Nature Preserve at Barberville Falls in Poestenkill NY to Close Due to Misuse

by By Brian Nearing, TimesUnion.com, link to original post

A nature preserve at one of Rensselaer County’s most picturesque waterfalls is being closed to the public after repeated efforts failed to keep people from swimming, drinking and littering there.

The Nature Conservancy will close its 140-acre preserve at Barberville Falls, a 92-foot waterfall near intersection of Plank and Ives Corner/Blue Factory roads, conservancy spokesman Troy Weldy said Thursday.

Efforts to keep people from swimming, drinking alcohol and leaving behind trash have proved unsuccessful. “We tried hiring our own private security to patrol the falls, but we cannot afford to keep doing that,” he said.

There have been occasional injuries at the preserve when people climb the falls and fall off, including a serious injury last year, Weldy said. “We have also been getting complaints from neighbors about noise and other issues.”

The not-for-profit Nature Conservancy has owned the falls preserve since 1967. Described by the Rensselaer Land Trust as “one of the most arresting natural features in Rensselaer County,” the falls are topped by the unfinished stone remains of an old mill. In its online description of the property, the land trust also noted conservancy signage there is “often vandalized.”

The property will be closed from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and anyone found there will be subject to arrest for trespassing, said Weldy. More fencing is being put up, and the parking area is being barricaded, he added.

“The decision to close the preserve, especially during the summer months, is a difficult one,” said Rick Werwaiss, executive director of the conservancy’s Eastern New York Chapter. “Despite our efforts to discourage and control the misuse of the property, the problem has persisted, and we feel closure is the only option currently available to us.”

Poestenkill Supervisor Dominic Jacangelo said, “It is unfortunate that the behavior of some individuals has caused this notable landmark much loved by our residents to be closed and kept from everyone’s enjoyment.”

Weldy said State Police and the Rensselaer County Highway Department support the decision to close the preserve.

Allegheny 100 Backpacking Challenge June 8

Why try to challenge 100 miles of the North Country Trail through Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest in just 50 hours? “It’s been a great way to refine my backpacking and get in better shape,” says Mike Merry, the only finisher in the hike’s two-year history. “Plus, it’s a nice walk.”

This year’s event starts Friday June 8, with 25- and 50-mile options as well. Hikers will head north from Marienville on the mostly level path through white pine and hemlock, past rock outcrops and mountain laurel-choked drainages.
Registration deadline for the official hike is June 1 ($30 includes shuttle, www.northcountrytrail.org), or do it on your own anytime.

source: Backpacker Magazine, June 2012

2 Big Finger Lakes Trail Events in June – sign up NOW

The Finger Lakes Trail Conference has 2 BIG events scheduled in celebration of our 50th Anniversary. The first is a one-day END to END hike on the main trail on June 2 (National Trails Day). The main trail has been divided into 75 hikes and leaders have been recruited to lead a simultaneous end to end hike. We would like to have an average of 10 hikers for each hike. Will YOU join us? Please visit our website and register. Those who register and participate will receive a special limited edition patch. NO extras will be distributed. Sign up at: http://www.fltconference.org/trails/what-s-happening/hike-programs/amazing-one-day-end-to-end-hike/

The deadline for registering for the 50th Anniversary Weekend at Keuka College is May 31. The event date is June 15-17. We are looking forward to setting a new attendance record for a FLT weekend. PLEASE JOIN US! We have something for everyone! Information and registration information is found at:
http://www.fltconference.org/trails/what-s-happening/hike-programs/spring-weekend-2012/

Biking guidebooks are for more than just biking

Take Your Bike – Finger Lakes

A question arose on this blog the other day – why wasn’t a specific trail included in a Saratoga area hiking book. The answer came back from author Roger Fulton that this particular trail could be found in the Saratoga biking book.

This reminded me of an issue that Rich & I faced as authors. When you produce a series of guidebooks to a specific area (such as Rochester NY and the Finger Lakes area) you have to divide up which trails go into which guidebook. Generally, if a trail is bikable it goes into the biking guidebook, mainly because most trails are for hiking only. But, the issue is, trails in biking guidebooks can be used for hiking, running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, bird watching, and nature appreciation.Consider picking up a biking guidebook even if you don’t won a bicycle. You’ll find many wonderful trails you may have overlooked.

