MGV Guided Hikes 2025 Saturday, September 20, 2025 9:30 am - 2:00 pm Join Cornell Cooperative Extension Putnam County Master Gardener Volunteers on guided hikes as we explore Putnam County’s natural beauty, land-use history, and the invasive species that threaten our natural resources. Date Difficulty Level Location May 31  Rain Date: June 1 Moderately Strenuous  5 hours4.45 miles Chimney Top Fahnestock State Park: Highlights include beautiful, wooded areas with interesting vegetation, such as Mountain Laurel, and outstanding views of Breakneck Ridge, Mt. Beacon, and Storm King. There is a moderate ascent.June 21 Rain Date: June 22 Strenuous  4.5 hours 4 miles Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area: A more challenging hike with a gorge waterfall, an overlook, and a hemlock forest affected by the 2018 tornado. We'll discuss the NY-Conn "Oblong" border history beginning in the 1600s. This hike has a 500- foot ascent. July 19  Rain Date: July 20Easy  2 hours 1.5 miles Pelton Pond Nature Trail: Located in Fahnestock State Park, this is an ideal hike for families with young children. This scenic trail loops around Pelton Pond, a man-made body of water created by flooding a mine shaft.Aug. 16  Rain Date: August 17 Moderate  3.5 hours 3 miles Sugarloaf Hill Trail: An out and back trail beginning in the Castle Rock Unique Area to Hudson Highlands State Park with views of the Hudson River, West Point and the Bear Mountain Bridge. The last 1/4 mile is a ridgeline ascent to the summit. Sept. 20 Rain Date: Sept. 21 Moderately Strenuous 3-4 Hours4 miles Mount Nimham: This is an up and back hike through the woods to a paved trail leading to the Mount Nimham Fire Tower. Along the way we'll discuss the tower and its namesake, stone chambers, and the area's history.Register HERE Oct. 18Rain Date: Oct. 19Moderately Strenuous  4 hours 3 miles Dennytown Fahnestock State Park: Visit a reforested mining area, Civilian Conservation Corps lakes and public works, beaver dams, and a vista. This hike has a 400-foot ascent, but also follows level dirt roads, through a shady forest. Registration is free (minors must be accompanied by parent). Waiver required for all hikers. ONLY 1 PERSON PER REGISTRATION FORM. Amanda Colley, amc399@cornell.edu , 845-278-6738 ext. 221 ========================================= Trail U. at Fred Dill Wildlife Sanctuary Saturday, September 27, 2025 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Fred Dill Wildlife Sanctuary, Fair Street , Carmel, NY 10512 Sept. 13: Intro to Trail Maintenance Workshop Ever wonder what it takes to be a Trail Maintainer? Join NYNJTC Senior Program Coordinator Melissa Cascini on this Intro to Trail Maintenance Workshop. What to bring: Work gloves, glasses/sunglasses, plenty of water, lunch and snacks, long pants, study close-toed shoes. Rain Date: Sunday, September 14th from 10am-2pm. Contact: NYNJTC Senior Program Coordinator Melissa Cascini at mcascini@nynjtc.orgSept. 27: Tread Construction and Repair Workshop Want to learn how to build a sustainable trail that’s resistant to erosion? Interested in learning how to repair an eroded trail? Take this workshop to find out! Our main goal with tread construction is to create a trail surface that keeps water off the trail and people on it resulting in sustainable trail systems. This course helps you gain or brush up on techniques to construct a sustainable trail and perform tread maintenance to keep the trail in good shape. These techniques include sidehill trail construction, utilizing sustainable grades, and implementing natural drainage features to shed water off the trail. What to bring: Work gloves, glasses/sunglasses, plenty of water, lunch and snacks, long pants, study close-toed shoes. Bring gloves and eye protection if you have them. PPE will be available for anyone who doesn't have them. Rain Date: Sunday, September 28th from 10am-2pm. Contact: NYNJTC Senior Trail Builder Ben Sugar at bsugar@nynjtc.org and the NYNJTC Volunteer Engagement Team at volunteer@nynjtc.orgOct. 