Wilton Wildlife Preserve And Park

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is a non-profit organization partnering with the Town of Wilton, Saratoga County, NYS DEC and The Nature Conservancy to conserve ecological systems and natural settings while providing opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation.  The Preserve & Park is part of the Saratoga Sandplains, an area of ancient sand dunes, small but important wetlands and diverse ecological communities, home to the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly, the threatened frosted elfin, and the hognose snake, a species of special concern. The Karner blue butterfly was the catalyst to conserve this rare landscape in 1996, and within a few years, other extremely rare species, the eastern spadefoot toad and Blanding’s turtle were discovered on its protected lands.  Almost 2,400 acres protect significant habitats and 15 miles of trails provide a wonderfully fun, healthy, and educational resource for the community.  Educational and recreational opportunities are at the heart of the organization.  We provide a full range of year-round programs for the public and for local schools, scout groups, and others at the Preserve & Park and off-site.  Special events include our Winter Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe, Spring Wildlife Festival, Summer 5k Fun Runs and an 8k-snowshoe race.
Volunteer opportunities can be a one-time visit or can be a regularly scheduled series of visits.  Things that student volunteers have done in the past: taken photographs at events, helped with trail work days, helped with habitat projects, helped with native plant seed picking and/or cleaning, helped with special events like our Wildlife Festival or Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe, helped at other public programs and nature walks, helped with office projects, helped on wildlife studies like woodcock surveys, helped on other studies like the winter snowpack study.  We have also tailored projects to students who may have a special interest.  Volunteering can take place after school or on weekends.

80 Scout Road
Gansevoort, New York 12831
Contact: Margo Olson, Executive Director, 518-450-0321, , 9-5pm.
www.wiltonpreserve.org

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