Bike Lake George

Take Your Bike! Family Rides in NY’s Finger Lakes Region
Take Your Bike! Family Rides in the Rochester Area
Take Your Bike! Family Rides in the Finger Lakes & Genesee Valley Region
25 Interesting Bicycle Trails in the Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence Seaway Region of New York State
25 Interesting Bicycle Trails in the Lake George NY Region
25 Interesting Bicycle Trails in the Saratoga Springs NY Region

ADK Offering Canoe/Kayak Instructor Course June 11-14

The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) is offering an American Canoe Association (ACA) Instructor Certification course, June 11-14 in Lake Placid.

This four-day course, Level-2: Essentials of Canoeing and Kayak Touring, is designed to help outdoor educators, leaders, outfitters and enthusiasts refine paddling mechanics, hone rescue skills and develop teaching techniques needed to instruct and safely lead others.

Certifications are for flatwater, using both tandem and solo canoe, and solo recreational/touring kayak. Canoes, kayaks, paddles and lifejackets will be provided by ADK. Participants are encouraged to bring their own boats if possible. Participants are also encouraged to stay on or near the Heart Lake Program Center as nighttime seminars are required.

Course instructors include Laura Liebel, ACA instructor and owner of Wekanu.com, a company focused on paddle skills and certifications, based in Buffalo, and Ryan Doyle, ADK’s outdoor leadership coordinator, ACA instructor and Leave No Trace Master Educator.

The price of the course is $375 for ADK members and $415 for nonmembers and includes instruction and use of gear. ACA membership is a small additional fee required at the time of the course. To register, call ADK at (518) 523-3441. For more information, visit www.adk.org or call(518) 523-3441.

ADK’s education workshops are designed to help people explore the wonders of wild lakes and waterways, high alpine ridges, rugged backcountry wilderness and pristine forests while learning the skills and ethics necessary for an enriching experience.

The Adirondack Mountain Club, founded in 1922, is the oldest and largest organization dedicated to the protection of the New York State Forest Preserve. ADK is a nonprofit, membership organization that protects the Forest Preserve, state parks and other wild lands and waters through conservation and advocacy, environmental education and responsible recreation.

Explore Nature’s Health Club with Finger Lakes TRYathlon June 9

Fresh air, gorgeous scenery and a great workout combine for participants in the new and innovative Finger Lakes TRYathlon hosted by Finger Lakes Visitors Connection on June 9. The Finger Lakes great outdoors is Nature’s Health Club, and the TRYathlon takes advantage of nature’s assets to get fit and stay healthy. This first-ever Finger Lakes TRYathlon encourages people to get out and TRY a variety of activities to get involved in healthy living.

Throughout the day, TRYathletes will experience and learn about healthy outdoor activity from seasoned local professionals. For the first leg of the event, the athletes will put on their hiking shoes and venture out on a guided hike at Dryer Park in Victor with Brian Emelson of Victor Parks and Recreation. The second leg takes advantage of the water and involves kayaking or standup paddleboarding with Steve Howie of Canandaigua Sailboarding. The final event in the TRYathlon is a bicycling expedition with USA Cycling Coach and Tune Yoga for Sports owner Leslee Trzcinski. The TRYathletes will also be treated to a healthy lunch at the Canandaigua Wegmans, a leader in promoting healthy living in the Finger Lakes.

“Outdoor adventure in the Finger Lakes and Ontario County is an excellent way to get and stay healthy. That’s why we call it Nature’s Health Club,” said AJ Shear, communications manager for the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection. “The TRYathlon gives people an opportunity to get out and TRY some activities or check out some places that they may not have experienced before with professionals who have an undying passion for healthy living in the Finger Lakes.”

For more information about Nature’s Health Club and the Finger Lakes TRYathlon, visit www.visitfingerlakes.com/natures-health-club/finger-lakes-tryathlon.

source: Life in the Finger Lakes magazine e-news

River Otter Project a success in the Finger Lakes Region

river otter

A river otter killed by a vehicle near Ithaca last month had an imbedded microchip that identified the animal as being released near Bear Swamp in October 2000. The animal was 12 years old, about four years past the average lifespan for river otters.

From 1995 to 2001, wild river otters were live-trapped, implanted with a tracking microchip and released in western and central portions of the state where populations were thought to be extinct.

This was done as a cooperative effort by many partners, collectively called the River Otter Project. Based on the longevity of the animal and other observation reports from the public, one must consider the River Otter Project a success.

A more formal evaluation is planned, but the DEC encourages everyone to continue reporting observations and submitting photos of wild river otters to fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us. You can learn more about river otters and the ROP on DEC’s River Otter web page. Volunteers observe as an otter is released back into the wild with its newly implanted tracking microchip.

source: Ithaca Journal