January-March
2010 Biodiversity: Captured in Photographs Contest
The Landscape of Olana
Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Columbia and Greene Counties, along with Columbia-Greene Community College, are sponsoring the 2010 Biodiversity: Captured in Photographs Contest. The contest is open to both youth (grades 6 - 12) and adults from Columbia & Greene Counties. The deadline for entries is March 1, 2010. An awards reception will be held April 13 at CGCC; winning and other selected photographs will be on display at the college from April 9 until April 30, 2010. Olana is one of the recommended sites you can visit to seek out native flora and fauna for pictorial compositions! Our carriage roads (nature trails) on over 250 acres are open every day 8am-dusk free of charge from November-March. Come capture the landscape-and best of luck! *A copy of contest rules and an entry form are available by contacting Theresa Mayhew at: tcm5@cornell.edu.

January-March weather permitting
Impromptu Snowshoe Trek
Wagon House Education Center/Farm Complex
Families
Free

It's that time of the year for winter fun and exercise in Olana's Picturesque landscape. Join Jenny Brinker, Columbia Land Conservancy's (CLC) Environmental Educator, on a snowshoe trek on carriage roads at Olana as well as at other sites in our area. To take advantage of the sporadic snow-fall in Columbia County, you can sign up to be on an email alert system to notify you when there will be a snowshoe trek. You can check your email and there is a message from CLC: "Come join us for snowshoeing". Simply reply to the email and meet at the designated site. There will be a limited number of snowshoes to lend and beginners are welcome. *For more information and to register for the email list, contact Jenny Brinker at 518.392.5252x210 or email jenny@clctrust.org.

MARCH PROGRAMS

Saturday, March 13, 11:30AM
Family Tour at Olana
Visitor Center
$9/adult; $8/ students and seniors, free for children under 12 and members of The Olana Partnership
Explore the house, its paintings and treasures from a child's perspective. Tours are geared for families with 6-12 year olds, but all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required by 4PM the preceding Friday.
Call (518) 828-0135 for information.

Sunday, March 21, 1:00pm
First Spring Weekend Hike
Visitor Center
All ages
Free
Celebrate spring's first weekend by getting outside for a little fresh air in Olana's reawakening landscape. Weather permitting. Call (518) 828-0135 if conditions are questionable or for more information.

Monday, March 22, 10am-12pm
Local Flora and Fauna: Nature Photography
Wagon House Education Center/Farm Complex
All Ages
Free
Larry Federman, Assistant Warden/Educator for Audubon New York's Rheinstrom Hill, Buttercup Farm, Rams Horn-Livingston Audubon Centers and Sanctuaries offers this exciting lecture on the flora and fauna of our community. In the course of daily routines, Larry always has a camera with him at Audubon sites; now you can too discover the plants and animals that call these sanctuaries home through his incidental photos. After the presentation we will head out for a landscape walk; bring your binoculars and cameras! Children sized binoculars and sketch pads will be available for borrow. Come out and capture the first of spring.
Register by calling:(518) 828-1872 x109.

Friday, March 26, 2-4pm
Green Gardening
Wagon House Education Center/Farm Complex
Ages 3-5 and their caregivers
Free
Spring is almost here! Watch your own kitchen garden grow: come to Olana's farm complex to create your own fairy garden to bring home. Plant herb, vegetable and/or flower seeds in recyclable/re-used containers and then decorate your garden pots with art supplies inspired by Olana.
Register by calling:(518) 828-1872 x109.

Saturday, March 27, 11:30AM
Family Tour at Olana
Visitor Center
$9/adult; $8/ students and seniors, free for children under 12 and members of The Olana Partnership
Explore the house, its paintings and treasures from a child's perspective. Tours are geared for families with 6-12 year olds, but all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required by 4PM the preceding Friday. Call (518) 828-0135 for information.

Sunday, March 28 3-4pm
Landscape Yoga
Wagon House Education Center/Farm Complex
Adults
$10/class; $5 members of The Olana Partnership
Does your New Year's resolution include time for well-being? Nourish body and soul this winter in our education center that has radiant floor heating! This gentle yoga class will bring the inspiring picturesque landscape views inside, celebrating the spirituality of nature. Yoga instructor Ed Sisk from the Yoga With Ed studio in Hudson, NY will provide mats and modification tools, or you are welcome to bring your own. Space is limited.
Register by calling: (518)828-1872 x109.