blue butterflies spend the winter as eggs, they hatch into their larval stage to feed on the wild blue lupine, and have just now emerged from their chrysalises. This first brood of adult butterflies will mate and lay eggs on the wild blue lupine. Those eggs will hatch and form the second brood, with those butterflies appearing usually in early July.There are several trails in the Preserve & Park where you can observe these small blue butterflies. The most accessible are at Camp Saratoga where the trail leaves from parking lot #1. The other trails are Old Gick Farm and Fox which are accessed from parking areas off of Route 50, just north of King Road.There will be lots of butterflies to see at the Wildlife Festival that is scheduled for Sunday, May 31st at Camp Saratoga on Scout Road in Gansevoort. At the festival, there will be hourly butterfly walks starting at 11:15. At the festival there will also be live raptor programs, pond exploration, nature crafts and other hands-on activities. The festival runs from 11:00 – 3:00 and is free of charge.
Delegan Pond Stocked with Trout
A little later than usual, but today, the trout were finally released into Delegan Pond.Camp Saratoga Delegan Pond, Scout Pond, Fishing ProgramThe Town of Wilton Town Board, owners of property known as Camp Saratoga has stocked Scout Pond for resident fishing.
- The stocking program is for the Town of Wilton residents only.
- April 1st to July 1st, will be reserved for fishing by Town of Wilton resident youths age 16 or under, and may be assisted by an immediate adult family member.
- The remainder of the trout fishing season will be open to Town residents to October 15th, the last day of trout season, for all persons over the age of 16 with a required, valid, New York State Fishing License.
- Fishing limit is 2 per day.
- Adults after July 1st (catch and release) is recommended.
- No live bait is permitted (worms and lures permitted).
Celebrate Earth Day Wednesday, April 22
Special Opening Event11:00 am at the Fox TrailheadJoin members of all of our partners; New York State DEC, The Nature Conservancy, The Town of Wilton, and Saratoga County as we celebrate Earth Day by celebrating the our new stewardship agreement with DEC and DEC’s purchase of the Fox and Frawley parcels. At the end of the ceremony, everyone will have a chance to plant wild blue lupine plants in the Karner blue butterfly habitat. Preregistration is required. Volunteer Projects1:00 pmHelpers needed! We will be doing two volunteer projects at the Fox parcel. Volunteers can help DEC Biologist Kathy O’Brien mark the transects for the Karner blue butterfly monitoring or work with DEC Wildlife Biologist Melissa Neeley to put up state trail markers along the trails. Preregistration is required. Evening Nature Walk7:00 pmEnjoy the beauty of early spring and the creatures that appear in the evening. On this walk we will be listening for the distinctive “peenting” of the American woodcock’s courtship display. We will also listen for some of the amphibian residents of the vernal pools – wood frogs, spring peepers, and more! Preregistration is required.
Fire Tower Re-Opens April 11 and 12
Fire Tower Hours at Camp SaratogaSaturday & Sunday April 11 and 12 from 10:00-3:00 pmClimb an authentic fire tower and view a replica fire observer’s cabin without having to climb a mountain! Get a treetop view of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. The schedule is subject to weather conditions and availability of Volunteer Fire Tower Interpreters. To confirm that it is open, contact Larry Gordon (Town of Wilton Fire Tower Coordinator) at (518) 469-0918. Please use parking lot #3 on Scout Road.
Spring Vacation's Naturally Fun Programs
Orienteering Hike at Camp SaratogaMonday April 6 at 1:00 pmCan you find your way using only a compass to guide you? Learn this important outdoor skill and then use this new knowledge to navigate the course at Camp Saratoga. There may be a prize at the end! Preregistration is required.
Trail Report 3/14/15 Spring Conditions
The trails were groomed on Friday the 13th. Track was set, but with the freeze/thaw conditions, track did not set in some places.Expect spring conditions with icy spots and slushy spots. There is still full snow coverage on the trails.Our agreement with NYS DEC does not allow us to groom after March 15.
Trail Report 3/6/2015
It looks like we are heading into our last cold weekend. The trails were groomed today and track was set.Heading into next week, the forecast is for temperatures rising above freezing during the day which will impact when we can groom. (It has to be below freezing.) So the conditions are beginning to change!Our contract with NYS DEC has our end date for grooming as March 15.
Trail Report 3/3/2015
Trails were groomed this morning and tracks were set. We are supposed to get some snow and some wintery mix this evening into tomorrow.We will not be grooming on Wednesday as the temperatures will be too warm. The plan is to groom again on Thursday once the temperatures drop down below freezing again.
Trail Report 2/27/2015 Groomed and Ready for the Weekend
The trails were groomed today and track set. We are ready for another beautiful weekend of skiing, maybe even some fresh snow on Sunday!Enjoy the dry, cold snow while you can - there may be a change in the weather next week.
Trail Report 2/23/2015 Powder Rules!
More new snow over the weekend - another 6" of powder! The trails were rolled this morning and track will be set this afternoon.Looks like there might be some more snow on Wednesday......
Trail Report 2/18/2015 Groomed and Ready
The trails were all groomed late in the day on Tuesday. Track was set.Maybe you are tired of the extended cold snap, but the cold weather has kept the snow in excellent shape.This has been the winter to get out and enjoy the snow!!
Trail Report 2/12/2014 - Tracks Were Set!
The trails were groomed and tracks were set this afternoon. The snow is smooth and deep and lovely!Just a reminder that the 8k snowshoe race will be taking place on the trails on Sunday morning. So for people who might want to try the snowshoe race, you can still participate and try your hand in this great snow. Here is the link for information on the snowshoe race: http://www.saratogastryders.org/local-races/upcoming-races/The rest of you can sleep in and then go for a ski in the afternoon. It will be warmer and you won't have to worry about the snowshoe race!
Trail Report 2/9/15 Let it Snow!
As of noon-time today, there was another half-foot or so of snow on the trails.The trails were all rolled at noon-time and again in the early evening. The conditions continue to be fantastic!!