Northeast Natural History Conference Field Trips

The field trips have been organized by the Heldeberg Workshop and online registration is not available through the conference registration page.

To register for these field trips, print out the form at the bottom of this page and mail the completed form along with a check to the Heldeberg Workshop Adult Program. For more information about the Heldeberg Workshop see http://www.heldebergworkshop.org. Registration is on a “first come first serve” basis and spots are limited.

Wednesday Evening, April 16th 2008

Timberdoodle Trek
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 16, 7:00 pm – on
Instructor: Alan Mapes
Fee: $25

Join noted birder - Al Mapes - for an evening walk to look and listen for American Woodcock, Eastern Screech-Owls and Great Horned Owls. We will listen for the peent, whinny and hoot of these birds of the evening. It is time for the woodcock’s sky-dance mating flight, and we’ll hope to see and hear this wonderful, weird ritual. Meet at the entrance to the 5 Rivers Visitor’s Center in Delmar at 7pm. Participants will be sent a map and directions to the Center. Limited to 20.

An Evening with Amphibians
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 16, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Instructors: Alvin Breisch and Mark Fitzsimmons
Fee: $25

The Helderberg Escarpment area has one of the greatest amphibian diversities in NYS. We will visit a stream and woodland at the base of the Escarpment to search for salamanders and frogs. This will be followed by a visit to NYS’s first amphibian tunnel at nearby Black Creek Marsh where we will listen for the calls of frogs in the marsh. Meet at the Heldeberg Workshop entrance in Voorheesville at 6pm. Participants will be sent a map and directions to the Workshop. Limited to 25.

Saturday, April 19th 2008

Structural Geology of Thacher Park
Date and Time: Saturday, April 19, 9:00am – 1:00pm
Instructor: Thom Engel
Fee: $25

John Boyd Thacher Park has a rich variety of structural geology that previously has not been recognized or mapped. We will walk a transect of Thacher Park from Hop Field to the Upper Paint Mine area. Time permitting, we will then walk back along the top of the escarpment. Participants should be prepared for rough walking. Meet at the Hop Field Picnic area in Thacher Park at 9am. Bring water and a snack. Participants will be sent a map and directions to Thacher Park. Limited to 25.

Caves and Karst
Date and Time: Saturday, April 19, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Instructor: Dr. Michael Nardacci
Fee: $50

Leaving the NYS Museum at 9am, participants will carpool to John Boyd Thacher Park for an overview of the geologic setting of the Helderberg area. Then we will drive to village of Carlisle Center, Schoharie County, with several short stops en route. In Carlisle Center, we will make a one-hour visit to the karst features of the McFails Cave Preserve. Following a short break for lunch, we will drive back to the village of Clarksville in Albany County to visit the Onesquethaw Cave property and the Clarksville Cave Preserve. A trip through Clarksville Cave will follow, and, if time permits, another small cave in the vicinity. Again, time permitting, there may be visits to other interesting geologic features in the Clarksville area, with the program ending near 5pm. Participants will be sent a list of required items and must sign a release form. Limited to 14.

How to Lead Any Themed Interpretive Walk
Date and Time: Saturday, April 19, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
Instructor: Frank Knight
Fee is $25

The Victorian nature walk with the leader naming flowers or birds or trees along the way has evolved for the 21st century. Today’s interpretive forays enable the leader to use the habitat at hand to discuss a whole range of environmental issues from ecology to climate change to the reduction of pollution. Leader – participant interactions enrich the discussion and more firmly connect people to nature. Join naturalist Frank Knight to explore the world on a spring wildflower walk at Heldeberg Workshop. Handouts will include information on planning any walk, audience safety, management and comfort, and subject matter ID. Meet at the Heldeberg Workshop in Voorheesville at 9am. Participants will be sent a map and directions to the Workshop. Limited to 20.

Introduction to Blacksmithing
Date and Time: Saturday, April 19, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Instructor: Steve Khoury
Cost is $65

Using hand-operated blacksmithing tools, you will work on an anvil in a coal forge and create a variety of objects such as ornamental hooks. Work boots, long sleeved shirts and long pants are required. Meet at the Heldeberg Workshop in Voorheesville at 9am. Please bring lunch or a hardy snack. Participants will be sent a map and directions to the Workshop. Limited to 8.

Field Trip Registration

Please complete the Field Trip Registration Form (Adobe PDF) to register for a field trip. Please note that registration for field trips must be done in advance by mail and the Heldeberg Workshop can only accept payments by check. Please make checks payable to:

To complete your registration, mail your completed form and check to:

HELDEBERG WORKSHOP ADULT PROGRAM
PO Box 246
Voorheesville, NY 12186

We apologize, but we cannot accept registrations for the field trips through the online conference registration service.