Category Archives: Recent Programs

Conservation Advisory Committee Star Gazing Party

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Come see the universe with the Town of Kent CAC and Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association!

When:

Saturday, September 24, 2022, starting at 6:30 PM

Plan to arrive before sunset to get to know the CAC and the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association along with their equipment, as well as get situated with the ground surface while enjoying some cider and donuts before it gets dark.

Where:

Town of Kent Town Center
25 Sybil’s Crossing
Kent Lakes, NY 10512

Join the Town of Kent Conservation Advisory Committee (CAC) and the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association (MHAA) for an evening of stargazing and viewing far away objects in space through MHAA’s member telescopes. If conditions are good, MHAA members should be able to give you good views of planets and more – Star Clusters, Nebulae, even distant Galaxies. The Moon will be at its most desirable for viewing. A “Naked-Eye Star Walk” will also be presented by an MHAA member using a green laser pointer to guide you through some of the more common constellations and asterisms as well as point out anything interesting that you can find either by eye or easily with a manual telescope.

While it is still warm weather, we are in Autumn now.  Please be certain to dress for the weather! Our advice is to dress as if you plan on the temperature being (at least) 10-15 degrees COOLER than you think it will be.

The Kent Conservation Foundation (thekcf.org) will provide cider donuts and apple cider for free!  Thank you to our donors for helping with this event.

During this event please be mindful that we will be observing dim objects in the dark.  We ask that you do not use any white lights (flashlights, etc.) near the telescopes. Red lights (ex., a LED headlamp with a red light or red LED flashlight) work great for seeing around the ground and where you are walking while preserving night vision for everyone viewing the night sky.

Bring your curiosity, your questions, and even your own telescope or binoculars if you wish.

For updates on this event or information regarding possible postponement or cancellation due to weather, please check back here at this web page, look for us on our Facebook page, the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee, or call 914 671 2764.  

Spring Woodcock Walk

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Drawing of an American woodcock sitting on an oak leaf

Naturalists from the Town of Kent Conservation Advisory Committee (KCAC) and the Kent Conservation Foundation (KCF) will lead a walk through the Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area at 190 Cornwall Hill Road, Patterson, NY to enjoy spring delights – bird songs in the meadow at dusk, warm breezes, earthy scents and the chance to witness the bizarre, intricate and impressive mating flight of the American Woodcock, a small game bird that welcomes spring with a dance at dusk. 

Come learn about this extraordinary behavior and how to identify the sounds of this amazing bird. 

This is a short walk. We are walking from the parking area at 190 Cornwall Hill Road into the field and that is about it. Very suitable for most people to attend!

Date: Saturday, April 23, 2022

Time: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm 

Location: Parking for this WMA is located at 190 Cornwall Hill Road, Patterson, NY 12563

Check the website (www.kentcac.info) or our Facebook page at Kent Conservation Advisory Committee for weather cancelation.  

Town of Kent CAC is Hosting a “Star Party”

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UPDATED – Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 5:30PM

NOTE:  Due to inclement weather coming in on Saturday, this event has been rescheduled to Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 5:30PM.

Join the Town of Kent Conservation Advisory Committee and the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association (MHAA) for an evening of stargazing and viewing far away objects in space through MHAA’s member telescopes. If conditions are good, MHAA members should be able to give you good views of planets and more – Star Clusters, Nebulae, even distant Galaxies. The Moon will be at its most desirable for viewing. A “Naked-Eye Star Walk” will also be presented by a MHAA member using a green laser pointer to guide you through some of the more common constellations and asterisms as well as point out anything interesting that you can find either by eye or easily with a manual telescope.

Please be certain to dress for the weather! Dress like you plan on the temperature being (at least) 20 degrees COLDER than you think it will be. You might bring something warm to drink (hot chocolate!) and an additional blanket.

During this event please be mindful that we will be observing dim objects in the dark.  We ask that you do not use any white lights (flashlights, etc.) near the telescopes. Red lights (ex., a LED headlamp with a red light or red LED flashlight) work great for seeing around the ground and where you are walking while preserving night vision for everyone viewing the night sky.

Bring your curiosity, your questions and even your own telescope or binoculars if you wish.

Come “See the Universe with your Own Eyes”!

When:

Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 5:30PM

Where:

Town of Kent Town Center
25 Sybil’s Crossing
Kent Lakes, NY 10512

For updates on this event or information regarding possible postponement or cancellation due to weather, please check back here at this web page, look us up at the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee Facebook page or call 914 671 2764.  

Night of the Fireflies

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Saturday June 23, 8:00 – 9:30 PM
Kent Town Center

Join members of the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee for a mid-summer’s eve stroll around the grounds of our own Town Center in search of fireflies and other seasonal wonders. After sunset fades and evening bird songs silence, citizen scientists will look for some of eight possible species of lightning bugs that can be found in Kent and discover how to read their signals. Learn how fireflies make light, their unusual life history, and where to find glow worms, while KCAC members add to their Natural Resource Inventory.