11: Trail Closure and Renaturalization Workshop Are unofficial trails confusing hikers and causing damage to the environment? Join NYNJTC Senior Trail Planner Peter Dolan in this workshop to learn best practices for effectively closing off unauthorized "herd path" trails. What to bring: Work gloves, glasses/sunglasses, plenty of water, lunch and snacks, long pants, study close-toed shoes. Bring gloves and eye protection if you have them. PPE will be available for anyone who doesn't have them. Rain Date: Sunday, October 12th from 10am-2pm. Contact: NYNJTC Senior Trail Planner Peter Dolan at pdolan@nynjtc.org and the NYNJTC Volunteer Engagement Team at volunteer@nynjtc.org These workshops are hosted as part of Trail U. Attending this workshop will count towards the Expert Trail Maintainer curriculum track. Fill out your attendance in the Trail U Brochure to track your progress and earn a patch upon completion! If you have any questions about Trail U, please email volunteer@nynjtc.org Free Registration: https://support.nynjtc.org/page/85952/event/1 ========================================= Ask a Master Gardener @ the Cold Spring Farmers' Market Saturday, October 11, 2025 8:30 am - 1:00 pm Boscobel House and Gardens, 1601 Route 9D , Garrison , NY 10524 Join our Master Gardener Volunteers the second Saturday of the month at the Cold Spring Farmers' Market to learn the ins and outs of gardening from native planting to composting and more! The Cold Spring Farmers' Market is held every Saturday at Boscobel House and Gardens in Garrison.  April 26 - Community Earth Day Celebration  *** special hours - 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.***— Getting Your Garden Started: Spotlight the MGV Plant Sale on May 10, 2025. Demonstration on how to begin a garden: site assessment, planting from seed and plugs.— Putnam Pollinator Pathway - Get to Know the Pollinators: Learn the importance of pollinators in your garden.  June 14 - Putnam Pollinator Pathway - Importance of Native Plants: Native Plants are an essential part of any ecosystem.  July 12 - Using Your Garden Resources: Demonstration on how to bring your outside garden inside.  Aug. 9 - Maximize Garden Production and Minimize Waste: Explore strategies that provide for more efficient use of your garden and produce less waste. Includes discussion on composting.  Sept. 13 -Putnam Pollinator Pathway - Best Practice for Gardens/Lawn Management: How to reduce pesticides in your garden and lawn.  Oct. 11 - Creating Habitat: Whether it's a planned garden or natural, it all starts with creating habitat. Leave the leaves alone! Amanda Colley, amc399@cornell.edu , 845-278-6738 ext. 221 ========================================= Trail U. at Fred Dill Wildlife Sanctuary Saturday, October 11, 2025 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Fred Dill Wildlife Sanctuary, Fair Street , Carmel, NY 10512 Sept. 13: Intro to Trail Maintenance Workshop Ever wonder what it takes to be a Trail Maintainer? Join NYNJTC Senior Program Coordinator Melissa Cascini on this Intro to Trail Maintenance Workshop. What to bring: Work gloves, glasses/sunglasses, plenty of water, lunch and snacks, long pants, study close-toed shoes. Rain Date: Sunday, September 14th from 10am-2pm. Contact: NYNJTC Senior Program Coordinator Melissa Cascini at mcascini@nynjtc.orgSept. 27: Tread Construction and Repair Workshop Want to learn how to build a sustainable trail that’s resistant to erosion? Interested in learning how to repair an eroded trail? Take this workshop to find out! Our main goal with tread construction is to create a trail surface that keeps water off the trail and people on it resulting in sustainable trail systems. This course helps you gain or brush up on techniques to construct a sustainable trail and perform tread maintenance to keep the trail in good shape. These techniques include sidehill trail construction, utilizing sustainable grades, and implementing natural drainage features to shed water off the trail. What to bring: Work gloves, glasses/sunglasses, plenty of water, lunch and snacks, long pants, study close-toed shoes. Bring gloves and eye protection if you have them. PPE will be available for anyone who doesn't have them. Rain Date: Sunday, September 28th from 10am-2pm. Contact: NYNJTC Senior Trail Builder Ben Sugar at bsugar@nynjtc.org and the NYNJTC Volunteer Engagement Team at volunteer@nynjtc.orgOct. 