Tuesday, May 27, 2014

STUDENTS LEARN AT PINE HOLLOW ARBORETUM

AREA STUDENTS LEARN AT PINE HOLLOW ARBORETUM

Pine Hollow Arboretum, a not-for-profit nature preserve in Slingerlands NY, is hosting hundreds of students from ten area schools for a series of educational field trips. The instruction and transportation costs are completely subsidized by Pine Hollow as a community service. The trips are in May and early June.
Elementary school students ranging from Grades 1 to 5 have been learning about plants and the environment in Pine Hollow, surrounded by the Arboretum’s collection of more than 3,000 trees and ornamental shrubs from around the world. Live animals and the abundant bird life at Pine Hollow make the field trip a memorable experience for hundreds of students.
During their guided tour, the students visit three stations. At their first stop, they learn about seeds, what trees need to survive, and how to plant a tree. And the next station, they visit some of the Arboretum’s many ponds, and meet live snapping and painted turtles. The students then go on a hike on two of the Arboretum’s scenic trails, the Fir Trail and the Silverbell Trail. The hikes are led by student volunteers from Bethlehem Central High School who have completed at least eight hours of training in environmental science and outdoor teaching techniques at the Arboretum.
Pine Hollow Arboretum is home to many spectacular trees. Most of the students are in awe of the giant Metasequoia, or Dawn Redwood, that towers high over their heads. They encounter trees from China, Japan, and Europe, as well as specimens from many parts of the United States. After learning how the Alaskan Cedar is adapted to heavy snow, they travel only a few yards to admire magnolias in full blossom, a species usually found in the Southern US. Students view plantings of rhododendrons and lily-of-the-valley, and then study a dead tree for signs of woodpecker feeding in order to learn about the interrelationships of trees and wildlife.
Pine Hollow’s collection of unique trees, shrubs and other plants is arranged in a natural setting that includes 12 ponds and a network of walking trails and bridges throughout the preserve. The grounds of the Arboretum are open dawn to dusk, 365 days per year. Tours and field trips can be arranged in advance by calling (518) 439-6472. 

Pine Hollow Arboretum
16 Maple St. Slingerlands, NY
518 439-6472
www.Pinehollowarboretum.org

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

BIKE TOUR PINE HOLLOW TO 5-RIVERS LOOP

MAY 2014.jpg

BIKE TOUR PINE HOLLOW TO 5-RIVERS LOOP

MAY 18, 2014

9:00 AM START AT PINE HOLLOW ARBORETUM

  MEET AT VISITOR CENTER
                 16 Maple Ave.
                 Slingerlands, New York

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Introduction to Letterboxing at Pine Hollow Arboretum

Introduction to Letterboxing at Pine Hollow Arboretum

Come out on  Saturday, May 3, 2014  from 1:00 - 3:00 pm for
an Introduction to Letterboxing Workshop
being held at Pine Hollow Arboretum, 16 Maple Ave., Slingerlands, NY


Are you curious about what letterboxing is all about?  
Join us for a introductory workshop on this fast growing pastime. 
 Letterboxing is an outdoor hobby perfect for people of all ages!
It combines elements of hiking with treasure hunting, 
allowing visitors to explore the arboretum in a new way.  



This event will be facilitated by two well known local letterboxers:  
Tamsyn and Sahalie (their trail names).  
Everyone is welcome!  

Please dress appropriately for walking outdoors on the arboretum grounds


Monday, March 17, 2014

2014 VOLUNTEER MEETING AT PINE HOLLOW ARBORETUM

Dear Members and Friends of the Arboretum:

Spring is on its way and we need your help!


















To help launch Pine Hollow Arboretum’s 2014 season, we are inviting you to an informational volunteer meeting on Thursday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m.  If you are interested in lending a hand and want to learn more about how you can help make a difference please join us.  

Some of our needs include:
  • Help with gardening under the direction of our property manager
  • Be a greeter at the Visitor Center on weekends (flexible hours)
  • Help with our Spring/Fall Open Houses and various workshops
  •  Assist with fundraising and promotional activities
Our active season runs from April through October.  If you are interested in joining a great group of energetic and nature loving people please join us and bring a friend!  The meeting will be held at the Visitor Center, 16 Maple Avenue, Slingerlands.  

For planning purposes, if you would like to attend, please respond to this email at: 

pinehollowarb@aol.com 

If you are unable to make it but would still like to help please respond anyway and we will personally get back in touch with you.   



Thank you!


Monday, January 20, 2014

WINTER NEW YEAR JANUARY 19, 2014 AT PINE HOLLOW ARBORETUM Photos by Alan Casline

On a cold Sunday after a few inches of snow the night before, I woke to sunshine and white clouds in a blue sky. I drove over the few miles I live from Pine Hollow Arboretum and photographed some of the landscape, trails and trees. I saw rabbit, squirrel, and mouse tracks there ahead of me but it was obvious I was the first person to be walking over a lot of the fields since the last snow anyway. The ponds all had a white snow sheet (not deep enough to be a blanket) and the trees themselves only a light layer of snow. I did find one set of footprints in the area near Russian Pond. I put my shoe up next to them to try and measure their size. They were bigger than mine but I can’t be sure if these were the footprints of the legendary “big foot” or not. The sun went behind clouds and it was cold enough numb my fingers. My plan of having nice shadow and sun patches didn’t work out. Of course when I got back to my house the sun was shining again. I did take some interesting pictures I liked. Here is a sample I’d like to share.



--Alan Casline


View of Visitors Center Patio


Let me get this straight


Japanese Hill Dusted With Snow


Proof: Green Grass in January


Snow White Pond Surface


Bird's Food, A Few Small Red Berries