Slightly over a month away, I’m starting to gear up on one of the biggest MHAA events of the year. Last year we had about 100 guests come to our Observe the Moon event at Vassar Farms, so I’m hoping we’ll top that this year.
More details on the MHAA website. Also, if you are in the area, please consider printing out a couple of fliers and sticking them up where they’ll be seen.
It turns out that while I was coming up with the idea of figuring out if we could do an astronomy outreach event at the Vassar Farm, Keri VanCamp (the Vassar Farm & Ecological Preserve manager) was developing a program of outings at the preserve to get more people out experiencing it. It worked out perfectly, so now we’ll be celebrating International Observe the Moon Night as an event on Vassar’s “Exploring a Sense of Space” at the farm.
Our event will take place on Saturday, September 18th at 7:30pm. I’m hoping for a clear night, because if it’s fully cloudy there won’t be much to see, so we’ll have to cancel. Here is the flyer I managed to come up with (based on the template from the observe the moon team):
It’s also available as a PDF for printing.
The overall list of topics going on at the Farm in their series is pretty interesting stuff. As I’ve not seen it online yet, I’ll duplicate it here for anyone interested:
A series of guided walks and events on the Vassar Farm & Ecological Preserve
Wednesday September 8th at 3:30 PM: Walk led by Dr. Mark Schlessman and Keri VanCamp
Topic: Wildflower Walk *
Saturday September 18th at 7:30 PM: Program led by Mid-Hudson Astronomy Club
Topic: Astronomy: International Observe the Moon Night
Wednesday September 22nd at 3:30 PM: Walk led by Dr. Lucy Johnson
Topic: Native American Usage of the Preserve and Valley*
Saturday September 25th at 9 AM: Walk led by the RT Waterman Bird Club
Topic: Bird Watching
Wednesday September 29th at 3:30 PM: Walk led by Dr. Kirsten Menking
Topic: Glacial History of the Preserve*
Wednesday October 6th at 3:30 PM: Walk led by Hannah Clark and Jason Carter
Topic: Forest Ecology and Invasive Insects*
Wednesday October 13th at 3:30 PM: Walk led by Dr. Meg Ronsheim, Abby Falk-Rood, & Keri VanCamp
Event: Mushroom Foray and Basic ID*
Wednesday October 20th at 1:30 PM: Program led by Keri VanCamp & Emily Vail
Event: Wetland Buffer Planting*
Wednesday October 27th at 6:30 and 8 PM (Rain date October 29th): Program led by Hannah Clark, Jason Carter, & Dr. Glenn Proudfoot
Topic: Northern Saw Whet Owl**
All events could be canceled due to adverse weather. Please contact us if the weather forecast is questionable. Participants should meet in the parking area near the large red barn across from the community gardens at the Vassar Farm.
*A van will also bring people from campus to the farm. It will depart from the main circle 15 minutes before the program begins.
** Space for this event is limited. People must RSVP to Hannah or Keri. This event will be held at the Collin’s Field Station.
To RSVP or for additional information contact: Hannah Clark at hannah3890@yahoo.com or Keri VanCamp at (845) 437-7414.
It's always more complicated 