Connecting people to nature one stop at a time!
Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy and CDTA are partnering once again to connect Albany City residents to nature. This free bus service brings you to popular outdoor locations where you can enjoy free programming on most weekends. Take a guided walk, try out bird identification, or simply get to know nature... there’s so much to do!
Nature Bus 2023 service begins in Albany on Saturday, May 27 and runs through Saturday, October 14.
ECOS: the Environmental Clearinghouse and MHLC have teamed up with the CDTA to bring a limited Nature Bus trolley service to Schenectady! During three weekends this summer, enjoy free bus service and free programming at natural spaces within Schenectady County.
Schenectady Nature Bus is set to launch June 24. Check back soon for the schedule!
Visit the CDTA website for the Nature Bus - 872 schedules: www.cdta.org
Beaver Line – Starting May 27 and every other Saturday through October 7 (view pdf schedule)
Albany Pine Bush and City of Albany Water Department Six Mile Water Works
Tivoli Lake Preserve and Farm
MHLC’s Fisher Trail in partnership with DEC’s Five Rivers
DEC’s Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Warbler Line - Starting June 3 and every other Saturday through October 14 (view pdf schedule)
Albany County Rail Trail Veterans Memorial Park
Albany County Rail Trail Slingerlands Trailhead
Thacher Park Visitor Center
SATURDAY, MAY 27
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
May 27 at 10:00 AM - I BIRD NY: Learn to Use Merlin Bird ID While outside, do you ever wonder what that bird is? Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology has made finding out simple. Merlin is a free downloadable app for your smartphone that can help you identify birds, both visually and by sound! Just bring your phone and walking shoes. Space is limited. Please call 518-475-0291 to register by Wednesday, May 24
May 27 at 2:00 PM - Family Fun: Muskrats are Our Neighbors
Five Rivers’ wetlands are home to active muskrats. Take a walk and explore where the muskrats find food and shelter. See and touch the wonderful fur that keeps them warm and dry all year long. Hold a muskrat skull and see its adaptations for survival. Space is limited. Call 518-475-0291 to register by Wednesday, May 24.
SATURDAY, JUNE 10
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
June 10 from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM- Get Outdoors & Get Together Day
The outdoors is for everyone. Join us as we highlight ways to explore and enjoy the outdoors. Take a hike, try out bird watching, and more. We’ll have a special focus on making the outdoors accessible to all, whether with adaptive equipment or specialized facilities and programs. The Nature Bus will provide service from Albany to Five Rivers on this day.
SATURDAY, JUNE 3
Thacher State Park
SATURDAY, JUNE 17
Thacher State Park
June 17 from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Walk the Rainbow
Meet at the Nature Center. Celebrate Pride Month on a walk around the Nature Center to search out wildflowers in every color! There will be a 1 hour break between this walk and the Watercolor Wildflowers program; participants attending both programs are invited to bring their own lunch. Registration required. Call 518-872-0800. Registration is required.
Funding for this project in 2023 was provided by the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission and the NYS Environmental Protection Fund through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Bureau of Environmental Education.