Author Archives: Bill Volckmann

Moutain Laurel Hike at Huestis Park

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When: Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 11:00AM

Location: Huestis Park located at 178 Farmers Mills Road, Kent Lakes, NY 10512

Click for hike location on Google Maps

Click for hike location on Apple Maps

Join the Town of Kent Conservation Advisory Committee on Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 11:00AM for a hike through the newly completed trail system at Huestis Park for a meandering trip around the backside of this town park to explore and experience the natural mountain laurel at peak bloom. Our two naturalists who have been working for the past 3 years on a Biodiversity Inventory project and have spent a bit of time studying the flora and fauna that live in Huestis Park will lead this hike to explain the many different plants and animals they have discovered in this park during their work. The Biodiversity Inventory project is a piece of the Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) that the CAC is currently working on for the Town. The NRI will document all natural resources the Town has in its boundaries along with historic artifacts that have significance to the history of this area.

Come learn about the NRI project and Biodiversity Inventory projects, history of Huestis Park and other projects the CAC is working on, including a long distance trail in conjunction with the NY/NJ Trail Conference.

This is a moderate hike of about 1.25 miles that should take 1.5-2 hours through the Red trail loop. Wear proper hiking boots or shoes and be prepared for some moderate slopes, mud, and rocks. A walking stick may be useful on the uneven terrain for this trail. Insect repellent for tick prevention is recommended. Bring water, and snacks, lunch is optional. Heavy rain cancels. For additional info email bbuck@nybg.org or call 845-225-9231.

Annual CAC hike to Hawk Rock and the old Mead Farm Ruins

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When: Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 10AM

Location: Meet at the DEP parking area for the Hawk Rock/Tom Morgan Trailhead at the end of Whangtown Road

Click for hike location on Google Maps (ignore the fact that it says “closed”, this is a Google mistake, we are working to get this updated)

Click for hike location on Apple Maps

Join the Town of Kent Conservation Advisory Committee for our annual hike to one of the town’s most interesting landmarks, Hawk Rock.

When the glaciers retreated northward at the end of the last ice age they left behind many large boulders that many times settled in interesting positions as the ice melted, looking almost like they were placed there. One of these glacial erratics is known as Hawk Rock. This glacial erratic is in the shape of a hawk’s wing when viewed from the correct angle and has a carving of a turtle. Local lore has it that long ago the Native Americans used the site as a meeting place and gave this huge rock its name. It is certainly a believable story; the setting is beautiful and it’s one impressive rock.

The land where the Hawk Rock/Tom Morgan Trail and this glacial erratic sits is part of the New York City watershed and is open for recreational use. Horse Pound Brook skirts the Hawk Rock trail, drains the wooded valley, and adds to New York City’s water supply. Along the way wildflowers and birdlife are abundant and old farm ruins tell the story of the Town of Kent in another time.

The Hawk Rock trail is blazed and marked, which was an Eagle Scout project completed by one of our local boy scouts from Carmel Troop #1. This is a moderate hike of about 3 miles that takes 3-4 hours round trip, including a lunch stop at Hawk Rock. Wear proper hiking boots or shoes and be prepared for some moderate slope, mud, and rocks. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Heavy rain cancels. Call 914-671-2764 for info.

CAC Fall Foliage Hike

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No need to drive far to enjoy the best of fall colors; nothing beats seeing the brilliance of autumn from the top of Mount Nimham Fire Tower!

Join members of the Town of Kent Conservation Advisory Committee for their annual fall foliage walk on Saturday, October 15, 2022. Meet at the parking area on Mount Nimham Court at 10 am for a ramble up a woodland trail past farm ruins, and stone shelters, through a peaceful forest. The climb up the mountain is mirrored in the subtle changes in vegetation. We’ll see the woodlands carpeted by ferns of different hues and an abundance of nuts.  Keep your eyes open for any wildlife that may be nearby. Once at the top, we’ll take time to enjoy the view from the historic fire lookout tower, last used by forest rangers in 1978. The return route will be along the blue trail or via the gravel access road, both returning to the parking area, completing the walk in approximately two miles.  

Wear good hiking shoes and bring water.  We also recommend using insect repellent for ticks.  We will take brief breaks.  No one will be left behind.  Dogs are welcome on a leash.

Heavy rain cancels. If the weather gets iffy, please check the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee webpage, the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee page on Facebook, or call 914-671-2764

When: Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 10 AM
Location: Mount Nimham Fire Tower, Mount Nimham Court, Carmel, NY 10512
Approximate duration: 2 hr 30 min
Directions: https://docs.kentcac.info/mngateparking

Notes from CAC Star Party Event

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On September 24, 2022 we held our second Star Party astronomical event with the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association (MHAA) at the Town of Kent Town Center. The MHAA folks were wonderful and we extend a BIG Thank-You to them for bringing their telescopes and knowledge. Without a doubt, the big highlight was the surprise viewing of a rocket lifting through the atmosphere in the Southern sky. We lucked out to catch a view of the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket lifting mission SL4-35, a Starlink mission installing 52 new Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit (about 550km above the surface of the Earth).

View of SpaceX Falcon9 rocket launch in the Southern sky

In addition to our surprise viewing of the SpaceX rocket launch, the MHAA team helped folks see such astronomical features as Jupiter (currently the brightest object in the sky), Saturn, Andromeda, and “E.T.”, an unnamed constellation that does look a bit like E.T. We had a great evening!

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.  

Annual CAC hike to Hawk Rock and the old Mead Farm Ruins

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When: *CANCELLED* Sunday, May 22, 2022, at 11AM

Location: Meet at the DEP parking area for the Hawk Rock/Tom Morgan Trailhead at the end of Whangtown Road

Join the Town of Kent Conservation Advisory Committee for our annual hike to one of the town’s most interesting landmarks, Hawk Rock.

When the glaciers retreated northward at the end of the last ice age they left behind many large boulders that many times settled in interesting positions as the ice melted, looking almost like they were placed there. One of these glacial erratics is known as Hawk Rock. This glacial erratic is in the shape of a hawk’s wing when viewed from the correct angle and has a carving of a turtle. Local lore has it that long ago the Native Americans used the site as a meeting place and gave this huge rock its name. It is certainly a believable story; the setting is beautiful and it’s one impressive rock.

The land where the Hawk Rock/Tom Morgan Trail and this glacial erratic sits is part of the New York City watershed and is open for recreational use. Horse Pound Brook skirts the Hawk Rock trail, drains the wooded valley, and adds to New York City’s water supply. Along the way wildflowers and birdlife are abundant and old farm ruins tell the story of the Town of Kent in another time.

The Hawk Rock trail is blazed and marked, which was an Eagle Scout project completed by one of our local boy scouts from Carmel Troop #1. This is a moderate hike of about 3 miles that takes 3-4 hours round trip, including a lunch stop at Hawk Rock. Wear proper hiking boots or shoes and be prepared for some moderate slope, mud, and rocks. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Heavy rain cancels. Call 914-671-2764 for info.

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.  

Program Notebook

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Throughout the year individuals and families participate in a number of CAC-sponsored hikes and indoor programs. It’s terrific to get together with old friends, meet new ones and together enjoy our wonderful outdoors or learn about and discuss environmental issues. By browsing these notes on what happened at past CAC events we hope you’ll see what we mean!

If you haven’t joined us for a program yet, we hope to see you at one in the near future. If you were at one and would like to contribute a photo or your own notes on the program, we’d love to hear from you. Contact Dave Ehnebuske (webmaster@kentcac.info).