Firefly composite

Participants will meet in the parking lot, families, but not pets, are welcome. Wear long pants and bring a jar to closely examine summer insects. Cloudy humid weather is okay for fireflies, but heavy rain cancels. Call 845-228-5635 for more details.

Little People Walk at the Kent Library

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Little people are part of the folklore of many cultures around the world. Whether leprechauns, fairies, trolls or gnomes, stories of the teeny-tiny abound. Youngsters are invited to look for evidence of little people right here in Kent, as part of the Halloween Extravaganza at the Kent Public Library on Saturday, October 29 at 12:15. After a short walk in the forest, families are invited to construct their own fairy house using natural materials.

Photo of a house that little people in the woods might be living in
I wonder if they’re home. Photo: Beth Herr

The walk is sponsored by the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee. Local artist, Lisa Amejide, will share stories about her miniature haunted houses. Families with little children are welcome to this free program. Meet in front of the library.

Citizen Scientists Test Local Waters

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Join members of the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee to collect water quality data from a local stream on Saturday, August 13, at 11am. As part of the NYSDEC’s WAVE program – Water Assessments by Volunteer Evaluators – we’ll collect samples with a drift net and prescribed protocol. After collection, we’ll send the samples to the NYSDEC who will evaluate them and return the results to us.

Meet at the corner of Route 301 and East Boyd’s Road to sample water draining from Seven Hills Lake into the West Branch of the Croton River. Be prepared to get wet feet and find some interesting creatures with amazing adaptations. Learn about how stream assessments are done and how organisms indicate differences in water quality. If bad weather forces us to postpone this event, we’ll post a notice on our home page and send an email to people who subscribe to the CAC programs list.

If you’re interested in testing other stream sites training is available and equipment is available for loan. For more about WAVE click here.

Star Party Postponed

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Well, it’s happened again. The astronomer’s curse. The weather is forcing us to postpone Kent’s first Star Party for a second time.

After consulting with our friends and cosponsors the Westchester Amateur Astronomers, we’ve reluctantly concluded that the likelihood of substantial cloud cover and lots of humidity in the air will make for poor viewing conditions tonight. But we’re not giving up! We’ll be working with the WAA folks looking for a weekend when the weather is predicted to be good, the phase of the moon is right and there are interesting things to see in the early night sky. When we hit on a winning combination, we’ll let you know.

The Nature of Kent

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The Town of Kent is rich in natural wonders, and at 7pm on Tuesday, April 12, attendees will have a chance to learn about them at a presentation at the Kent Public Library in the downstairs program room.

Our town has thousands of acres of protected open space that provide habitats and corridors for a variety of animals and plants, some rare. Miles of hiking trails offer residents the opportunity to explore the woods and enjoy a variety natural treasures that are within our very own borders. But for many residents, these natural wonders are as yet undiscovered.

Join Beth Herr, chair of the Kent Conservation Advisory Council (KCAC), and Dave Ehnebuske, president of the newly-formed Kent Conservation Foundation (KCF) on an armchair tour of the many places people can enjoy hiking, fishing, kayaking, hunting, photography, mountain-biking, bird-watching, and sketching–all within the 43 square miles that comprise Kent. The program will feature local favorites such as the Mount Nimham Fire Tower and Hawk Rock, as well as the wildlife found there. But lesser known treasures will be highlighted as well.

The KCF carries out necessary projects as identified by the KCAC. State law prohibits the Town of Kent from funding many of them, so the KCF is charged with raising the necessary funds. All of the projects help protect, preserve and promote Kent’s natural areas.

The Kent Public Library is located at 17 Sybil’s Crossing in the Kent Town Square complex.

Mount Nimham Fire Tower Work Day Postponed

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As you’ve no doubt heard, the CAC has been planning a work day for October 3 at the Mount Nimham Fire Tower to prepare the tower and the grounds for the upcoming festival on October 11. Given the stormy weather predicted for tonight and tomorrow, we will postpone the work day to this Sunday, October 4, 10am–2pm.

The weather forecast for Sunday looks good so we hope you’ll come give us a hand. To volunteer, or for more information, please call Beth at 845-228-5635 or Bill at 914-671-2764.

Mount Nimham Fire Tower Festival and Fall Foliage Hike

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Originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940, and restored in 2005 by members of the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee and other volunteers, the Mount Nimham Fire Tower is one of the most-visited treasures in the Town of Kent.

On October 11, from 2-4pm, the Conversation Advisory Committee (CAC) and the Kent Conservation Foundation (KCF) will be hosting a festival at the fire tower to commemorate its restoration and celebrate its value to the community. Prior to the festival, those who want to participate in the CAC’s annual Fall Foliage Hike will meet at 11:30am in the parking area off Gipsy Trail Road (map) to take a guided walk through the woods to the fire tower. Since driving up the road to the top is prohibited, there will be shuttles running from the Gipsy Trail Road parking area beginning at 1pm.

If you’d like to volunteer to help with the event, please contact Beth Herr at 228-5635 or at herrszur@comcast.net by October 1 or sooner if possible. We’d really welcome your help.

Directions to the festival and other details will follow as the event grows closer. Hope to see you there!