CAPITAL DISTRICT — The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy was founded twenty-five years ago on a cold winter evening by a small group of neighbors concerned about the loss of precious open space. Today, the Conservancy is a strong regional land trust and the only conservation organization exclusively dedicated to preserving the fields and forests, wildlife habitat, and character of Albany, Schenectady and Montgomery Counties.
The public is invited to join the Conservancy as it celebrates a quarter century of local and impactful conservation successes. “MHLC has been your local land trust for 25 years, and we have so much to celebrate together,” said Mark King, Executive Director of MHLC. “Looking back, one cannot help but feel proud. We remember the years of hard work and dedication, and the faces of volunteers and donors who have helped this organization preserve distinct landscapes of the Mohawk and Hudson River valleys.”
On Saturday, Jan. 28, the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC) will kick off a year-long celebration of its silver anniversary with a cocktail party honoring Matthew Bender IV, local philanthropist and conservationist. Guests will experience the breathtaking view of the winter sunset over the preserved lands of the Capital Region from the Corning Tower Observation Deck while enjoying cocktails and a light buffet.
The public is invited to join MHLC board, staff, and friends for this special celebration, which begins at 3:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are available at www.mohawkhudson.org or by calling 436-6346.
Mr. Bender will be honored for his significant contribution to the Conservancy as a devoted supporter and passionate advocate for land conservation in the Capital Region. “Matt Bender’s dedication and generosity exemplify the strong spirit of conservation among our supporters. We are thrilled to honor Matt and his years of generous support, which have helped MHLC become an active and crucial force in regional land preservation,” said King.
This party will be the first of dozens of celebratory, conservation-focused events open to the public and hosted by MHLC in 2017. In February, MHLC will feature its first outdoor event of the year with a day of fat biking on the trails of its Keleher Preserve in Voorheesville, with food and beverages provided by Bountiful Bread of Stuyvesant Plaza. As the weather begins to warm in April, MHLC will partner with Ondatra Adventures to host a Hiking and Backpacking Tips and Tricks Workshop. In the summer and fall, the public is invited to a series of programs including birding hikes, new preserve openings, family wilderness craft programs, a Hike-a- Thon in July, and a special gala affair at Thacher Park’s new visitor center in September. More information on all events can be found at www.mohawkhudson.org.
In February, MHLC will also be releasing the Capital Region Nature Passport, a new, free resource for explorers, adventurers, and naturalists of all ages and expertise levels. The passport is a collection of 25 micro-adventures which can be completed entirely within the forests, streams, and fields of MHLC’s public preserves and protected lands. From finding hidden habitat gems to trying out new trails, the passport encourages visitors and citizens to pull on their boots, get out the door, and get some dirt under their nails, exploring the spectrum of nature experiences waiting to be enjoyed in the Capital Region. Free copies of the passport will be available at all MHLC preserve kiosks and at the Conservancy’s office at 425 Kenwood Avenue in Delmar.
After 25 years, the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy continues to expand and connect the network of preserved lands across Albany, Montgomery, and Schenectady Counties. The growing community of conservationists and supporters who make this preservation work possible are a group of people dedicated to protecting the scenic, recreational, and environmental value of the Capital Region landscape. In celebration of its silver anniversary, MHLC invites friends both old and new to join in a year of conservation, recreation, and connection. The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC) is a nonprofit conservation organization working to preserve the natural, scenic, agricultural and cultural landscapes of the Mohawk and Hudson River valleys.
Since its founding in 1992, the Conservancy has protected more than 5,000 acres of land in Albany, Montgomery, and Schenectady Counties, including over 2,000 acres open to the public for hiking, cross- country skiing, and other educational and recreational opportunities. MHLC also manages more than four miles of the Albany County Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail through an agreement with Albany County.