11: Trail Closure and Renaturalization Workshop Are unofficial trails confusing hikers and causing damage to the environment? Join NYNJTC Senior Trail Planner Peter Dolan in this workshop to learn best practices for effectively closing off unauthorized "herd path" trails. What to bring: Work gloves, glasses/sunglasses, plenty of water, lunch and snacks, long pants, study close-toed shoes. Bring gloves and eye protection if you have them. PPE will be available for anyone who doesn't have them. Rain Date: Sunday, October 12th from 10am-2pm. Contact: NYNJTC Senior Trail Planner Peter Dolan at pdolan@nynjtc.org and the NYNJTC Volunteer Engagement Team at volunteer@nynjtc.org These workshops are hosted as part of Trail U. Attending this workshop will count towards the Expert Trail Maintainer curriculum track. Fill out your attendance in the Trail U Brochure to track your progress and earn a patch upon completion! If you have any questions about Trail U, please email volunteer@nynjtc.org Free Registration: https://support.nynjtc.org/page/85952/event/1 ========================================= MGV Guided Hikes 2025 Saturday, October 18, 2025 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Join Cornell Cooperative Extension Putnam County Master Gardener Volunteers on guided hikes as we explore Putnam County’s natural beauty, land-use history, and the invasive species that threaten our natural resources. Date Difficulty Level Location May 31  Rain Date: June 1 Moderately Strenuous  5 hours4.45 miles Chimney Top Fahnestock State Park: Highlights include beautiful, wooded areas with interesting vegetation, such as Mountain Laurel, and outstanding views of Breakneck Ridge, Mt. Beacon, and Storm King. There is a moderate ascent.June 21 Rain Date: June 22 Strenuous  4.5 hours 4 miles Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area: A more challenging hike with a gorge waterfall, an overlook, and a hemlock forest affected by the 2018 tornado. We'll discuss the NY-Conn "Oblong" border history beginning in the 1600s. This hike has a 500- foot ascent. July 19  Rain Date: July 20Easy  2 hours 1.5 miles Pelton Pond Nature Trail: Located in Fahnestock State Park, this is an ideal hike for families with young children. This scenic trail loops around Pelton Pond, a man-made body of water created by flooding a mine shaft.Aug. 16  Rain Date: August 17 Moderate  3.5 hours 3 miles Sugarloaf Hill Trail: An out and back trail beginning in the Castle Rock Unique Area to Hudson Highlands State Park with views of the Hudson River, West Point and the Bear Mountain Bridge. The last 1/4 mile is a ridgeline ascent to the summit. Sept. 20 Rain Date: Sept. 21 Moderately Strenuous 3-4 Hours4 miles Mount Nimham: This is an up and back hike through the woods to a paved trail leading to the Mount Nimham Fire Tower. Along the way we'll discuss the tower and its namesake, stone chambers, and the area's history.Register HERE Oct. 18Rain Date: Oct. 19Moderately Strenuous  4 hours 3 miles Dennytown Fahnestock State Park: Visit a reforested mining area, Civilian Conservation Corps lakes and public works, beaver dams, and a vista. This hike has a 400-foot ascent, but also follows level dirt roads, through a shady forest. Registration is free (minors must be accompanied by parent). Waiver required for all hikers. ONLY 1 PERSON PER REGISTRATION FORM. Amanda Colley, amc399@cornell.edu , 845-278-6738 ext. 221 =========================================