Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site will host environmental educator George Steele on June 27^the at 6:30pm for the first in the 2018 Wildlife Wednesday program series.  Steele will lead a walk that explores different areas of the historic site around the Visitor Center while watching and listening for various bird species.  The walk will take place along the banks of Schoharie Creek and on historic site trails, which were formerly the towpath for the Erie Canal.  The program will meet outside the Visitor Center at 129 Schoharie Street, Fort Hunter.  There is no charge, but donations are always appreciated.  (opens in a new tab)

Birders know that the region is terrific for the varied species that can be found, and at Schoharie Crossing there is a tremendous birding habitat complete with waterways, wetlands, reforested spaces and more. The site is known for appearances by species such as the Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Orioles, Pileated Woodpeckers, Egrets, Belted Kingfisher, Bald Eagles, Canada Geese, and many more. 

George Steele is a lifelong educator. His unique blend of expertise and enthusiasm has turned thousands of children into science-lovers. For over 20 years he has been an independent education consultant working with schools, libraries, nature centers, and museums thought the Northeast, including the NYS Art Teachers Association, the NYS Outdoor Education Association, the Gifted and Talented Enrichment Program at Lafayette College and Lehigh University.

He is the former director of the NYSDEC Environmental Education Camp Program, recipient of the Conservation Educator Award of the NYS Conservation Council, the NYS Outdoor Education Association’s Gold Award for Lifetime Achievement and Outdoor Educator of the Year Award.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Forest Biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, and has done graduate work at the Antioch/New England Graduate School in Keene, NH.

The Wildlife Wednesday series will occur every two weeks from the end of June until September. Alternating time slots of 6:30pm and 5:00pm and will feature engaging environmental education with George Steele, Anita Sanchez and Student Conservation Association interns from the Saratoga Spa State Park.

For information about this series and more, please call the Visitor Center at (518) 829-7516, email SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov, or visit our Facebook page.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 60 million people annually.  For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.