Albany Pine Bush Preserve
Upcoming Programs and Events
Reservations required. Visit AlbanyPineBush.org/events or call 518-456-0655.
All programs and events are free unless otherwise noted.
Volunteer Docent Opportunities
Thursday, July 3 - Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 1:00 pm
Are you interested in getting more involved in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve community? Becoming a familiar face at the Discovery Center welcome desk is a fun and rewarding way to volunteer with us! No previous experience required.
Saturday, July 19, 2025 | 8:30 am
Join us on this 0.9 mile hike to learn about bird watching and bird watching equipment, practice new skills and start your birdwatching journey! This program is suitable for ages 10+
Monday, July 21, 2025 | 10:00 am
Do you like watching ants? Do you know how to find their homes? Come learn about these creatures, make an ant craft, and take a short walk where we will look for ants and their homes. Suitable for ages under 6 with caregivers.
Discovery Center Volunteer Gardening Opportunity
Tuesday, July 22, 2025 | 7:30 am
Volunteer to help up us maintain the Discovery Center grounds! This opportunity is suitable for ages 12+. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 | 2:00 pm
It's Turtle Time! Join us for a brief introduction to one of our Discovery Center turtle ambassadors on select Wednesdays and Fridays this summer from 2:00-2:30pm. A maximum of 30 individuals will be allowed in the classroom for each program. Participants will be allowed in on a first come, first served basis. Suitable for all ages.
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 | 4:00 pm
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve presents "Nature Night Out", a series of evening events that invite everyone to drop everything and get into nature. The Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center will extend operations until 7:00pm on each of these days, capitalizing on those longer sunlit hours.
Friday, July 25, 2025 | 12:00 pm
Butterflies are not only beautiful, but they are also great indicators of ecosystem health. Join us for a short, 0.9 mile, lunchtime hike to learn about butterflies and what makes the Albany Pine Bush a unique habitat. This program is suitable for ages 10+
Friday, July 25, 2025 | 2:00 pm
It's Turtle Time! Join us for a brief introduction to one of our Discovery Center turtle ambassadors on select Wednesdays and Fridays this summer from 2:00-2:30pm. A maximum of 30 individuals will be allowed in the classroom for each program. Participants will be allowed in on a first come, first served basis. Suitable for all ages.
Fire Ecology and Ethnobotany of the Albany Pine Bush
Saturday, July 26, 2025 | 9:00 am
Don't miss this extraordinary journey into the Albany Pine Bush where we will explore the fire ecology and ethnobotany of this rare inland pine barrens along a 2.6 mile hike. This program is suitable for teens and adults.
Pine Bush Pups: Batty for Bats
Monday, July 28, 2025 | 10:00 am
Come join us and discover the world of bats! Suitable for ages under 6 with caregivers.
Discovery Center Volunteer Gardening Opportunity
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 | 7:30 am
Volunteer to help up us maintain the Discovery Center grounds! This opportunity is suitable for ages 12+. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
World Ranger Day in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve
Thursday, July 31, 2025 | 5:00 pm
Come celebrate World Ranger Day with us and learn about the important role NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers play here in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and across New York State. Suitable for all ages.
Morning Meander: Great Dune Trailhead
Friday, August 1, 2025 | 10:00 am
Start your day outdoors and join us for a hike at the Great Dune trailhead (#8). We plan to hike 1.8 miles over sandy hills along the red trail. This program will meet at the Great Dune trailhead (#8). Suitable for ages 6+
Friday, August 1, 2025 | 12:00 pm
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is home to an amazing diversity of pollinators. Join us for a talk and walk and learn about some of the most prolific and important pollinators of the pine barrens...bees! This program is suitable for ages 10+
Friday, August 1, 2025 | 2:00 pm
It's Turtle Time! Join us for a brief introduction to one of our Discovery Center turtle ambassadors on select Wednesdays and Fridays this summer from 2:00-2:30pm. A maximum of 30 individuals will be allowed in the classroom for each program. Participants will be allowed in on a first come, first served basis. Suitable for all ages.
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 | 2:00 pm
It's Turtle Time! Join us for a brief introduction to one of our Discovery Center turtle ambassadors on select Wednesdays and Fridays this summer from 2:00-2:30pm. A maximum of 30 individuals will be allowed in the classroom for each program. Participants will be allowed in on a first come, first served basis. Suitable for all ages.
Friday, August 8, 2025 | 12:00 pm
Summer is in full swing! Take a break from your day to join us for a short 0.6 mile hike through the Madison Avenue Pinelands. We will talk about the Albany Pine Bush and what makes this habitat unique. This program is suitable for ages 6+.
Friday, August 8, 2025 | 2:00 pm
It's Turtle Time! Join us for a brief introduction to one of our Discovery Center turtle ambassadors on select Wednesdays and Fridays this summer from 2:00-2:30pm. A maximum of 30 individuals will be allowed in the classroom for each program. Participants will be allowed in on a first come, first served basis. Suitable for all ages.
Friday, August 8, 2025 | 7:00 pm
Bats are an important part of the Albany Pine Bush! Join us for an indoor presentation and hike along the trails to learn about bats. Suitable for ages 6 and older.
Sunday, August 10, 2025 | 10:00 am
Join us for a one-mile mindfulness walk over rolling sand dunes in the Albany Pine Bush. Suitable for adults.
